How to Get Started in Basketball Coaching

Coaching basketball is a rewarding activity, whether you make a career out of it or if you simply wish to volunteer in your free time to coach your daughter's youth team. While you won't start out in the NBA, becoming a coach is realistic for people of all ages. Local school, church and little league teams are in need of coaches. It doesn't matter if you're fresh out of college, or if you played college ball 30 years ago and now wish to give back---you'll likely find something. All it takes is persistence and a willingness to learn.

Instructions

  1. How to Get Started in Basketball Coaching

    • 1

      Acquire knowledge on how to coach by studying successful coaches and reading books. That includes learning how to run drills, teach fundamentals and employ specific offenses and defenses.

    • 2

      Network with everyone you know who is involved with basketball. Maybe contact a former high school teammate who is now a middle school coach. Or perhaps your son has a friend whose father is a youth coach. Coaching is a tight fraternity and if someone doesn't have an opening, he might know of one. Also, contact coaches from other sports. It's possible that a high school baseball coach knows of an expected basketball opening that isn't announced yet.

    • 3

      Attend coaching clinics. They're offered at high schools and universities in the off-season. In addition to gaining knowledge, you'll be able to chat with established coaches.

    • 4

      Volunteer to coach. Many school and youth teams have tight budgets, and would love free help.

    • 5

      Get involved with a basketball team even if there are no coaching positions available. You'll be able to attend practices and sit in on team meetings. The coach might even let you help out with drills, and it will be valuable experience. For example, offer to keep statistics for a high school basketball team.

    • 6

      Apply for positions directly. Most local school boards advertise both head and assistant coaching vacancies on their websites and in local newspapers. Also, check your state's high school sports governing body, which usually posts jobs on its website.