Why July Is the Month That Tests Every Head Coach
Think your toughest days are behind the bench in the playoffs?
Hey Coach,
Think your toughest days are behind the bench in the playoffs?
July might be your real test as a leader.
Right now, your players are scattered—some recovering, some relaxing, some out of sight (and maybe out of shape).
The season feels far away, and the temptation is to think your job can take a breather too.
But the truth?
This is when culture is quietly won or lost.
I get it—after months of grind, it’s natural to want a mental break.
You’ve earned some downtime.
And honestly, your players need a break from you, too.
No one wants to be the coach who’s sending workout reminders while the players are at the beach with friends or enjoying family time.
But leadership isn’t just about systems and pre-season plans.
It’s about keeping the thread of connection alive—even when no one’s in the same room.
July is the perfect time for a different kind of check-in.
Forget the stats and the drills.
Just pick up the phone (or send a message) and ask, “How are you doing?”
Check-in on their life, not just their training.
Show them you care about the person, not just the player.
A small, genuine touchpoint in July will pay off with buy-in and energy when the team comes back together.
Coaches who invest in their relationships now find a squad that shows up hungry, committed, and more connected than ever at training camp.
Their team remembers:
“My coach didn’t just see me as a number—he saw me as a human.”
Ignore July, and you risk showing up to pre-season with a disconnected team, fractured trust, and players who need re-motivating from scratch.
So here’s your nudge, coach:
Reach out this week—not as the boss, but as a mentor.
Ask what your players are proud of (on or off the ice), what they’re looking forward to, and if there’s any support they need.
You don’t build culture on game day.
You build it now, when no one’s looking.
Andrew
Andrew Sillitoe is a former international coach, business psychologist, and founder of Team Head Coach. He helps leaders in sport and business build high-performance cultures—on and off the ice.
Book a free consultancy call to discuss how to build a high performance culture in your organisation HERE