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Insideout Coaching Lib/E: How Sports Can Transform Lives
MP3 CD Format Joe Ehrmann, a former NFL standout, is a dynamic motivational speaker and seminar leader, addressing audiences nationwide about the unparalleled platform, power, and position coaches have to transform their players' lives and impact families, schools, and communities. Recognized for his revolutionary concepts of teambuilding, mentoring, and coaching, he was named one of the "100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America" by the Institute for International Sport. Ehrmann's coaching philosophy was described by Jeffrey Marx in the New York Times bestseller Season of Life , and since the publication of that book, thousands of coaches have looked to Joe for advice about putting his philosophy into practice. InSideOut Coaching provides the critical information and tools they've been waiting for—the information to help coaches everywhere create more meaningful experiences for themselves and maximize the impact on the lives of the athletes they coach.
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First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 17, 2012
This book is astounding! I'm about 75% done as i'm writing this, but it's already proving to be powerful for me. I've coached for years and I so badly wish I'd read & absorbed this years ago. I could have impacted so many kids and parents more effectively if I'd done so. I think everyone who coaches kids should be forced to read this first. I love it!
I'm now 100% done and it was truly remarkable. Oh how I wish I'd read this before I ever coached one kid. I pray I can live this out!
March 23, 2020
Not sure how this book missed me until now. I've been going to Positive Coaching Alliance trainings for the past 6 or 7 years. Joe Erhrmann is featured in some of the courses as is PCA founder Jim Thompson who is thanked in the acknowledgements. I have always been a huge proponent of positive coaching techniques and philosophy. However, this book provides a much deeper and more personal look at how sports can be transformed into cocurricular and liberating experiences for young people - a place where transformational coaches strive to instill in their players virtues like kindness and empathy and to reject current toxic and omnipresent definitions of masculinity and competition. I'm excited to bring these ideas fully into our school where we have already signed on with the Positive Coaching Alliance and are looking into partnering with other organizations to help coaches transform the landscape of athletics in this country.
January 30, 2022
Favorite passage/quote: “the root word of “competition” is the Latin world “petere”, meaning to search or strive for. Most often it is used in the context of striving or searching for something of value or excellence. The preposition “com” means together. So, literally, competition can be defined as a “mutual quest or striving for excellence”. “
Particularly loved the sections on empathy and “insideout” approach to coaching in general. Be the change you want to see!
Particularly loved the sections on empathy and “insideout” approach to coaching in general. Be the change you want to see!
August 9, 2025
Lots of great insight about coaching and the why for coaching. Biggest takeaway from this book is how most people perceive success. Success being results based vs progress based was truly an interesting thinking point.
January 27, 2022
It's clear why this is one of the definitive works on transformational vs transactional coaching. Ehrmann's clear and effective in his writing, and surprisingly vulnerable in his content.
March 29, 2025
I had to read this book for a class in my masters program and was very pleasantly surprised by how much I truly enjoyed this book and found so many points to be relevant and powerful.
October 25, 2023
Virtuous Instruction should be the main goal of any coach/teacher/mentor. Indeed, the concept of Virtuous Instruction is ancient and it's part of the bedrock of western civilization. But don't tell Joe Ehrmann that, because it's almost like he thinks he invented it after a rough ride through the 1960s and 1970s.
Ehrmann's book could have been so much shorter and so much more concise. He ironically talks about clarity while rambling on and on and on. He manages to turn what should have been an excellent 15-page pamphlet into 250 pages of meandering emotional baggage and psycho-emotional sensitivity techniques that basically take advantage of young, impressionable minds. I know he means well, but we all know the old adage about good intentions.
Proceed with caution.
Ehrmann's is very much a central figure in his book and in his coaching mentality. Contrary to Ehrmann's centrality, however, a good coach places humility above all else. A great coach guides the player and the game to each other. The game teaches, the player learns, the coach fades into the background. Patience, humility, discernment.
There are many books better than Ehrmann's. For example, read All Quiet on the Western Front and pay attention to Kat's character; or read and ponder any one of the Gospels; heck, even go read The Legend of Bagger Vance. Any of those will put a coach in much better stead than Ehrmann's pop psychology.
Ehrmann's book could have been so much shorter and so much more concise. He ironically talks about clarity while rambling on and on and on. He manages to turn what should have been an excellent 15-page pamphlet into 250 pages of meandering emotional baggage and psycho-emotional sensitivity techniques that basically take advantage of young, impressionable minds. I know he means well, but we all know the old adage about good intentions.
Proceed with caution.
Ehrmann's is very much a central figure in his book and in his coaching mentality. Contrary to Ehrmann's centrality, however, a good coach places humility above all else. A great coach guides the player and the game to each other. The game teaches, the player learns, the coach fades into the background. Patience, humility, discernment.
There are many books better than Ehrmann's. For example, read All Quiet on the Western Front and pay attention to Kat's character; or read and ponder any one of the Gospels; heck, even go read The Legend of Bagger Vance. Any of those will put a coach in much better stead than Ehrmann's pop psychology.
