Why understanding personality is a game-changer for coaching teenage athletes
At Coaching Fundamentools, we know that coaching teenage athletes is complex — but it doesn’t have to be confusing. Our IMPACT assessment embraces this complexity and makes it comfortably complex: grounded in science, yet simple to apply; detailed, yet easy to understand. It turns the challenges of motivation, mindset, and personality into clear insights that help players grow and perform at their best.
More than just a personality test
The IMPACT assessment is not a one-size-fits-all tool. It draws on several validated psychological models that have been used for decades in education, sport, and leadership development. We’ve combined these models to provide a multi-dimensional picture of each athlete, focusing on how they think, learn, communicate, and perform under pressure.
Personality trait models
e.g. how stable patterns like resilience, emotional regulation, & sociability show up)
Motivational and mindset theory
e.g. what drives an athlete,
how they view effort, failure, and growth
Cognitive and learning preferences
e.g. how they take in
information and apply it in training and matches
Rather than focusing on labels, our reports offer practical coaching insight.
The goal is to help coaches and parents support each player’s unique strengths, challenges, and learning styles.
Personality insights should never be used to judge ability or make selection decisions. Instead, they offer a starting point for conversations, helping you better understand how a player:
Every teenage athlete is developing rapidly — emotionally, physically, and mentally. That’s why we see our assessments as snapshots, not fixed portraits. We encourage retesting over time, so that your coaching evolves as your players do.
No single test can capture the full picture of a person. That’s why IMPACT draws from several evidence-based models, giving you a more complete, reliable, and nuanced view of your athlete. This approach allows us to:
This multi-layered view reduces bias and highlights the small but meaningful factors that can unlock performance and wellbeing.
In elite sport, it’s often the smallest improvements that create the biggest difference. A shift in how a player receives feedback, a tweak to how they’re motivated, or a new way of framing setbacks can all have a major impact. The IMPACT report helps identify these opportunities for marginal gains, guiding coaches to:
These insights aren’t just for game day — they influence every interaction, team talk, and training session.
Teenagers are still figuring out who they are — as people and as athletes. Their personalities are not fixed. They’re shaped by experience, feedback, and opportunity. That’s why we see our role not just as assessing players, but helping coaches support change and growth in ways that feel grounded, supportive, and comfortably complex — never overwhelming.
Every teenage athlete is developing rapidly — emotionally, physically, and mentally. That’s why we see our assessments as snapshots, not fixed portraits. We encourage retesting over time, so that your coaching evolves as your players do.
The IMPACT assessment is grounded in the latest thinking from:
But we’ve turned all of that into a clear, easy-to-read report that gives practical advice you can use right away.
We don’t expect you to be a psychologist. We expect you to be a coach, a mentor, or a parent who wants to understand your athlete better — and support them in becoming their best self, on and off the field.
Frequently asked questions
The assessment takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. We recommend doing it when you're relaxed and can focus without distractions for the most accurate results.
You'll discover your core personality type, mental strengths, areas for development, how you respond under pressure, your learning style, leadership approach, and specific strategies for improving both your mental game and overall performance.
Your coach receives insights about how you're naturally motivated, how you prefer to receive feedback, what coaching approaches work best for your personality type, and how to create the optimal training environment for you. This leads to more effective coaching and better communication.
Your detailed report is confidential and only shared with people you choose (like your coach or parents). Your privacy and trust are our top priorities.
The assessment is scientifically validated, but if something doesn't feel right, we encourage discussion with your coach or our support team. Sometimes insights take time to fully understand and accept, and your personality continues developing as you grow.
Absolutely! We actually recommend retesting over time as you develop as an athlete and person. Your personality isn't fixed - it evolves, and your coaching and development approach should evolve with it.
Ready to unlock your potential?
Join hundreds of athletes who are using their personality insights to elevate their game.
