5 Must-Read Books for Gymnastics Coaches (and Why I Recommend Them)

As a gymnastics coach, I’m always striving to improve my knowledge for my athletes. I’ve realized that great coaching goes far beyond drills and conditioning. It's about understanding people, especially the young athletes we work with every day, and constantly learning how to guide them physically, mentally, and emotionally.

These five books have made a lasting impact on how I coach. Whether you're a new or experienced coach, I would highly recommend checking out these books.

1. Conscious Coaching by Brett Bartholomew

Why I Recommend It: This is one of the most valuable coaching books I’ve ever read. Conscious Coaching is about understanding people. This book is split up into behavioral types, communication styles, and how to form connections with your athletes in a way that builds trust and improves performance. This book helped me be a more effective leader and really made me think about how different athletes need different approaches.

2. Untangled by Lisa Damour

Why I Recommend It: Most of our athletes are teenage girls and having a good understanding of all they are going through helped me to better adapt my coaching . In Untangled, Dr. Damour explains the seven transitions girls go through on the road to adulthood. It’s not written for coaches, but I found it incredibly helpful in learning how to support my athletes beyond just skill development. Understanding their emotional and social worlds can help us show up better for them in the gym.

3. Biomechanics of Gymnastics by Gerald S. George

Why I Recommend It: This book is more on the technical side. Biomechanics of Gymnastics gives a clear, science-based explanation of how and why gymnasts move the way they do. Understanding biomechanics helps you coach smarter; whether it’s breaking down a back handspring, preventing overuse injuries, or fine-tuning technique. It is very in depth, and I found it very helpful for both beginner and elite level coaching.

4. Coach to Coach by Martin Rooney

Why I Recommend It: If you’ve ever questioned your purpose as a coach, this is a great book. It’s a story about a burned-out coach who becomes a mentor and it goes into many coaching lessons about leadership, integrity, and influence. This book is especially great for moments when you feel overwhelmed or need a reset. It’s a fast read and I really enjoyed it.

5. Significant Recruiting by Matt Rogers

Why I Recommend It: This one isn’t about gymnastics specifically, but if you’ve ever had questions about the recruiting process or want to help your athletes prepare for college athletics, Significant Recruiting is a great place to start. It focuses on how to build relationships with college coaches, understanding what matters in the process, and avoid common pitfalls. As my gymnasts set their sights on NCAA opportunities, I found this book to be very informative.

Final Thoughts

Being a gymnastics coach means constantly evolving, not just in our sport-specific knowledge, but in how we communicate, guide, and support the athletes we work with. These five books have each helped shape the way I coach and connect with my team, and I hope they offer the same value to you.

Have you read any of these? Or do you have a book that's influenced your coaching journey? I’d love to hear your recommendations!