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,

Players need coaches. Coaches need coaches.

But many don’t and many don’t even know why.

Coaches should be like athletes and have a development plan and opportunity to “train” in their profession and be guided.

So here are reasons why!

Do you have a mentor?

Can I ask, what is stopping you from having a mentor in your coaching? No matter what level you are at!

Hit reply and let me know and let’s discuss!

Why Coaches Need Coaches to Develop in Their Coaching?

As coaches, we're often focused on the development of our athletes—but what about our own growth? We invest so much time in helping others reach their potential, yet we can sometimes overlook the value of investing in ourselves. Having a coach or mentor isn’t just for athletes—it’s essential for coaches, too. Here’s why:

1. Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

We all know that growth happens outside of our comfort zone. But as coaches, it can be difficult to see where our own limitations are, especially when we're so caught up in the day-to-day demands of coaching. A mentor can provide that external perspective, challenging your assumptions, pushing you to try new methods, and ensuring that you're always evolving your practice.

Real-Life Example:
I needed this! I was stuck in my ways coaching and in a cycle of plan, coach, plan, coach. But I never had time to review and actually see what I was doing. I was in a repeated cycle. So I got a mentor from the national board to oversee me on his visits and I had areas in my coaching I often hid away from and avoided so when he was present, I pushed myself to be accountable to have him observe me coaching Speed, which was a weaker area of my coaching. Through his mentoring and feedback, I developed in this space and now is something I enjoy coaching!

2. Gain New Perspectives

As coaches, we can get so focused on our own methods that we miss out on new ideas or techniques. A mentor offers a fresh set of eyes and an opportunity to see things differently. Whether it's learning new drills, exploring sports science, or improving communication, having a coach can offer the insights needed to stay on top of evolving trends and best practices.

Coach Tip:
Seek mentors who specialise in areas where you want to grow—whether that’s fitness, psychology, team dynamics, or leadership. Their experience will help you refine your skills and teach you how to approach challenges more creatively.

3. Avoid Burnout and Build Resilience

Coaching can be demanding, and without support, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. A mentor doesn’t just help you with skills—they help you develop resilience. By learning how to handle difficult situations, whether it's managing athlete expectations, dealing with conflict, or simply balancing work-life demands, a coach can give you strategies for maintaining your well-being and ensuring longevity in the profession.

Coach Insight:
Sometimes, burnout comes from not having a support system or not taking time for self-reflection. A mentor can help you prioritise both your coaching career and personal well-being, creating balance for sustained success.

4. Stay Accountable to Your Own Goals

As a coach, it's easy to focus on your athletes' goals while putting your own aspirations on the backburner. A coach or mentor helps keep you accountable, ensuring that you’re also progressing and reaching your own milestones. They can help you set goals that stretch you, challenge your approach, and help you continue to grow.

Pro Tip:
Start by setting 1-2 personal development goals each block—whether that’s gaining certification, improving communication with your athletes, or learning a new coaching methodology. Your mentor can help keep you on track and offer advice when you hit roadblocks.

5. Create Long-Term Success for Your Athletes

The better you are as a coach, the better your athletes will perform. But beyond skills and strategies, your personal growth creates a ripple effect that benefits the entire team. By working with a mentor, you’ll learn how to inspire confidence in your athletes, create stronger team dynamics, and provide better guidance that leads to long-term success.

Coach’s Reflection:
One of the most rewarding moments for me is seeing my athletes succeed because I was able to offer them something more—whether it was guidance on their development or creating an environment that helped them thrive. When you invest in your growth, your athletes’ growth becomes a natural by-product.

So, how do you get started? Having a mentor doesn’t need to be a daunting process. Look for someone who you respect in the field—whether they’re another coach, an S&C expert, or even someone outside the world of coaching who can offer a fresh perspective. Start by setting clear expectations and goals for the mentorship relationship, and be open to constructive feedback.

Remember, coaching is a lifelong journey, and just like our athletes, we never stop learning.

Ready to develop in your coaching?
If you’re feeling stuck or want to dive deeper into how having a coach can benefit you, reply to this email.

I’d be happy to support you in finding the right direction for your development!

Need help? Reply to this email and tell me your story...

Speak soon!

Isaac 🙂 

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