What Are Constraints in Coaching?

Constraints are the levers we pull to guide behavior. In this short video, we’ll explore what constraints are, how they influence learning, and how you can use them intentionally in your practice sessions.

Key points for coaches:

• Constraints shape athlete behavior: They guide how athletes move, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Constraints shape athlete behavior: They guide how athletes move, solve problems, and make decisions in context.
• Constraints come in three main forms: Task (e.g., rules, goals), environmental (e.g., space, surface), and individual (e.g., height, fatigue, motivation).
• Effective constraint manipulation is purposeful: Good constraint design supports learning, not just limitation — they invite exploration, not restriction.