# Basic Spanish for Sports Coaches
## 150+ Essential Phrases for Coaching Spanish-Speaking Athletes

**Price:** $15 | **Format:** Markdown + PDF  
**Category:** Sports / Language Learning  
**Sections:** 10 + Quick-Reference Cards  
**Design:** Charcoal black + lime green (#32CD32) — modern athletic aesthetic

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> **📋 Formality Note:** This workbook uses **tú** (familiar) for speaking to athletes and **usted** (formal) for speaking to parents. Sections 1-6 and 8 use tú. Section 7 uses usted. This distinction matters — using the wrong one can damage relationships.

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## 📖 How to Use This Workbook

- **Learn Sections 1 and 2 first** — practice commands and game day instructions are your highest-frequency phrases.
- **Shout the phonetics** — they're designed to be loud and clear on the field.
- **Laminate the Quick-Reference Cards** and clip them to your clipboard.
- **Use tú with your players, usted with their parents.**
- **Learn your players' names** and say them right — it's the first and most important word.

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## 🏃 Section 1: Practice Commands & Drills (25 Phrases)

The voice of the coach. Clear, energetic. These use tú (familiar) — your natural coach voice.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 1 | Run! | **¡Corre!** | KOH-reh |
| 2 | Stop! | **¡Para!** | PAH-rah |
| 3 | Let's go! | **¡Vamos!** | VAH-mohs |
| 4 | Faster! | **¡Más rápido!** | mahs RAH-pee-doh |
| 5 | Slower | **Más despacio** | mahs des-PAH-see-oh |
| 6 | Again | **Otra vez** | OH-trah ves |
| 7 | Take a break | **Toma un descanso** | TOH-mah oon des-KAHN-soh |
| 8 | Water break! | **¡Agua! / ¡A tomar agua!** | AH-gwah / ah toh-MAHR AH-gwah |
| 9 | Line up | **En fila** | en FEE-lah |
| 10 | Stretch | **Estira** | es-TEE-rah |
| 11 | Warm up | **Calienta** | kah-lee-EN-tah |
| 12 | Cool down | **Enfría** | en-FREE-ah |
| 13 | Hustle! | **¡Muévete! / ¡Apúrate!** | MWEH-veh-tay / ah-POO-rah-tay |
| 14 | Push yourself | **Esfuérzate** | es-FWEHR-sah-tay |
| 15 | Good effort! | **¡Buen esfuerzo!** | bwen es-FWEHR-soh |
| 16 | Next drill | **Siguiente ejercicio** | see-GEE-en-tay eh-hehr-SEE-see-oh |
| 17 | Rotate | **Rota** | ROH-tah |
| 18 | Switch sides | **Cambien de lado** | KAHM-bee-en day LAH-doh |
| 19 | Follow me | **Sígueme** | SEE-geh-may |
| 20 | Watch me | **Mírame** | MEE-rah-may |
| 21 | Pay attention | **Pon atención** | pohn ah-ten-see-OWN |
| 22 | Listen up! | **¡Escuchen!** | es-KOO-chen |
| 23 | Huddle up! | **¡Júntense! / ¡Todos aquí!** | HOON-ten-say / TOH-dohs ah-KEE |
| 24 | Bring it in | **Vengan** | VEN-gahn |
| 25 | On the whistle! | **¡Al silbato!** | al seel-BAH-toh |

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## 🏆 Section 2: Game Day Instructions (20 Phrases)

Match-day communication. Short, loud, clear. Tú for individual players, ustedes for the team.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 26 | Get ready | **Prepárate** | preh-PAH-rah-tay |
| 27 | You're starting | **Vas de titular** | vahs day tee-too-LAHR |
| 28 | You're on the bench | **Vas a la banca** | vahs ah la BAHN-kah |
| 29 | Wait for the whistle | **Espera el silbato** | es-PEH-rah el seel-BAH-toh |
| 30 | Watch the ball | **Mira la pelota** | MEE-rah la peh-LOH-tah |
| 31 | Pass it! | **¡Pásala!** | PAH-sah-lah |
| 32 | Shoot! | **¡Tira! / ¡Dispara!** | TEE-rah / dees-PAH-rah |
| 33 | Dribble | **Regatea / Bota** | reh-gah-TEH-ah / BOH-tah |
| 34 | Tackle | **Entra / Barre** | EN-trah / BAH-reh |
| 35 | Block | **Bloquea** | bloh-KEH-ah |
| 36 | Guard him/her | **Márcalo/Márcala** | MAR-kah-loh/lah |
| 37 | Press! | **¡Presiona!** | preh-see-OH-nah |
| 38 | Hold your position | **Mantén tu posición** | mahn-TEN too poh-see-see-OWN |
| 39 | Spread out! | **¡Ábranse!** | AH-brahn-say |
| 40 | Stay wide | **Quédate abierto/a** | KEH-dah-tay ah-bee-EHR-toh/tah |
| 41 | Drop back | **Échate atrás** | EH-chah-tay ah-TRAHS |
| 42 | Push forward | **Avanza** | ah-VAHN-sah |
| 43 | Time out! | **¡Tiempo fuera!** | tee-EM-poh FWEH-rah |
| 44 | Substitution | **Cambio** | KAHM-bee-oh |
| 45 | Play to the whistle! | **¡Jueguen hasta el silbato!** | HWEH-gen AHS-tah el seel-BAH-toh |

