8 Vital Lessons From Pro Coach John Mitchell
1. Don’t turn game day into a prison
Players don’t freeze under pressure because they lack skill.
They freeze because the environment feels suffocating.
👉 Training should flow into competition. Keep game day normal, not an exam.
2. Coach the “non-starters”
The hardest part isn’t picking a team. It’s how you handle those who aren’t selected.
👉 Communicate early, give clarity, assign meaningful roles. Every player should feel valued.
3. Build team glue off the field
World Cups aren’t just won on the pitch.
They’re won in the conversations, laughs, and connections off it.
👉 Make time for bonding. Teams that don’t connect, crack.
4. Stay unpredictable
Winning streaks make you a target.
👉 Rotate players, test new strategies, and evolve. Don’t let opponents figure you out.
5. Learn in both directions
John doesn’t just share wisdom — he actively learns from both younger coaches and veterans.
👉 Coaches: look sideways, up, and down for new ideas.
👉 Coach developers: create spaces for these conversations.
6. Coach the person, not the drill
What a 20-year-old needs is not what a 32-year-old needs.
👉 Adapt your style to the player in front of you. One-size-fits-all coaching doesn’t work.
7. Get your head out of the laptop
Spreadsheets and data won’t inspire anyone.
👉 Be present. Notice moods, listen deeply, connect. Athletes remember how you made them feel, not how perfect your drill design was.
8. Develop other coaches
Mitchell asks for “80% plans” from his assistants — so they can grow the last 20% together.
👉 Coach developers: check and challenge, don’t demand perfection. Growth comes through stretch, not fear.