The Two Hats Every Coach Must Wear

There are developmental coaches and then there are game coaches. Which one are you? Which way do you lean?

Developmental coaches are the cage rats. They love breaking things down. They see the game through a fundamental lens and can spot the smallest detail in a swing, throw, or defensive play.

Game coaches are the competitors. They love being on the field. They like play calling. They like the back and forth chess match of a game. They thrive in the energy of game day.

Both types of coaches bring value. But if we want to truly help our teams succeed, we have to learn how to wear both hats.

On game day, it’s not enough to simply call out a mistake. We need to help an athlete find the adjustment. It’s not enough to just see the error on defense. We need to understand the root cause of the error. At the same time, we need to help our kids compete with pace, confidence, and game awareness.

That balance isn’t easy. We don’t want to get too “technical” and slow kids down. At the same time, we can’t allow ourselves to get out-coached because we can’t make a developmental adjustment in the middle of a game.

Great coaches learn how to live in the middle.

If you lean more toward the developmental coach...

1. Learn to zoom out: The game can feel fast when you’re looking at it through a magnifying glass. Develop the ability to step out of the trenches and see the game from a 10,000 foot view. Ask yourself: Where are we getting beat? Where are we getting exposed? What needs to change? Make it. What does my team need from me right now? Then act on it.

2. Remember, overly technical kids often play slow. The environment we want is one that feels energetic and free - almost like a competitive game of wiffle ball. When kids play loose, they trust their instincts and make athletic plays. Don’t overthink it. Keep the game playful.

3. Your presence sets the tone. Detail-oriented coaches can sometimes unintentionally create tension. Pay attention to what you’re projecting. Do you sound confident or frantic? Do you look calm or stressed? Is your feedback encouraging or discouraging? Are your messages short and memorable, or long and overwhelming? Your athletes will feel whatever energy you bring.

If you lean more toward a game coach…

1. Things are easy when you’re winning. When talent is carrying the day, it feels like you’re riding off into the sunset. But what happens when things get hard? This is where game coaches get tested. When something isn’t working, can you identify what needs to change? Can you see the game at a detailed enough level to help your athletes make in-game adjustments?

2. Talent wins games - until it doesn’t. You will win a lot of games where your team is more talented. But when you face a strong coach who can make adjustments, they may out-coach you to a win. Not because they love the game more, but because they love the process of solving problems inside the game.

3. Process matters more than the outcome. Don’t fall into the trap of coaching only the results. Sometimes a recorded out still needs coaching and a hit in the scorebook still needs an adjustment. Great coaches coach the process, not just the outcome.

The Sweet Spot

The best coaches aren’t one or the other. They’re a blend. A little developmental coach. A little game coach. The right balance creates an environment where kids can develop their skills while still learning how to compete and win. And when we find that balance, we put our athletes in the best possible position to succeed on game day.