February 18, 2020
This book and author has many very applause worthy takeaways. Sports can be an enormous benefit in teaching children and adults life skills well beyond athletic pursuit. This author is teaching particularly that masculinity isn't best portrayed by dominance, brute strength, or by the conquest of others, and certainly not by disrespecting women. I really liked this book on many levels.
Where it went wrong for me, is not the pain that the author lived through during his own childhood and retold. My dislike was how he detailed it and rehashed in too much vivid detail for a broad audience. This could be a value book for many, including youth. However, the attention it gives to some of the worse behaviors draws away from the more powerful message and makes it seem only for a) thoughtful college and professional bound pro athletes (limited reach) or b) very wayward coaches who need to be called to repent their ways. Most of my acquaintances don't fall into either category, including myself.
Where it went wrong for me, is not the pain that the author lived through during his own childhood and retold. My dislike was how he detailed it and rehashed in too much vivid detail for a broad audience. This could be a value book for many, including youth. However, the attention it gives to some of the worse behaviors draws away from the more powerful message and makes it seem only for a) thoughtful college and professional bound pro athletes (limited reach) or b) very wayward coaches who need to be called to repent their ways. Most of my acquaintances don't fall into either category, including myself.
September 16, 2019
I listened to the audiobook and followed along on my kindle when taking notes.
Wow! This is a must read for anyone involved with children, teenagers, and young adults, especially if they are involved in sports!
I believe that one of the markings of a great book is when the author perfectly encompasses feelings that you have but have never been able to put into words. And Joe Ehrnann has done that! As someone who grew up heavily involved in sports, this book connecting with me on a deep level. It makes me feel regret for never having a transformational coach, and it makes me sad for all of the other kids, past and present, that will also never play for a transformational coach. But the important thing to take away is that it doesn’t have to be that way. We can look inside ourselves, learn, and get better.
This book is inspiring because it makes you want to get involved and work on making the world a better place through forming transformational relationships with children and young adults.
A must read for anyone that wants to make a difference while teaching the next generation how to be better human beings.
Wow! This is a must read for anyone involved with children, teenagers, and young adults, especially if they are involved in sports!
I believe that one of the markings of a great book is when the author perfectly encompasses feelings that you have but have never been able to put into words. And Joe Ehrnann has done that! As someone who grew up heavily involved in sports, this book connecting with me on a deep level. It makes me feel regret for never having a transformational coach, and it makes me sad for all of the other kids, past and present, that will also never play for a transformational coach. But the important thing to take away is that it doesn’t have to be that way. We can look inside ourselves, learn, and get better.
This book is inspiring because it makes you want to get involved and work on making the world a better place through forming transformational relationships with children and young adults.
A must read for anyone that wants to make a difference while teaching the next generation how to be better human beings.
May 6, 2023
I align very deeply with the concepts outlined in this book. I have been a coach for several years, and just recently became a Head Coach for a High School Track & Field team. This book is a great reminder of the type of coach I want to be and the influence we can have in the develop of our student athletes.
I only rated this book a 3 because several of the concepts I already knew based on the various leadership/personal development books, trainings and other personal growth experiences.
That being said, this book is perfect for a new coach or a coach who wants to look at a new way of coaching. If all coaches were like Joe Ehrmann our youth would be in very good hands.
A great reminder of why we coach and a reflection of our coaching practices.
I only rated this book a 3 because several of the concepts I already knew based on the various leadership/personal development books, trainings and other personal growth experiences.
That being said, this book is perfect for a new coach or a coach who wants to look at a new way of coaching. If all coaches were like Joe Ehrmann our youth would be in very good hands.
A great reminder of why we coach and a reflection of our coaching practices.
November 17, 2017
It is a great book to read. One coaches, parents and also young athletes should read.
Whilst there isn't a lot of "how to do it" tips for those reading it in the hope of getting a list of things to do in order to get better results both on and off the field, the message here is a deeper one. It is about how attitude and approach change things long-term. It will not be everyone's cup of tea, but then again Ehrmann does point out that trying to coach the way he wants to coach is going against what most people do nowadays. The questions the book asks, along with the guidelines it proposes for coaches, parents and athletes are worth the book price alone.
Whilst there isn't a lot of "how to do it" tips for those reading it in the hope of getting a list of things to do in order to get better results both on and off the field, the message here is a deeper one. It is about how attitude and approach change things long-term. It will not be everyone's cup of tea, but then again Ehrmann does point out that trying to coach the way he wants to coach is going against what most people do nowadays. The questions the book asks, along with the guidelines it proposes for coaches, parents and athletes are worth the book price alone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2020
Enlightening view of school sports from these inside and in relation to education. It goes to show that God can heal and provide guidance on leading others to healing. Ehrmann is inspirational ac he deactiva his childhood, college, and adult life in graphic detail. He holds nothing back. "Transformational" coaching, mentorship, leading is key to creating a well rounded student, team member, and citizen. Every teacher, coach, and parent should read this book and evaluate your 'style' of interaction with the children in your lives.
