Best Careers for Teachers: Coaching Athletes And Others

How Do You Handle Disciplining Your Team or Players?

Perhaps you relate coaching with an image of the angry sideline "cheerleader," screaming after every play and reminding players of what they've done wrong in an often humiliating way. This may work well for some teams and coaches, but most probably not with many. Are you familiar with different ways of discipline and motivation that you could apply as a coach? Are you willing to research them?

Can You Spot a Potential Athlete? Do You Know What to Do with a Former Superstar Who Is Struggling?

One of the best skills a coach can develop is the ability to look at young people and spot the most likely to be the star basketball player or the fastest runner. This one has a great arm; that one has an amazing kick. Scouting for new players is an integral part of the job. At the same time, you have to be able to help the other players who may be struggling to improve their game. You will need to develop realistic goals for each person, as well as create drills and practices that will improve everyone's abilities. It is a lot like creating lesson plans, but with a higher emphasis on individuality.

How Do You Respond to Competition?

Do you enjoy competing? Almost more important (because it's much tougher), how do you feel about losing? It is important that you provide your athletes and/or team with a good role model in the face of losses. One of the most vital lessons that anyone should learn when playing any sport is the element of good sportsmanship.

What other responsibilities will you have as a coach? You will need to:

• teach the basics of multiple sports
• develop winning game strategies
• select, purchase, and store necessary sports equipment, materials, and supplies
• work irregular hours and be at games on weeknights and weekends
• be available to your athletes/team members when they need you
• teach elements of form, techniques, endurance, and skills
• join school sports associations
• represent the school during intramural competitions
• direct team strategies and call out your recommended plays during games

"Many coaches are afraid to pick who they want to coach. They worry that they are walking away from something, such as a missed opportunity or potential clients. They worry that they are being too narrow or limiting by specializing. What you really walk away from is an unproductive strategy. You cannot coach the whole world successfully."

—Deborah Brown-Volkman, Four Steps to Building a Profitable Coaching Practice