Why Your Coaching Lands for Some Athletes and Not Others

You’ve coached a class and watched this happen: you explain the workout, most people get moving without issue, but one or two hesitate, look around, and ask someone else what they’re doing.

Later, you push an athlete to move faster. They respond immediately. You try the same with someone else, and they tighten up or slow down even more.

Nothing you did was wrong. It just didn’t land the same way.

So why does your coaching work so well for some athletes and not others?

What’s Really Going On

Coach long enough and you start to notice patterns in yourself. You tend to explain things a certain way. You tend to encourage, push, or check in more. You prefer options or directness.

Most of what we do falls into a few broad patterns: helping someone understand what to do and why (clarity), helping them feel capable and supported (encouragement), holding the standard and asking for more (challenge), noticing what’s going on for them (attention), and involving them in decisions (partnership).

These map closely onto three basic motivational needs: feeling capable, feeling connected, and having a sense of ownership. Clarity and challenge build capability. Encouragement and attention build connection. Partnership builds ownership.

You use all of these — just not equally. You have one or two defaults. And that’s usually where things start to split because the way you naturally coach isn’t always the way someone best receives coaching.

Where This Shows Up

In a group class, you’re coaching a mix of people who need slightly different things.

The disengaged member might not need more intensity; they might need more clarity. The one asking questions might not be confused; they might want more ownership over their approach. The one resistant to feedback might not be difficult; they might not feel seen yet.

If you keep applying the same approach, you’ll keep getting the same result.

What To Do With It

You don’t need a new system. You need awareness and a bit more range.

Start with your default. In your last few classes, what did you mostly do — explain, encourage, push, check in, offer options? Then look at who you didn’t reach. Not the athletes who responded well. The ones who didn’t.

Try something slightly different. Add encouragement before you challenge. Give clearer direction before stepping back. Ask a question instead of giving another cue.

Small shifts are enough. You’re not changing your coaching — you’re expanding it.

The bottom line

If your coaching works well for some athletes but not others, it’s rarely because you’re doing something wrong.

It’s usually because you’re doing the same thing for everyone.

And not everyone needs the same thing. That’s exactly where the opportunity is.

Have a question for a coach? Please submit that here.

About the Author

Farran Mackay is a Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer with over 30 years of experience as a sports instructor and more than 15 years of experience developing both teachers and coaches. She is the owner and head coach of Virtuous Coach Development, a CrossFit-approved CEU provider. She supports coaches and affiliate owners worldwide in strengthening their teams and systems and delivering exceptional member experiences. Holding a master’s degree in Education and Communication, Mackay brings a unique perspective to coaching development, blending educational research with practical application. She is passionate about helping coaches and affiliate owners become more effective and efficient, and is deeply committed to building a stronger, more sustainable CrossFit ecosystem.