The document summarizes symbols, communication styles, and culture of a university lacrosse team. It discusses: 1) Symbols used in lacrosse like stick lengths, uniforms, balls, and fields that represent roles and aid communication. 2) Small group communication on the field where any player can signal to teammates using calls and hand gestures. 3) The team shares values like self-improvement and norms like dressing in team attire. Interpersonal communication among teammates includes casual talk as well as sport-specific jargon.

1. University of Oklahoma
LACROSSE TEAM
COMMUNICATIONS – COMM-1113-032
GROUP PROJECT – GROUP #5
STEPHANIE WEISBERG, ASHLYN TYRRELL, RACHEL SHANKS, JOSH ROSS, DANNY DUFFY

2. Lacrosse Symbols & Small
Group Communication
SYMBOL – Representation of an idea, used to denote components of a
culture nonverbally; Symbols are an important form of Direct
Communication
 Long/Short Lacrosse poles/sticks – Long poles are used for
defense, the shorter ones are for the offensive players. Players
may hold up their stick or point it in a direction to show they are
open or see a way to score
 Uniforms for OU – Represents their school & unity as one team
 Lacrosse Ball – Center focus of the game; players must know
where it is at all times to have success
 Nets/Goals on the field – Scoring, the goal all players have to
either protect their own or score on the opponents goal
 The Field – Play space for the game/practice, medium for
conducting Lacrosse

3. Symbols & Small Group
Communication Continued
 While on the field, Small Group Communication occurs between multiple
players sending and receiving messages all at once
 The source of Small Group Communication can be any player on the field
barking out the signals (Goalie, Slide Players, Offensive Players, Etc.)
 The channel of this Communication is the air around the field
 The message usually consists of a player calling out the ball to his
teammates and calling where people need to be on the field
 The receiver(s) of the message are any players on the field listening and
reacting to the commands given from their teammate
 Noise occurring during this communication process are opposing team’s
offense or defense yelling, along with crowd distractions
 Feedback includes English responses along with Lacrosse jargon
 This type of Communication process is mostly all transaction, with some
interaction as well

4. Lacrosse Values/Norms &
Interpersonal Communication
VALUES
 Bettering themselves as
teammates
NORMS
 Having correct equipment
 Improving their skills
 Knowing signals and specific
voice commands
 Adhering to coaching decisions
 Cussing, Yelling
 Being Aggressive
 Wearing sweats, OU Lacrosse
apparel

5. Values/Norms & Interpersonal
Communication Continued
 Interpersonal Communication on the team is similar to normal interpersonal
comm., players talk with one another about daily life events along with their
large focus on Lacrosse
 The source of this Communication is one team member or one coach
 The channel of this Communication is the air around the players (on or off
the field), or another channel such as phones, computers, etc. for when
they are not physically together
 The message in this Communication is conducted with English language
usually containing region specific and Lacrosse specific jargon
 The receiver in this Communication is one team member or one coach
 The noise in this Communication includes other team members/coaches
talking, Lacrosse sounds (yelling, pads hitting, sticks clashing), other on/off
field interference such as non-team member noise
 Feedback in this Communication is an English language response from one
team member/coach
 In this Communication, mostly all process is Transaction, with some
Interaction. Non face-to-face communication could yield some Action as
well

6. Lacrosse Activities & Mass
Communication
The Players Share a Number of Activities:
 Practicing together, shooting goals together in
downtime
 Hanging out and eating together outside of
practice/games
 Playing in collegiate lacrosse games together
 Some are involved in the same student
organizations together (Greek Life, Clubs, etc.)
 Some have similar or identical majors in school and
have formed study groups with one another

7. Lacrosse Activities & Mass
Communication Continued

Mass Communication in the Lacrosse team is carried out through the coach
communicating with players from the sideline OR any player yelling a command intended
for multiple players to hear

The source for this Communication is one team member or one coach

The channel for this Communication is the air on the field whether for practice or during a
game

The message is usually commands for coaching the team or any players calling out
signals which multiple players must attend to

The receivers of the message are players being addressed by other teammate or coach

The noise in this Communication includes opposing sides/teams yelling, crowd
distractions, coaches/players from other team attempting to perform mass
communication as the same time

The feedback includes English language responses usually coded in signaling (i.e. “I’m
hot, I’m hot!” or “I got your 6!”)