January 23, 2021
I am not sure what provoked me to buy and read this book. I believe I read that it is a good book to build leadership skills. After reading it, I realized that I found this book about 20 years too late. My kids are getting older and, for the most part, are done with organized sports. That said, I found the storytelling moving and relatable. The writing is strong and flows very easily.
I highly recommend this book for coaches, educators, parents of young children and grandparents with young grandchildren. I am going to keep this book for future reference.
I highly recommend this book for coaches, educators, parents of young children and grandparents with young grandchildren. I am going to keep this book for future reference.
August 23, 2024
This book was suggested to me by a colleague and after 28 years of coaching, I have to admit, there are still things to learn. This was a great book and I enjoyed the open honest approach. Even though I might not agree with everything he say, his reason and message is a good one. Being from the Syracuse areas it was interesting to hear about the different experiences he had with two different coaches at Syracuse. I knew Coach Simmons Jr. was always a good coach but this book just reinforced it. The only things I'm sorry for is that I didn't read this book sooner in my coaching career.
August 16, 2017
Aim to be transformational, not just transactional! Reflecting on the coaches he had throughout his life, former NFL star Joe Ehrmann realizes the platform that coaches have to make a difference in the lives of his or her athletes--and created the InsideOut coaching technique based off of that realization. Worry/care about the individual first, then the athlete. Enlightening and a must read for a young teacher and coach beginning his or her career!
December 28, 2017
This book should be required reading for anyone involved in youth coaching. I read it when it first came out years ago because Joe Ehrmann had become a friend, but I re-read it this year because I've now had the privilege to coach rec lacrosse at the U-11 and U-13 levels. Being able to put the precepts of InSideOut Coaching directly into practice made for an especially rewarding season--definitely for the coach, and hopefully for the kids as well!
July 29, 2022
Joe Erhmann provides excellent examples of how to be a coach that cares about turning young boys and girls into strong men and women. My perspective on coaching and sports has changed. The power sports can have on helping raise up strong generations of people is something that needs to be considered for all coaches. What you do as a coach will impact youth and young adults for the rest of their lives. Great read. Lots to be learned. I will be picking this one up again.
October 9, 2024
Excellent information for those who work with children or even the parents of children. All of us need to feel seen and wanted - especially children. Being part of a team or club gives children a well-rounded growing-up experience and gives their adult leaders opportunities to show them they're valued and important.
I learned a lot, but just wanted to put a trigger warning out there for discussion of child rape. None of the other reviews mentioned it, so I will. 😐
I learned a lot, but just wanted to put a trigger warning out there for discussion of child rape. None of the other reviews mentioned it, so I will. 😐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2020
InsideOut Coaching entirely changed the way I view the responsibility coaches hold for the holistic development of their players. It challenged me to go deeper into what formational experiences in my life affect how I coach and to think about what it feels like to be coached by me. A must-read for any teacher or coach of children.
June 4, 2020
Easily going into my all-time favorite list. The lessons and relationships formed through sports have been endless & irreplaceable, and are relevant & helpful in today's chaotic world. This also gave me many chances to appreciate my transformational coaches over the years. Great book for anyone who's ever involved in sports in any capacity.
November 22, 2016
Enjoyed reading this. It was easy to get through and I found some god parcels of information in it. Joe really emphasizes coaching the players to be their best and not coaching for results (wins). This is also a theme you will find in Bill Walsh books.
October 28, 2017
Joe Ehrmann is living out the life of a called man.
He is serving his team and inspiring others to do the same.
The book hits hard at some difficult topics.
The writing moves well.
If you coach, have a why, know how it feels to be coached by you, and thank you for your efforts.
He is serving his team and inspiring others to do the same.
The book hits hard at some difficult topics.
The writing moves well.
If you coach, have a why, know how it feels to be coached by you, and thank you for your efforts.
June 6, 2018
“All young people need to know three things before they graduate from high school. One, they are loved. Two, they are loved and accepted for who they are, not what they do. Three, they need to know that they have something of importance and significance to offer to the world.”
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August 9, 2023No one likes required reading in the summer (even teachers), but this book was an transformational philosophy on coaching! The book is part autobiography (Joe Ehrmann) that leads to the development of the InsideOut coaching philosophy.
September 25, 2025
I listened to this book every day on the way to golf practice and it helped me be intentional with my coaching. The author’s intentionality was helpful and made the season feel more meaningful. It’s veryyy geared towards boys teams but the overall message is good.
November 27, 2017
Joe has a great message but I would have liked more stores and examples
January 3, 2018
Fantastic book
February 18, 2018
Loved this book and the heart behind it. Such a good reminder about the influence that a coach can have on their players.
September 15, 2018
Great things to think about not only as a coach but as a human being. Many ways like a self-help book but I feel that we all need help and should improve ourselves so that we can help others.
February 17, 2019
Good motivation!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews