Ineffective coaching can have serious negative effects on athletes and teams, impacting everything from performance to mental health. One of the most significant consequences of poor coaching is the damage it can do to an athlete’s confidence. Coaches who are overly critical or use negative influence can make players feel insecure, leading to decreased performance on the field or court, as athletes may hesitate to take risks or try their best.

“Having a bad coach really affected my mental health,” an anonymous WHS athlete said. “His coaching style was just not ideal for a teenage player at all. The things he said on the field were very traumatic for me, gave me a lot of anxiety, gave me a lot of unnecessary stress.”

Another major issue of bad coaching is the creation of a toxic team environment. When a coach shows favoritism or fails to communicate effectively, it can lead to rifts among players. This can result in conflicts and a lack of teamwork, making it difficult for the team to play efficiently  together or properly bond. A negative atmosphere can also discourage athletes from enjoying the sport, leading to burnout or even withdrawal from a team.

“The coach would spend extra time focusing on certain girls. It seemed like he saw more potential in them. I just didn’t care enough to try to please him, but it really upset some of my teammates,” an anonymous WHS student athlete said.

In addition, bad coaching can increase the risk of physical injuries. Coaches who push athletes too hard without considering their limits or who neglect proper training techniques can lead to exhaustion and injuries. Coaches should prioritize training progression, gradually increasing their training load to make them more immune to injuries, along with teaching their athletes to distinguish between discomfort and pain. 

Among teenage players, many struggle with bad coaching, leading them to ultimately end their sports career, or feel extremely lost. Many athletes take time off of their sport because of the negative influences around them, or remain not playing any sports following their teenage years. While having a coach that is inspirational can encourage athletes to pursue a sport more seriously, having a coach that is unsupportive or ineffective can lead to negative impacts that turn students off of a sport forever.