Coach Conversation
Scripts
What to say when nutrition shifts from a performance topic into a safety concern and the coach needs language that is calm, factual, and referral-safe.
For coaches handling difficult nutrition conversations
Keep the tone private, factual, and referral-first rather than corrective or body-focused.
Script 1
Talking about underfueling
Use when performance is dropping and recovery looks off.
I want to check in because your training has been consistent, but your recovery looks harder than it should right now.
- Frame the concern around energy, recovery, and support.
- Keep the language non-clinical and free of body commentary.
- Use specific observations instead of broad concern language.
- End by referring to the athletic trainer this week.
Script 2
Suspected eating disorder
Use when food restriction, rituals, or visible changes raise concern.
I care about you as a person first, and I want to make sure you have the right support around you.
- Do not diagnose or ask the athlete to prove anything.
- Do not threaten parents or consequences to force compliance.
- Keep the conversation short if emotions are high and move quickly to support.
- Move quickly to the athletic trainer or counselor the same day.
Script 3
Supplement risk
Use when an athlete mentions pre-workout, fat burners, or online products.
Before you start anything, I want us to look at the label and loop in a doctor or dietitian who can review it safely.
- Lead with contamination and stimulant risk, not fear tactics.
- Ask to see the product rather than debating from memory.
- Keep the athlete in the process so the conversation feels protective, not punitive.
- If it is clearly dangerous, involve parents and the athletic trainer immediately.
Script 4
Parent follow-up
Use after the initial concern is documented and referred.
I wanted to share a pattern I observed and let you know I have already involved the athletic trainer so the athlete has the right support.
- Report facts, dates, and observed patterns only.
- Do not speculate about diagnosis, calories, or motives.
- Keep the tone collaborative so the parent hears support, not accusation.
- Clarify what referral was made and what follow-up is next.
Documentation tip
- Record the date, time, and factual pattern you observed.
- Note the exact opening line or summary of what you said.
- Write down who received the referral and when.
- Keep the note private and follow up on the referral outcome.
- If the concern escalates quickly, document the same day while details are still clean.
Referral path
- Athletic trainer first when available
- School counselor within 24 hours for eating-disorder concern
- Parent or guardian looped in through the right school pathway
- Dietitian or physician when the medical team indicates it
- Athletic director only when school policy or safety escalation requires it