Society

Duke Wilson

Coaching Communication and Safe Tackling in Rugby and Football

A well-lit headshot of a young person with fair skin, prominent blue-green eyes, and voluminous, wavy light brown hair that falls around their face. They have a subtle, calm expression, looking straight ahead. They are dressed in a dark olive-green zippered hoodie, worn open to reveal a black t-shirt underneath, against a soft, light grey studio background.

I am a Professional Communication student at Toronto Metropolitan University with a strong interest in marketing, media, and strategic communication. I have gained experience through internships in construction, real estate, and brand development, including roles with Ledcor and Westbeach. Through these experiences, I’ve developed skills in communication, problem-solving, and project coordination. I’m particularly interested in how messaging influences behaviour and decision-making, and I am interested in moving into venture capital, where I can evaluate opportunities, support early-stage companies, and contribute to strategic growth.

This research examines how coaching communication influences the teaching and learning of safe tackling in rugby and football. While safety discussions in contact sports often focus on rules and equipment, this study shifts attention to how coaches communicate technique, provide feedback, and frame risk for athletes. Using a qualitative approach, the study draws on semi-structured interviews with coaches and analysis of coaching materials to identify patterns in instructional language and safety messaging.

The findings suggest that rugby coaching tends to emphasize technical precision and body positioning as the foundation of safe tackling, while football coaching more often focuses on rule compliance and maintaining control. Differences were also observed in communication style, with rugby coaches using more player-centred feedback and football coaches using more directive instruction. Overall, the study highlights that coaching communication plays a meaningful role in shaping how athletes understand and perform tackling, and suggests that improving communication practices may support safer sport environments.

Lightning Talk

Browse More Society Research

More Projects

A 'No Image Available' placeholder image with a bold, black serif capital 'S' centrally located. The background is an off-white, overlaid with three blurred abstract shapes: a light blue rectangle in the top center, a yellow circle in the bottom left, and a burgundy triangle in the bottom right. The text 'No Image Available' is displayed in black sans-serif font at the bottom of the image, all enclosed within a thin black border.

Soraya Ellis

Gendered Branding in the Energy Drink Industry: A Comparative Analysis of Red Bull and Alani Nu
A 'No Image Available' placeholder image with a bold, black serif capital 'S' centrally located. The background is an off-white, overlaid with three blurred abstract shapes: a light blue rectangle in the top center, a yellow circle in the bottom left, and a burgundy triangle in the bottom right. The text 'No Image Available' is displayed in black sans-serif font at the bottom of the image, all enclosed within a thin black border.

Shaza Sakr

How exposure to idealized lifestyle and appearance content on social media influences stress and negative self-perception among adolescents?
A close-up studio portrait of a young woman with a clear complexion and long, straight black hair parted centrally. She has dark eyes, full lips, and a subtle natural blush on her cheeks. Her neutral expression is directed at the viewer, and she wears a black collared shirt against a soft, light grey backdrop.

Yiling Shi

Authenticity in Communication: How Fashion Influencers Use Textual and Visual Strategies to Build Trust on Instagram
Scroll to Top