Proactive Coaching

Paid-members only

Folleto

Cómo evaluar y mejorar los programas deportivos

Una hoja de ruta para programas deportivos exitosos y el papel de los entrenadores, directores deportivos, administradores y comunidades. A partir de visitas a cientos de…

Product

Coaches Collection

$61 — The 9 booklets written for coaches in one set — trust, culture, discipline and motivation.

Product

Athletes Collection

$29 — The 4 booklets written for athletes in one set — leading, competing, confidence and life lessons.

Five Things You Don't Want to Miss Heading Into Your Season

Five things worth your attention before your season starts - the parent meeting, this year's culture, cuts, captains, and attitude - each with something you can use this week.

qa

What's the best way to select team captains?

There's no single best way to pick captains — the rule is don't leave leadership to chance. Define the job first, then choose a method that fits your roster.

qa

Can attitude actually be taught — and how do I teach it?

Yes — attitude can be taught. Bruce Brown's framework: define an athletic attitude, teach it, expect it, assess it, and praise the athlete-owned choice daily.

qa

How do I help parents build their athlete's confidence instead of hurting it?

Every adult is a confidence builder or a confidence cutter. Teach parents to encourage, model poise, give honest praise, and release their athlete.

qa

How do I coach my own child without ruining it for both of us?

Separate the roles: be "coach" at practice and "Dad" or "Mom" the moment it ends. Bruce Brown's guidance for coaching your own child without regret.

qa

What do I say to a player who wants to quit mid-season?

Listen first, then separate the reason from the feeling: most players who want to quit mid-season are discouraged, not done. Bruce Brown's approach.

qa

Is there a good way to cut players?

No — there is no good way to cut players, only a respectful one: personal conversations all through tryouts, honest face-to-face feedback, never a posted list.

qa

What do I do when my assistant coach and I aren't on the same page?

Meet privately, define exact roles, and use one voice in front of players. Bruce Brown's principles for head and assistant coaches who disagree.

qa

What do I do about a player who loses their temper in competition?

Teach the player that temper is not competitiveness — it's emotion out of control. Bruce Brown's Play, Recover, Play routine trains composure as a skill.

qa

How do I change an athlete's behavior that's hurting the team?

Name the behavior exactly, help the athlete see it through a teammate's eyes, ask "Is that who you want to be?", then walk through the change together.

qa

How do I help a player accept a role they don't want?

Ask two questions: what roles can you fill right now, and what role would you like to grow into — then commit to helping the player get there.

qa

What do I do when my best player is my laziest worker?

Hold your star to the same effort standard as everyone else. Bruce Brown's rule: you never see a great team whose most talented players aren't its best workers.

qa

How do I correct bad body language on my team?

Define it, teach it, rehearse it, hold athletes accountable. Bruce Brown's approach to fixing bad body language, from the four-step talk to the Walk Away Drill.

qa

How do I confront a player without damaging the relationship?

Correct the action, not the person, and lead with care. Bruce Brown's 'positive demanding' approach changes behavior without breaking player trust.

qa

What do my athletes actually want from me as their coach?

Athletes want a coach who believes in them before they succeed, teaches well, and asks for feedback — Bruce Brown's five commitments show what that means.

qa

How do I help my team bounce back after a tough loss?

Bring the energy yourself, eliminate excuses, and refocus players on behaviors they control — attitude, effort, preparation — then celebrate small wins.

qa

What should I study in my first year of coaching?

Study how coaches grow: learn the five growth stages, avoid the First Years survival traps, and find a mentor — Bruce Brown's first-year plan.

qa

What are the signs of coaching burnout — and how do I avoid it?

Coaching burnout shows up as fatigue, cynicism, irritability, and feeling your full effort is never enough. Bruce Brown's answer: coach for significance.

qa

What's my job on game day — how much should I actually coach?

Your game-day job is to model poise, keep it simple, and teach less — athletes do what you do. Bruce Brown's game-coaching principles, explained.

qa

How do I plan a practice that doesn't waste anyone's time?

Give every drill a purpose, write and post your plan, and sequence new skills early and fundamentals late — Bruce Brown's practice planning principles.

qa

How do I build trust fast when I'm the new coach?

Athletes trust coaches for three reasons: professional preparation, personal caring, and consistent character. How to build all three fast as a new coach.

qa

Should I take a job at a program that keeps burning through coaches?

Usually not — constant coach turnover points to the administration, not the coaches. Bruce Brown's red flags and green flags for evaluating a coaching job.