The Power of the High Five

Can a high five help a team perform better? In this coach's-clinic episode, Coach Taylor examines the twenty ten N B A tactile-communication study led by psychologist Michael W. Kraus and the New York Times story that brought it wider attention. The research found that early-season teammate touch was associated with later cooperation and performance, but because the work was observational, it did not prove high fives caused winning. Coach Taylor connects that distinction to newer women's college basketball findings, sport-cohesion research, and practical lessons about acknowledgment, bench behavior, trust, and response after mistakes. Listeners receive a consent-first High-Five Habit built around Notice, Name, Next, with no-touch alternatives including air fives, stick taps, head nods, and specific verbal encouragement. The episode closes with age-appropriate applications for youth sports and girls' lacrosse that preserve high standards while helping every athlete feel seen, supported, and ready for the next play.