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,

I was speaking with a coach recently and asked if they include any movement or physical development in their sessions.

Their reply?

❗And right there is the problem.

That mindset is not just outdated—it’s limiting the potential of young athletes before they even get going.

Here’s why we need to shift that thinking:

🚫 “This doesn’t apply to younger age groups”

✅ Actually, it’s the most important time.
This window (ages 8–14) is when athletes develop the foundations for coordination, balance, speed, and agility. Miss it, and you’re playing catch-up later.

🚫 “They just need to get better technically”

✅ Yes—but not in isolation.
Without physical literacy, athletes struggle to execute technique at speed or under pressure. Athletic development complements technical coaching—it doesn’t compete with it. Fitness can be be the difference in the top players.

🚫 “S&C is for older players in the gym”

✅ Not true.
For youth athletes, strength and conditioning means learning how to move well, control their body, explore movement, and build confidence—through games, challenges, and creative activities.

🎯 Think: hopping, crawling, jumping, changing direction, reacting—not barbells and bleep tests.

🚫 “I don’t have time to add S&C to my sessions”

✅ You don’t need more time—you need better integration.
Add movement work to your warm-ups. Use small-sided games to train agility. Coach body control within technical drills.

🎯 Real-life example: One coach in our community used 5 minutes of animal movements before sessions for 6 weeks. Results? Better balance, stronger landings, and improved confidence on the pitch—without changing their session plan.

👇 Bottom line:

If you coach U10s to U14s, you’re not “just laying the groundwork”—you’re shaping the entire foundation.

Every session is a chance to build athletic qualities that will help young players thrive long after they leave you.

It’s not S&C vs. technical—it’s both.

👥 Want help integrating movement into your coaching?

Join the Athletic Skills Community—140+ coaches across football, rugby, tennis, cricket and more sharing practical ideas, weekly Q&As, and real-world insight on youth athletic development.

📩 Reply “MOVE” to get your free 30-day pass.

Need more help? Reply to this email and let’s chat!

Speak soon,

Isaac 🙂 

💡 Want more coaching support but not ready to invest just yet?

Here are 3 FREE ways I can help you improve your coaching today:

1. Join the Athletic Skills Community – Free 30-Day Trial
   Be part of a group with 140+ coaches from various sports and backgrounds. Get access to hours of exclusive content (worth £100)—and keep it forever, even after your trial! 👉 Click here to start your free trial!

2. Coach S&C in Just 15 Minutes
   Discover my bulletproof 15-minute warm-up framework—a game-changer for developing movement in a time effective way while keeping your sessions fun. This proven method (worth £40) will transform how you approach athlete preparation. 👉 Watch it here!

3. Book a Free 20-Minute Call
   Got questions? Facing challenges? Let’s talk! You’ll leave with clear, actionable steps to immediately improve your coaching and athlete development. We won’t end the call until you have a plan! 👉 Reply with "CALL" and I’ll schedule your session right away. 🙂

Take advantage of these free resources and start making a bigger impact on your athletes today!