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## ⚽ Section 3: Position & Movement Vocabulary (15 Phrases)

Cross-sport positioning terms every coach needs.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 46 | Forward / Striker | **Delantero/a** | deh-lahn-TEH-roh/rah |
| 47 | Midfielder | **Mediocampista** | meh-dee-oh-kam-PEES-tah |
| 48 | Defender | **Defensa** | deh-FEN-sah |
| 49 | Goalie / Goalkeeper | **Portero/a / Arquero/a** | por-TEH-roh/rah / ar-KEH-roh/rah |
| 50 | Point guard | **Base / Armador** | BAH-say / ar-mah-DOHR |
| 51 | Pitcher | **Lanzador/a** | lahn-sah-DOHR/rah |
| 52 | Quarterback | **Mariscal de campo** | mah-rees-KAHL day KAHM-poh |
| 53 | On the left | **Por la izquierda** | por la ees-kee-EHR-dah |
| 54 | On the right | **Por la derecha** | por la deh-REH-chah |
| 55 | In the center | **En el centro** | en el SEN-troh |
| 56 | In the box (penalty area) | **En el área** | en el AH-reh-ah |
| 57 | On the wings | **Por las bandas** | por las BAHN-dahs |
| 58 | Offside | **Fuera de lugar** | FWEH-rah day loo-GAHR |
| 59 | Foul | **Falta** | FAHL-tah |
| 60 | Corner kick / Penalty / Free throw | **Tiro de esquina / Penal / Tiro libre** | TEE-roh day es-KEE-nah / peh-NAHL / TEE-roh LEE-bray |

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## 💪 Section 4: Motivation & Encouragement (20 Phrases)

The heart of coaching. These build confidence and resilience. Tú form for players.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 61 | Great job! | **¡Buen trabajo!** | bwen trah-BAH-hoh |
| 62 | Keep it up! | **¡Sigue así!** | SEE-gay ah-SEE |
| 63 | You've got this | **Tú puedes** | too PWEH-dess |
| 64 | I believe in you | **Creo en ti** | KREH-oh en tee |
| 65 | Don't give up | **No te rindas** | no tay REEN-dahs |
| 66 | Shake it off | **Sacúdetelo** | sah-KOO-deh-teh-loh |
| 67 | Next play! | **¡Siguiente jugada!** | see-GEE-en-tay hoo-GAH-dah |
| 68 | Learn from it | **Aprende de esto** | ah-PREN-day day ES-toh |
| 69 | You're improving | **Estás mejorando** | es-TAHS meh-hoh-RAHN-doh |
| 70 | That's the way! | **¡Así se hace!** | ah-SEE say AH-say |
| 71 | Well done! | **¡Bien hecho!** | bee-EN EH-choh |
| 72 | I'm proud of you | **Estoy orgulloso/a de ti** | es-TOY or-goo-YOH-soh/sah day tee |
| 73 | Proud of this team | **Orgulloso/a de este equipo** | or-goo-YOH-soh/sah day ES-tay eh-KEE-poh |
| 74 | All day! | **¡Todo el día!** | TOH-doh el DEE-ah |
| 75 | Leave it all on the field | **Déjalo todo en la cancha** | DEH-hah-loh TOH-doh en la KAHN-chah |
| 76 | Play your game | **Juega tu juego** | HWEH-gah too HWEH-goh |
| 77 | Have fun out there | **Diviértete allá afuera** | dee-vee-EHR-teh-tay ah-YAH ah-FWEH-rah |
| 78 | We believe in you | **Creemos en ti** | kreh-EH-mohs en tee |
| 79 | Pick your head up | **Levanta la cabeza** | leh-VAHN-tah la kah-BEH-sah |
| 80 | Together! | **¡Juntos!** | HOON-tohs |

