Being Coachable for Parents
Posted On: 04-13-2026
I always write two newsletters each month. One for coaches and one for general distribution and for parents. Please take a minute to read the Coaches Newsletter as the content is about being coachable.
For this newsletter I write about how to encourage coachability and ensuring your youth shooter is positive about learning to shoot better. I say that only because some really want to shoot better and others really enjoy the sport regardless of the outcome. The later has a good time with friends, enjoys the competition and a day at the range. Practice is also a great opportunity to shoot and be with friends.
The former though wants to get better and even though they struggle with scoring they keep trying to improve. The baseline for all shooters is the first rounds they shoot. So, some hit a few some do not, but that first exposure to shooting either instills a desire to really get better or their path is just to have fun.
To be better one must be coachable. By that I mean they must be willing to listen to others with knowledge of how to get better and then process that interaction into improvement. So how you ask does your youth shooter become coachable? Coachable shooters:
- Are willing to try new methods
- Are willing to ask questions
- Are willing to practice changes
- Are willing to work through change chaos
- Are willing to discuss their shooting with others
- Are willing to give more to their desire to be better
- Are willing to disregard the old for the benefit of something new
- Are willing to seek advice from those with knowledge
- Are willing to accept listening
- Are willing to learn beyond listening
A lot here to process but the difference between good, improving all the time shooters, and those accepting of mid-range scores is all the above and likely more. Being coachable is a blessing to coaches and being coachable encourages coaches to be better at coaching simply because they know their team needs more.
Another way to improve coachability is to talk with your youth shooter often about what they are doing to improve. If your conversation does not provide you with details about what they are learning, what they are trying, how they practiced and what they accomplished as improvement then step in and help. Always take the time to make sure your youth shooter is getting what they need to learn and grow.
Being a coachable youth shooter requires a good attitude with encouragement from home. Share with them things you have learned and how you learned them, express to them how change can be difficult but the outcome if preserved can be rewarding. Encourage practice, practice, and more practice Over time they will absorb so much that influences their ability to be a great shooter. A coachable young shooter is truly destined for greatness.