Understanding communication improves teamwork (Interconnectedness) and builds self-awareness (Inquiry).
Healthy boundaries promote safety and wellness (Vitality) and mutual respect in relationships (Interconnectedness).
Support networks enhance well-being (Vitality) and strengthen community connections (Interconnectedness).
REFLECT
Self-Reflection Questions
EXPLORE
Core Principles and Concepts
EXAMINE - Communication Styles
Supporting Principles and Concepts
EXAMINE - Boundaries and Consent
Supporting Principles and Concepts
EXAMINE - Support Systems
Supporting Principles and Concepts
EMPOWER
Discussing and Considering New Perspectives and Ideas
ENGAGE
Engaging New Ideas and Applying Them in Daily Life
Self-reflection is a powerful tool to increase self-awareness, prepare mentally and emotionally to engage new ideas, and connect this lesson to principles in your own life!
…
As you begin to think about your own relationships, ask yourself the following questions.
How comfortable am I with setting personal boundaries in friendships, relationships, or team environments, and how do I respond when someone sets boundaries with me?
What does consent mean to me in both physical and emotional situations, and how do I make sure I give and receive it clearly and respectfully?
How do healthy relationships built on trust, communication, and respect impact my performance, mental health, and overall college experience?
Exploration sparks curiosity and builds emotional and practical connections to new ideas!
…
Healthy relationships are built on respect, trust, and communication. As a student-athlete, you will form relationships with coaches, teammates, professors, classmates, and friends throughout your time in college. How you approach these relationships plays a major role in both your personal success and the strength of the teams and communities you belong to.
Respect is at the center of every healthy relationship. This means recognizing the value of other people’s time, opinions, and boundaries. You do not have to agree with everyone, but you can still treat them with kindness and fairness. Respect also means accepting that others may have different experiences, beliefs, or perspectives than your own.
Communication is what allows relationships to grow and stay strong. Being able to express your thoughts clearly and listen to others helps prevent misunderstandings. When you communicate openly and honestly, you build trust. People feel more comfortable sharing concerns, ideas, or feedback when they know you will listen and respond thoughtfully.
Boundaries are another important part of healthy relationships. Boundaries help protect your time, your mental well-being, and your personal space. Setting boundaries is not about shutting people out. Instead, it is about being clear about what you are comfortable with and what you need to stay healthy and focused. Respecting other people’s boundaries is just as important as setting your own.
Conflict is a normal part of any relationship. Disagreements will happen, whether with teammates, friends, or classmates. What matters is how you handle those moments. Approaching conflict calmly, listening to the other person’s perspective, and looking for a solution helps preserve the relationship and build mutual respect. Avoiding conflict or responding with anger can cause lasting damage.
Support systems play a key role in healthy relationships. Surrounding yourself with people who encourage your growth, challenge you to improve, and stand by you during tough times helps you stay grounded. At the same time, being a good supporter for others helps strengthen your relationships and builds a culture of trust.
Consent and understanding are also critical, especially in romantic or personal relationships. Both people should feel safe, respected, and heard in any situation. Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures that both individuals feel valued. Healthy relationships never involve pressure, manipulation, or disrespect.
As a student-athlete, your relationships often extend into your team culture. Teams built on trust, respect, and open communication perform better and stay stronger during challenges. Supporting your teammates, holding each other accountable, and addressing issues before they grow can help maintain a positive team environment.
Building healthy relationships takes ongoing effort. No one handles every situation perfectly, but being willing to learn, listen, and grow helps you strengthen the connections you build. Over time, these habits not only help you succeed in college but also prepare you for future relationships in your career, family, and community.
In the end, healthy relationships are not complicated, but they do require attention and care. When you approach people with honesty, respect, and kindness, you create connections that support your success and bring meaning to your college experience.
…
The way you communicate affects how others understand you and develop stronger relationships. Learn to recognize different communication styles, develop assertiveness, and build healthy habits that strengthen trust, teamwork, and connection in every part of your college and athletic life.
The way you communicate plays a major role in how others perceive you and how clearly your message is received. Building strong relationships depends on honest, respectful, and consistent communication.
People tend to communicate in different ways, such as passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, or assertive. Understanding your usual style gives you the ability to make positive changes when needed.
Passive communication often avoids conflict, but it can prevent your needs and feelings from being heard. Over time, this may lead to frustration or feeling like your voice does not matter.
Aggressive communication may grab attention, but it often creates fear or discomfort. Speaking with anger, blaming others, or interrupting can shut down conversations rather than fix problems.
Passive-aggressive communication hides true feelings through sarcasm, silence, or indirect behavior. This usually leads to confusion and tension, since others may not know how to respond.
Assertive communication offers the most effective and respectful way to express yourself. It involves being clear about your needs and opinions while still considering the needs of others.
Communicating assertively helps you stand up for yourself in a calm and respectful way. It also makes it easier to prevent misunderstandings by being direct and honest.
Nonverbal communication matters just as much as your words. Your tone, body language, and facial expressions all send messages, so it is important that they match what you are trying to say.