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## 🔧 Section 5: Correction & Feedback (15 Phrases)

Teach without deflating. Demonstrate, then let them try. Tú form.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 81 | Not like that — like this | **No así — así** | no ah-SEE — ah-SEE |
| 82 | Watch me first | **Mírame primero** | MEE-rah-may pree-MEH-roh |
| 83 | Try again | **Inténtalo de nuevo** | een-TEN-tah-loh day NWEH-voh |
| 84 | Slower | **Más lento** | mahs LEN-toh |
| 85 | Faster | **Más rápido** | mahs RAH-pee-doh |
| 86 | Use your left | **Usa la izquierda** | OO-sah la ees-kee-EHR-dah |
| 87 | Use your right | **Usa la derecha** | OO-sah la deh-REH-chah |
| 88 | Keep your head up | **Levanta la cabeza** | leh-VAHN-tah la kah-BEH-sah |
| 89 | Bend your knees | **Dobla las rodillas** | DOH-blah las roh-DEE-yahs |
| 90 | Follow through | **Sigue el movimiento** | SEE-gay el moh-vee-mee-EN-toh |
| 91 | Stay on your toes | **En la punta de los pies** | en la POON-tah day los pee-ESS |
| 92 | Protect the ball | **Protege la pelota** | proh-TEH-hay la peh-LOH-tah |
| 93 | Talk on defense! | **¡Habla en defensa!** | AH-blah en deh-FEN-sah |
| 94 | Better spacing | **Mejor separación** | meh-HOHR seh-pah-rah-see-OWN |
| 95 | Work on your timing | **Trabaja en tu ritmo** | trah-BAH-hah en too REET-moh |

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## 🚑 Section 6: Safety & Injuries (15 Phrases)

When something goes wrong, communicate clearly. Tú form for athletes.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 96 | Are you okay? | **¿Estás bien?** | es-TAHS bee-EN |
| 97 | Where does it hurt? | **¿Dónde te duele?** | DOHN-day tay DWEH-lay |
| 98 | Can you move it? | **¿Puedes moverlo?** | PWEH-dess moh-VEHR-loh |
| 99 | Sit down and rest | **Siéntate y descansa** | see-EN-tah-tay ee des-KAHN-sah |
| 100 | Ice it | **Ponle hielo** | POHN-lay YEH-loh |
| 101 | Take a break | **Toma un descanso** | TOH-mah oon des-KAHN-soh |
| 102 | Don't push through the pain | **No ignores el dolor** | no eeg-NOHR-ess el doh-LOHR |
| 103 | Go see the trainer | **Ve con el entrenador/a** | vay kon el en-treh-nah-DOHR/rah |
| 104 | You're bleeding | **Estás sangrando** | es-TAHS sahn-GRAHN-doh |
| 105 | Sprain / Strain | **Esguince / Desgarre** | es-GEEN-say / des-GAH-reh |
| 106 | Cramp | **Calambre** | kah-LAHM-bray |
| 107 | Hydrate! | **¡Hidrátate!** | ee-DRAH-tah-tay |
| 108 | Do you feel dizzy? | **¿Te sientes mareado/a?** | tay see-EN-tess mah-reh-AH-doh/dah |
| 109 | Call 911 | **Llama al 911** | YAH-mah al noh-veh-oon-oh-oon-oh |
| 110 | Stay down — don't move | **Quédate en el suelo — no te muevas** | KEH-dah-tay en el SWEH-loh — no tay MWEH-vahs |

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## 👨‍👩‍👧 Section 7: Communicating with Parents (15 Phrases)

Professional, respectful. Use **usted** (formal) with parents.

