Have you ever looked around at other coaches and thought, “How do they all seem to have it figured out, and I still feel like I’m making it up?”

If that sounds familiar, good. 

It means you care.  And it means you’re human.

Whether you’re a recent grad trying to get your footing, or a parent-coach who fell into the role, almost everyone in this field has felt that creeping doubt:

• Am I qualified to be doing this?

• What if I miss something important and someone gets hurt?

• Am I doing enough?

• Do they even take me seriously?

Welcome to Imposter Syndrome — coaching edition.

Why It Happens

Let’s call it like it is: The performance world is loud. 

It’s flooded with opinions, methods, formulas, and people selling the “secret system” that promises to fix everything.

You scroll through social media and see:

• Clean graphics with complex programming cycles.

• Coaches posting 8-exercise supersets with advanced language.

• Big words like “biomechanical efficiency” and “neuromuscular load sequencing”

And if you’re not using all of those things, it can feel like you’re behind.

But here’s what you’re not seeing:

• The 19-year-old D1 strength coach intern who made that post has never coached a 12-year-old girl who’s never sprinted before.

• That fancy PDF wasn’t built for a team of 18 middle schoolers in a shared gym with two medicine balls and a bad speaker system.

• Those big words won’t help when an athlete looks you in the eye and says, “Coach, what does this even do?”

The Truth About Coaching “Knowledge”

Yes — education matters. You should know what you’re doing. 

But here’s the part no one tells you:

Knowing everything is impossible. 

But knowing what matters? 

That’s the job.

Here’s what does matter:

• Can you explain why you’re doing what you’re doing?

• Can you adjust the plan when things go sideways?

• Can you keep athletes safe, progressing, and engaged?

• Can you teach movement in a way they understand?

If the answer is yes — then you’re doing the job.

How to Stay Out of the Info Spiral

Here’s a simple filter system to keep you out of overwhelm:

• Is this relevant to the athletes I coach?  If it’s not something you can apply with your group or context, skip it.

• Does it solve a problem I actually have?  If not, it’s probably a distraction. Save it for later — or never.

• Is this actionable, or just interesting?  Knowledge is only power if you can use it. “Interesting” won’t help when you’re coaching 20 athletes in a gym with bad acoustics.

Signs You’re Ready (Even if You Don’t Feel Like It)

• You ask good questions.

• You care more about teaching than impressing.

• You’re willing to say “I’m not sure — but I’ll find out”

• You’re consistent, present, and prepared.

If that’s you? You’re already ahead of the game.

Coaching Check-In: What You Should Take from This article 

• Feeling like an imposter is normal — but it doesn’t mean you’re not ready.

• Knowledge is only useful if you know when and how to apply it.

• Most of the fancy stuff doesn’t matter if your athletes aren’t even moving well yet.

• Your job is to get clear on what matters for the athletes in front of you.

• Confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything — it comes from coaching with intent

Feeling like an imposter is normal—but it doesn’t mean you’re not ready. If you want practical guidance to coach with confidence, check out Built To Coach for strategies every coach can use.

Alan Smith

Fitness Professional | Educator | Author

Alan knows what it’s like to feel unprepared, underqualified, or unsure in front of a team. For nearly three decade, he’s worked with everyone from exercise science students to parent-coaches, helping them keep athletes safe, strong, and confident.

A coach’s coach, Alan teaches that you don’t need to know everything—you just need a clear path, the right tools, and someone who gets it. He specializes in helping young coaches, volunteers, and educators build systems they can trust, lead with intention, and make a lasting impact on athletes’ lives.

“You don’t have to be perfect to be impactful. You just need to be prepared, intentional, and heart-led.”

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