As a coach, have you ever explained a skill to your athletes only to watch them fumble through it like they’re assembling an IKEA bookshelf without the instructions? (And let’s be real—half of us have done that with actual IKEA furniture, and it never ends well.) Teaching new skills isn’t about dumping all the pieces in front of them and hoping they figure it out. It’s about giving them a step-by-step guide, just like that trusty—albeit slightly confusing—manual that comes with a Billy bookcase.
Why Breaking Skills Down Works
Imagine giving a brand-new player a volleyball and saying, “Just serve it over the net.” That’s like handing someone an unopened IKEA box and saying, “Just build a chair.” Technically, they could figure it out eventually, but you’ll spend a lot of time watching them struggle. Instead, breaking a skill down into smaller, digestible parts makes it easier for athletes to understand, execute, and improve.
The human brain processes information more effectively when it’s given in chunks. This is why we don’t teach algebra before basic arithmetic. Motor learning follows the same principles—start with the foundations and build up from there.
Step 1: Start With the End in Mind
When you buy IKEA furniture, you (hopefully) have a vision of what it should look like at the end. The same goes for coaching. Before teaching a skill, define what success looks like. For example, if you’re teaching a basketball layup, break it into:
- Approach
- Takeoff
- Hand positioning
- Release
- Follow-through
Instead of expecting athletes to figure out the whole movement at once, guide them through each component separately.
Step 2: Follow the “One Bag at a Time” Rule
If you’ve ever built IKEA furniture, you know that opening all the bags of screws at once is a disaster waiting to happen. The same applies to coaching. Too much information at once leads to confusion, frustration, and—worst case—athletes quitting before they even get started. Focus on teaching one piece at a time.
Let’s take a soccer pass as an example:
- Foot placement
- Contact point on the ball
- Follow-through
- Accuracy
Mastering each small step before moving on ensures that the entire movement comes together smoothly.
Step 3: Use Clear, Visual Instructions
IKEA instructions don’t use words—just pictures. While we do use words in coaching, clarity is key. “Keep your elbow high” is more effective than “Get in a good position.” When possible, demonstrate the movement and use analogies that resonate with your athletes. “Dribble like you’re carrying a pizza” makes more sense to a kid than “Keep the ball low and controlled.”
Step 4: Let Them Build It (With Guidance)
If you’ve ever tried to build an IKEA desk while someone hovers over your shoulder, you know it’s annoying. The best coaching happens when athletes are given space to try, fail, and adjust. Guide them, but don’t micromanage. Give feedback based on what they’re doing well and what needs improvement, rather than overwhelming them with corrections all at once.
Step 5: Reinforce with Repetition (But Keep It Fun)
Nobody likes repeating the same drill over and over without variety. Athletes, like impatient furniture builders, want to see progress. Incorporate challenges, mini-games, and progression drills to reinforce skills while keeping engagement high.
Final Thoughts
Coaching isn’t about barking orders and hoping something sticks. It’s about guiding athletes through the process, one step at a time, so they build their skills with confidence. Next time you teach a skill, think about the IKEA method: start with a vision, break it down into manageable steps, and provide clear, simple guidance. And if all else fails, remind them that even IKEA furniture takes a few tries to get right—so patience is part of the process. Now, go build some skills (no Allen wrench required).
