A list of 20 of the best coaching quotes to motivate players

A list of 20 of the best coaching quotes to motivate players

Grace Waruguru
April 17, 2023 at 7:31 PM

Coaching quotes have encouraged and motivated athletes and sports personalities over the years. Every season a player goes through can be marked by phrases that cheer him on or build him up. Here are some inspirational coaching quotes you can borrow from.

Coaching quotes
Coach Ivan Juric of Torino FC. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini. (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

What do you say to motivate an athlete? Words can make or break individuals mainly based on who speaks them. Positive affirmations and phrases are a timeless way to communicate that you believe in a player, despite moments of loss. Keep reading for coaching quotes you can share with your team members or trainees.

Coaching quotes

Whether winning or losing, words spoken have a significant impact on the lives of players. Here are some famous coaching quotes you can share with your athletes:

  • Do not give up; never give up.
  • If, at first, you do not succeed, try again.
  • Nobody ever gave his best and regretted it.
  • Do you want to win? Do the ordinary things everyone does, only better and consistently.
  • We do not want to tell our dreams; we want to show them. - Cristiano Rolando

Instructional coaching quotes

Inspirational coaching quotes
Coach Rasmus Bertelsen of Randers FC. Photo: Lars Ronborg. (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

One of the roles of the team leader or coach is to give instructions. Here are some great coaching quotes you can share to pass your message:

  • Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. - Vince Lombardi
  • Excuses are the tools of the incompetent. - Mike Tomlin
  • Success does not come from what you occasionally do but from what you do consistently. - Marie Forleo

Coaching quotes for leaders

As coaches raise their teams, they must identify leaders to take up various responsibilities, a crucial part of their self-development. Here are some good coaching quotes for the leaders of your team:

  • Leadership is not practiced in words, but in attitude and action.
  • One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it. - Knute Rockne
  • Make sure team members know they are working with you, not for you. - John Wooden
  • You do not demand respect; you earn it. - Steve Seidler

Coaching quotes after a loss

Great coaching quotes
General Manager of the Chicago White Sox, Rick Hahn. Photo: Quinn Harris (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Moments of loss can be devastating for the team. However, you can lift their spirits by sharing these positive coaching quotes:

  • Victory is in having done your best. If you have done your best, you have won. - Bill Bowerman
  • It is not whether you get knocked down; it is whether you get up. - Vince Lombardi
  • The definition of courage is going from defeat to defeat with enthusiasm. - Winston Churchill

Coaches quotes about teamwork

It is said that no man is an island. It takes a combined effort to attain any success. Here are some coaches quotes about players working together as a team:

  • The strength of a team is in the individual members; the strength of each member is the team.
  • Good teams become great when the members trust each other enough to surrender 'Me' for 'We' - Phil Jackson.
  • Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. - Michael Jordan
  • The secret of winning is working more as a team and less as individuals. - Knute Rockne

Coaching quotes about adversity

Positive coaching quotes
Italy head coach, Roberto Mancini. Photo: Paolo Bruno (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Tough times are inevitable in every group. However, how they go through the rough patch determines how strong they become as they move on to better days. Here are some motivational coaching quotes to help navigate these seasons:

  • Obstacles do not have to stop you. If you run into a wall, do not turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb, go through, or work around it. - Michael Jordan
  • What do you do with a mistake? Recognize it, admit it, learn from it, and forget it. - Dean Smith
  • Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it’s not the best thing for you. - Bill Belichick

Proud coach quotes

A good word is hardly forgotten. Here are quotes you can share with the team to affirm them and congratulate them for an incredible performance:

  • Take pride in how far you have come, and have faith in how far you can go. - Christian Lasson
  • I am proud of all of you and the efforts you all put in to attain this win.
  • You all outdid yourselves today, and I celebrate each one of you.
Coaching quotes for leaders
Coach Alessio Dionisi of US Sassuolo. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini. (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

These coaching quotes are ideal for the numerous seasons that teams and individual players go through. They are a great source of motivation and encouragement and can also apply to other life seasons.

READ ALSO: Best sports quotes for kids to motivate them

Sports Brief published quotes you can share with your children to encourage or inspire them in the sport they play. What are some of these quotes you can borrow?

Check out the article above for the full list of inspirational quotes and phrases for kids.

Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.