Introduction
I used to try and solve everything on my own. Every problem felt unique. Every challenge felt like something only I was facing.
Then I started engaging with other coaches. What I discovered changed my coaching development entirely.
What Isolation Actually Does
Coaching alone means limited perspective. Your ideas go untested. Your problems seem unique. Your progress is unmeasured. Your motivation fluctuates based entirely on what happens in your sessions, with no external reference point.
The echo chamber is real. Without other voices challenging your assumptions, you can spend months convinced something works when it does not, or convinced something does not work when you are just implementing it wrong.
Most coaching challenges are shared. The problem you are struggling with has probably been solved by hundreds of coaches before you. Isolation hides these solutions.
What Changes With Connection
“Have connected with a couple within this group as well as several on Twitter and via another coach that runs regular CPD events. All of this has made me a better coach.” — Steve Miles, FCA Member
When I started engaging regularly with other coaches, my development accelerated dramatically.
Other coaches see things you miss. Different approaches to the same problems. Alternative viewpoints you would never consider alone. Fresh ideas that break your patterns. Challenged assumptions that you would never question by yourself.
“I never thought of it that way” became one of my most common phrases.
“I am glad someone asked about something that I needed info on. Best part about this community.” — Brian Willis, FCA Member
The validation matters too. Knowing others face similar challenges normalises your struggles. Your efforts matter. Your journey is shared. “I am not alone in this” creates relief that reduces the weight of coaching responsibility.
When others know your goals, accountability increases. Follow-through improves. Excuses decrease. Progress accelerates.
“I have been reflecting a lot more since joining this community and I have definitely made positive changes to my coaching. I am having fun, and I hope the players are. I surveyed them and they appear to be.” — Stephen Kavanagh, FCA Member
Shared knowledge multiplies quickly. Drills and sessions. Documents and templates. Ideas and approaches. Experience and wisdom. “This worked for me, try it” saves years of trial and error.
How To Build Real Connection
Do not enter communities asking. Enter sharing.
Share your experiences, your questions, your thoughts, your resources. Generosity creates connection. The coaches who get the most help are usually the coaches who give the most help.
“You give a lot to this community and in a mostly productive way. I always learn something from your posts.” — Ross Whitehead, FCA Member
Engage consistently. Occasional participation creates little. Daily presence, weekly contributions, monthly deep involvement, yearly commitment. That is how relationships build.
Ask good questions. “How do I make my players better?” is too vague to answer. “How do you help U12s make faster decisions in the final third?” gets useful responses. Specific questions generate useful answers.
Share your struggles. Pretending perfection prevents connection. Vulnerability creates relatability, trust, support, and real conversations that go beyond surface-level tips.
When community helps, report back. What you tried. What happened. What you learned. How it evolved. Closing loops builds relationships.
The Compound Effect
“It really is a wonderful treasure-trove of information you guys have created. I have been looking through old posts this week and finding some excellent stuff that I had not noticed before.” — Ross Whitehead, FCA Member
In year one, you make new connections. Initial resources appear. Understanding begins.
In year two, relationships deepen. You become known for something. Your contributions become regular.
In year three, you are a trusted community member. A go-to person for specific topics. Your network is strong.
Beyond that, the relationships become transformative. Opportunities appear that you could not create alone. Collaborations emerge. Your coaching life becomes integrated with others rather than isolated.
“It is probably the best resource I have found in developing my coaching knowledge. The community is my home, I do not want to miss anything here.” — FCA Member
Finding The Right Community
Look for active participation, quality discussions, helpful members, diverse perspectives, and aligned values.
Avoid dead spaces where questions go unanswered, toxic environments where criticism dominates, all talk with no action, narrow thinking that rejects alternative approaches, and competitive undermining where coaches protect information rather than share it.
Online coaching groups offer diverse perspectives and constant availability. Local coach networks provide same context and easy meeting opportunities. Coaching courses create connections that should extend beyond the qualification. Dedicated coaching communities combine the best elements into something purpose-built.
What This Means For Your Development
Coaching development is not a solo activity.
The coaches who grow fastest engage with community, share openly, learn from others, contribute regularly, and build relationships over time.
“The Football Coaching Academy has been a game changer to my coaching development. There are plenty of courses to choose from and deepen your understanding of the game. What is great is the classroom, where you can ask questions and learn from other coaches too.” — FCA Member
Find your community. Engage fully. Grow together.
Ready to stop coaching in isolation?
The Football Coaching Academy is where 1,600+ coaches share solutions, support each other’s development, and solve problems together. The answer to your current challenge is probably waiting there already. $1/month to start.