The 3 Ls of Coaching:

1. LOOK

When an athlete walks towards you, make a conscious decision to look directly into their eyes. With some athletes that can be a bit intimidating, so maybe start by turning towards them and looking in their direction.

2. LISTEN

Listening is seriously an underrated coaching skill. Not just nodding when your athletes talk. Not parroting them: “So you’re telling me you feel XYZ” or “I’m hearing you say ABC” — that way of listening died with the dinosaurs. Listen. Intently.

3. LOVE

There are a lot of great quotes about coaches and coaching — but perhaps the best is this: Athletes don’t care how much you know — until they know how much you care. I’ve known a lot of great coaches. Some of them are real hard-arses. But even the toughest, most demanding coaches love and care about their athletes and want them to be all that it’s possible for them to be.

What’s your best ever coaching tip?