“Players don’t just trust coaches—they trust people.”

I recently started training a talented young player who struggles with self-belief. She responds to challenges with hesitant phrases: “maybe,” “I think so,” “I don’t know.” Yet, when given the chance, she consistently proves she can.

It got me thinking: coaching isn’t just about what players can do technically—it’s understanding who they are emotionally. Lately, my first step hasn’t been about drills or skills—it’s about understanding their mindset. Where are they confident? Where do they hesitate?

There’s no simple metric for measuring resilience or self-belief. It’s intuitive, built on empathy and attention to detail. Players sense quickly whether you see them as individuals or just as another athlete.

Earning trust is rooted in empathy, credibility, and genuine interest. When I address a player’s unspoken fears or strengths—when I notice something they didn’t tell me—it signals: “I see you. I’m paying attention.”

That’s the secret: Before players trust you as their coach, they must first trust you as a person.