What is burnout?
Without getting into detailed definitions, burnout can include feelings of emotional and physical exhaustion, depersonalization, and detachment.
To me coaching was a lot like owning your own small business: no one seems to care as much as you do- they can’t. That is not to say others don’t care, they 
may care greatly, but it is often not their livelihood on the line. In my opinion this is one example of stress can be a factor in coach burnout. If you’ve been in coaching for any amount of time, I would be willing to bet that you know a coach who is burned out, on the edge of burnout, or that you were there yourself.
Why does coach burnout matter?
In 2000, Melissa Price & Maureen Weiss published an article that connects coach burnout to the athletes. This answers the question in the title of this post, Why Does Coach Burnout Matter? Aside from the effects it can have on the coach and their family, it can have a large effect on the coach’s players.
Looking at high school soccer players, Price & Weiss found that “coaches higher in emotional exhaustion were perceived by their players as providing less training and instruction and social support” (p. 391). Lets look at this statement a little closer:
HIGHER EMOTIONAL EXHAUSTION =
LESS PERCEIVED TRAINING, INSTRUCTION, & SOCIAL SUPPORT.
This does not say that coaches experiencing burnout provide less training instruction, and social support, but it is perceived that way by their athletes. And unfortunately, perception is reality for those players. So what can you do as a coach? Take care of yourself- spiritually, physically, mentally, & emotionally. As a coach who slept in my office in order to outwork my opponent, because that’s what I grew up hearing great coaches did, I empathize with “the grind” as coaches often refer to the obsessive work schedules. However, this attitude is not sustainable long-term for the coaches themselves and can have adverse effects on your players including their “self-confidence, motivation, enjoyment, anxiety, and feelings of burnout” (p. 394). Since many players later become coaches, and coaches often coach they way they were coached, this negative cycle can continue.
How can I help prevent burnout?
So take a few moments and take care of yourself, coaches! Schedule it. No excuses!
Spiritually– if you are a person of faith create space to engage in your beliefs.
Physically– Carve out time for regular exercise and put thought into your diet.
Mentally– Give yourself time for other interests and time to relax.
Emotionally– Make the effort to be present in the lives of your family, friends, and players. No win is worth broken or neglected relationships due to obsessive pursuit of fleeting athletic glory.
That’s what I think. What do you think? Let me know with a comment, tweet, or email.
Coach ’em up!
About the Author: After coaching and working with various teams at the college, high school, and youth level in a variety of roles for 18 years, I have returned to finish my Ph.D. in Kinesiology & Sport Studies. I have also been involved in athletics as a player, coach, administrator, official, and parent.
PS- If you are interested in the full article here is the full reference: