If you’ve ever coached remotely—or been coached remotely—you already know this:
Some things just don’t translate well through a screen.
And it’s not because the coaching is bad. It’s because certain skills demand instant feedback, feel, and reps done the right way.
Let’s break down the toughest ones—and more importantly, how to actually improve them.
1. Olympic Lifting
Why it’s hard:
- Timing + positions + bar path = zero room for error
- Small mistakes compound fast
- Feedback delay kills progress
Reality check:
A 1-second correction in person can save weeks of bad reps remotely.
How to coach it better:
- Prioritize video review
- Use simple cues, not coach jargon
- Encourage occasional in-person sessions when possible
Takeaway:
Videoing yourself and maintaining clear dialogue with your coach is critically important work.
2. Complex Gymnastics (Muscle-Ups, Handstand Walks, etc.)
Why it’s hard:
- If you have the prerequisite strength—then it’s coordination + timing
- Progressions & drills don’t always feel like the real movement
Big problem:
You can be close to a muscle-up… and still feel miles away.
How to coach it better:
- Chase incremental improvements, not perfection
- Use visual demos + side-by-side comparisons
- When possible: get hands-on coaching locally
Takeaway:
Gymnastics are the least forgiving—and most frustrating—skill to learn remotely, in our experience.
3. Swimming
Why it’s hard:
- Hard to film
- Hard to feel inefficiencies
- Technique > effort (and most athletes get that backwards)
What usually happens:
Athletes just… swim harder with bad form.
Better approach:
- Prioritize technique over conditioning
- Use drill-based sessions
- If possible, find a local swim coach or experienced swimmer
Takeaway:
Layering capacity on a bad pattern is wasted effort.
4. Bracing & Breathing
Why it’s hard:
- Mostly internal sensations
- Hard to see (even in person)
- Changes constantly with fatigue
In CrossFit training:
- Different movements combination
- Different fatigue types
- Different breathing demands
It gets complex—fast.
How to coach it better:
- Accept that mastery takes time + exposure
Takeaway:
It’s not just coaching movement—you’re awareness & control under fatigue.
5. Load Management & Intent
Why it’s hard:
- Athletes misinterpret intensity all the time
- “Easy” becomes hard
- “Hard” becomes moderate
The real issue:
Athletes don’t always understand the stimulus.
Fix it:
- “Over”-communicate intent:
- “You should finish feeling fresh”
- “You should be breathing hard by round 2”
- Adjust based on actual execution, not just the plan
Takeaway:
The program doesn’t matter if the stimulus is missed.
6. Coaching Language
Why it’s hard:
- Coaches speak “coach”
- Athletes hear… confusion
Examples:
- Tempo (31X1) → misunderstood
- Supersets → done incorrectly
- Velocity-based work → often too advanced
Better way:
- Write programming in the simplest way you can:
- “3-second lower”
- “Rest 90 seconds, then go again”
- Remove all unnecessary complexity
Takeaway:
If they can mess it up—they will. Simplify everything.
The Real Solution
Here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear:
Remote coaching works—but only if both sides commit.
For athletes:
- Film your lifts
- Ask questions
- Seek local help when needed
For coaches:
- Communicate is key
- Use video feedback
- Adapt the program constantly to athlete’s needs