Conflict Resolution & Feedback Practice

Mastering Communication Under Pressure

Quick Framing

This session is built for competitors.
Conflict is a part of sports and life — but how you handle it determines your impact, trust, and leadership.
If you want to lead, not just play, this is where you separate.

Part 1: Know Your Style

Self-Awareness in Action

Think about a recent conflict you experienced in sports, school, or life.

• What happened? (Briefly describe the situation.)

• How did you handle it?
  (Did you avoid it? Accommodate? Compete? Compromise? Collaborate?)

• Was your approach effective? Why or why not?

• Looking back, what style might have worked better?
  (Refer to the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model.)

Part 2: Speak Like a Leader

Using the SBIR Feedback Framework

The SBIR Model helps you give clear, constructive feedback without making it personal. Use it to address issues without creating more.

SBIR Breakdown:

• Situation – When and where did it happen?

• Behavior – What did the person do? (Stick to actions, not personality.)

• Impact – What was the effect on the team or situation?

• Recommendation – What needs to happen next?

Choose a Scenario (or use a real one):

Scenario 1: A teammate feels overlooked
A player feels like they aren’t getting enough touches and starts checking out emotionally — shaking their head, not engaging, and complaining on the bench.
→ Write your SBIR response

Scenario 2: Ball-Hogging Perception
A teammate is taking a lot of shots and forcing plays, believing they’re being aggressive. Other players feel left out.
→ Write your SBIR response

Scenario 3 (Optional): Defensive Miscommunication
Two teammates fail to switch on defense, leading to an easy basket. One blames the other instead of owning it and learning from it.
→ Write your SBIR response

Part 3: Think Like a Pro

Turning Breakdowns into Breakthroughs

• When you communicate during conflict, do you focus on the issue or the person?

• What’s one way you can make your feedback more constructive this week?

• Why do conflicts usually happen on teams? How do strong leaders handle them?

• Think of a time you handled conflict well. What made it effective?

• What’s one specific action you’ll take to improve your leadership in conflict moments?

48-Hour Leadership Challenge

Within the next 48 hours, use SBIR to give real feedback in a game, practice, or conversation.
Apply what you learned — then reflect on how it changed the outcome.

Final Thought

“You don’t have to be friends to be teammates. But you do have to respect each other — and communicate.”
— Kobe Bryant