You’re Doing Better Than You Think: A Pep Talk for Volunteer Coaches

Let’s be honest—coaching can feel thankless sometimes.

You stay up late planning sessions. You’re the first one at the field and the last one to leave. You worry if you’re being too hard—or not hard enough. You juggle your job, your family, your mental health, and still make time to show up for kids who may never say thank you.

But here’s the truth: You’re doing a great job.

And even if it doesn’t always feel like it, what you do matters more than you know.

You Coach Because You Care

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether you’re making a difference—guess what? You are. Doubt is a sign of self-awareness. It means you care. You care enough to ask if you’re fair. You care enough to read books, watch drills, or tweak a practice plan you made on your lunch break. That effort, that thoughtfulness—it doesn’t go unnoticed.

In fact, many players remember their coach for life. Not the record, not the wins—but the way you made them feel. Supported. Seen. Encouraged. Challenged.

You are planting seeds you may never get to see bloom.

Behind Every Strong Team Is a Tired, Hopeful Coach

Being a volunteer coach means wearing a lot of hats: mentor, planner, referee, therapist, and sometimes even peacekeeper between players and parents. And yes, some days the noise is louder than the joy—especially when criticism comes from the sidelines.

It’s hard to ignore the parent who questions your lineup or claims you’re showing favoritism (even when you don’t have a kid on the team). But don’t let those voices drown out the quiet wins:

• The player who smiles more this season.
• The kid who finally mastered that skill you’ve been drilling.
• The bond you’ve built with your team.

These moments are your proof.

Coaches Need Encouragement Too

Too often, the loudest feedback you hear is negative. That’s why it’s so powerful when someone says: “Thank you.”

So here it is:
Thank you for giving your time.
Thank you for believing in kids.
Thank you for staying when it would’ve been easier to walk away.

One Reddit coach said it best: “Great things happen when people plant trees knowing they’ll never sit in their shade.” That’s you. And the impact you make can last a lifetime.

Stay the Course—You’re Not Alone

If you’re feeling burnt out, you’re not weak—you’re human. Step back when you need to. Ask for help. Build your network. Other coaches understand. We’re in this together, building not just players, but people.

And maybe—just maybe—that’s the most important scoreboard of all.