1. Careers in coaching and sport instruction
CHAPTER 15
Careers in coaching and sport instruction
Joseph A. Luxbacher and Duane V. Knudson (with acknowledgment to Shirl J. Hoffman)

2. Chapter Objectives
Acquaint you with the wide range of professional opportunities available in the sphere of coaching and sport instruction.
Familiarize you with the work of and qualifications for coaching and professional sport instruction.
Inform you about the educational requirements and life experiences necessary to become a qualified and successful coach or sport instructor.
Help you determine whether one of these professions matches your skills, aptitudes, and professional desires.

3. What Are Coaching and Sport Instruction?
The goal is to help participants in activity settings develop and maintain a modest to high level of motor skill performance and fitness.
This goal is reached through well-designed practice and conditioning sessions that involve explanation, instruction, and verbal and visual feedback (replays and demonstrations).

4. Comparing Sport Instruction and Coaching Responsibilities
Instructors: more time with instructional responsibilities (disseminating knowledge and molding student behaviors)
Coaches: more time on supplemental responsibilities (recruiting, review films, scheduling, budgets, fundraising)
Many similarities (instruction, interpersonal skills), but coaches tend to work with more skilled population (refinement, strategies)
Acts of sport coaching and sport instruction more similar than distinct; professions of sport coaching and sport instruction are more distinct than similar (see figure 15.2)

5. Figure 15.1

6. Figure 15.2

7. Settings for Coaching and Sport Instruction
Community settings
Civic minded in principle; first goal is improvement of the social, physical, and moral development of the local community through physical activity.
Reality: Many volunteer coaches focus on winning (even at all costs).
Institutional settings
High school and middle school settings
College and university settings
Other institutional settings (e.g., schools for people with deafness or blindness, residential juvenile institutions, detention facilities)
(continued)

8. Settings for Coaching and Sport Instruction (continued)
Commercial sport settings
For-hire by elite athletes
Settings: arenas, stadiums, and practice facilities of professional teams to tennis, swimming, or squash clubs

9. Roles for Coaching and Sport Instruction Professionals
Community physical activity program instructors
Community youth sport development leaders
Professional sport instructors
Certification and education of instructors
Certification for community physical activity instructors
Certification for professional sport instructors
(continued)

10. Roles for Coaching and Sport Instruction Professionals (continued)
Youth sport coaches
Coaching in institutional settings
Coaching in professional sport
Certification and continuing education of coaches
Certification of youth sport coaches
Education and certification of middle and high school coaches
Education and certification of college and professional coaches (or lack thereof)
Human Kinetics Coach Education Center and Coaching Association of Canada offer certification programs for coaches in several subdisciplines, professional areas, and relevant topics

11. Issues in Coaching Did you notice the sidebars in this chapter?
“When Commercialism and Professionalism Threaten Youth Sport”
“The Parent Problem”
“The Long Shot: Probability of Competing in Athletics Beyond High School”
How do these societal issues fit in with the professional philosophy you are developing as a kinesiologist?
How has your thinking evolved during this semester?
What can you do as a kinesiologist (even if you are not in sport instruction or coaching) to effect change?

12. Ethics and Coaching Many scandals in the news
Ethical conduct flows from sound personal philosophy
National Alliance for Youth Sport Code of Ethics (a sampling)
I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.
I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.
I will remember that I am a youth sports coach and that the game is for children and not adults.
Full text is in book and available at

13. Trends and Opportunities in Coaching and Sport Instruction
Job prospects are good.
Salaries are low, except at highest levels.
Emerging job market is statistical analyst (Moneyball).

14. Advice for Coaching and Sport Instruction Students
Are you really suited?
Lay out a plan.
Identify opportunities to take coaching courses.
Seek coaching experience.
Be a voracious reader of materials related to the sport.
Build a network of active coaches (begin NOW).
Work on perceived weaknesses.
Continue to advance your knowledge and training.
Consider settings you are interested in coaching.
Think about type of athletes you want to work with.

15. Questions to Ask Yourself
Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit?
Are you good at dealing with people?
Are you a leader?
Can you plan and organize?
Can you engage in strategy?
Do you have good judgment?
Are you happy with success and failure?
Are you comfortable with others’always evaluating you?