The Coaching Gift: What You Say Without Words
In this powerful clip, Coach Leo Young unpacks one of the most misunderstood aspects of coaching: how the best leaders send messages without words. Through the example of Coach Jeff Hogan—a player’s coach with an almost unteachable gift—Leo breaks down why communication isn’t about volume, but presence. This post explores how the best coaches influence trust, confidence, and accountability through tone, timing, and body language, and why what athletes receive often matters more than what’s said.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
9/16/20252 min read
The Coaching Gift: What You Say Without Words
👉 “What message are you sending—not with your words, but with what they’re receiving?”
The greatest coaches don’t lead with their mouth.
They lead with how they show up.
In this reflection on coaching legend Jeff Hogan, Coach Leo Young explains why presence—not instruction—is what defines real leadership.
It’s the unspoken gift some coaches have: the ability to move people by simply being consistent, honest, and intentional.
What’s a Moment You Remember Where a Coach Didn’t Say Much—But It Hit Hard? Drop your story in the comments of the full video.
The Presence That Outweighs the Playbook
Coach Hogan never needed to overtalk.
Players listened because his tone, confidence, and clarity told them everything before he opened his mouth.
“You lean in that direction,” Leo says, referring to another coach.
“You have the message that you send to people beyond the words—and it’s impressive.”
This isn’t just charisma. It’s learned presence.
And players know the difference instantly.
You’re Always Coaching—Even When You’re Silent
Every coach is saying something—even when they’re not speaking.
The way you walk through the dugout
The way you respond to frustration
The way you hold your body during adversity
All of it teaches. All of it leads.
The best coaches own that silent space and make it work for them.
“Everything he talked about was something you needed.”
That’s not about volume. That’s about value.
Stop Talking. Start Connecting.
Coach Hogan told Leo something that changed how he coached forever:
“Stop talking. You’re talking too much.”
In an age where overcommunication is common, this was radical advice.
But it’s spot-on. Athletes don’t need more noise—they need moments of clarity.
Great coaches:
Know when to speak
Know when to be quiet
And know what energy they’re sending every time they enter the room
What Coaches and Leaders Need to Understand
Communication is not just verbal. It’s emotional.
What players feel will stick longer than anything they hear.
Here’s what to practice:
Use silence as a tool, not a weakness
Match your tone and timing to the moment
Understand the difference between sending a message and dumping information
Ask yourself constantly: What is this athlete receiving from me right now?
How Sore to Soaring Builds Coaches Who Lead Without Over-Talking
At Sore to Soaring, we train coaches to speak with presence—not volume.
We help them master:
Micro-moment communication
Body language that builds trust
Timing strategies that land hard lessons without lecturing
And the emotional discipline to lead under pressure
Coaches don’t need to be louder. They need to be clearer.
That’s what we teach.
👉 Join us 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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