Sports-Skills Coaching in 2023: Dos and Don'ts

The landscape of sports-skills coaching is constantly evolving. As we step into 2023, it's vital for coaches to stay ahead of the curve.

Luckily for you, CoachNow has been ahead of the curve since our founding, over a decade ago.

We're celebrating 100 Blogs at the CoachNow Academy! To celebrate, I decided to summarize some of the key learnings we've focused on in the last few years.

To help you navigate the challenges and opportunities in the sports-skills coaching industry, I’vs compiled a list of “dos” and “don'ts”.

Let's investigate ways to prosper as a coach in the upcoming year. For more on each of these points, I’ll link out to a relevant blog that dives deeper into the topic.

Incorporate technology (like CoachNow) to enhance your coaching relationships.

Leverage video analysis, messaging, and file sharing to streamline communication with athletes and parents.

A one-stop-shop can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by technology. It also creates a coaching experience that helps your athletes improve quickly.

Learn more: The Power of Asynchronous Communication , The 3 Key Benefits of Video Analysis

While video analysis is a valuable tool, it should complement, not replace, your coaching skills.

Avoid the common misconception that technical feedback alone makes you a better coach.

Strive to balance video insights with holistic coaching that addresses athletes' mental, emotional, and strategic growth.
And remember, Video Analysis should only serve as a way to enhance your communication.

Learn more here: The 3 Biggest Mistakes of Video Analysis , The Best Kept Secret of Video Analysis.

Every coach should have clear financial goals.

Set sales goals, decide how much time to coach, and consider other products or offers to achieve your objectives.

By setting objectives and reverse-engineering your path to success, you can create a sustainable coaching business.

Learn More: Setting $$ Targets For Your Coaching Business - 3 Things to Know

One common pitfall in sports coaching is building a business solely around selling your time for money.

Instead, embrace the concept of digitizing your coaching expertise. Create digital products, running paid communities, or offering on-demand courses.

Use CoachNow PRO's automation tools to save time on repetitive administrative tasks that waste hours each week.

This approach not only diversifies your revenue streams but also frees up your time for strategic growth and personal well-being.

For more on this, read these blogs. What’s Wrong With Selling My Time For Money? Building Automated Accountability with CoachNow PRO Features

Prioritizing long-term athlete development is not just beneficial for your athletes; it's a win-win strategy for coaches too.

By embracing a long-term perspective, you create a coaching environment that fosters lasting relationships. Building strong relationships with athletes improves their progress and keeps clients coming back, making your business more stable.

Plus, with long-term programs, you can bill by the MONTH rather than by the SESSION. This also aids in the goal of moving away from the "time for money" business model that only leads to burnout.

Your athletes will get better, you’ll keep them for longer, and you’ll save tons of time.

More on this: How to Introduce Long-Term Development Into Your Coaching Business

While it's essential to build strong coaching relationships and prioritize long-term athlete development, it's equally crucial not to overextend yourself.

Ensure that you make expectations clear around HOW you communicate and WHEN you communicate. And stick to that plan.

Overcommitting your entire life to your athletes can lead to burnout, affecting both your well-being and the quality of your coaching.

Make sure you prioritize your work-life balance. Learn more at these blogs: Wanna Be a Great Coach? Be a Little Selfish , 3 Reasons Why You’ll Quit Your Coaching Jo b, Feeling Burnt Out?

Don't fragment your communication by using multiple tools and platforms.

Commit to one central channel for communication, feedback, and coaching.

Keeping all interactions in a single platform like CoachNow can significantly improve efficiency and athlete engagement.

Simplify your video feedback to save time, enhance comprehension, and expedite athlete progress.

Avoid losing yourself in complex video analysis while neglecting context.

Keep your feedback simple, direct, and digestible, ensuring that athletes find it easy to engage with and apply your guidance.

Learn More: How To Train Your Athletes to Practice Like a Pro , The WHY Behind Video Analysis .

Remember that coaching is about supporting human beings in their goals.

Don't reduce coaching sessions to technical drills alone.

Nurture the coach-athlete relationship, foster shared understanding, and encourage athletes to analyze their behavior and incorporate feedback.

More on this: The Coach-Athlete Relationship: Striking a Balance

To find your ideal customer, identify the traits of the athletes or clients you work well with. Consider those who benefit the most from your coaching skills and knowledge.

And, importantly, it also involves defining who you DON’T coach.

These are the individuals who are genuinely passionate about their sport, eager to learn, and aligned with your coaching philosophy.

By focusing on your ideal customer, you can customize your coaching, communication, and marketing to connect with them better.

This results in more meaningful coaching relationships and higher client retention rates

By following these dos and don'ts, coaches can position themselves for success in 2023 and beyond.

Use technology, set goals, find ideal customers, build relationships, and remember coaching is more than just analysis.

To succeed in coaching, it's important to be adaptable and take a holistic approach as the field continues to change.

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Here's to 100 blog posts - and many more ahead!