Five Coaching Foundations

Coaching youth (and adult) athletes is one of the most rewarding opportunities. Working in youth sports, it is important to get back to these Five Foundations, passed on to us from some of the best coaches we know in our youth partner groups: 

Five Of The Best Coaching Foundations

1. LISTEN. 

The BEST coaches are even better listeners. Communication is key, and as a coach you don’t always need to have answers. Sometimes you just need to listen.

2. BUILD THEIR TRUST. 

Get to know your players, and off, the field. It is integral to the “know-like-trust” factor. As you get to know each player, you develop a deeper layer of trust, on and off, the field.  

3. KNOW THE TEAM (AND AGE) YOU ARE COACHING.

This goes hand and hand with “Trust.” Take time to know your team, dig into the age they are and navigate your coaching style to create a connection where they are at. Each club is not the same, each age group is not the same.

4. HAVE CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.

Some of the best coaches repeat their expectations at every practice. Repetition, as we know builds habits. Hearing the expectations integrates them into the foundation of your team, and HOW you coach.

5. FOCUS ON LITTLE GOALS- NOT JUST WINNING.

When eager to create the best athletes, focus on the little goals met each day. The foundation in getting to practice, practice performance, teamwork, communication, skillset improvement, mindset. The little goals celebrated lead to more consistent wins overall. Just like in Ted Lasso, “Believe.” Believe in them to get stronger and connect better each day.

In the header are some pictures from some of these incredible clubs we are partnered with.