What Makes a Great Youth Sports Coach?

🔥 What makes a great youth sports coach?

I just listened to the podcast with NCAA Softball Legend Lauren (Chamberlain) Gipson and Olympian Cat Osterman on Youth Inc. — and there are some powerful lessons there for anyone invested in developing young athletes.

🎧 Podcast: What Makes a Coach GREAT – Olympic Softball Stars’ Take.

🧩 Key Takeaways

Relationships Are Foundational
Coaches who take time to truly know their players — their motivations, fears, strengths, challenges — can unlock trust, buy-in, and growth. The best coaches don’t just coach skills, they invest in people.

Standards + Equal Accountability
It’s not enough to love your players — you’ve got to hold them to high standards consistently and equally. This means no favorites, no double standards. Everyone is expected to perform, improve, and act with integrity.

Embrace Challenge & Growth
Great coaches push athletes to step outside comfort zones, to face setbacks, and to learn from failures. Growth happens in the tension.

Communication & Feedback
Real, honest, and frequent feedback loops help players adjust, improve, and feel supported. Listening is just as important as speaking.

Lead by Example
Consistency in character, work ethic, and attitude sets the tone. Coaches must “walk the walk” — their behavior becomes the standard.

For me, points (1) building real relationships and (2) setting consistent, equal accountability for everyone stand out as non-negotiables.

You can’t have one without the other. A coach who deeply cares but lets standards slide risks losing respect; a coach who demands rigor but never connects is likely to lose hearts.

If you’re a coach, a parent, or someone supporting youth sports, I encourage you to listen to the full conversation. Whether you’re just starting or years in, there’s always something to reflect on.

Would love to hear from you:
➡️ What traits have you seen in coaches who really made a difference in your life — as an athlete, parent, or observer?