Do You Coach Like You Want Your Players to Train?

We’re always pushing our athletes to get better.

“Level up.”
“Put in the work.”
“Get 1% better every day.”

But when’s the last time we — as coaches — did the same? Don’t get me wrong, coaching is already a grind. We wear every hat: motivator, mentor, counselor, drill sergeant, event planner… and so much more. But if we’re going to demand greatness from our players, we’ve got to demand it from ourselves too.

Here’s what I’ve been thinking about this offseason — and maybe it’ll spark something for you too.

Are you giving your athletes homework?

We know the gym is not the only place where athletes get better. If we’re not sending them offseason workouts or creating structure outside of practice, we’re missing a huge opportunity. They only get 2–3 hours with you. What are they doing on their own? To be great at anything, you’ve got to put in the time and meaningful reps after practice. That’s honestly how I made it to the highest level in women’s basketball—the WNBA. Just 20 minutes after a 2.5-hour college practice, I’d work on my 3-point shooting touch and add some extra conditioning. That extra time mattered. Whether it’s a shooting program, bodyweight circuit, or mental reps, athletes need direction.

Use tech to coach from a distance

You don’t have to be there in person to coach. It’s 2025—why not send video breakdowns, feedback messages, or even weekly challenges? Athletes are on their phones anyway. Let’s meet them where they are and turn those screens into coaching moments. With Ballogy, you can assign tasks and see who’s actually putting in the work. It tracks their progress, gives you visibility, and gives them accountability. That’s a win-win.

Culture isn’t a poster — It’s a procedure

When your athletes walk into the gym, do they know what to do without being told? Is music playing? Do they dap each other up? Are captains leading stretches? Are managers setting up the clock? That’s culture. And it doesn’t happen by accident. This offseason, take time to define those invisible standards—and bake them into your gym’s DNA.

Study the game like a student

We expect our players to watch film. Are we doing the same? Break down your own team’s games. Rewatch practices. Study teams that play the style you want to run. I’ve been watching a ton of WNBA games lately—especially the new team on the block, the Golden State Valkyries. Underdogs on paper, but they’re tearing it up with constant ball movement and motion action. No superstars, just a well-oiled machine. During an Indiana Fever game, I saw a new wrinkle in how they run DHOs (dribble hand-offs). The guard went under the defender and circled back around to receive the ball—forcing a big-to-little switch. That’s elite. Kudos to that coaching staff.

Plan your practices like an architect

Are your practices just reps, or are they designed? Think about how to weave culture-building into your drills. How can you make every minute efficient while still leaving space for teaching moments, character talks, and even a little fun? A great practice doesn’t just build skill. It builds trust, discipline, and buy-in.

Get in the room with great coaches

Conferences. Clinics. Twitter threads. Whatever it is—stay connected to coaches who challenge and inspire you. Don’t just chase Xs and Os. Ask how they build trust. How they handle losing streaks. How they deal with parents. One good conversation can shift your whole mindset.

Reflect on your leadership

Be honest—if you played for you, would you feel seen? Heard? Developed? This offseason, take some time to self-scout. Where are your blind spots? How can you lead with more empathy? More consistency? Coaches need growth just as much as athletes do.

So yeah, we want our players to level up. But let’s not forget—they’re watching us. If we show up more prepared, more intentional, more accountable… they will too. Here’s to an offseason where we sharpen our tools, not just theirs. Let’s level up. Together.