Better Coaching with Luke Gromer

Luke Gromer | RYG Athletics
  • 4.5 (26)
  • Sports
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The Better Coaching Podcast connects coaches with ideas and strategies they can implement to grow as a coach and a leader so they can develop better teams, better players, and better people. Host Luke Gromer sits down with some of the world's best coaches, leaders, and experts to uncover the strategies coaches need to go from good to great. Topics include leadership, practice design, mental performance, culture, teaching, communication, and more! Whether you're coaching youth sports or leading a pro team, you’ll leave every episode with actionable tools to coach and lead better.

  1. 17h ago

    147. How to Win Deep and Build a Culture You’re Proud of with Tree Beeckman

    Tree Beeckman joins the podcast again to discuss her book Win Deep and how coaches can build cultures where teams perform at their best and want to stay together. Beeckman explains her culture model, practical approaches to feedback and conflict, and how psychological safety can coexist with high standards and accountability. — RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps. If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below! Host or Director interest form:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RYG Website:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community! 📧 Free Newsletter:⁠⁠ ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠ 📝 Free Podcast Notes:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠⁠  🤝 Better Coaching Community: ⁠⁠https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about⁠⁠  — GUEST INFO Guest: Tree Beeckman Brings over 30 years of coaching experience across collegiate institutions including Delta College, Ferris State, Central Michigan, and Western Michigan Universities, following a four-year collegiate softball career at Saginaw Valley State University. Founder of Tree Roots Culture Consulting LLC and co-founder of the TLC Institute for Athletic Coaching Excellence, where she created the nationally recognized Tree Roots Team Culture Model™. Authored Managing Your Culture (2020) and created the Tree Roots Culture Online Program, an in-depth digital learning platform helping coaches intentionally design and influence high-performing cultures. Guest’s Website: https://winningdeep.com/about/  Guest’s book: https://link.amazon/B06fiQJTz — CONTACT US You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠ — CHAPTERS 00:00 What it means to win deep 04:08 Success beyond the scoreboard 06:17 Culture is environment over time 08:38 The three-pronged plug model 10:50 Build relationships before standards 14:55 Why coaches must learn to receive feedback 19:14 Teach athletes conflict through practice 23:14 A family feedback loop in action 28:50 Go through conflict, not around it 33:21 High standards and psychological safety 37:12 Accountability without defaulting to punishment 43:01 Rapid-fire coaching lessons and where to find Win Deep — Topics - Tree Beckman defines “winning deep” as a team wanting one more day together and performing at its best at the end of the season. - Beckman says culture is “environment over time” and develops through the many decisions made by coaches, athletes, families, and communities. - Her three-pronged-plug model centers on connection between people, connection to purpose and mission, and standards of behavior, supported by feedback and habits. - Coaches can improve culture by examining what their own choices and incentives are allowing, rather than treating culture as something they can simply dictate. - Beckman argues that receiving feedback well starts with recognizing the courage it takes to speak up, understanding personal triggers, and avoiding defensive explanations. - She recommends small-group conversations and intentional “conflict practice” to give athletes more face-to-face communication reps and reduce conflict avoidance. - Modeling accountability includes naming mistakes, apologizing, and inviting feedback; Beckman shares examples from her work and family life. - Psychological safety does not mean lowering standards: a safe environment can help coaches ask athletes to take bigger risks and meet higher expectations. - Accountability can be consistent and non-punitive: notice behavior, address it respectfully, and keep returning to the standard before small trust-breaking moments accumulate.

    147. How to Win Deep and Build a Culture You’re Proud of with Tree Beeckman

  2. Nov 2

    146. Flow vs. Force: How Grounded Identity Unlocks Peak Performance with Tate Unruh

    Tate Unruh from the Freedom Lab discusses the vital role of identity in athletic and personal performance. He shares practical insights on coaching from a place of authentic identity, helping teams develop a shared sense of purpose, and guiding individuals to discover their true selves to unlock peak performance. — RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps. If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below! Host or Director interest form:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RYG Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community! 📧 Free Newsletter:⁠ ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠⁠ 📝 Free Podcast Notes:⁠ ⁠⁠https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠  🤝 Better Coaching Community: ⁠https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about⁠  — GUEST INFO Guest: Tate Unruh Co-Founder of The Freedom Lab: Helping coaches and athletes perform their best through identity based work Former Pro Basketball Player Driven by his own journey of untangling self-worth from athletic performance; devoted husband and father of five. Guest’s Website: https://www.findthefreedomlab.com/ Guest’s Social Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tate-unruh-m-a-b12ab2a2/ — CONTACT US You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠⁠ — CHAPTERS 00:00 The impact of forcing versus flow in performance 01:20 Why performance is rooted in identity 02:08 Coaching from experience versus coaching from identity 03:22 The story of a coach preparing for interviews with authenticity 04:39 Helping athletes and coaches discover their true identity 10:14 The importance of receiving true identity from love or God 15:43 Using imagery and receiving to uncover identity 20:15 The significance of language in defining who you are 22:15 Creating team identity through shared fears and values 28:41 Transforming team culture with identity and shared purpose 34:40 Playing offense versus defense with identity and fear 38:44 Tools for coaches to develop and communicate identity — Topics - The role of identity in performance - Coaching from a place of authenticity - Creating a shared team identity - Helping athletes discover their true selves - The impact of fear and false beliefs on performance - Tools for identifying and transforming limiting beliefs - The flow state and authentic self - Practical exercises for team and individual identity development

