A successful first lesson establishes a strong foundation for your coaching relationship. Here’s how to ensure a productive and positive initial session:

Build Rapport and Define Objectives:

Prioritize creating a welcoming atmosphere. Take time to connect with the athlete, understand their background, and clarify their specific goals. Use open-ended questions to discover their aspirations and focus areas. Establishing rapport early fosters trust and open communication, which are vital for effective coaching. Ensure you clearly understand what the athlete hopes to gain from your sessions.

Assess Skill Level and Set Realistic Expectations:

Conduct a brief assessment to gauge the athlete’s current skill level. This allows you to tailor future sessions to their individual needs. Communicate your coaching approach, session structure, and expectations clearly. Highlight their strengths and identify areas for development, setting realistic, achievable goals for the initial training phase.

Emphasize Fundamentals and Positive Reinforcement:

Reinforce fundamental skills, even for athletes with prior experience, to ensure a solid base for progression. Provide consistent positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout the session, emphasizing effort and highlighting strengths. A supportive and motivating environment builds confidence and engagement.

Provide Feedback and Outline Future Plans:

Conclude the session with a concise recap and constructive feedback. Discuss what the athlete did well and areas for potential improvement. Outline the next steps in their training plan and address any questions they might have. Ensure the athlete leaves with a clear understanding of their progress and a well-defined plan for future sessions.

To ensure you have established clear communication prior to the first session, here is how you can directly contact your client: How do I contact a client?

To understand the standards your sessions will be evaluated against, and to gain insight into how to improve your coaching, review this article: How do you evaluate coaches?