The Barefoot Coach- by Paddy Upton

Book review by Krishnaswamy Subramanian, ACC

Paddy Upton is a successful professional cricket coach, mental conditioning expert working with leading professional athletes, a sports scientist and an Executive coach. He holds master’s degrees in Sport Psychology and in Business Coaching. He has also been appointed as a Professor of Practice at Deakin University, recognizing his innovative coaching approach.  

Professional coaching is often associated with instruction-led, directive styled coaching, frequently drawing parallels with traditional sports coaching. However, The Barefoot Coach by Paddy Upton has redefined this completely taking coaching beyond the game’s nuances. Upton along with Gary Kirsten has revolutionized sports coaching with a transformative approach rooted in self-awareness and professional maturity. This book is a compelling and insightful read that explores the full spectrum of coaching competencies, set against the rich and enticing backdrop of cricket. Through interesting anecdotes and real-life stories featuring some of the game’s greatest players and iconic matches, Upton seamlessly bridges the world of sport and personal development.

The book begins with Upton’s early work in the underprivileged communities of South Africa, setting the tone for his purpose-driven approach to life and coaching. The turning point comes when he is introduced to Executive coaching and then partners with cricketing legend Gary Kirsten embarking on a journey of self-evolution and evolving as a Transformation coach. His purpose is to help people become their own best coach, guiding them to become masters of their profession and of their own lives, embarking on a path of self-mastery.

The book has two powerful narratives interwoven, one involving his core values, beliefs, powerful coaching competencies blended in his unique style of self-driven, inside-out coaching. Second involved the Indian cricket team and team members’ transformation journey from an early World Cup exit in 2007 to becoming world champions in 2011.

Key highlights from the book include:

• Personal mastery per Paddy is a shift from the importance of looking good outwardly, to the importance of inner substance and strength of character. Upton shares behind-the-scenes insights into building Personal mastery and high-performance culture and guiding elite athletes like Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Ishanth Sharma and Rahul Dravid toward personal and team excellence.

• Effective Goal setting: Readers are introduced to the value of effective goal setting when he talks about how Four simple goals were set for the Indian cricket team. In hindsight we see all goals were accomplished etching the team’s name in multiple places in history. Beyond the milestones, this process fostered a strong team culture and environment—one that not only drove success but also laid a sustainable foundation for future excellence. It became the backdrop against which several cricketing legends fulfilled their individual destinies.

• Strengths-based coaching: Identifying and nurturing strengths and focus on Talent vs skill vs strength and Strength + consistent application resulting in Mastery. Sehwag and Sachin’s journey to excellence are great testaments

• Cultural psychology: An extraordinary analysis of Indian societal behaviors, deep rooted culture and their influence on the team’s mindset.  An out of the world analysis of India’s approach to war including home vs away, attacking first, fighting back, handling back the advantage, Divide and conquer, Individualism, talk vs action historically and how this continues to reflect in the team’s mindset.

• Sustainable excellence: Upton explores how athletes can manage themselves after success and continue shining beyond the limelight. Personal character, values and humility are key.

Other highlights include:

• Inside-out transformation: How personal mastery revived Dravid’s form and helped the team handle pressure with resilience.
• Ego and anxiety ‘gap’ management: Strategies used during high-stakes matches and tournament build-ups, especially the 2011 World Cup.
• Role of character: Insights into the values embodied by leaders like Anil Kumble and how character anchors long-term success.
• The science of flow and performance: Creating optimal environments and mental states for peak performance.
• Failures as fuel: The ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective Losers’ offers a refreshing framework for learning from setbacks.
• Adventure led learning: The inclusion of extreme adventurer Mike Horn to help players navigate pressure, adversity, time management and build Resilience.
• Collaborative strategy development:  Birthing the world cup strategy taking a well informed, inclusive, collaborative and coachly approach.

The retelling of the 2011 World Cup journey through the coach’s eyes is nothing short of a riveting roller coaster ride— nostalgic, emotional and studded with moments of pride, culminating in a euphoric triumph.

In essence, Barefoot coach is not just for sports enthusiasts, it is a guide for leaders, coaches, mentors who believe in servant leadership and in the pursuit of helping others grow.

But why “Barefoot” coach?  since he is too ‘grounded’? since he is a “surfer”?!  Let me leave it as a ‘Foot’ for thought for the readers to figure.