The Power of a Running Coach: How One Session Transformed a Young Athlete’s Confidence
Anonymous
April 21, 2025
Why a Running Coach is Essential for Every Athlete
Many athletes grow up believing that running is just something you either can or can’t do. But the truth is, running is a skill, and just like any skill, it can be taught, refined, and mastered.
This is why having a running coach—especially for young athletes—is a game-changer. Proper coaching can transform not only speed and efficiency but also confidence and injury prevention.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to work with a 15-year-old girl who had been told, over and over again, that she couldn’t run. Not just that she needed improvement, but that she was incapable of running well.
Unfortunately, she believed it.
She arrived at the session nervous, hesitant, and full of self-doubt. She thought running was something she would always struggle with—something that just wasn’t meant for her.
The Impact of a Running Coach for Kids
Within just 10 minutes of working together, she had already made significant progress. The small changes I introduced immediately improved her form, efficiency, and ease of movement.
And then, something amazing happened.
I glanced over at her mum, who was wiping a tear from her eye.
Why?
Because, for the first time, her daughter was experiencing running the way it was meant to feel—effortless, free, and natural. She wasn’t struggling or forcing it; she was enjoying it.
That session did more than improve her running—it changed her mindset.
By the end, she was smiling, sprinting, and full of confidence. She had gone from believing she couldn’t run to realizing that, with the right guidance, she absolutely could.
Her mum later told me that she walked away from the session excited about what this meant for her soccer performance and overall athletic future.
And this is exactly why a running coach for kids is so important.
Why Every Young Athlete Needs a Running Coach
Many young athletes are never taught how to run properly. They’re thrown into their sports—football, soccer, netball, athletics—without ever learning the fundamentals of movement.
The result?❌ Inefficient running mechanics that slow them down.❌ Increased risk of injuries like shin splints, knee pain, and ankle sprains.❌ A lack of confidence because they never experience what running should feel like.
But with proper coaching, young athletes can:✅ Run faster, smoother, and with less effort.✅ Improve their speed and endurance for their chosen sport.✅ Reduce injury risk by strengthening key muscles and refining technique.✅ Build confidence in their abilities and potential.
Running is a Skill—And It Can Be Taught
One of my biggest frustrations as a running coach is hearing young athletes labeled with limiting beliefs:
🚫 "You're too slow."
🚫 "You're not built for running."
🚫 "You'll never be fast."
These statements stick, shaping how kids see themselves and what they believe they’re capable of. But here’s the reality:
✅ Running is a skill.
✅ Speed and endurance can be developed.
✅ Proper technique makes all the difference.
No one expects a young athlete to shoot a perfect basketball, kick the perfect football, or swim with perfect form without coaching.
So why do we expect them to know how to run correctly without ever being taught?
This is where a running coach for kids can be game-changing.
Give Your Child the Right Start With a Running Coach
If your child is involved in soccer, footy, netball, or any sport that requires running, investing in proper coaching will set them up for long-term success, injury prevention, and confidence in their abilities.
If you’re an athlete yourself, the same applies.
If no one has ever taught you how to run properly—your form, your foot positioning, your stride mechanics—you’re likely leaving speed, endurance, and injury prevention on the table.
That’s why having a running coach—whether for yourself or your child—can make all the difference.
Want to Improve Your Running? Let’s Get to Work.
If you or your child want to:
✔️ Learn proper running technique
✔️ Improve speed, efficiency, and endurance
✔️ Reduce injury risk and build strength
✔️ Gain confidence in your ability to run well
Then it’s time to take action.
👉 Click here to learn how to run better, faster, and pain-free.
The right coaching makes all the difference. Don’t let outdated beliefs hold you—or your child—back.
See you on the track,
Coach Mick
Natural Born Running