What Does an Athletic Coach Do?

Most sports have coaches available to the players. There are individual coaches that coach players one-on-one and there are team coaches. Coaches usually work for universities, recreation centers, fitness centers and primary and secondary schools. Many coaches can also be hired by amateurs who want to improve their ability at a particular sport.

  1. Training

    • Athletic coaches ensure that athletes receive the correct physical training. Athletic coaches set up drills, fitness and weight training goals for the athletes. These fitness programs must be tailored to meet the needs of the sport. The goal of this training is to maximize each player's performance on the field.

    Teamwork

    • Athletic coaches must encourage teamwork and manage team cooperation. Not only is it necessary for players to be able to get along and trust each others' abilities, but each player must also understand what role he is supposed to play. Players come with a variety of skills and players should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses as well as the strengths and weaknesses of fellow team members. Athletic coaches are responsible for the teamwork of the players.

    Basics

    • Athletic coaches are expected to teach the basic techniques of the sports to novice players. They are also expected to coach experienced players in improving these techniques. For instance, a basketball coach must teach novice players how to perform a move called a layup. That coach is also responsible for coaching the more experienced player on how to get over his fears of throwing a free throw.

    Strategy

    • For team sports, athletic coaches help players come up with effective strategies for scoring points. For example, football coaches make complicated "plays" that arrange players in formations that maximize the team's chances of getting past the other team's defense. A coach should also make sure that each player understands the play and their role in the play.

    Recruitment and Organization of Meets

    • Some athletic coaches are responsible for recruiting players. This is especially common for junior high and high school teams where players are recruited by a coach after demonstrating their potential usefulness on the team. But most athletic teams hire recruiters to recruit players.