In today’s youth sports environment, the word “coach” carries a significant weight, both on and off the field. But did you know that before it became synonymous with sports, coach had a much different meaning? As John Kelly explains in his article Coach: Word Origin, the word took a metaphorical turn in the 1830s when students at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England began using it to describe private tutors. As Kelly puts it:
“These tutors, so the metaphor goes, acted like vehicles that would successfully convey or carry pupils to their academic destinations.”
Over time, the term coach evolved to refer to athletic trainers and instructors in other aspects of life. And just like the tutors who guided students to academic success, coaches today aim to carry their athletes to success, not just through sports but through personal development. For coaches to truly be successful, they need athletes who are *coachable*—those willing to be guided, listen, and adapt. But in the current $39 billion youth sports industry, coachability is often overlooked.
The Coachability Batting Order
In baseball, there are nine positions on the field, and each athlete brings their own unique strengths to the game. Similarly, in coachability, there are nine critical traits that make an athlete receptive to coaching and capable of growth.
Here’s my lineup for the coachable athlete:
- Lead-Off Hitter: Listening with Empathy – Athletes must absorb feedback with understanding, considering both their own improvement and their teammates’ needs.
- 2nd Batter: Communicating with Clarity and Truth – Honest, clear communication builds trust and strengthens relationships between coaches and players.
- 3rd Batter: Being Accountable – Taking ownership of mistakes and areas that need improvement is a key trait of growth-minded athletes.
- Clean-Up Hitter: Demonstrating Self-Discipline – Athletes who consistently put in the work, without needing external motivation, are the backbone of any successful team.
- 5th Batter: Being Adaptable – The ability to adjust and try new approaches makes an athlete versatile and valuable.
- 6th Batter: Maintaining Focus – Staying mentally locked in during practices and games, even when distractions arise, is crucial for success.
- 7th Batter: Having Humility – Recognizing that there is always room for improvement, no matter how skilled an athlete is, keeps them grounded and open to coaching.
- 8th Batter: Showing Resilience – The most coachable athletes bounce back stronger from failure, understanding that setbacks are part of the learning process.
- 9th Batter: Being a Team Player – Ultimately, coachable athletes place the team’s success above their own, contributing to a culture of unity and shared goals.
The Defensive Lineup of Being Uncoachable
Just as there are traits that make athletes coachable, there are also *defenses* that some players put up, preventing them from benefiting from coaching. Much like the defensive positions in baseball, these behaviors stop players from reaching their full potential.
Here are the nine “defensive” traits of the uncoachable athlete:
- Pitcher: Ego – The most damaging trait, ego stops an athlete from receiving feedback because they think they already know everything.
- Catcher: Defensiveness – When athletes perceive feedback as personal criticism, it shuts down communication and growth.
- 1st Baseman: Inconsistency – Athletes who don’t bring the same level of focus or effort to each practice and game never reach their full potential.
- 2nd Baseman: Resistance to Change – Stubbornness in sticking to old habits, even when they’re not working, prevents growth.
- Shortstop: Lack of Self-Awareness – Players who can’t see their own weaknesses or areas for improvement will never make meaningful progress.
- 3rd Baseman: Blame-Shifting – Athletes who point fingers at others instead of owning up to their own mistakes are uncoachable and toxic to team culture.
- Left Fielder: Complacency – Being satisfied with “good enough” keeps players from reaching for greatness.
- Center Fielder: Fear of Failure – Athletes who are too scared to fail won’t take the necessary risks to grow and improve.
- Right Fielder: Entitlement – Expecting success without putting in the hard work undermines the entire process of coaching.
Bringing It All Together
Just as a coachman in the 19th century would guide their passengers to their destination, today’s sports coaches are tasked with guiding athletes toward success—both on the field and in life. But for athletes to make the journey, they must be willing to let down their defenses and trust the process. Being coachable is about embracing feedback, staying accountable, and recognizing that growth requires both effort and humility.
In a world where youth sports have become a $39 billion industry, true coachability is often lost. But as both coaches and athletes, it’s essential to remember that the journey to success isn’t just about talent. It’s about the willingness to listen, learn, and adapt—just as the original coachmen helped guide their passengers to their destinations.