Strong communication includes active listening, not just speaking. Focusing on what the other person is saying shows respect and helps build understanding and trust.
Improving your communication style is a skill you can build with practice. Every conversation with teammates, coaches, roommates, or friends is a chance to become more confident and connected.
…
…
Learning to set personal boundaries and honor the boundaries of others is a vital part of healthy communication and connection. TLearn how to express your limits clearly, understand the importance of consent, and build respectful habits in your relationships. These skills help create environments where everyone feels valued, safe, and supported.
Boundaries are the personal limits you set to protect your time, energy, comfort, and values. These limits are meant to guide how others treat you and help maintain your well-being in all types of relationships.
Consent means giving and receiving clear, voluntary, and informed permission. Whether the situation is physical, emotional, or social, consent must always be freely given and understood by everyone involved.
Respecting boundaries means listening without challenging or pressuring someone. If someone expresses discomfort or says no, your responsibility is to respect that decision without trying to change it.
You have the right to set limits in any situation. Whether you want to say no to plans, ask for personal space, or avoid physical contact, your comfort matters and should be honored.
Being in any kind of relationship does not remove your ability to say no. Consent should be ongoing and can be updated, changed, or withdrawn at any time.
Healthy relationships make space for both people to feel respected and safe. If you are asked to ignore your own limits or someone else regularly crosses them, that may be a sign of a deeper issue.
Setting boundaries can be uncomfortable, especially with people you care about. Speaking up early helps reduce confusion and shows that you value the relationship and your own needs.
Consent is important in everyday situations, not just physical ones. Asking before sharing a photo, entering someone’s space, or bringing up personal topics shows respect and consideration.
A supportive teammate or friend will listen calmly when boundaries are discussed. The goal is not to be right, but to understand the other person and help protect the relationship.
Practicing consent and honoring boundaries are signs of personal maturity. These habits build trust, reduce conflict, and show that you respect yourself and those around you.
…
…
A strong support system helps you stay focused, balanced, and resilient throughout your college journey. This section teaches you how to recognize the people and resources (formal and informal) around you that you can rely on during challenges and moments of growth. Building these connections early will help you navigate stress, strengthen your relationships, and stay on track as a student-athlete.
A support system is made up of people and resources who help you manage challenges and stay mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy. These systems can be both formal and informal, depending on the type of help you need.
Formal support systems include resources provided by the college. These may be academic advisors, professors, counselors, coaches, athletic trainers, or campus tutoring and wellness services.
Informal support systems include the people in your everyday life who offer encouragement and connection. Friends, teammates, roommates, family members, and trusted mentors all play important roles.
Knowing where to turn for help makes it easier to manage stress and stay focused. You do not have to figure everything out by yourself.
Asking for help shows maturity and self-awareness. Everyone needs support at times, especially during the early transition into college and team life.
Your coaches and professors are there to help you succeed. Communicating with them regularly can lead to a better understanding of your needs and more flexibility when you face challenges.
Friends and teammates often notice when something is off. Spending time with people who understand your goals and pressures can lift your mood and remind you that you are not alone.
Some problems require professional support instead of peer advice. Learning when to reach out to a counselor, health provider, or advisor is an important part of taking care of yourself.
Support is most meaningful when it flows both ways. Being available to listen, encourage, or help someone else strengthens your relationships and creates a more positive team environment.
It takes intention to build and maintain strong support systems. Stay connected, check in with the people around you, and remember that using your resources helps you grow stronger and more resilient.
…
…
Now that you have reviewed all of the lesson content, it’s time to see how new perspectives work in your daily life!
Either in a journal or notebook of your own choosing, or on a document provided to you, write short but thoughtful responses to the following questions. Your responses will not be collected or graded. Be open and honest with yourself as you consider each of the questions.
Then find 1 Program Director, Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Manager, or Team Captain. Find a time to speak with them briefly, but with minimal distractions. Ask them about their perspectives and ideas based on the following questions. Write down responses to the best of your ability!
You’ll be asked to participate in a short discussion about what you have learned, either individually or in a group, with a REBOOT Coach. The REBOOT Coach will discuss the following questions with you, and discuss the impact of these concepts in your daily life.
…
ASK YOURSELF :
[Boundaries and Consent]
How do you recognize and express your personal boundaries with friends, teammates, or partners? Have you ever had to set a boundary, and how was it received
[Communication Styles]
Think about a time when a misunderstanding happened because of how something was said. How might a different communication style have changed the outcome?
[Support Systems]
Who do you turn to when you need emotional or practical support? How do your relationships with these people help you stay healthy, focused, and grounded?
ASK OTHERS :
[Boundaries and Consent]
How do you teach or reinforce the importance of personal boundaries and mutual respect within a team or program setting?
[Communication Styles]
What strategies do you use to help team members communicate clearly and respectfully with one another, especially during tense or emotional moments
[Support Systems]
How do you help student-athletes identify and build strong support systems, both on campus and beyond?
Michael Van Etten - REBOOT - Didactic Tactics LLC - All Rights Reserved
