Coaching Myth: What Really Separates Great Coaches

The 10% Coaching Myth: What Really Separates Great Coaches

👉 “People think coaching is about skill knowledge. But that part is only about 10% of what we do.”

It’s easy to assume that the best coaches are the ones with the most drills, the sharpest technical mind, or the deepest playbook.
But according to Coach Leo Young—and countless players he’s worked with—that’s not what truly makes a great coach.

The late Fred Hatfield may have mentored him, but Jeff Hogan embodied it:
Great coaching isn’t about the knowledge you give—it’s about the message you send.

Have You Ever Had a Coach Say Something in 30 Seconds That Changed Everything? Drop your story in the comments of the full video.

Coaching Is Only 10% About Skill

Jeff Hogan was the most respected coach Leo had ever seen. And it wasn’t because he could out-talk everyone in the dugout.

“You’re not going to out-knowledge him on the field—but that wasn’t what made him special.”

Hogan wasn’t just smart. He was present. Every word he shared felt like it mattered. And most of the impact didn’t even come from his instruction—it came from the way he coached.

What most people miss is this:
You can know the game and still miss the player.

The Power of 30-Second Conversations

Hogan’s greatest impact didn’t come during team talks or practices. It came in the 30-second windows:

• Walking between drills

• Passing by in the hallway

• Tossing a word of advice during BP

That’s where the magic happened.

“Stop talking. You’re saying too much.”
That was Hogan’s advice to Leo—and it stuck.

The best coaching moments aren’t scripted. They’re received in real time, when trust has already been built.

The Unteachable Gift: Presence

Some coaches talk. Others connect.
Jeff Hogan did both—but with a gift that many don’t have.

“What message are you sending beyond the words?” Leo asked.
Because players don’t always remember what you say.
They remember how you made them feel.

This is the core of great coaching:
A presence that teaches without speaking.
A way of showing belief, structure, and challenge that athletes respond to instinctively.

What Coaches and Leaders Can Learn From This

If you’re a coach, here’s the hard truth:
Knowledge is cheap. Presence is rare.

Players don’t care how much you know until they feel how much you care.
And no matter how smart you are, you can’t coach effectively without trust.

What to focus on:

• Talk less. Make each word count.

• Be intentional with your moments—especially the unscheduled ones.

• Ask what players are receiving, not just what you’re saying.

• Understand that coaching happens in fragments—and players piece it together.

How Sore to Soaring Trains Coaches to Lead Like This

At Sore to Soaring, we go beyond skills training. We help coaches master:

• Communication during recovery and frustration

• The emotional timing of leadership conversations

• How to be present—even in silence

• How to earn trust in the smallest windows

Our programs train coaches to build players, not just correct them.

We call it leadership through clarity and connection.

👉 Learn more at www.SoreToSoaring.org

Disclaimer:

The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.

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