Coaches often pour their energy into analyzing player performance—breaking down technique, adjusting tactics, and offering feedback. But there’s one crucial element many overlook: reflecting on their own coaching performance. Just as players benefit from review and refinement, coaches can elevate their impact by adopting a self-review practice.

Why Coach Self-Review Matters

Self-review isn’t about self-criticism—it’s about growth. By reflecting on how you design sessions, communicate, and apply constraints, you can identify what truly helps players progress and what might be holding them back.

Think about it: If a drill doesn’t land, is it because the players weren’t engaged, or because the task constraints weren’t clear? If a player struggles to adapt, did the session provide enough variability? Without reflecting, it’s easy to blame the learner when, in reality, small coaching adjustments could unlock their potential.

How to Build a Self-Review Habit

Here’s a simple, actionable approach to start reflecting on your coaching sessions:

1. Post-Session Review (10 Minutes)

After each session, ask yourself three quick questions:

• What worked well? Identify the moments when players were engaged, improving, and problem-solving.
• What didn’t work as planned? Look for activities where players seemed confused, disengaged, or frustrated.
• What would I tweak next time? Consider adjusting constraints, communication, or session flow.

2. Record and Reflect

If possible, record one session per week—even if it’s just audio. Hearing how you frame tasks or give feedback can be eye-opening. Are you giving players enough autonomy? Are your instructions clear and concise?

3. Apply Constraints to Your Coaching

Just as constraints shape player learning, they can refine your coaching, too. Try these approaches:

• Communication Constraint: Limit yourself to one cue per intervention.
• Time Constraint: Spend no more than 90 seconds explaining a task.
• Player-Led Constraint: Let players define success criteria for a drill.

These small shifts can drastically improve session flow and player engagement.

From Reflection to Progress

By adopting a self-review habit, you’ll start coaching more intentionally. Your sessions will become more purposeful, adaptive, and responsive to players’ needs. The result? Faster skill acquisition, more engaged players, and a coaching style that evolves alongside your learners.

Join the Conversation

Self-review doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Sign up for my email list and get:

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Let’s grow together—reflect, refine, and perfect your coaching!