Performance Psychology for Coaches

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

How to Strengthen Your Mindset, Stay Grounded, and Lead With Clarity

Coaches often teach mindset, confidence, and resilience, but rarely apply those same tools to themselves.

Just like players, coaches face pressure, self-doubt, and emotional swings. The difference? Coaches often have no one helping them manage it.

Here’s how to develop a stronger mental game for yourself:

1. Coach Your Own Mindset

You coach players through ups and downs, give yourself the same space.

• Catch negative self-talk early. Don’t beat yourself up over results.
• Use phrases you’d give your players: “You’re still learning,” “That’s part of the game.”
• Build self-awareness: What triggers frustration? What resets you?

2. Focus On What You Can Control

You can’t pick the referee, the weather, or your opposition, but you can control how you respond.

• Zoom in on attitude, preparation, and how you coach under pressure.
• Reflect on performance through questions:
  • “What worked?”
  • “What would I tweak?”
  • “Did I model the values I want from my team?”

3. Normalise Pressure and Nerves

Feeling nervous before a game? That’s not weakness, it’s an investment.

• Channel it: “I care. I want to do well.”
• Name it, then move on. Don’t let it control you.
• If you’ve prepped well, you’ve already done your job; now go lead.

4. Reflect. Don’t Ruminate

Overthinking drains energy. Reflection fuels growth.

• Use a voice note or quick journal after sessions: What did I notice? What can I learn?
• Don’t replay mistakes endlessly. Find the lesson, then move forward.
• Reframe ‘bad sessions’ as data for improvement, not evidence you’re not good enough.

5. Protect Your Confidence

Confident coaches create confident players.

• Surround yourself with positive peers. Avoid toxic sidelines or keyboard critics.
• Remind yourself of your strengths. Keep a win log, even small ones.
• Keep learning. The more tools you have, the calmer and more confident you’ll feel.

Final Word

You already coach with heart, insight, and care. Now it’s time to coach yourself the same way.

A strong mindset doesn’t mean you never wobble, it means you have the tools to reset, refocus, and lead again.

You’re not just teaching the game. You’re modelling how to handle the game.

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