Being a better coach

Checklist for Coaches to Be a Better Coach!

10. Be Focused

Find the right things to focus on—it will keep you on the right path and lead your mind and body in a positive direction. If you try to do too many things at once, you'll end up not fully accomplishing anything. Utilizing sports coaching technology can help streamline your focus, ensuring you're maximizing your time and efforts efficiently.

9. Clear Picture

Have a clear vision of your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. This is crucial for a successful season. Identifying and setting clear expectations will help improve your performance during practices and games. Using drill planning software or an athlete development platform can help track progress and refine coaching strategies.

8. Goals

Long-term goals, like coaching at the highest level, are important, but short-term goals are what drive progress. Set realistic and achievable objectives for each practice, game, or month. A team management software for coaches can assist in tracking and measuring these goals effectively, helping you and your athletes stay on course.

7. Mental Preparation

Visualizing success is a powerful tool. Try using the EPV (End Point Visualization) technique: Picture the strongest and most successful part of your game, like a winning moment or an executed drill. This will boost confidence and help you be prepared for game-like situations. Many of the best coaching apps for teams offer tools to reinforce mental preparation techniques.
 

6. Drills

Create custom drills for coaches tailored to your team’s needs. Don't just pick drills because they look good; every drill should have a purpose and a "why." Platforms like CoachThem’s drill planning software help you design drills that fit your team's age and skill level while aligning with hockey, soccer & lacrosse coaching strategies.

5. Health & Nutrition

Fueling your body properly is key. Just like a high-performance car needs premium fuel, your athletes need the right nutrients to perform at their best. A well-rounded nutrition plan supports endurance, recovery, and consistency. Lead by example—healthy habits should start with the coach.
 

4. Watch Hockey (or Any Relevant Sport)

Study the game, not just as a fan but as a student. Watch different styles and techniques, listen to analysts break down plays, and absorb game strategies. This helps develop a strong hockey IQ and better coaching instincts. Whether you coach hockey, soccer, or lacrosse, observing professionals in action will enhance your hockey training tools, lacrosse team coaching tools, and soccer training plans.
 

3. Practice Plan

A structured practice plan is essential. Showing up without a game plan wastes valuable ice or field time. Use drill planning software to design an efficient practice with a clear progression. CoachThem’s sports coaching technology helps you organize and refine your practices, ensuring that every drill contributes to your athletes’ development.

 

2. Routine

Establish a game-day routine that keeps you energized, focused, and confident.

• Energized: Eat well the night before and consume performance foods on game day.

• Focused: Get proper rest and maintain a balanced energy intake.

• Confident: Stick to a positive routine rather than relying on superstitions.

The best coaches maintain consistency in their preparation, ensuring that both they and their athletes are mentally and physically ready.

1. FUN

The most important rule of all: Enjoy coaching! If you're not having fun, it will be hard to excel. Coaching can be mentally and physically draining, but embracing the challenges and pressures will make the journey rewarding. Whether you’re using hockey, soccer & lacrosse coaching strategies or experimenting with team management software for coaches, make sure you and your athletes enjoy the process.
 

 

Coach This Way!

 

 

Written by the CoachThem Team

 

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