Coaching “energy” is almost palpable.

Players, assistants and even parents can see it, hear it and feel it from the outset.

Coaches with energy have a real presence, which draws people close. They can command attention, which can sharpen a player’s focus and concentration.  

They can be real motivators. You only need to think about your own experiences around energetic people to know energy breeds energy.

Think about your own coaching energy. How energetic are you? If you were to answer this question on a scale of “never,” “sometimes” or “always,” what would it be?

RELATED CONTENT: The USA Football Coach Performance Center

We all know what poor energy looks like in practice. Coaches may fail to set clear goals for the session. They may be monotone. Maybe they adopt a static position and don’t move much on the field. They might even sit.

Coaches who lack coaching energy may exhibit closed or limited body language. They may use the same feedback methods, language and drills, never changing the stimulus for the athlete.

Even if they are prepared, passionate and invested in the team, coaches without good coaching energy can appear to be generally lacking motivation.

On the flip side, coaches with good energy can accomplish a number of important things:

• Set clear goals and objectives for the session for each athlete. They aim to personalize the learning for each player
• Move around the coaching space so that they can observe participation and performance from different angles. They analyze closely so they can determine what players are doing habitually well and identify where they need help and support
• Integrate a variety of coaching strategies to ensure progression and development
• Vary the tone and tenor in their voice depending what they’re saying and who they’re speaking to
• Have approachable body language
• Exhibit good rapport with their players
• Inject a well-placed sense of humor
• Engage the athlete in their own learning by asking questions and listening to their answers to establish the athlete’s understanding of their own performance.

Having good coaching energy is not necessarily about being a loud, rah-rah coach or jumping up and down on the sidelines. It’s being having a positive, consistent, engaged presence with your players that shows you care about them and the team.

Be aware that showing good coaching energy can be tiring, so you need to take time to recharge the proverbial batteries. But remember, energy breeds energy. So even when you think your reserves are low, it is amazing how watching your players respond to you can help you muster through challenging moments.

Coaching energy is contagious. Make sure you’re letting yours spread through your entire program.

Sarah McQuade is an independent coach education consultant, owner and director of e.t.c coaching consultants and co-director with The Coach Learning Group. To learn more about accessing how-to coach skills workshops click the Coaching Skills button at www.etcoachingconsultants.com.