Sports Instructors and Coaches

Try to get experience as a coach or instructor. Contact local sports leagues to see if any assistant positions are available. 

Coaches have to be experts in their sport. They must have complete knowledge of the rules and strategies of the game, so that they can creatively design effective plays and techniques for their athletes. But the requirements for this job do not end here. Good coaches are able to communicate their extensive knowledge to the athletes in a way that not only instructs the athletes, but also inspires them to perform to their fullest potential. Therefore, coaches are also teachers who are patient. Patience can make all the difference between an effective coach and one who is unsuccessful.

Coaches and instructors should have optimistic personalities—even if their team is on a losing streak or a player is not performing up to expectations. They must encourage their players to believe that they can win. An optimistic attitude on and off the playing field or court sends a message that the coach believes in their team. Coaches also must be able to work under pressure, guiding teams through games and tournaments that carry great personal and possibly financial stakes for everyone involved.

Discipline is important for athletes, as they must practice plays and techniques over and over again. Coaches who cannot demonstrate and encourage this type of discipline will have difficulty helping their athletes improve.