In this communication, mostly Interaction is taking place because the players must wait to
hear commands first before acting or responding, also Transaction involved

8. Lacrosse Ways of Dressing,
Eating, Hanging Out &
Public Communication
Dressing
Eating
 Lots of
sweats/sweats
 No specified 
hirts
diet, the
 OU Lacrosse
players
gear/apparel
attempt to eat 
healthy
 Regular
Clothes
 Lots of protein
(jeans, tand carbs
shirts, etc.)
Hanging Out
Watching tv
together
Going to the
Lacrosse goals
to
shoot/practice
together

9. Lacrosse Ways of
Dressing, Eating, Hanging Out
& Public Communication
Continued

Organizational (or public) communication process is carried out any time a player or
coach is interviewed by anyone and this information is shared with the general public

The channel for this Communication is any form of media
(newspaper, internet, tv, radio, etc.) along with air on the field or anywhere else used for
interviewing

The message of this Communication can be anything from stats for the team, information
about players/coaches, upcoming or past games, etc. Generally just important
information about OU Lacrosse

The receivers of this message include the general public, Lacrosse fans, and OU
fans, along with anyone interested in knowing the whereabouts of the team such as
opposing teams

The noise associated with this Communication includes anything interfering with one’s
ability to access any media from the team (no tv, no internet connection, no access to
newspaper, etc.)

Feedback in this Communication includes responses from an interviewer or from those
viewing the message outside of where the interview took place

When applying to the general public, this Communication is mostly Action, between the
interviewer and representative of the team it may be both Interaction and Transaction

10. Lacrosse Rituals, Ways of
Speaking, and Co-Culture
Specification
Rituals
Ways of Speaking
 Stretching for practice  English
language, regional
 Pre-game stretching
jargon outside of
practice, they
 Game time speech
converse as normal
from either a coach or
college students would
player
 On the field, they use
Lacrosse
jargon, examples on
next slide

11. Lacrosse Terms
 “I’m hot, I’m hot!”
Means that a player is open or can score
if passed to
 “Cover the 6!”
Referring to an area of the field that has
been left open
 “I got your 2!”
Telling the slide position their back is
covered if a player gets by them
 “Get in there, get rough!”
Coach telling the players to be
aggressive
 “Fire! Fire!”
Means a defensive player is too close to
the goal
 “Who’s hot?! I wanna hear you!”
 “All clear!”
 “Get to the counter! You got em!”
 “Stay with your man, cover the
slide!”
 “He’s in the creek!!!”
Coach telling players to communicate
more
Goalie letting the players know to go out
for a pass
Coach yelling for players to get in
position on defense
Coach telling players to cover each
other’s positions in case someone gets by
Coach or players saying the goalie is
behind the net and the goal is open

12. Lacrosse Rituals, Ways of
Speaking, and Co-Culture
Specification Continued
 Collectivistic – Teammates & coaches are
responsible for one another, hold each other
accountable
 Low-Context Culture – Direct speaking to one
another on the field for best efficiency while playing
 Low-Power Distance – Coach = Players, they need
him to improve their skills, he needs them to make
quick and good decisions on the field
 Masculine – Ambitions, goals-oriented, they want to
win and everyone has an assigned
role, position, and skill

13. Remarks
 Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed attending the
Lacrosse team practice and meeting some of
the players. They were very genuine guys and
easy to talk to, they informed us well of their sport
and what they do on and off the field. We hope
to attend one of their games coming up and see
them win against another Big 12 team. This
project went quite smoothly because of their
generous help.