Be an Elite Coach, Build Elite Athletes

Things to develop your coaching and have a greater impact on your athletes. You define what your “elite” is!

By Isaac Leung, Athletic Skills

Hey reader,

We are going in to 2025 and still there are myths and misconceptions of strength & conditioning.

Well here are 5 common ones I hear still from Sports Coaches and PE teachers.

Also, I am hosting a live QnA session for my community on Youth Athletic Development. This is exclusive for the community which is growing each day, now at 140. Want to watch this and be part and ask your question. Come join for a free 7 day trial and you can keep the recording for free also 🙂 Reply with COMMUNITY and I will send you the link!

Debunking the 5 Biggest Myths in Strength & Conditioning

“Strength and conditioning? That’s just for elite athletes, right?”

Wrong. S&C is for everyone—from grassroots players to kids in PE lessons. But too many misconceptions stop coaches and teachers from realising its potential.

The truth? Strength & conditioning doesn’t need a fancy gym or loads of extra time. And it’s not just for specialists or older athletes. Done right, it builds stronger, more resilient players at every level.

Let’s break down five common myths and explore how you can make S&C work in your sessions.

Myth 1: Only S&C Coaches Can Impact Movement

“Improving movement? That’s not my job—it’s for the S&C team.”

Wrong again. Every coach and PE teacher has the power to improve movement, whether in a gym, on the pitch, or during a PE lesson. You’re already warming your athletes up, so why not use that time to teach proper movement?

💡 Quick Win: During warm-ups, coach basic skills like running, jumping and landing.

Myth 2: S&C Is Only for the Elite

“Our team isn’t pro-level—we don’t need S&C.”

Think again. Grassroots players and youth athletes benefit just as much—if not more—than professionals. Building strength, coordination, and movement skills early prepares athletes for the demands of higher levels while reducing injury risk.

💡 Quick Win: Start small. Bodyweight exercises like push-ups, planks, and lunges are great for building strength and require no equipment. Also animal movements, jumps, speed drills are perfect for developing athletes.

Myth 3: Children Don’t Need S&C

“Kids just need to play—strength training can wait until they’re older.”

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Developing fundamental movement skills—like running, jumping, and balancing—is critical in the early years. These skills form the foundation for athletic success and reduce the risk of injuries later in life.

💡 Quick Win: Make S&C fun! Use games like relay races or obstacle courses to teach movement skills while keeping younger athletes engaged.

Myth 4: S&C Can Only Be Done in a Gym

“We don’t have a gym or fancy equipment, so we can’t do S&C.”

Not true. S&C can be done anywhere—with or without equipment. Use resistance bands, a ball, or even cones to design effective strength and movement drills right on the pitch or in a sports hall. Bodyweight is a great option also!

💡 Quick Win: Incorporate plyometric drills like jumps or skips into practice. Incorporate exercises in to warm ups.

Myth 5: There’s No Time to Coach Movement

“We’re too busy to focus on S&C—it’s hard enough fitting in tactics and drills!”

You don’t need a dedicated session for S&C. Warm-ups are the perfect opportunity to coach movement without taking time away from your main session.

💡 Quick Win: Use warm-ups to focus on one movement skill per session, like deceleration or landing mechanics. Consistency over time builds results without adding extra workload.

Breaking the Myths: What’s Next?

Strength & conditioning isn’t just for specialists or elite players. It’s for every athlete, every coach, and every teacher who wants to create better, stronger, and more confident performers.

Whether you’re coaching grassroots football, leading PE lessons, or working with youth athletes, remember this: movement matters.

Join the Community

2025 is the year to elevate your coaching and give your athletes the edge they deserve. Want to learn from like-minded coaches who are transforming their sessions every day?

💬 Reply with the word COMMUNITY to join my network of over 140 coaches. Gain access to daily tips, QnA with experts across various topics, access to exclusive content and discounts on future workshops!

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Speak soon,

Isaac 🙂