Coach Burnout Prevention Strategies

Module: Coach Wellbeing Classroom: 3v3 Coach? Click Here… Original Location: https://www.skool.com/coachingacademy/classroom/3v3-coach Status: Published

How to Stay in the Game Without Losing Yourself

Let’s be honest, coaching is draining. It’s rewarding, fulfilling, and purposeful… but it can also burn you out if you’re not careful. Whether you’re full-time, part-time, or volunteering your time, the pressure adds up.

Here’s how to stay in love with the game and avoid burning out:

1. Build Boundaries, Not Walls

You don’t need to shut off emotionally, but you do need lines in the sand.

• Have a non-negotiable night off each week when football doesn’t enter your world.
• Set phone rules (e.g., no replying to parent messages after 8pm).
• Create a physical ‘end’ to your session planning - close your laptop, go for a walk, or journal for 5 minutes.

2. Don’t Try To Do It All

You are not a one-person academy.

• If you can, delegate more. Use assistants, set up player-led activities, or build leadership roles within the team.
• Stop doing every admin task yourself. Get help, automate it, or let it go.
• Say no to extra events if you’re stretched. Every ‘yes’ costs energy somewhere else.

3. Detach Your Worth From Results

You’re not defined by a win, a loss, or whether your team played “well.”

• Reflect on the process, not just the outcome.
• Ask: “Did they learn something?” not “Why didn’t we get the win?”
• Celebrate the micro-wins: a good turn, a brave pass, a player helping another, etc.

4. Plan Smarter, Not More

You don’t need a new world-class session every week.

• Build a bank of adaptable sessions you can revisit and tweak.
• Use themes across multiple weeks to reduce planning fatigue.
• Keep a ‘go-to’ session for when your energy’s low. A simple, effective, and minimal setup session.
• Utilise our free sessions or our complete Game Model document if you are short on time.

5. Prioritise Yourself Too

Your energy drives everything. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

• Sleep well, eat properly, and move your body. This is basic stuff, but easy to forget.
• Talk to someone outside of football. Let yourself step back.
• Have hobbies not connected to coaching. Even watching other teams can feel like “work.”

Final Word

If you’ve ever felt on the edge of packing it in, you’re not alone. Most good coaches have been there. The difference? They put systems in place to stay in love with the game.

Burnout isn’t a badge of honour. It’s a warning sign. Pay attention to it, and give yourself the same care you give your players.

And reach out to me at any time if you need to chat.

Kevin Middleton Founder, 360TFT

Note: Additional resources available within the Football Coaching Academy classroom.