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How to become a personal basketball trainer


How To Become A Basketball Instructor/Coach

Basketball is the most popular college sport in the United States, according to BusinessInsider. Basketball is also the third most popular sport overall in the United States, where there are a greater number of B-ball fans than in any other country in the world, reports TopEnd Sports.

If you’re an avid basketball player plotting a career in athletics, take encouragement in the knowledge that coaching basketball is one of the most professionally satisfying and well-paying jobs in sports.

Basketball coaches teach their players how to play the game and work together as a team toward victory. As a coach you’ll organize practice sessions, supervise players’ physical conditioning, study game videos of individual players and the team, and develop winning game strategies. Your goal is to motivate and guide your players to greatness.

Jan 15, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; General view of the basket during warmups prior to the San Diego State Aztecs game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the most important first step in becoming a basketball coach is to play a lot of basketball. Firsthand experience gives you comprehensive knowledge of the sport and helps you communicate with your players.

Many basketball coaches at the high school level are also teachers. If you are already a state-certified teacher you may have a better chance at finding work as a high school basketball coach.

To become a basketball coach, the basic training requires a bachelor’s degree, extensive experience playing the sport and at least some coaching experience, such as at the assistant level. We’ll go over all these topics.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job opportunities for coaches will grow 11 percent through 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Increasing participation in high school and college basketball programs is expected to boost that demand for coaches.

As a basketball coach, you can work with players at levels ranging from high school to college and professional. Salaries climb dramatically as you move up the career ladder.

In this article you’ll discover:

  • How much money you can make as a basketball coach
  • The required training and certifications
  • Professional groups to join
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Finding players as a private coach or owner of a training camp
  • Plus helpful tips for basketball coaches

How much money can you make?

Private basketball coaches earn an average of $35,382 per year.

According to Stateuniversity.com, part-time high school basketball coaches earn between $1,000 and $3,000 per year during the playing season. The median annual wage for full-time high school coaches is $33,780, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,970, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $77,880. Salary is a factor of experience, performance and location.

At the college level, coaching salaries are a whole other ballgame. Basketball coach Tony Bennett, who leads the NCAA championship team at the University of Virginia, receives a base salary of $525,000 plus performance incentives of $1.175 million. And according to TheStreet.com, Bennett isn’t even among the Top 10 highest paid college basketball coaches. The top distinction goes to Mike Krzyzewski, head basketball coach at Duke University, where he receives an annual salary just under $9 million.

When you make it to head coach of an NBA team, the average salary of a basketball coach is $3 million a year, according to Boyd’s Bets. Gregg Popovich, head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, was paid $11 million for the most recent season. That works out to more than $134,000 per game during the regular season.

Training and Certification

A Bachelor’s Degree in exercise science and physical education is considered standard preparation for a career in basketball coaching, especially if you aspire to the higher levels of collegiate and professional play.

Some schools offer degree programs focused on coach training. In these programs you’ll learn how to work with and motivate athletes, develop game plans, as well as physical conditioning and skills development. Injury prevention is another core topic.

Here’s a video on basketball coaching 101 to give you an idea of a training session and basic drills that players run with their coaches.

Most states require public high school coaches to hold certification. To become certified, you must complete approved courses in coaching, CPR, and first aid and pass an examination. Requirements for high school coaches also often include a background check, drug testing and job training.

Some educational programs may help you find an opportunity to gain coaching experience. But if you’re on your own, you’ll have to get creative. While you’re still in college, volunteering as an assistant for a local high school basketball team is an option. Youth summer camps are another opportunity to gain coaching experience and make some money between semesters. You can also apply to be team manager for your college basketball team or volunteer in any capacity that helps you learn how to become a college basketball coach.

As part of your training, take time to learn how to analyze game tapes. This is an essential part of the job, whether you’re an assistant or head basketball coach. By watching game tapes you can study the moves and strategies of teams and individual players. The goal is to be able to recognize offense and defense strategies, as well as how to adapt them to your team’s strengths. The best way to learn game analysis is by talking to other basketball coaches, finding out what they look for and how they break down game play.

Professional Groups to Join

The National Association of Basketball Coaches offers membership categories for Men’s coaches and Women’s coaches.

Membership fees range from $40 annually for high school coaches up to $450 for head coaches at NCAA Division 1 schools.

The principal benefits of membership include continuing education opportunities and networking with other coaches.

The annual NABC Convention, held during the NCAA Men’s Final Four, is the top professional development event in men’s basketball coaching. Members have the opportunity to purchase Final Four tickets.

The association’s Professional Development Series (PDS) Certification is held during the convention and covers coaching development, ethics and personal development. Members receive official PDS certification and the chance to earn continuing education credits.

