Coachability

What It Actually Is and Why It's The Key to Maximising Potential.

Author

The Game Changer
July 17, 2025

Friday Fuel - July 19

A few weeks ago, we explored how young athletes can navigate change - new teams, new coaches, new levels.

This week, we’re diving into how they respond to those changes.

Because talent opens the door, but coachability is what gets you through it.

One of the clearest signs an athlete is ready to grow?
They don’t just hear feedback — they invite it.

Coachability is the ability to listen, reflect, adjust, and improve — even when the feedback isn’t easy to hear.

And while talent might get an athlete noticed…
coachability is what takes them all the way.

🧠 What is Coachability?

Coachable athletes are:

  • Curious, not defensive

  • Willing to try a different way

  • Able to process constructive feedback — especially under pressure

They’re not perfect. They’re not robotic.
They’re just open — and that makes them powerful.

Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest of all time, once said:

“My best skill was that I was coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.”

Think about that — with all his talent, he credits growth to being open to learning.

Doc Rivers, NBA championship-winning coach, put it this way:

“Good players want to be coached. Great players want to be told the truth.”

One day we will get Steph Curry on The Game Changer Podcast! Right now, listen to why being coachable is so important.

@xpandsports

Steph Curry shares what it truly means to be coachable and why embracing it is key to growth and success 🏀

@t121podcast

‘Be coachable’ 🗣️ | #t121family #t121podcast #podcast #football #soccer #footballpodcast #shanefox #ucd #loi #coach #coaching #coachadvice

🎯 For Athletes: How to Be More Coachable

  • Ask, Don’t Assume
    After a mistake or tough moment, try:
    👉 “What could I have done better?”
    This flips your mindset from “I failed” to “I’m learning.”

  • Take Notes After Games
    Write down one thing your coach said that stuck with you — good or bad.
    Then set a mini-goal to work on it in training.

  • Don’t Flinch at Feedback
    Feedback isn’t personal — it’s a gift.
    Even if it’s hard to hear, take a breath, say “thanks,” and use it.

  • Look Coaches in the Eye
    Body language matters. Nodding, eye contact, and open posture signal maturity — even if you're feeling disappointed.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For Parents: How to Grow Coachability at Home

Coachability doesn’t start on the pitch. It’s build in everyday moments - often long before training even begins.

Here’s how you can help:

✅ Model It Yourself
Say things like:

“I didn’t handle that well — I’ll try differently next time.”
Kids don’t need perfection. They need to see you own your growth.

✅ Praise the Process
Avoid “You were amazing!”
Try:

“I loved how you took your coach’s advice and tried it again — that shows real growth.”

✅ Don’t Over-Defend
When your child gets tough feedback, your instinct might be to jump in.
But sometimes the best support is a calm, “What did you learn from that?”

✅ Role-Play Feedback
Create space at home where feedback is safe.
Try this at dinner:

“What’s one thing I could do better as a parent this week?”
Make feedback a normal, healthy part of family life.

🗣️ What the Greats Say

“A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.”
— John Wooden, legendary UCLA coach

“As an athlete you have to be coachable. And being coachable is a humbling thing.”
— Rashad Evans, MMA Hall-of-Famer

Even at the top, these athletes and coaches prioritise learning over ego. 

🎧  Interview Spotlight: Francis de Vries

From NZ to the World Stage | All White & Auckland FC Defender

This week, we released one of our most powerful episodes yet.
On The Game Changer – Youth Performance Podcast, we sat down with Francis de Vries, current All White and Auckland FC player, for a conversation with football families across Aotearoa.

💬 This episode features a live audience Q&A, with hand-picked youth players and parents asking Francis their questions directly — covering everything from handling pressure to daily training habits.

Francis opens up about:
✅ His journey from grassroots football in Canterbury to the global stage
✅ How setbacks shaped his mindset and resilience
✅ Advice for young players navigating the ups and downs of development
✅ The importance of character, perspective, and family support
✅ His new venture — Head Start Coaching, supporting young athletes both technically and mentally

“We came away feeling uplifted and part of something bigger. That’s pretty magic in an evening over Zoom.”

That’s just one of many messages we received after this free virtual event.

One parent said:

“Down to earth, balanced, and honest… warm, engaging, and super clear.”

Francis is already mentoring athletes of all ages through Head Start Coaching — both online and in-person. This is more than football — it’s about helping young people become resilient, confident, and well-rounded humans.

🎥 Watch the full interview now 

🔥 Weekly Challenge: The Coachability Triple Play

This week, we’re challenging young athletes (and their families!) to put coachability into action with three small but powerful steps:

1️⃣ Ask for Feedback

At your next training, game, or practice session, ask your coach or teacher:

“What’s one thing I can work on this week?”

Write it down. Sit with it. Apply it.

2️⃣ Reflect Before Reacting

The next time you receive feedback — even if it’s tough — pause. Instead of saying “I know,” try:

“Thanks — I’ll give that a go.”

Your job isn’t to be perfect. It’s to stay open.

3️⃣ Family Feedback Round

One night this week, sit down as a family and take turns answering:

“What’s one thing I could do better this week — and one thing I did well?”

Make it a safe, respectful space. Celebrate growth, not perfection.

💬 Parents, your role is key. Encourage your child to complete the challenge — but model it yourself too. Let them see that you are coachable. That’s the most powerful lesson of all.

✅ This Week’s Coachability Checklist

How coachable were you this week? Tick the ones you did — then choose one to work on next.

🧠 Mindset

  • [ ] I asked for feedback from a coach, parent, or teacher

  • [ ] I stayed calm and open when someone corrected me

  • [ ] I focused on learning, not just proving myself

👂 Listening

  • [ ] I made eye contact and listened fully before responding

  • [ ] I didn’t interrupt or explain away a mistake

  • [ ] I showed I was listening by applying the advice

⚽ Action

  • [ ] I tried a suggestion even if it felt uncomfortable

  • [ ] I practiced something I wasn’t good at — on purpose

  • [ ] I bounced back from feedback instead of shutting down

💬 Reflection

  • [ ] I thanked someone who gave me honest feedback

  • [ ] I journaled (or thought about) what I learned this week

  • [ ] I asked myself: “What can I take from this?” after tough moments

🎯 Next Step: Pick ONE unticked box and make it your focus for the week.

💬 Want to go next level? Share your goal with a parent, coach, or teammate and ask them to help you stay on track.

Final Thought
Coachability isn’t about being passive.
It’s about having the strength to listen, adapt, and grow.

Whether on the field, in the classroom, or at home — this skill will take them further than talent alone ever could.

Ben + Billinda
The Game Changer Team