Case analysis paper

A teams is only as strong as their weakest player. That is why it is imperative every player must possess high self-esteem. Self-esteem “refers to how you feel about yourself, including your worth-your value as a person” (p.48). Each player must believe they are a valuable part of the team that in order to create a cohesive ensemble. That way, players on the field exhibiting high self-esteem will not be easily shaken or torn down by the opponent. In return, they are confident, level-headed, and comfortable with their positon in the team. As a result, no vulnerabilities are exposed. In this context, we see the concept applied three-fold. First by the DePaul player performing the free kick, then by the two Loyola players who have formed the defense wall, and finally by the Loyola goalie. DePaul jersey #28 has the confidence that she can successfully pass and assist the goal. At the same time, the two Loyola defenders and goalie pictured believe they can successfully block the goal. Due to all sets of players indicating high self-esteem, each are assured they will fulfill their respective tasks and goal at hand. Self-esteem in the game of soccer is important because it gives players confidence. Self-esteem affects “what they do, how they think, and how they perform” (p.48). If a player has low-self-esteem, their performance on the field will be substandard. High self-esteem gives players the confidence and trust in themselves to accomplish the goal. Players “may have all of the ability in the world to perform well, but if [they] don’t believe [they] have that ability, then [they] will not perform up to that ability” (Taylor 2011). Contextually, the DePaul and Loyola players have faith in their capabilities. They exude confidence and high self-esteem, thus adopting a more champion attitude.

Locked and loaded to go, the players enter the stadium. Soccer is not a quiet game. There is cheering and yelling. In the photo you can see conversations between teammates, opponents, and referees. The different groups found in the situation calls for code switching. This refers to “a type of accommodation in which communicators change from one repertoire or ‘code’ to another as the situation warrants” (p.80). This concept articulates how individuals often change their behavior or linguistics depending on the context. Code switching is evident in soccer as the players use a different linguistic style on the field than they do off the field. This code switch aids to “manage identity” and “fit in with a particular group” during the match (p.80). In the captured moment, the players are seen interacting with the referee. Players use a formal and more polite style while speaking to the referee. If code switching is removed from the context, the players fail to make the accommodations. As a result, they may use profanity, near or directly to the referee. This results in consequences that include a yellow or red card warning, or eviction from the match. As soon as the referee in the picture steps away from the defenders in red, the players immediately code switch again. They communicate using their own jargon and slang amongst teammates. Perhaps there are code names and code words used to make judgment calls and plays that purposely exclude their opponents in white. This concept is needed to keep speech repertoires appropriate to the situation. Code switching is needed for verbal communication in order to not offend or hurt anyone involved in the situation either. What is acceptable to say during gameplay, may not be pertinent off the field and vice versa. Code switching is dually important moving the ball up and down the field. In the picture, player 28 must communicate with her teammates where she will pass the ball without revealing the traveling path to her opponents. Without code switching, her opponents in red would share the same code, and know exactly the play enacted and subsequently block the goal. However, using a different code, the white team can purposely exclude the opponents from the knowledge and action.

As intense as soccer is vocally, it is eminently intense physically. Yes, the game is only played with the feet, but that does not mean hands must be glued down to the side. Illustrators are then used in a soccer match to assist the players and referees in clear and competent communication. Illustrators “reinforce verbal messages and help visually explain what is being said” (p.103). These added physical gestures are paired with vocal signals to enhance communication” and to distinctly convey a message (p.103). Looking at the Kodak moment, we see the referee adopting an illustrator to relay a message to the two players in red. His outstretched arm intensifies his message to tell the two blockers to shift over to their left. He could be saying something along the lines of, “Move over more.” The problem with this message is that is very vague. However, the illustrator of the arm movement seen in the picture helps highlight which direction he wants the defenders to move. That is why illustrators are important. Illustrators are needed to “emphasize our words with pointing or sketching a thought in the air” (p. 103). Referees use this concept to transfer information to the whole stadium which team now has possession of the ball. If there were no illustrator, the referee would have to verbally announce which side gets the ball. The crowd might be confused about the codes of offense and defense, so stretching the arm out to the corresponding side of the possessive team is a definite and concrete solution. Using an illustrator such as the outstretched arms seen in the picture, allows for a rapid, universal understanding of who to turn the ball over to. Without this concept, messages can be misinterpreted. The defenders might have moved the opposite direction the referee wanted if they did not see an outstretched arm. Illustrators are needed in order to give the receiver a verbal message with an extra boost.