Another benefit is access to NABC Championship Basketball Clinics with discount registration. These clinics provide coaches at every level with year-round professional development. Clinics are held around the country every spring and fall, and feature programming by many of the game’s most honored coaches.

The association also offers a host of training videos, awards programs and recognition by peer members for your achievements as a basketball coach.

Employment

Demand for trained basketball coaches remains strong. A search on Indeed.com turned up more than 100 job openings for basketball coaches at schools and camps throughout the country in the last 30 days.

If you are interested in full-time basketball coaching, you should concentrate on college or professional basketball. Many high school coaches work with basketball teams as a side role to their primary duties as a teacher. While the rewards can be highly satisfying, the pay is nowhere near on par with the salaries the college and pro coaches make.

Finding Clients

When you’re coaching at the pro, collegiate and especially high school level, chances are the players are coming to you or your staff is actively recruiting new talent. This is a critical part of a college coach’s job, since the entire team moves on after graduation every 4-5 years.

College athletic departments typically have a dedicated staff who handle scholarship budges and assist the head coach and assistant coaches in their recruiting efforts.

If you run a private basketball clinic or summer camp, here are strategies to help you sign more students:

  •         Partner with your local high schools and let the coaches know you have off-season camps and private training.
  •         List your business on as many online camp directories as you can. Parents use these directories to find camps for their kids. One of the most popular directories is CampChannel.com.
  •         Set up a business page for your basketball camp on social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter. Post regular photos and news about your offers and activities, with links back to your business website.

Good to know:

Stack Coaches and Trainers says preparation and attention to details are the top attributes of successful basketball coaches.

  •         Preparation

Coaches should never believe they know enough. Instead, always be learning, practicing and planning.

  •         Focus on the Details

If players make fundamental errors on techniques during practice, you can expect they’ll do the same during a game.

  •         Maintain Discipline

You set the standards. It’s your job to be sure players meet those standards. Perfection should be the goal. The fact that perfection may not always be attainable doesn’t matter. It should still be the goal.

  •         Intensity

This doesn’t mean angry screaming when something goes wrong. It means coaching with purpose and focus. Over time, the team will adopt your personality and mindset toward the game. When players understand they have a job to do on the basketball court, they work harder toward the goal of winning.

  •         Maintain a Positive Attitude

You’ll go farther with a spoonful of sugar than a shot glass brimming with vinegar in motivating your players. Being positive produces long-lasting results. This also means shutting down negativity when it crops up in your players.

  •         Be Confident and Consistent

If you are uncertain, that will creep into the mindset of your players. Without consistency, your players don’t know what to expect. Treat everyone the same to build and sustain trust.

  •         Be Yourself

The expression “keeping it real” applies just as much to coaches as anyone. Sincerity and honesty are always the best tools for building a smooth-running team.

  •         Show You Care with Clear Communication

People respond better when they are led by someone who clearly cares about them. This will come through in the way you communicate to the team. Listen to your players. That is how you will come to know them.

  •         Cultivate a Winning Culture

A winning culture involves dedication, commitment, competitiveness, and pursuing high standards. Don’t settle for less than you expect, otherwise you’re holding back your team. The team comes first. Winning the next game is the priority.

  •         If you offer private coaching, buy a liability insurance policy and keep it up to date. How much coverage you need will depend on several factors, such as your net worth and the value of your private business. Liability insurance is important because in all sports injuries can happen and you could potentially be blamed.

If you enjoyed this article, check out some other PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as a basketball coach. Here’s a great place to start.

PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.

How to Become a Basketball Trainer

Growth Trends for Related Jobs

Van Thompson

Updated December 17, 2018

FatCamera/E+/GettyImages

Basketball trainers work with athletes at every level, from novice middle school basketball players to skilled professionals. They work to keep athletes in good shape, and actively strive to prevent injuries with appropriate training. Before you can begin working with players, you'll must become a certified athletic trainer and, if your state requires a license, seek licensure.

Get the Right Education

To train basketball players, you must have a bachelor's or master's degree in athletic training from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. While in school, take electives on basketball-specific training and injuries, and gain hands-on experience by volunteering with your college basketball team or a local intramural league. In these volunteer jobs, you must work under an athletic trainer rather than serving as an athletic trainer yourself. To become certified, you must complete at least two years of clinical training as part of your education.

Become Certified

To begin practicing as a trainer, you must be certified by the National Athletic Trainers' Association. This requires taking and passing a written skills test. Most states require athletic trainers to become licensed, which means that you'll have to complete a license application, provide your skills test scores and pay a licensing fee. You may also be required to attend continuing education courses to maintain your license.

