11/01/2026
Some athletes will tell you when something is wrong.
Others won't.
They may still show up. Still practice. Still do what you ask. But something about them is different.
Maybe they're quieter. Maybe they've started pulling away. Maybe the confidence they had a few weeks ago isn't there anymore.
As coaches, we won't always know what's going on—and we don't need to have all the answers.
But we can notice.
Sometimes a simple “Hey, you doing okay?” or “I just wanted to make sure you know you're important to this team” can mean more than we realize.
Don't only pay attention to the athletes demanding your attention.
Pay attention to the quiet ones too.