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 111 | Your child is doing great | **Su hijo/a va muy bien** | soo EE-hoh/hah vah mwee bee-EN |
| 112 | He/She needs more practice | **Necesita practicar más** | neh-seh-SEE-tah prak-tee-KAR mahs |
| 113 | The game is at [time] | **El partido es a las ___** | el par-TEE-doh ess ah las ___ |
| 114 | Here's the practice schedule | **Aquí está el horario de práctica** | ah-KEE es-TAH el oh-RAH-ree-oh day PRAK-tee-kah |
| 115 | Please bring water | **Por favor, traiga agua** | por fah-VOR, TRY-gah AH-gwah |
| 116 | Please bring snacks for the team | **Por favor, traiga meriendas para el equipo** | por fah-VOR, TRY-gah meh-ree-EN-dahs PAH-rah el eh-KEE-poh |
| 117 | Sign this permission slip | **Firme este permiso** | FEER-may ES-tay pehr-MEE-soh |
| 118 | Team meeting on ___ | **Reunión del equipo el ___** | reh-oon-YOHN del eh-KEE-poh el ___ |
| 119 | Fundraiser this Saturday | **Recaudación de fondos este sábado** | reh-kow-dah-see-OWN day FOHN-dohs ES-tay SAH-bah-doh |
| 120 | End-of-season banquet | **Banquete de fin de temporada** | bahn-KEH-tay day feen day tem-poh-RAH-dah |
| 121 | We need parent volunteers | **Necesitamos padres voluntarios** | neh-seh-see-TAH-mohs PAH-dress voh-loon-TAH-ree-ohs |
| 122 | Thank you for your support | **Gracias por su apoyo** | GRAH-see-ahs por soo ah-POH-yoh |
| 123 | Please arrive 30 minutes early | **Por favor, llegue 30 minutos antes** | por fah-VOR, YEH-gay TREYN-tah mee-NOO-tohs AHN-tess |
| 124 | The game has been rescheduled | **El partido ha sido reprogramado** | el par-TEE-doh ah SEE-doh reh-proh-grah-MAH-doh |
| 125 | Your child is a great teammate | **Su hijo/a es un gran compañero/a de equipo** | soo EE-hoh/hah ess oon grahn kom-pah-NYEH-roh/rah day eh-KEE-poh |

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## 🤝 Section 8: Team Building & Culture (10 Phrases)

The glue that holds a team together. Use with players (ustedes/tú) and parents (ustedes).

| # | English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---|---------|---------|---------------|
| 126 | We're a family | **Somos una familia** | SOH-mohs OO-nah fah-MEEL-yah |
| 127 | Teamwork | **Trabajo en equipo** | trah-BAH-hoh en eh-KEE-poh |
| 128 | Respect each other | **Respétense unos a otros** | res-PEH-ten-say OO-nohs ah OH-trohs |
| 129 | Play for each other | **Jueguen el uno por el otro** | HWEH-gen el OO-noh por el OH-troh |
| 130 | Win together, lose together | **Ganamos juntos, perdemos juntos** | gah-NAH-mohs HOON-tohs, pehr-DEH-mohs HOON-tohs |
| 131 | Represent the team | **Representen al equipo** | reh-preh-SEN-ten al eh-KEE-poh |
| 132 | Sportsmanship | **Deportividad / Juego limpio** | deh-por-tee-vee-DAHD / HWEH-goh LEEM-pee-oh |
| 133 | Shake hands | **Den la mano** | den la MAH-noh |
| 134 | Thank the refs | **Den las gracias a los árbitros** | den las GRAH-see-ahs ah los AR-bee-trohs |
| 135 | Leave it better than you found it | **Déjenlo mejor de lo que lo encontraron** | DEH-hen-loh meh-HOHR day loh kay loh en-kon-TRAH-rohn |

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## 🏅 Section 9: Sport-Specific Terms (15 Phrases)

Key vocabulary for the most popular sports coached in the US.

### Soccer / Fútbol
| English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---------|---------|---------------|
| Goal | **Gol** | gohl |
| Cross / Center the ball | **Centra** | SEN-trah |
| Header | **Cabezazo** | kah-beh-SAH-soh |
| Slide tackle | **Barrida** | bah-REE-dah |

### Basketball / Baloncesto
| English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---------|---------|---------------|
| Rebound | **Rebote** | reh-BOH-tay |
| Three-pointer | **Triple** | TREE-play |
| Layup | **Bandeja** | bahn-DEH-hah |
| Screen / Pick | **Bloqueo / Pantalla** | bloh-KEH-oh / pahn-TAH-yah |

### Baseball / Béisbol
| English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---------|---------|---------------|
| Swing | **Batea** | bah-TEH-ah |
| Catch / Field | **Atrapa / Fildear** | ah-TRAH-pah / feel-deh-AHR |
| Home run | **Jonrón / Cuadrangular** | hon-ROHN / kwah-drahn-goo-LAHR |

### Football / Fútbol Americano
| English | Español | Pronunciation |
|---------|---------|---------------|
| Hike / Snap | **Centro** | SEN-troh |
| Handoff | **Entrega** | en-TREH-gah |
| Fumble | **Balón suelto** | bah-LOHN SWEL-toh |