There are recommendations that I will provide to give the soccer players an extra oomph as well. For the players to exhibit a higher self-esteem toward themselves, I recommend adopting a self-fulfilling prophecy. This concept is a “prediction that causes you to change your behavior in a way that makes the prediction likely to occur” (p. 50). So in other words, before a game if you say you are going to play poorly, you will play poorly. For the next soccer match I recommend the players start using a self-fulfilling prophecy. All they need to do is repeat positive mantras and say to themselves that they will play better next time. And just so, their self-esteem is enhanced. This is because, “even the simple act of announcing your goals to others . . . can create a commitment to making a positive self-fulfilling prophecy come true” (p.51). So repeating phrases such as “I got this” and “We are going to win today,” will make that outcome more likely to happen. This tactic will then increase your self-esteem, boosting your confidence and team morale overall. This recommendation transcends the soccer field as well. For other contexts such as a job interviews, using a self-fulfilling prophecy and saying to yourself, “I will rock this interview” and “I will get this job” will uplift your self-esteem. This in turn gives you more confidence in your abilities and fills your experiences with positivity and good energy.

In order to keep that positive energy flowing, soccer players must properly code switch in order to avoid hurt feelings and consequences. Soccer players are notorious for using profanity in outrage of the calls made by the referee. They fail to acknowledge that there must be a different accommodation when interacting with a referee. When the referee in the photo heard something inappropriate or vulgar from the players, he blew his whistle and reprimanded them. These players demonstrated a code switch failure. My recommendation would be to use a different code around the referee. Another code can be as easy as another language. Many of my friends who play soccer allude the color cards by code switching. They use profanity in Greek when upset. The referees are then unfamiliar with this code, and therefore do not deem it inappropriate. I would recommend setting and making codes between teammates as well, as this will serve as a bonding experience. And in return you will comfortably and successfully communicate with one another on and off the pitch. Moreover, speaking the same code will make players more understanding, compassionate and sympathetic towards teammates. If a goal is missed, a player does not blame themselves, or their teammates for missing. In effect, healthy relationships are then established along with camaraderie and community. With the players all proudly speaking the same codes, the roster is positively fortified. Off the field and in the classroom, different codes are recommended too. Just as soccer players must use a proper and formal code with referees, I recommend students code switch from their usual slang and jargon filled repertories and adopt this similar, respectful code while talking to their professors. That way, they remain cognizant of the social cues in the classroom and linguistics remain situationally appropriate.

A social cue that soccer players can pick up on are illustrators. I recommend that players use illustrators to reinforce their verbal messages of, “I am open. Pass the ball,” too. Perhaps their teammate cannot hear who is available for a pass. However, using an illustrator such as a simple wave of the hand, might catch their eye and signal your teammate. Likewise when the goalie hugs the ball in a save, they must throw the ball back into play. I recommend the goalie use an illustrator of a pointed hand to the direction they will throw the ball when they yell, “Go in!” That way, there is a clear understanding of the message and the path of the ball. This cuts the time it takes the goalie to find an opening in half. If the goalie solely relies on a verbal message, the extended waiting period could be seen as timewasting, deliberately stalling gameplay, by the referee. I recommend using these illustrators in the pitch as they provides swift reinforcement to the verbal cues. In the real world, illustrators are needed to heighten your verbal messages as well. For example, while hailing a taxi, it is not enough to stand at the edge of the street and yell, “Taxi!” The taxi drivers cannot hear you. I again recommend illustrators to encourage your verbal message. Raising your hand at the edge of the street is a universally understood gesture and symbol. This outstretched arm paired with the verbal message will flag a taxicab down immediately.

As previously mentioned, soccer is not played in silence. There is communication between all those involved. For a team to click and work well together, players must enlist their self-esteem to bring about strength and trust in themselves and one another. These players must successfully code switch and communicate in different groups to keep the ball moving forward. And even if their communication starts to falter, illustrators are then used to give the verbal message that extra kick.

References

O’Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J. (2015). Real Communication:

An introduction (3rd ed). MacMillan Education.

Taylor, D. J. (2011, February 24). Confidence Matters for Athletes. Retrieved October 8, 2016.