One Powerful Way to Start Speaking Better English in Sports

Would you like to communicate more clearly and effectively in English in sports?

Start training language the way you train for competitions.

How can you communicate efficiently in sports like cycling?

You wouldn’t show up to a game without practicing, so why do that with your English?

One of the most effective techniques I use with my clients is to simulate real-life sports conversations. I believe it’s one of the fastest ways to gain confidence and fluency in different situations you’ll encounter in international sports.

Let's look at how and why this works.

When you prepare and simulate specific situations in language learning, a few things happen:

• You build muscle memory for speaking under pressure.

• You learn to react quickly and naturally in real situations because you know what to expect.

• You train your brain the same way you train your body: with repetition and drills.

Case Study: Coaching Under Pressure. From Long Sentences to Quick, Clear Commands

Two of my clients- a professional cycling coach and an assistant basketball coach for the NBA G-League- had very different roles, but faced the same challenge.

When they were under pressure their English became too long and complicated.

For the cycling coach, this happened while talking to riders over the radio during races. With wind noise, heavy breathing from the physical exertion, and adrenaline, long responses or instructions weren’t an option.

He only had seconds to communicate with his riders.

For the basketball coach, the issue came during drills and in-game communication. He knew what he wanted to say but often used long, grammatically correct sentences instead of short, action-packed instructions and commands.

For both coaches, I focused on three key strategies:

1. Train for efficiency by cutting out unnecessary words without losing meaning.

2. Simulate real-time scenarios with a strict time limit to respond, which helped them think faster in English under pressure.

3. Develop go-to phrases that become second nature through repetition drills.

By simplifying their English in these key moments, we made it sharper, more effective, and better suited for the fast-paced nature of sports.

And by simulating these high-pressure situations through role-plays, they developed the necessary skills and confidence to communicate clearly in their second language.

The Power of Simulation in Language Learning

Learning a language and training for competitions have more in common than you think. In both, repetition and simulation are essential to improvement and more confidence. And when you prepare for and practice real situations, your brain builds muscle memory for language, exactly how drills build muscle memory for movement.

The more you simulate conversations you’ll encounter in sports, the more natural and automatic your English will become.

So, next time you’re preparing for an important conversation, whether it’s coaching on the sidelines, giving post-game interviews, or talking strategy with your team, simulate it with a friend, family member, teammate or coach, and watch your confidence start to grow!

Would you try this method? Or have you already tried this approach?

Comment below and let me know!