The Hidden Secret to Great Presentations? Train Like an Athlete

When people think of presentation coaching, they often imagine practicing a full speech over and over. But real improvement, much like in sports, comes from breaking things down—isolating and mastering each skill before putting them together into a complete performance.

Break It Down: Skill by Skill

Take tennis, for example. A professional player doesn’t simply "play matches" to get better. They work with a coach to break down their game: forehand, backhand, serve, volleying at the net, footwork, positioning. Each element is practiced independently, drilled repeatedly until it becomes instinctive.

Only once these building blocks are strong do players learn to combine them fluidly under real-match conditions. Serena Williams, for instance, spent years isolating her serve technique—perfecting toss, grip, stance, and swing—turning it into one of the most dominant serves in tennis history.

Presentation coaching follows the same approach. A strong, effective presentation isn’t just about standing up and talking. It's the product of mastering a series of individual components, including:

• Crafting a clear, audience-focused introduction that grabs attention and builds credibility

• Explaining information concisely and strategically, tailored to the audience’s needs

• Using persuasive, professional language to drive key points home

• Delivering with confidence, through strong body language, voice, and eye contact

• Concluding powerfully with a memorable final message

Each skill is like a tennis shot—critical on its own and even more powerful when tied together.

Interested in more articles like this? Follow us on LinkedIn

Connecting the Dots: Building Stories

But mastering individual parts is just the beginning. True excellence happens when a presenter connects ideas into a logical, flowing story that guides the audience naturally from one point to the next.

Just like a tennis player strings together shots into a winning rally, a great presenter:

• Links key points logically

• Uses clear transitions to move smoothly between ideas

• Builds a coherent narrative that keeps the audience engaged

Storytelling isn't just a stylistic choice—it’s a strategic advantage. Research from Stanford University shows that people are up to 22 times more likely to remember information when it’s delivered through a story rather than standalone facts.

Stories make content emotional, memorable, and actionable—the exact qualities that turn a good presentation into a transformational one.

The Power of Focused Coaching

Presentation coaching, then, is much more than rehearsing a talk. It’s a strategic process that first identifies strengths and weaknesses—just like a tennis coach analyzing a player’s match footage.

From there, it involves:

• Targeted practice on each essential skill

• Gradual integration of those skills

• Developing flow, timing, and audience engagement

• Building full narratives that captivate and persuade

Whether on the court or on the stage, success doesn’t happen by accident. With the right coaching and focused practice, any professional can raise their game—and deliver performances that leave a lasting impact.

🗣️ Ready to raise your team's presentation game?

Let’s talk about how focused coaching can help your professionals deliver presentations that actually persuade.