After years of coaching, teaching, and sharing insights through LeadershipandSport.com, I am proud to announce the release of my first book: The Pocketbook Guide to Sports Coaching. This book is the result of years of practical experience, research, and reflection. Whether you are stepping into coaching for the first time or looking to refresh your approach, this is your hands-on guide to becoming a more confident and effective coach. The book is designed to be practical and easy to read, combining key coaching theory with proven strategies that you can apply straight into your sessions.
What the Book Covers
The Pocketbook Guide to Sports Coaching explores the key areas every coach should understand; from communication and motivation to planning and performance. It is designed to be used as a reference before, during, or after your coaching sessions, helping you plan, reflect, and improve.
Inside, you will find chapters on:
- Leadership and communication – Learn how to build trust, lead effectively, and adapt your style to suit different athletes
- Team cohesion and motivation – Discover how to bring individuals together, create shared goals, and keep athletes engaged
- Planning and periodisation – Understand how to structure your training programmes and ensure your team peaks at the right time
- Physical conditioning and nutrition – Learn the principles behind effective conditioning and how correct nutrition supports performance
- Understanding your athletes – Gain insight into sports psychology, personality types and motivation theories in sport
Each chapter also includes coaching tips and reflection questions helping you think about how theory applies to your own environment.
Why I Wrote The Pocketbook Guide to Sports Coaching
Sport is constantly evolving, and so should our coaching. This book is designed to help you reflect on your own approach, embrace new ideas, and continue learning no matter how experienced you are.
That is what inspired The Pocketbook Guide to Sports Coaching. Written from my perspective as a PE teacher, leader, and grassroots coach, the book combines academic understanding with real coaching practice. Every section is shaped by the experiences, challenges, and lessons learned over years of working with athletes of all levels.
Who Is It For?
This guide is ideal for anyone involved in sport, whether you are coaching a youth team, studying sport at college or university, or looking to build leadership skills:
- New coaches who want structure and confidence
- Teachers and educators delivering sport and PE
- Students studying sport at GCSE, BTEC, or degree level
- Experienced coaches seeking new perspectives
- Volunteers who want to make a positive difference in their clubs
It is a resource you can dip in and out of throughout your coaching career — whether you are preparing for a session, planning a season, or reflecting afterwards.
What Makes It Different
Unlike traditional textbooks, this book is written in plain, practical language. It does not assume you are coaching full-time or in elite environments — instead, it focuses on what works in real coaching settings. Each chapter includes coaching box tips, offering bite-sized insights from actual experience.
Every concept is explained clearly, then linked to practical application.
Available Now
You can now order The Pocketbook Guide to Sports Coaching on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle eBook formats:
Whether you keep it in your kit bag, classroom, or office, this guide is designed to be your go-to resource for clear, practical coaching advice.
Join the Coaching Community
Over 94,000 people visit LeadershipandSport.com every year to explore free coaching resources, leadership guides, and research-based insights. This community is built on a shared goal — to help coaches and athletes reach their full potential.
Now, with the release of The Pocketbook Guide to Sports Coaching, I am inviting readers and coaches to join the conversation. Which topics have helped you most? How have you applied the tips and reflection tasks in your sessions?
You can share your thoughts by leaving a review on Amazon or on the comments at the bottom of the page. Your feedback helps shape future resources and supports other coaches on their journeys.
This book is for anyone who loves sport, values learning, and believes in helping others achieve their best. Coaching is more than training — it is about inspiring people, building character, and creating lasting impact.
Start your next chapter in coaching today and take The Pocketbook Guide to Sports Coaching with you.