REAL-WORLD COACHING

Addressing CrossFit athletes who miscount reps or fail to meet full range of motion requires a balanced approach of education, coaching, and communication. Emphasizing the importance of full range of motion for both performance tracking and long-term functionality helps set a gym culture that values movement standards. When addressing rep miscounting, the response depends on intent — some do it accidentally, while others may be motivated by ego or fear of finishing last. Subtle corrections during workouts, private conversations, and setting clear expectations help maintain integrity without creating confrontation.

Coaching aging CrossFit athletes requires an adaptive approach that balances accessibility with maintaining the core principles of CrossFit. Aimee Lyons (CF-L4) demonstrates how thoughtful adjustments, such as simplifying workouts, collaborating on scaling, incorporating athlete demonstrations, and using instructional waves, can create an engaging and supportive environment for aging athletes. These strategies ensure workouts remain effective while addressing the unique needs of aging athletes, fostering confidence, skill development, and community.

In coaching CrossFit classes, the PVC pipe allows athletes to feel correct positions, hold static positions for more coaching, and perform more reps without fatigue, enhancing kinesthetic awareness and refining mechanics. Now, the author recommends starting with a PVC pipe for beginners, complex movements, and for refining technique before transitioning to a barbell, as it provides valuable feedback without the limitations of added weight.

The coach-athlete relationship is fundamental to an athlete's progress in CrossFit, going beyond technique and programming to encompass emotional, mental, and motivational support. This connection can greatly enhance an athlete’s performance and satisfaction, with leadership style playing a crucial role. Coaches balance styles — autocratic, consultive, delegative, and participative — to meet each athlete's unique needs, creating a supportive and empowering environment. Four key elements — closeness, commitment, complementarity, and co-orientation — strengthen this relationship. Through trust, shared goals, tailored feedback, and clear communication, coaches foster a partnership that supports athletes’ growth and long-term success.

Coaching everyday CrossFit athletes requires building personal connections, motivating them based on their individual needs, understanding their goals, and challenging their limits to promote growth. Coaches should tap into athletes’ competitive edge, treating them with the same respect and professionalism as elite athletes. Creating a positive and structured environment, providing feedback, and asking for input are essential to ensure coaches continually meet their athletes' expectations and help them achieve their goals. Effective coaching involves constant engagement, motivation, and an openness to self-improvement.

Coaching requires balancing multiple skills like teaching, seeing, correcting, and managing a group, and coaches often have areas where they need to improve. The key to effective coaching is giving timely, direct, and actionable cues to athletes, ensuring they correct poor movement mechanics immediately. Coaches can refine their skills through intentional practice, feedback, and following structured progressions for movements, which help them better see and correct athletes' form while maintaining the flow of a large class.

When faced with crowded classes, rather than moving locations or capping attendance in your CrossFit affiliate, consider optimizing the use of your existing space. CrossFit Thin Air, a small 400-square-foot garage affiliate, successfully accommodates multiple 12-person classes by being efficient with space by reorganizing equipment, adapting programming to fit the space, modifying workouts to manage equipment limitations, and strategically positioning both the coach and members for better visibility and correction. By making small adjustments and maximizing every inch, affiliates can continue to thrive even in limited spaces.

Recently, readers of the Professional Coach have asked us questions about scaling and coaching older athletes, so we wanted to share a simple framework you might consider when classifying, assessing, and coaching these athletes in your gym. 

I can understand how a novice coach or a new coaching hire would be nervous about approaching a longtime CrossFit athlete with strategies to enhance their movement, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.

Eric O’Connor (CF-L4) sits down with Nicole Christensen to dissect a one-minute section of a class she coached in detail.