Insights Signature Issue
Turn Coaching Frameworks into Real-World Tools
Coaching frameworks are only useful if they improve the sport experience for young people in the programs. To make that happen, coaches, administrators, and organizations need tools they can actually use to turn principles into practice. This means turning frameworks into clear, practical guidelines that help people apply them in real-world settings – like training, practices, and competitions.
→What this looks like when we get it right: Every coaching framework includes practical guidance – think checklists, examples, and easily digestible ideas – that can be used by any coach, no matter the setting.
→Who can drive this change? Coach Education; Sports Governance; Service and Standards; Researchers
Why this Issue
Most youth sport coaches operate in fast-paced, resource-limited environments where time is short and demands are high.
Too often, coaching frameworks aren’t translated into clear, practical, easy-to-use guidelines that coaches, administrators, and organizations need. The result? We miss opportunities to get coaches what they need to create the best experience for kids.
Getting Started
→Translate frameworks into actionable tools. To close the gap between theory and practice, we need to turn frameworks into actionable guidelines and tools. Translating guidance like the National Coaching Standards and the American Development Model into applied tools would represent a significant step forward. These should include simple checklists, step-by-step strategies, visuals, and best practices that show what great coaching looks like in action – and how to do it.
→Prioritize near-term usability. Several resources have been created to translate coaching frameworks and best practices, but many struggle to gain widespread adoption. For any resource developed, we should be asking: What can a coach or administrator take from this resource and use today, without needing extra planning or expertise?
→Design for a range of settings.There’s no single set of guidelines that work for all sports settings, and there shouldn’t be. Instead, this is about offering better tools for the different places where youth play– from travel sports to in-town rec leagues – that reflect the full range of what great coaching can deliver.
→Build tools that work for coaches. Here’s how:
- Use simple language
- Break down big ideas into small, digestible actions
- Provide flexible options that can work for multiple settings and communities
- Work directly with coaches and organizations in design to ensure relevance
- Offer visuals, videos, and tech-based formats to improve engagement
- Include one-pagers, cue cards, templates, scripts, and protocols
- Provide simple evaluation tools for coaches and admins
- Connect ideas to specific areas of impact (e.g., safety, inclusion, retention)
- Celebrate and spotlight coaches who model and apply key practices
- Share stories demonstrating how the guidelines have improved outcomes (e.g., more engaged participants, stronger relationships, etc.)
Game Changing Content
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| USOPC Youth Hub |
Home for coaches, parents and administrators in youth sports to access frameworks, toolkits, courses |
| OSU LiFEsports Coaching Resources |
Practical tools and resources for youth coaches, including checklists, card decks and handouts |
| Little League Coaches Page |
Rules, forms, drills, templates and guides for youth baseball and softball coaches |
| Laureus x LMA Mental Health Training Resources |
Insights for how to coach positive mental health practices and manage your own mental health |
| PCA Resource Zone |
Extensive resource library for people in youth sports, including content for first-time and parent coaches |