E379 | Dealing with Checked-Out Youth Coaches

Coaching youth sports can be one of the most rewarding things you can do, whether you're a parent, a former athlete, or someone who just wants to make a difference. It’s an incredible opportunity to connect with people in a way that can genuinely shape who they become.

Youth sports span the full range—from high-priced, high-stakes travel leagues to your local rec department. From paid coaches with professional experience, to the dad who just answered the 7,000th email asking for help. You won’t find a show that cares more about coaches than this one, so this isn’t one of those episodes that’s here to bash the people who’ve stepped up when no one else would.

What this episode will be is a look from multiple angles, through the lens of someone who’s coached at a high level and is now a parent on the sidelines. 

What does real coaching actually look like? What should a good practice feel like? And how do we make sure we’re giving kids our best—not just for them, but for the people who care the most and invest the most in their development: their parents.

In this episode, we dig into those questions and more, including:

• A no-nonsense breakdown of what good coaching actually looks like—and what it absolutely isn’t
• Quick-hit checklist to help overworked coaches stay focused and run practices with fewer vague corrections, clearer demonstrations, and a whole lot more fun
• Common habits that hijack practice—like overtalking and underengaging—and what to do instead
• A simple, realistic framework for structuring practice time so the most important lessons actually stick
• Creative ways to split the room or field into stations that maximize engagement for every kid, no matter their skill level

🎯 Want to create a coaching environment that truly resonates with every athlete? Check out our free video presentation, Creating the Optimal Coaching Environment, for actionable strategies to enhance your coaching impact.  Visit artofcoaching.com/optimal/ to see Brett’s presentation from the iconic Mamba Academy.

The Apprenticeship

If you're tired of struggling through hard conversations or avoiding them altogether, this is your chance to train for them. We’ll put you in realistic role-play scenarios and teach you the frameworks that help you navigate conflict, power dynamics, and tough personalities.

No fluff. No gurus. Just pressure-tested strategies you can actually use—because the best coaching skills don’t perish. Everyone has a coach in their life, and the ability to communicate clearly under pressure pays off in every area—not just work.

📍Phoenix, AZ – June 7-8 📍Oakland, CA – July 12-13 📍Murfreesboro, TN – October 25-26

Retreat. Reset. Recalibrate. RELOAD!

This September, we’re hosting a retreat in Phoenix, AZ—built for those who carry it all. Ten years in the making, this event is designed to give you tools to slow down, recalibrate, and breathe again.

We're teaming up with professionals like Taylor Somerville and Lauren Vestal to introduce breathwork, recovery strategies, and techniques to help you downregulate and bring some peace back into your day-to-day life. You’ll also get space to move, connect, and troubleshoot how to have the tough conversations you've been avoiding—so you can show up for yourself as much as you do for everyone else.

Stay tuned at artofcoaching.com/events<