Great coaching is more than just strategy, drills, and game plans—it’s about leadership, communication, and fostering a culture of respect and collaboration. Coaches set the tone for the athletes they lead, and how they interact with other coaches directly impacts the development of their players and the overall team environment.
I believe there is an important unwritten rule in the “coach to coach” relationship: We show up for each other, communicate, show respect and collaborate.
This article will focus on the importance of mutual respect, clear communication, and professional collaboration between coaches. When coaches work together effectively, athletes receive consistent messaging, experience reduced stress, and are placed in the best possible position to grow and succeed. However, when coaches undermine each other or fail to communicate properly, confusion, distrust, and dysfunction can take over, ultimately harming the athlete’s experience and performance.
This goes beyond just their sports coaches, it’s all encompassing and includes performance coaches, strength & conditioning coaches, athletic trainers and other coaches your student-athlete(s) may have, including other practitioners that may be serving your athletes in a season. In this article, I’ll focus more on the coach to coach relationship experienced on a team.
The Impact of Poor Coaching Collaboration
A breakdown in respect and collaboration between coaches can take many forms, including:
- Contradictory Messages: A head coach teaches one approach, but an assistant coach privately advises an athlete to do something different. This can leave the athlete confused and uncertain about which direction to follow, ultimately affecting their performance and trust in both coaches. It also creates division within the coaching staff, leading to potential conflicts and misalignment in training objectives.
- Disrespecting the Chain of Command: A coach disregards a head coach’s leadership and takes matters into their own hands instead of discussing concerns professionally. This not only undermines the authority of the head coach but also sets a precedent for insubordination within the team. It fosters a culture where individuals prioritize their personal opinions over the collective goals of the coaching staff, leading to disorganization and dysfunction.
- Using Athletes as Messengers: Rather than addressing concerns directly, a coach relays issues through the athlete, placing them in an uncomfortable and stressful position. Athletes should never be put in a situation where they feel forced to choose sides between coaches. This tactic not only increases anxiety for the athlete but also erodes trust within the coaching staff, making it harder to maintain a unified team environment.
- Public Criticism of Fellow Coaches: Whether in front of athletes, parents, or the public, speaking negatively about another coach (on any team) damages trust and team culture. When coaches openly criticize others, it diminishes the credibility of the entire coaching staff and fosters a toxic environment where resentment and distrust grow. This behavior can also encourage athletes to question or disrespect their coaches, further destabilizing the team dynamic.
Poor collaboration among coaches not only creates unnecessary tension but also negatively impacts athlete development. It should be no surprise that strong collaboration among coaches fosters greater trust, motivation, and performance in athletes. When coaches fail to work together and come together as a united front, it leads to increased stress, cognitive overload, and decision paralysis in athletes who don’t know whom to trust.
The Chain of Command: A Framework for Respect and Communication
To ensure professionalism and teamwork, coaches must adhere to a clear chain of command, here is what I recommend:
- Direct Communication First: If a coach has a concern about another coach’s methods, they should address it privately and professionally before involving others. Likewise, if a coach has a concern with another coach’s approach that isn’t on their coaching staff, they should take the same approach.
- Respect Leadership Structure: Assistant coaches should bring concerns to the head coach rather than making unilateral decisions that contradict leadership.
- Keep Athletes Out of Coaching Conflicts: Athletes should never be placed in the middle of coaching disagreements, ever. Coaching discussions should happen coach to coach, not through players.
- Unified Messaging: Once a decision is made, all coaches should support and reinforce the message consistently to athletes.
Developing Respect and Collaboration in Coaching
The best coaches understand that being part of a team means respecting fellow coaches, remaining open to feedback, and committing to lifelong learning. Just as athletes are expected to be coachable, great coaches are also willing to grow, adapt, and learn from others.
Strong coaching collaboration means:
- Seeking input from fellow coaches rather than assuming your way is the only way.
- Addressing concerns professionally instead of letting frustration build.
- Acknowledging mistakes and being open to change when necessary.
- Being an advocate for a positive coaching culture within your program.
Self-Assessment: How Well Do You Foster Respect and Collaboration?
Use this self-assessment to evaluate your ability to build a culture of respect and collaboration as a coach. Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 for each statement (1 = Never, 5 = Always).
- I communicate directly and professionally with fellow coaches when concerns arise.
- I respect the chain of command and follow proper leadership structures.
- I avoid contradicting or undermining other coaches in front of athletes.
- I never use athletes as messengers for coach-to-coach issues.
- I actively seek collaboration and input from fellow coaches.
- I maintain a positive and professional demeanor when discussing coaching concerns.
- I support and reinforce team decisions even if I initially disagreed.
- I am open to feedback from my peers and strive to be coachable as a coach.
- I work to create an environment where all coaches feel valued and heard.
- I prioritize the athlete’s best interests by ensuring a unified coaching approach.
Scoring and Reflection:
- 40-50 Points: You excel at fostering a culture of respect and collaboration.
- 30-39 Points: You are strong in some areas but may need to improve in certain aspects.
- 20-29 Points: There are noticeable gaps in your approach—consider ways to enhance communication and teamwork.
- Below 20 Points: There is significant room for growth. Focus on professional dialogue, humility, and following the chain of command.
By fostering respect, communication, and collaboration, you contribute to a coaching environment that empowers athletes to succeed without unnecessary distractions or conflicts.
As you reflect on this, consider: What actions can you take to strengthen your relationships with fellow coaches and contribute to a culture of respect and collaboration on your team and beyond your team (with other coaches)?
Read more blogs like this from Coach Julie:
Your Daughter Is Going Pro pro…probably not.
Understanding Learning Styles of Female Athletes: Amplifying Performance Through Tailored Coaching
Coaching Female Athletes-The Art & The Science
What Every Coach Needs to Know About the Female Athlete’s Hormonal Cycle
If you enjoyed this article and know other coaches and trainers who could benefit from the content in this blog, please share in your social media channels. When you share, female athletes benefit.
~ Julie Hatfield-Still
Julie is an Author, CEO and Coach. She is the President & Founder of the Non-Profit Beyond The Game Alliance where they offer a full suite of workshops and support for teams, coaches and parents. In addition to her work as a business consultant and coach of coaches, leaders and entrepreneurs.
Julie is a Speed Development Specialist and Inner-Game Coach in the college, high school and youth levels.
Visit Julie’s Author Page