Sports coaches help athletes reach their full potential. Depending on the specific sport, they create strategies, organize training sessions, and prepare athletes for high-stakes challenges.
If you wish to make a career in sports coaching but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you. Here are seven steps you should take to become a professional sports coach:
Step 1: Choose a Sport
The first thing you should do is choose a sport to specialize in. Coaches don’t have to be athletes themselves; instead, they should be passionate about sports and training procedures.
By specializing in one sport, you’ll be able to understand its techniques and tactics. It will also help establish yourself as an expert in one area. Choosing one sport will open numerous opportunities in various settings, including high school teams, youth leagues, and professional organizations.
Step 2: Get a Bachelor’s Degree in a Relevant Field
Whether you’re a retired athlete or just dipping your toes in the world of sports, having a bachelor’s degree can enhance your knowledge. Many educational and professional institutes require a bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields:
- Sports Performance Training
- Strength and Conditioning
- Human Movement Science
- Kinesiology
- Sports Nutrition
- Exercise Physiology
Programs like these include coursework in physiology, physical education, fitness, and nutrition. Many bachelor programs allow you to take specialized courses in sports coaching, where you’ll learn how to:
- Create training programs
- Organize practice sessions
- Create game strategies
- Promote discipline and sportsmanship
For university-level coaching opportunities, you’ll need a master’s degree in sports coaching or relevant fields.
Step 3: Get Certified
Once you’ve acquired the minimum qualification, get certified and obtain a coaching license. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading organization that provides accredited coaching programs. Visit the official website to find ICF-accredited training programs in your country.
To become ICF-accredited, you need to complete 60 hours of training, which includes passing the curriculum and finishing practical sessions. The ICF also offers certification levels to create a hierarchy. Here are the requirements for each certificate:
Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
To become an ACC, you need 60 hours of training and 100 hours of coaching experience.
Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
It requires 135 hours of training and at least 500 hours of coaching experience.
Master Certified Coach (MCC)
It is the highest level of coaching certification offered by ICF. You need 220 hours of training and 2500 hours of coaching experience after training.
Step 4: Get First Aid Training
Sports coaches are required to have first aid and CPR training. It prepares them to deal with a range of injuries, including muscle spasms, sprains, concussions, and even broken bones, until help arrives. Most high schools and colleges hire coaches certified by state agencies, such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
To obtain your first aid training certificate, you’ll need to pass an exam, demonstrate CPR abilities, and work in clinics for hands-on experience.
Step 5: Learn the Responsibilities of a Sports Coach
Before you step into professional coaching, research what it takes to excel through the ranks. You should also find out the typical working hours, market salary, and potential for further growth. Sports coaches, be it for football or swimming, perform the following tasks:
- Instruct athletes on tactics and techniques.
- Provide feedback and conduct one-to-one sessions to help improve their game.
- Analyze an athlete’s physical performance and mental approach.
- Create detailed playing strategies.
- Plan and conduct practice sessions and drills.
- Focus on the fitness regime and diet of every athlete within the team.
- Ensure the safety of athletes.
- Create a motivational environment within the team and handle disputes.
Research the implications of being a sports coach, which will help you plan for the future.
Step 6: Obtain Experience
Now that you have a sound knowledge of coaching responsibilities, seek as much experience in the field as possible. Here are some ways you can gain sports coaching experience:
Volunteer
Start with your local sports club. You can volunteer for events and get involved in the community.
Internships
Working as a sports intern at an educational or professional institution is an excellent way to kick-start your coaching career. You will be able to learn from industry experts and shadow coaches.
Part-time Coaching
Look for part-time sport coaching positions on job boards and sites. They have numerous high-paying opportunities tailored to your certification and experience.
Personal Trainer
Work with athletes individually and provide one-to-one training sessions. This is an excellent way to build a clientele. It will also help in the future if you decide to create your own sports training institute.
Look for opportunities where you can get hands-on experience. This will give you confidence and pave the way for high-paying opportunities.
Step 7: Work on Soft Skills
A sports coach needs more than just textbook training. You need to build strong relationships with athletes and motivate them to achieve larger goals. Here are some additional skills you should focus on:
Leadership
A sports coach must know how to motivate athletes on an individual basis. Leadership skills allow them to create goals and strategies to improve performance.
Communication
As a sports coach, you should be able to clearly communicate the technical aspects of the sport. You need communication skills to give feedback during training sessions and on time. Effective communication skills will also help you build a relationship of trust with the athletes.
Active Listening
It is a critical part of sports coaching. Understand an athlete’s personal and professional challenges through verbal and non-verbal cues. Only then you’ll be able to create a tailored strategy.
Decision-making
Sports coaches assess a team’s performance and make important decisions. Efficient decision-making skills are required to decide when to substitute players or seek medical attention.
Conflict Resolution
As a sports coach, you’ll encounter disagreements and tensions among team members. Learn how to understand both sides and maintain a collaborative environment.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence helps coaches manage their emotions and remain calm in stressful situations. It can also help you understand players’ emotions and provide reasoning to maintain maximum performance.
Conclusion
Becoming a sports coach involves obtaining a relevant degree and becoming certified. You also need to obtain experience through internships and volunteering and focus on polishing soft skills.
The field of sports coaching offers significant growth potential. With experience and continuous learning, you can get opportunities to coach teams at the national and international levels. Whether you’re coaching basketball, football, or swimming teams, prioritize skill development and networking to climb the ranks.
