So Now You're A Coach
Step confidently into your new coaching role with a guide designed to shorten your learning curve and elevate your impact from day one. So Now You’re a Coach equips beginning coaches with the essential tools, philosophies, and practical strategies needed to lead athletes with clarity, purpose, and confidence. Whether you're stepping into youth sports, school programs, or community teams, this book breaks down the fundamentals of coaching into simple, actionable steps that anyone can follow.
Drawing on real-world coaching experience, it covers everything from developing your coaching philosophy to planning practices, teaching core skills, communicating with parents, and creating a positive team culture. You’ll learn how to run effective drills, manage game situations, and build athletes’ confidence while keeping practices fun, organized, and age‑appropriate.
Perfect for new coaches or volunteers suddenly handed a whistle, this guide helps you avoid common pitfalls, stay organized, and create an environment where players learn, grow, and love the game.
Key Features
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Step‑by‑step coaching foundations:
Philosophy, communication, and season preparation.
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Skill‑building guidance:
Catching, throwing, hitting, pitching, base running, and more.
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Practice planning tools:
Age‑appropriate drills, tactics progressions, and time‑saving templates.
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Game‑day strategies:
Lineups, playing time, defensive systems, and situational decision‑making.
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Parent & player communication tips:
Run effective meetings and set expectations early.
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Coaching resources:
Downloadable pdf worksheets & templates.
Why Coaches & Parents Trust Mike
A Game-Changer for Longevity
I can't help but think there would be hundreds of coaches still coaching and thousands of
Kids still playing youth sports if this book had been around sooner………
Essential Reading for Every Coach
Wow, why isn’t this mandatory reading for every youth sports coach in America. It
confirmed things I was doing well, it should me where I could improve and new things I
can add.
Unmatched Value in Resources
This book is awesome, that said, the Coaching Resources are worth the price of the
book by themselves.
The Blueprint for Clear Expectations
Where was this book when I started coaching? The section on expectations is so
powerful, from club, to coach, to parent, to player, and back.
Transformative & Eye-Opening
Filling out the Coaching Philosophy page was eye opening, it had me really thinking and challenging myself. Once it was written it became real and I refer to it all the time beforeand after practice and games.
The Ultimate Sideline Companion
This is not a 'read it once and put it away' type book.Share your feature information here to attract new clients. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background, and add details about what makes this feature significant.
A Must-Have Physical Guide
I first ordered the eBook but quickly realized this is the type of book you need to have
with you, so I ordered the paperback version for myself and my assistant coach.
Check Out Mike's Other Books
The Car Ride Home:
And Other Critical Moments in Youth Sports
A guide to navigating the moments that shape youth athletes, confidence, character, and long term love for the game.
So Now You're a Coach:
How to Lead Kids with Calm Purpose and Heart
A practical coaching resource focused on purposeful leadership, clear communication, and creating positive, lasting experiences for athletes.
Becoming
One
Man
Aligning the Man You Are, The Man People See, and The Man You Were Created to Be
Earn Trust.
Build Value.
Close. Repeat.
A trust driven approach to building relationships, delivering value, and achieving consistent success in sales and leadership.