Sports Instructors and Coaches

High School

To prepare for college courses, high school students should take courses that teach human physiology. Biology, health, and exercise classes would all be helpful. Courses in English and speech are also important to improve or develop communication skills.

There is no substitute for developing expertise in a sport. If you can play the sport well and effectively explain to other people how they might play, you will most likely be able to get a job as a sports instructor. The most significant source of training for this occupation is gained while on the job.

Postsecondary Training

Postsecondary training in this field varies greatly. College and professional coaches often attended college as athletes, while others attended college and received their degrees without playing a sport. To become a high school coach, you will need a college degree because you will most likely be teaching as well as coaching. At the high school level, coaches spend their days teaching everything from physical education to English to mathematics, and so the college courses these coaches take vary greatly. Coaches of some youth league sports may not need a postsecondary degree, but they must have a solid understanding of their sport and of injury prevention.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that courses in exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine may be required to become a coach.

Other Education or Training

The Society of Health and Physical Educators, American Football Coaches Association, United Soccer Coaches, and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association offer online classes and webinars, workshops, and seminars.