How to Coach High School Track and Field

There is no high school sport that requires a more diverse set of technical knowledge than track and field. As a high school track and field coach, you might be the only coach available to your athletes. If this is the case, you will be required to teach everything from the sprint events to the long distance events and field events. There is obviously a wide range of skills that are represented in each event. It will be very difficult, but if you follow these steps, you can coach high school track and field.

Instructions

    • 1

      Know the rules and regulations. Not only do you need to how to coach high school track and field, but you need to know the rules of the sport and the regulations that govern practice time and event participation. Violating these rules can result in disqualification from a meet or for the season.

    • 2

      Get to know your athletes. Not only will you be responsible for coaching a wide range of techniques, you will be required to coach a wide range of physical talent. The most important job of a coach is to protect the physical well being of their athletes. Make sure you do not push the weaker athletes too hard to get into shape. Find the balance between working hard and overworking your athletes.

    • 3

      Read up on all the technique materials you can. At first look for one or two important techniques in each event that you can watch for and give advice on. No one will expect you to be an expert at every event, but to be a successful high school track and field coach you must work so that you can help all of your athletes. Some events are more technique-intensive than others. Make sure you know enough about more complex events, such as the pole vault, to teach your athletes.

    • 4

      Seek out help if you need it. If there is a local college that has a track team ask if any of the participants would be willing to volunteer and teach the techniques of their event to your athletes. Even if they can only commit to a limited schedule or a one time clinic, it will help your athletes tremendously.

    • 5

      Remain positive. Track is not a sport where athletes can feed off of anger or aggression. Do not drive your athletes to frustration or despair. Make sure that they are relaxed and focused on their event or events. When you coach high school track and field it is important that you do all you can to set your athletes up for success.