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.

Sports have always been considered as a part-time activity. People accept it as a passion or hobby, but not as a full-time career. But, perceptions are changing rapidly in this matter. The spread of awareness regarding this career has motivated many people to take sports disciplines as a career. This has caused the emergence of many sports management firms and substantially increased job prospects in this field.

Before discussing the different career options in sports, let’s have a look at some prerequisites

Basic needs to opt Sports as a career

1. Determination

This is the utmost required trait a person should possess before going into sports. Many times, to achieve success in sports, there come delays. What you need to have a sheer will, patience, and confidence upon your skills to sustain in this field.

2. Basic knowledge of Sports

This is also of prime importance, as if you don’t know what you are actually working for, there is no possible way you can succeed in it. Having the basic knowledge of technical and social skills about the particular sport which you are opting for is considered to be good.

Career options in Sports

1. Sportsperson

This is undoubtedly the most decorated career option in sports. Every Sportsperson receives a handsome salary and incentives. Becoming one doesn’t require academic experience, but is advised to have some. Top-level sports persons also endorsed different brands which increase their pay scale exponentially. But remember, this is a highly competitive field, so you need to do all the hard work in the sports world along with your top-notch skills.

2. Umpires/Referee

An umpire or the referee is the one who regulates and executes the rules of the game while the match is being played. This position is mostly acquired by the retired players but this doesn’t necessarily imply. What is important in this field is your proper education in the sporting field with prior experience. Degrees like Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) and Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed) play role in this. This is a good career option if you consider payscale and respect.

3. Coaches and Team Managers

Coaches are the backbone of any team or player. They impart the technical, physical, and psychological skills to players required to play the game smoothly. They are the real Masterminds behind the game being played. A lot of experience is required to become a coach/ manager. The Team Manager also plans the schedule of the team along with the arrangements of travel, food, and lodging. People with tough mental strength are recommended for this post as the coach/manager has to bear a lot of pressure.

4. Sports Journalist

This is also a good career option considering the media limelight and money you will receive. Sports journalists interview the sportspersons/ coaches/managers and acquire the information about players, their practice methods, game techniques, mental and physical state. People with a common interest in sports and journalism are recommended for this job.

5. Dietician / Physiotherapist

They play an extremely important role in enhancing the performance of players. The dietician prepares a proper diet for the players having a balanced amount of carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. They prepare diet charts for the pre, during, and the post-playing times.

You might have seen a player groaning in pain during playing. Here is when the Physiotherapist comes into play. The Physiotherapist relieves the player from the hamstring pull or ankle sprain like injuries. Moreover, they make them do proper workouts and warm-ups before and after the match to prevent sports injuries which can be extremely dangerous for a player’s career. To opt for any of the above careers, the person needs prior knowledge of medicine and must possess the apt degree for the same.

6. Sports Administration

By doing law and management/administration courses, you can pursue your career in sports administration. The sports administrator works on the official board which in turn decides the policies regarding the sports. Sports administrator has to make decisions regarding the appointment of coaches/ managers/physiotherapists for the team, scheduling of the team tours and set up camps for the betterment of players.

All in all, taking up sports as a career option seems like a good deal, provided your intent and will power should be rock solid even if you don’t receive success in a short span of time. This field is definitely like a rough sea, which can be sailed through only by a skilled sailor. If you want to excel over here, you really need to buckle up and work hard from the very beginning. And the result of the hard work always lay into sweet fruit.