    146. Flow vs. Force: How Grounded Identity Unlocks Peak Performance with Tate Unruh

  3. Oct 26

    145. The 3 Types of Goals Every Coach Should Set with Dr. Darin Keizer

    Darin Keizer and Luke Gromer explore how to set goals for coaches, restore joy in sports, design better practice environments, and align coaching practices with core values to foster growth and transformation. — RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps. If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below! Host or Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community! 📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠ 📝 Free Podcast Notes: https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe  🤝 Better Coaching Community: https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about  — GUEST INFO Guest Name: Darin Keizer Athletic Director at Dordt University and former Athletic Director at Southwest Christian High School for 10 years. Master’s in educational leadership and a doctorate in higher education leadership. Director of Coaching for Transformation, aligning athletic and educational values in Christian schools. Guest’s Website:  https://www.dordt.edu/in-all-things/the-lost-art-of-play-recovering-joy-creativity-and-purpose-in-sports  Guest’s Social Links:  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-darin-keizer-06701b44/ — CONTACT US You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠ — CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode 02:02 The influence of coaching comparisons and standards 04:05 Balancing structure and creativity in youth sports 06:08 Designing fun and engaging practice sessions 09:07 The impact of positive environments on athlete motivation 11:21 Gamifying skill development to enhance learning 14:34 Aligning mission, vision, and values in athletic departments 17:12 The role of best practices and peer learning among coaches 19:48 Integrating faith and life lessons into sports practices 20:50 Sharing best practices and fostering collaboration among coaches 22:25 The Defender Way and the concept of transformation in coaching 23:41 Engaging resistant coaches and fostering buy-in 26:18 Leading with standards instead of rules in sports culture 28:45 The power of habits and standards in achieving excellence 31:08 Balancing product and byproduct in coaching outcomes 32:16 The importance of a broader vision beyond winning 33:41 Helping coaches and staff align with mission and values 36:20 The impact of intentional one-on-one meetings with athletes 37:46 The significance of relationships and personal connection 38:31 Closing remarks and contact information for Darin Keizer

    145. The 3 Types of Goals Every Coach Should Set with Dr. Darin Keizer

  4. Oct 19

    144. Co-Creation vs. Control: How Stepping Back Makes You a Better Coach with Loren Anderson

    Loren Anderson shares his journey from traditional coaching to a game-based, constraints-led approach that emphasizes autonomy, attention, and decision-making. Discover how shifting coaching paradigms can lead to more joyful, effective, and player-centered sports experiences. — RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps. If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below! Host or Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community! 📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠ 📝 Free Podcast Notes: https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe  🤝 Better Coaching Community: https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about  — GUEST INFO Guest Name: Loren Anderson Veteran coach since 1993, currently serving as Head Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach at Century High School (Hillsboro, OR) and Director of Tualatin Valley Volleyball Club. Utilizes ecological dynamics, the constraints-led approach, motivational interviewing, and Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) to foster player autonomy and adaptability. Writes the Substack Beyond the Drill, where he challenges traditional, drill-heavy practices and encourages representative, highly engaging learning environments. Connect with Guest: Guest’s Website: https://nomoredrills.substack.com/  — CONTACT US You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠

    144. Co-Creation vs. Control: How Stepping Back Makes You a Better Coach with Loren Anderson

  5. Oct 12

    143. Culture Is What You Allow: Building Player-Led Accountability with Greg Berge

    Coach Greg Berge shares his journey in coaching, discussing the evolution of his coaching style, the importance of communication and relationships, and how to engage parents effectively. He emphasizes the significance of conflict as a form of communication and the role of leadership in cultivating a positive team culture. He also discusses the difference between commitments and goals, stressing the value of dedication in achieving success. — RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps. If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below! Host or Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community! 📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠ 📝 Free Podcast Notes: https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe  🤝 Better Coaching Community: https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about  — GUEST INFO Guest Name: Greg Berge 30-year veteran in education and athletics, currently serving as a High School Principal and Varsity Boys' Basketball Coach in Lake City, MN. Holds over 370 wins, 11 conference titles, and 3 section titles across 20 years as a head basketball coach. Founder of GB1 Leadership LLC, author of four books, and speaker reaching over 50,000 followers with actionable frameworks on culture and team building. Connect with Guest: Socials: X - https://x.com/GregBerge/status/1922435285264060517  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-berge-42889148/  Website: http://www.gb1leadership.com — CONTACT US You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠

    143. Culture Is What You Allow: Building Player-Led Accountability with Greg Berge

  6. Oct 5

    142. The Power of Messy Practices: A Games-Based Approach to Coaching with Rolf Götz

    Rolf Götz shares his innovative approach to coaching flag football, emphasizing game-based learning, the importance of fun, and how to design practices that transfer to real game situations. Discover how to make coaching more effective, enjoyable, and human-centered. — RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps. If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below! Host or Director interest form:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RYG Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community! 📝 Free Podcast Notes:⁠ ⁠⁠https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠  🤝 Better Coaching Community: ⁠https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about⁠  📧 Free Newsletter:⁠ ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠⁠ — GUEST INFO Guest Name: Rolf Götz Veteran flag football coach: Coaching in Germany since 1987 across youth and national levels. Blends ecological dynamics and motivational psychology to design better learning environments. Coaching writer who focuses on purposeful change, athlete ownership, trust, and real decision-making. Connect with Guest:  Guest’s Website: http://tesseractjunction.substack.com Guest’s Email: info@flag-academy.com Guest’s Social Links: LinkedIn  — CONTACT US You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠⁠ — Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rolf Goetz and his coaching philosophy 02:03 The importance of fun and competition in youth sports 03:51 Rolf's journey from player to coach and coach developer 08:12 The science behind skill acquisition and learning environments 12:11 Designing practice to reflect real game chaos 16:10 Overcoming resistance to game-based coaching methods 20:07 Practical examples of game-based activities in flag football 24:10 The role of uncertainty and messiness in learning 28:00 How to end practices with meaningful reflection and team building 32:12 The importance of seeing and experiencing game-based practices 36:02 Research evidence supporting game-based skill transfer 40:03 Designing activities that teach decision-making and positioning 44:06 Using constraints to create realistic and chaotic scenarios 50:00 The value of practice variability and adding defenders 54:00 Building team culture through environment and reflection

    142. The Power of Messy Practices: A Games-Based Approach to Coaching with Rolf Götz

  7. Sep 28

    141. Stop Telling Players What to Do: The Power of Constraints with Nick Smallridge

    Nick Smallridge, girls soccer coach at Bentonville High School, joins Luke Gromer to discuss real game transfer, building autonomous players, and designing representative practice.  — RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps. If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below! Host or Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community! 📝 Free Podcast Notes: https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe  🤝 Better Coaching Community: https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about  📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠ — GUEST INFO Guest Name: Nick Smallridge  Nick Smallridge is a girls soccer coach at Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Arkansas. He has over 20 years of experience across various levels of soccer. Connect with Guest:  Guest’s Website: https://nicksmallridge.substack.com/ Guest’s Email: nsmallridge@bentonvillek12.org Guest’s Social Links: X | Instagram| LinkedIn | YouTube — CONTACT US You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠ — Chapters 00:00 Introduction to coaching philosophy and player focus 01:12 Nick's background and coaching journey 02:24 The importance of joy and fun in sport 03:39 Principles of practice design and representative learning 05:55 Identifying player problems and designing solutions 08:03 Using constraints to recreate game problems 11:34 Progression and complexity in practice scenarios 14:50 Building social connection through problem solving 18:35 The role of language and questions in coaching 21:20 Creative constraints and their impact on behavior 27:13 Player ownership and decision-making 34:46 Using language intentionally to enhance learning 39:02 Reflections on coaching success and growth

    141. Stop Telling Players What to Do: The Power of Constraints with Nick Smallridge

  8. Sep 21

    140. No Standing Around: How a Pro Runs Youth Practices with Zach Lutz

    Zach Lutz shares his journey from professional baseball to coaching youth, emphasizing the importance of connection, simplicity, and long-term development in sports. This episode explores how coaches can foster growth, trust, and love for the game in young athletes. — RYG x NIKE SPORTS CAMPS The Better Coaching Podcast is powered by RYG Athletics, a proud provider of NIKE Sports Camps. If you’re interested in becoming one of our NIKE Sports Camp directors or hosting a camp at your school, club, or facility, fill out the form below! Host or Director interest form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Bo4otGjRjDkju1xp8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RYG Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://rygathletics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — FREE PODCAST NOTES, NEWSLETTER, & COACHES COMMUNITY Click the link below to download the show notes, subscribe to our newsletter, or join the community! 📝 Free Podcast Notes: https://BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe  🤝 Better Coaching Community: https://www.skool.com/better-coaching-community-4793/about  📧 Free Newsletter: ⁠BetterCoachingHub.com/subscribe⁠ — GUEST INFO Zach Lutz 9-year pro baseball player Youth baseball coach Youth sports advocate Guest’s Website: https://lutzgo.org/  Guest’s Social Links: LinkedIn — CONTACT US You can reach out directly to Luke via email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠luke@rygathletics.com⁠

    140. No Standing Around: How a Pro Runs Youth Practices with Zach Lutz
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About

The Better Coaching Podcast connects coaches with ideas and strategies they can implement to grow as a coach and a leader so they can develop better teams, better players, and better people. Host Luke Gromer sits down with some of the world's best coaches, leaders, and experts to uncover the strategies coaches need to go from good to great. Topics include leadership, practice design, mental performance, culture, teaching, communication, and more! Whether you're coaching youth sports or leading a pro team, you’ll leave every episode with actionable tools to coach and lead better.

Information

  • Creator
    Luke Gromer | RYG Athletics
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    167
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Luke Gromer | RYG Athletics
  • Show Website
    Better Coaching with Luke Gromer

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