When the Coach Crosses the Line: How to Handle Leadership You Don’t Respect
Not every coach deserves your respect—but every situation demands your discipline. In this blog, we break down a real story where a coach lost control, hit a player in the face with a full Coke can, and nearly triggered a violent reaction. This is about handling leadership failure, emotional control, and knowing when your greatest opponent isn’t across the field—it’s inside you.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
7/3/20252 min read


When the Coach Crosses the Line: How to Handle Leadership You Don’t Respect
The Problem: Athletes Are Taught to Respect Coaches—Even When Coaches Don’t Earn It
In sports, we’re told to listen, to follow orders, to “respect the jersey.”
But what happens when a coach abuses that authority?
This story comes from the 1990s, when a Division I-caliber pitcher was charting pitches on the stairs of the dugout.
“I hadn’t thrown that day. I was told to chart because someone else was suspended. It wasn’t personal—it was just how the depth chart worked.”
Then came the tirade.
Then came the Coke can.
“He either hit or threw a full Coke can and it hit you in the face.”
Everyone froze—except the player.
He stood up and came forward.
“The monster came out. The wolf came out.”
Ever been tested by a coach who went too far?
Drop your experience in the video comments—we want to hear how you handled it.
The Real Test: It Wasn’t About the Can
The real test wasn’t the impact—it was the response.
The pitcher didn’t swing. He didn’t explode.
But he made it clear: this crossed a line.
“You better be careful which competitor comes out…
The one who competes, or the one who attacks.”
That moment wasn’t about baseball.
It was about emotional control, self-respect, and restraint under fire.
Setbacks Aren’t Always Physical—Sometimes They’re Personal
We talk a lot about injuries, cuts, slumps.
But one of the hardest tests an athlete will ever face is working under poor leadership.
A coach you don’t trust
A boss who abuses power
A leader who disrespects people
“You’re going to have coaches you don’t get along with.
You’re going to have to figure out a way through it, around it, or past it.”
What’s the Right Move?
This story wasn’t about getting even.
It was about learning to channel your fire instead of letting it destroy everything around you.
If you're an athlete in that situation:
Protect yourself
Set boundaries
Go through the proper channels
Don't let someone else's immaturity define your future
Key Takeaways for Athletes, Parents, and Leaders
✅ Coaches aren't always right—but athletes are always responsible for how they respond
✅ Emotional control is as critical as physical training
✅ Poor leadership can teach powerful lessons if you stay composed
✅ Reacting with fire might feel good—but responding with clarity wins long term
✅ If your player faces this kind of test, coach them through it—don’t tell them to just “take it”
How Sore to Soaring Teaches Control Under Fire
At Sore to Soaring, we train athletes to lead themselves—even when leadership fails them.
We help players:
Develop emotional discipline
Navigate tough environments
Build confidence without chaos
Handle setbacks with maturity
Because what you become after the setback says more than what caused it.
🌍 Support our mission at:
👉 www.SoreToSoaring.org
Disclaimer
The views shared in this article are for informational purposes only and do not represent an accusation or judgment of any individual or institution. The goal is to extract lessons from real experiences to help athletes grow. All opinions are personal and shared to promote leadership development and athlete education.
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#SportsLifeLessons #PlayerDevelopment #TrainToLead
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#YouthSportsReality #SetbackToStrength #ComposureWins