136 | Goal! | **¡Gol!** | gohl |
137 | Center the ball | **Centra el balón** | SEN-trah el bah-LOHN |
138 | Rebound! | **¡Rebote!** | reh-BOH-tay |
139 | Take the shot | **Tira** | TEE-rah |
140 | Swing! | **¡Batea!** | bah-TEH-ah |
141 | Catch it! | **¡Atrapa!** | ah-TRAH-pah |
142 | Hike! | **¡Centro!** | SEN-troh |
143 | Handoff | **Entrega** | en-TREH-gah |
144 | Fumble! | **¡Balón suelto!** | bah-LOHN SWEL-toh |
145 | Screen right | **Bloqueo a la derecha** | bloh-KEH-oh ah la deh-REH-chah |
146 | Home run! | **¡Jonrón!** | hon-ROHN |
147 | Slide! | **¡Deslízate!** | des-LEE-sah-tay |
148 | Corner kick | **Tiro de esquina** | TEE-roh day es-KEE-nah |
149 | Press full court | **Presiona toda la cancha** | preh-see-OH-nah TOH-dah la KAHN-chah |
150 | Run the play | **Ejecuta la jugada** | eh-heh-KOO-tah la hoo-GAH-dah |

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## 🌎 Section 10: Cultural Tips for Coaches

### The Role of Sports in Latin Culture
- **Fútbol is king.** Even if you coach another sport, acknowledging soccer's importance builds rapport. A simple "¿Viste el partido ayer?" (Did you watch the game yesterday?) opens doors.
- Sports are often seen as a path to opportunity — scholarships, recognition, and a better future. Many parents will take athletics very seriously.

### Formality: Tú vs Usted
- **With players:** Use **tú** (familiar). Most coaching interactions in this workbook use tú — it's natural, direct, and appropriate for coach-to-athlete relationships.
- **With parents:** always use **usted** (formal). Section 7 uses usted exclusively. Addressing a parent with tú can be seen as disrespectful, especially with older parents or grandparents.

### Family at Games
- Expect entire families — grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins — at games and tournaments. This isn't helicopter parenting; it's cultural norm. Welcome them: "Qué bueno que vinieron" (How nice that you came).
- Post-game meals together are common. If invited to join, accept if you can — it's an honor and builds lasting trust.

### Communication Style
- Direct criticism in front of others can cause a player to "lose face." Pull players aside for corrections when possible, or use the sandwich method: praise, correction, praise.
- Passion is normal. Sideline energy that might read as "angry" in some cultures is often just engagement. Don't misinterpret animated parents as hostile.
- Eye contact with authority figures: some players may look down or away as a sign of respect, not dishonesty or disinterest.

### Building Trust
- Learn your players' names and pronounce them correctly. Mispronouncing a Spanish name repeatedly says "I don't care enough to learn."
- Music at practice is common in many Latin American sports cultures. A warm-up playlist with some reggaetón or Latin pop can transform the energy — and show your players you see them.
- Team dinners, especially at a player's home, are a huge gesture of trust. If a family invites the team over, help make it happen.

### Health & Safety
- In some cultures, "playing through pain" is a point of pride. Explicitly teach that reporting injuries is a sign of strength, not weakness. Use phrase 102: "No ignores el dolor."
- Hydration norms differ. Some players may not be used to drinking water throughout practice. Make water breaks mandatory, not optional. "Agua, ahora" (Water, now).

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## 🃏 Quick-Reference Cards

### Top 10 Practice Commands (Print & Laminate)

| # | English | Español | Say It Like |
|---|---------|---------|-------------|
| 1 | Let's go! | **¡Vamos!** | VAH-mohs |
| 2 | Run! | **¡Corre!** | KOH-reh |
| 3 | Stop! | **¡Para!** | PAH-rah |
| 4 | Faster! | **¡Más rápido!** | mahs RAH-pee-doh |
| 5 | Again | **Otra vez** | OH-trah ves |
| 6 | Line up | **En fila** | en FEE-lah |
| 7 | Water break! | **¡Agua!** | AH-gwah |
| 8 | Good effort! | **¡Buen esfuerzo!** | bwen es-FWEHR-soh |
| 9 | Huddle up! | **¡Júntense!** | HOON-ten-say |
| 10 | Next drill | **Siguiente ejercicio** | see-GEE-en-tay eh-hehr-SEE-see-oh |

### Game Day Cheat Sheet

| English | Español |
|---------|---------|
| Pass it! | **¡Pásala!** |
| Shoot! | **¡Tira!** |
| Guard him/her | **Márcalo/Márcala** |
| Spread out! | **¡Ábranse!** |
| Time out! | **¡Tiempo fuera!** |
| Substitution | **Cambio** |
| Great job! | **¡Buen trabajo!** |
| Shake it off | **Sacúdetelo** |
| Are you okay? | **¿Estás bien?** |
| Go see the trainer | **Ve con el entrenador/a** |

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