If you’ve ever wondered how top-level coaches keep their sessions fresh, engaging, and effective you’re not alone. Whether you’re guiding kids through their first football drills or helping adults rediscover their love for cricket, how you design your practices can make or break your impact. The good news? You don’t need a professional title to coach like the pros. These five practical secrets from elite coaching environments are your ticket to more enjoyable, inclusive, and purposeful sessions.
1. Start with the “Why”
Great coaches don’t just pick games at random – they build every session around a clear purpose. Elite-level practice always ties back to a specific outcome, like improving decision-making, building confidence, or strengthening teamwork across skill levels.
Ask yourself: What do I want players to walk away with today? For young athletes, it might be as simple as “Have fun and communicate more.” For adults, it might be “Learn how to rotate positions.” Embedding the ‘why’ keeps athletes motivated and helps you track real progress.
2. Make Practices Game-Like
Instead of endless drills and queuing, top coaches use game-based activities. Why? Because sport is unpredictable — and real development happens when athletes are exposed to situations that mimic the demands of a match.
- Use small-sided games to amplify touches and decisions.
- Add constraints (e.g. “only two touches”) to develop specific skills.
- Encourage reflection after plays: “What worked well?”
This approach not only increases engagement — especially in mixed-ability groups — but also fosters better decision making under pressure.
3. Prioritise Psychological Safety
Top coaches know that performance grows when players feel safe to take risks, fail, and try again. Whether you’re working with a shy teen or a returning adult player, building trust and emotional safety is foundational.
Here’s how you can create a more supportive environment:
- Celebrate effort, not just achievement (“Great hustle!” instead of “Nice goal!”)
- Give everyone a chance to lead, regardless of their ability
- Use names, eye contact, and positive reinforcement often
4. Embrace Individual Differences
One session. Many athletes. Different needs. Elite coaches stand out because they coach the individual in front of them, not just the session plan.
Here’s how to get started:
- Offer choice: Let athletes pick roles or challenges.
- Adapt language: Use analogies or instructions that resonate with different learning styles.
- Check in regularly: Ask “How’s this feeling?” or “What do you need right now?”
This is especially important in adults returning to sport or kids with varying confidence levels. We’ve written a blog about adapting for inclusion, check out 5 Ways To Build Inclusivity Into Your Coaching.
5. Reflect and Adjust — Always
The session’s over, but the coaching isn’t. Elite coaches consistently reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and why — and they adjust accordingly. This simple practice of continuous learning can transform your coaching effectiveness.
Try this quick reflection technique:
- What did I notice during the session? (e.g. energy levels, engagement)
- What surprised me?
- What will I do differently next time?
Want to make reflection a habit? The Our blog about Reflective Practice provides a simple framework you can use straight away.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a professional coach with a full-time staff and top-tier facility to make a lasting impact. By anchoring your sessions in purpose, designing experiences that reflect the real game, embracing each athlete’s needs, and investing in your own growth — you’re already coaching like the best.
And remember, even the best coaches started where you are — asking good questions and experimenting to find what works.
