Introduction
Use this break to think about next season.
Not tactics. Not formations. Not new drills.
Start with yourself.
The Three Questions
Before planning sessions, answer these three questions about your coaching:
1. What ONE thing will I do differently?
Not five things. Not a complete overhaul. One meaningful change.
Maybe it’s:
- Talking less during sessions
- Building better relationships with parents
- Structuring training differently
- Arriving 15 minutes earlier
- Using video for reflection
Pick one thing that would genuinely improve your coaching.
2. What will I STOP doing?
This is harder than adding new things.
What habits aren’t serving you or your players?
What are you doing because “we’ve always done it” rather than because it works?
Possibilities:
- Stop over-coaching during games
- Stop planning sessions the night before
- Stop comparing your team to others
- Stop taking results personally
- Stop trying to please everyone
Sometimes improvement is about removing, not adding.
3. What am I already doing well that I’ll do MORE of?
Don’t just focus on weaknesses.
Identify what’s working and double down on it.
What do players respond to? What makes sessions flow? What do parents appreciate? What energizes you?
Build on your strengths, not just fix your weaknesses.
Why One Thing Works
Focus Beats Scatter
Trying to improve five things simultaneously usually means improving nothing.
One clear focus cuts through the noise.
Compound Effect
Small improvements, consistently applied, compound over time.
One thing done 100 times beats 100 things done once.
Measurable Progress
You can actually track whether you’re improving one thing.
You can’t track five things simultaneously.
Sustainable Change
One change is sustainable. Five changes lead to overwhelm and abandonment.
Making It Stick
Write It Down
Put your ONE thing somewhere you’ll see it regularly.
Phone wallpaper. Coaching bag. Car dashboard.
Constant reminder.
Tell Someone
Share your intention with another coach.
Accountability increases follow-through.
Build a Trigger
Attach your new behaviour to something you already do.
“Before every session, I’ll take three deep breaths.” “After every game, I’ll write one positive observation.”
Triggers create habits.
Review Monthly
Set a calendar reminder to check in with yourself.
“Am I still doing my ONE thing?”
Course correct as needed.
What to Stop
The Hardest Part
Stopping is harder than starting.
We accumulate habits, commitments, and approaches over time.
Some no longer serve us but remain from inertia.
Identify the Drag
What drains your energy? What takes time but adds little value? What do you do out of obligation rather than purpose?
Give Yourself Permission
You’re allowed to stop things that don’t work.
Even if you’ve done them for years. Even if others expect you to continue. Even if it feels like giving up.
Strategic quitting isn’t failure. It’s focus.
Building on Strengths
The Positive Focus
Weakness-fixing is exhausting.
Strength-building is energizing.
Both matter, but the balance should favour strengths.
Audit Your Sessions
Think back to your best moments this season.
What were you doing? How were you coaching? What made it work?
Do more of that.
Ask for Feedback
Your players, parents, and assistant coaches see things you don’t.
“What do I do that works well?”
Their answers might surprise you.
The Long View
Seasons vs Years
One season is too short to measure real development.
Think in years, not weeks.
Patience with Process
Your ONE thing might not show results for months.
That doesn’t mean it’s not working.
Progress Over Perfection
You won’t do your ONE thing perfectly.
You’ll forget sometimes. Slip back occasionally.
That’s fine. Keep going.
Conclusion
New year, new opportunity.
Not to overhaul everything.
To improve one thing consistently.
What ONE thing will you focus on in 2026?
Write it down. Tell someone. Make it happen.