Body Language: A Footballers’ Superpower

Body Language.

There is evidence that when communicating face to face with people 55% is through body language, 38% through tone and only 7% through the actual words. Of course, body language is a big, sophisticated subject but here are four key elements:

Facial expressions - the human face can express countless emotions. Smiling, for instance, is an incredibly powerful signal to others and an expression of happiness. Indications of sadness, anger, surprise, fear and disgust are the same all around the world.

Body movements and posture – the way you move, sit, walk, stand up, hold your head and carry yourself.

Gestures - we tend to wave, point, beckon and use our hands when we’re arguing or speaking animatedly—expressing ourselves without thinking.

Eye contact - since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is a vital type of nonverbal communication.

It’s one thing to ‘read’ other people (most of us are pretty tuned into that), but quite another to control your body language. Many gestures and signals are unconsciously delivered and it’s been described as a language we all speak but few understand.

So, if a footballer is playing in a stadium with, say, 15,000 fans, they won’t be able to hear the player but they will be able to see his facial expressions, body movements, posture and gestures.

It’s no surprise that the players who show positive body language, run around and give 100% every single week become fans’ favourites, whereas the ones who throw their arms around, slouch and look like they don’t care aren’t viewed as favourably.

Equally, if a player receives feedback from a coach or manager and scowls throughout, arms crossed, failing to make eye contact, then you can guess the kind of impression that’s going to create.