What makes a good sports coach?
Most of us remember a childhood coach, and not necessarily because of trophies they helped us win, but because of how they made us feel. A coach may challenge, support, and believe in young athletes, or unfortunately discourage or overlook them. Coaches stand beside students through pressure, success, failure, and growth. Sport becomes more than a game; it becomes a meaningful part of a young person’s education: something a coach has the power and responsibility to shape.
As Athletic Director, I want to open a conversation about what makes a good coach in our school community. The qualities needed to coach a High School Varsity team, for instance, differ from those needed in our Early Years Junior Soccer Academy, but several core principles apply across all levels. While each theme is complex, my aim is to highlight essential elements that help coaches create positive, supportive environments.
Developing People, Not Just Athletes
Families with students representing BISC-SL in competitive sport will know that our Athletics Handbook outlines the philosophy behind our program. A central aim is the development of soft skills like humility, respect, and communication through sport. Effective coaches model these values and teach them intentionally. Our students are student-athletes, and “student” must always come first.
Character development doesn’t appear automatically through participation in a sport. Instead, it must be a deliberate objective and a core coaching responsibility. Every interaction and decision should reflect the values we aim to instill. Coaches should prioritize character over winning, emphasize effort over outcomes, and teach accountability, resilience, and leadership. Coaches play a crucial role in helping students learn to win with humility and handle setbacks with grace.
Safety and Wellbeing
Good coaches create physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe environments. Whether at practice, a game, or a meeting, coaches act as designated carers for young people, and this responsibility must come first.
This responsibility includes:
- Following safeguarding expectations and health and safety protocols
- Fostering an emotionally supportive atmosphere
- Ensuring students feel safe to take risks, try new things, and fail without fear
Prioritizing Physical safety means:
- Thoughtful load management in practice and exercise
- Injury‑prevention strategies
- Age‑appropriate instruction
Long‑term development should matter more than short-term wins, and playing through pain is foolhardy and dangerous, not tough. If a coach does not view duty of care as essential, little else matters.
Teaching the Game and Skill Acquisition
A strong coach doesn’t assume that they have all the answers; instead, good coaches guide athletes toward solutions. Students should improve both their technical skills and their understanding of the game. This requires knowledge of the sport and an understanding of how athletes learn physical skills.
Good coaches also design learning environments where students self‑organize and develop movement solutions. Skill is built through varied, repeated exposure to challenges that help athletes adapt and progress. Coaching is an evolving craft that requires reflection and continual learning. While tactical knowledge matters, understanding how to structure practice to teach the game is, in my view, the true key to effective coaching.
Coaching: Building Our Athletic Culture at BISC-SL
Is winning important? Yes, but its importance changes across age and stage. Winning should be a byproduct of strong processes, meaningful learning, and a positive team culture. Effective communication is central to coaching, including setting a clear vision rooted in shared values for athletes, parents, and school staff.
Each topic here could fill an entire book, and there are so many important aspects I will explore in future blog posts. Ultimately, the true measure of coaching is the impact we have on the young people we serve. I am grateful to work with so many talented and passionate coaches at BISC-SL, and I hope this blog sparks reflection and conversation. I welcome hearing from parents on this topic.
