With the rise of competition in sports, there has been a subsequent rise in the demand of sports coaches. A sports coach is a person who imparts the primary skills that are essential to play the sport in the correct way, to a player/team. Coach has the majority say on what strategies the player/team will use in a match. It is evident that a coach has enormous value in any sport, and thus he/she should be equally skilled for the post. But, people who are well experienced in this field sometimes tend to go on the wrong track because of the lack of proper awareness about things. So, here we discuss different skills required, educational qualifications recommended, and ways to become a sports coach.

Skills required

For becoming a sports coach, skills like communication (to express views correctly), team spirit, patience, perseverance are of extreme importance. The coach should be enthusiastic towards the sports and should possess the ability to motivate players to perform well. Problem-solving ability, organisational skills should also be present in the coach.

Moreover, physical and technical skills are required by default. The person aspiring to become a coach should have good stamina and flexibility. The knowledge of the particular sport, along with its technicalities and science behind it, is of great importance.

Academic Qualifications

It is crucial for the person to be academically qualified and have a good experience (15+ years) in that sport. Though having a sports Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is not a necessary criterion, yet it is advised to get some formal education in this field. It is also seen in some cases that the senior and retired players of the sport get the job straightway as coaches according to their knowledge and experience of that sport as a player.

Educational Courses available for Sports Coaches

Bachelor of Physical Education

Bachelor of Science (Physical Education)

Bachelor of Arts (Physical Education)

Diploma in Sports Coaching

M.Sc. (Sports Coaching)

PhD (Sports Coaching)

Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Coaching

These courses can be pursued after passing 10+2 (from any recognised board). For the Master’s Courses, the eligibility criteria is to have a  Bachelor’s degree.

Different Ways to Become a Sports Coach

1.The most basic way is to become a player in the sport. Try to excel in the sport by acquiring different skills. After having enough experience in the sport and knowledge about it, one can apply for the posts of sports coaches in various teams and clubs. Then, by excelling in the field of coaching, one can further become a head coach.

2. Another way, which is actually a less risky way,  is to earn a degree in Sports Coaching by getting enrolled in a college affiliated to a recognised university. The undergraduate courses (3 years) that can be taken up are mentioned above.

3. After the completion of the undergraduate courses, there are two options available. Either the person can join a school/sports club for a short duration internship to gain the first experience in the field, or can pursue higher studies. For higher education, again, there are 2 options available. Either the person seeks a Master’s degree (2 years duration) or a Diploma (6 months- 1 year duration). Moreover, if the person believes there is a need for more educational qualification, then he/she can further pursue PhD courses. Pursuing a PhD is very helpful while applying for posts of professor in the sports universities.

4. So, once all education is done, the next step is to apply for coaching vacancies released by different boards (like BCCI, SAI, AFI etc.). A successful goal-oriented sports coach can even get a chance to work with national and international sporting teams and clubs, schools and other academics if he/she is worthy enough. Some people also start their careers in this field as a volunteer coach, then build up the skills characteristics and traits required to become successful, and by constantly working hard, they end up becoming a coach for higher-level teams.

5. Now, a person may also open his/her coaching academy after receiving proper education in his/her particular area. But, this way of becoming a coach requires significant investments in monetary terms to sustain in the beginning. If the person is critically acclaimed in his sporting career, then he/she can even receive support from brands/ government.

It is high time now that we realise the importance of coaches in the field of sports. Coaches are the ones who shape the futures of athletes and teams. But, It is seen that at the lower levels, coaches don’t receive proper wages and incentives. We should instead try to make a system that empowers the coaches so that they feel that they have train the players well as a result of which the players can do wonders in the respective games and sports. In the perspective of the coaches, they should continuously look for attaining the best skills and knowledge available in their field. It is suitable for a person to become a coach from a formal way rather than a shortcut. This enables him to sustain in the coaching industry for a long period of time and work for the betterment of the sports industry.