Gain Experience

Gain resume-building experience by apprenticing under an experienced athletic trainer who works with basketball players. Your college professors may be willing to let you apprentice under them, or they may recommend a trainer who would be willing to work with you. Some athletic programs also offer internships. If you can't find an internship or apprenticeship, volunteer with a small league. For example, you might work with troubled children to form a basketball league and serve as their athletic trainer.

Find a Job

To land a job, your resume must show, at minimum, that you are certified and that you have knowledge in basketball-specific training protocols. Most athletic trainers start with small local teams, such as middle or high school basketball teams. You might also work one-on-one with struggling basketball players. From there, work your way up into bigger name teams, including college and professional basketball teams. Doing so demands that you network and build a name for yourself within the basketball community. Attend professional conferences, basketball events, and team meet-and-greets to maximize your exposure.

References
  • National Athletic Trainers' Association: Get Certified
  • National Athletic Trainers' Association: Athletic Training Education Overview
  • United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists
  • AVCSS Basketball: Youth Personal Basketball Trainers
Resources
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education: Search for Accredited Programs
Writer

Van Thompson is an attorney and writer. A former martial arts instructor, he holds bachelor's degrees in music and computer science from Westchester University, and a juris doctor from Georgia State University. He is the recipient of numerous writing awards, including a 2009 CALI Legal Writing Award.

Photo Credits

FatCamera/E+/GettyImages

Online Basketball Coach Profession


  • Basketball Coach Highlights
  • Responsibilities of a Basketball Coach
  • Where you can learn the profession of a basketball coach

What is a good coach? This is a mentor who is able to teach the player not only the necessary motor skills and theoretical knowledge, but also develop confidence, the will to win, and team spirit in him. It depends on the coach whether basketball becomes a pleasure or turns into an ordeal. A good basketball coach is also an inspiration, a friend, and even a psychologist.

To start working as a coach, you need to have basic knowledge, learn the rules of the game, use motivational games for your wards, and much more. Good coaches are distinguished by love for their profession, the desire to develop, and, of course, experience.

Basketball coach highlights

A successful athlete is the main indicator of good coaching. In order to achieve good results, they start playing sports from childhood, constantly developing, not stopping at the results achieved. If an athlete stops showing good results or gets stuck at some level, the coach tries new techniques, is responsible for physical preparation, as well as for the morale before the competition. One of the most important tasks of a coach is to identify and reveal the athletic abilities of his ward.

Coaches can work in different areas:

  1. Work in sports sections and schools (mass sports). Here the coach teaches the basics of sportsmanship, looks for talented children, works with pensioners. In such cases, the coach helps people maintain an active lifestyle, physical fitness.

  2. Individual preparation of the athlete. The coach is responsible for his sports future, draws up a training schedule, selects training methods, draws up a nutrition plan, monitors the health of the athlete.

  3. Conduct team training. The coach selects the tactics of the game, including based on the characteristics of the team members. And of course, it creates and maintains a friendly atmosphere and team spirit among the players, setting them up for victory.

The coach always knows everything about his wards, in fact, lives the life of his athletes. If he thinks only about his professional task, then he will not be able to reach an understanding with his wards. Accordingly, the work of the coach will not be one hundred percent effective.

Duties of a trainer


An individual or team coach has many responsibilities - from sports to household.

  1. Decides what load to give to the athlete during training, develops a plan for the training period.

  2. Solves household issues: finds a place for training, deals with sports equipment and inventory.

  3. Conducts pedagogical work with athletes (this applies to those coaches who work with children).

  4. Shows how to perform elements of technique, exercises, helps the student (insures).

  5. Conducts psychological training of athletes, helps to cope with pre-start excitement, reveals the potential of the wards.

  6. Sets goals and ways to achieve them.

  7. Forms a team in a team sport.


    Where can you learn the profession of basketball coach

    The main thing that makes people choose the profession of a coach is the love for sports and the desire to dedicate their lives to this work.

    A successful coach is distinguished by such personality traits as:

    • strong nervous system;

    • desire to win;

    • stress tolerance;

    • leadership skills;

    • ability to motivate;

    • the ability to use a personal example;

    • desire to improve.

    The profession of a trainer can be obtained in universities and secondary specialized educational institutions. For those who want to become a coach, but for some reason cannot afford to enroll in full-time or part-time education, there is a form of distance learning (online).

    For example, the National Academy of Additional Professional Education offers students a distance course "Coach in the chosen sport (basketball)". On the course, you can get theoretical knowledge, master the methodology of training athletes in basketball, the biomechanics of physical exercises, and much more.

    The course is licensed by the Ministry of Education, upon completion a standard diploma is issued.

    How to become a basketball coach • BUOM

    By Indeed Editorial Team

    February 22, 2021

    All professional athletes rise through the ranks under the guidance of a coach. Regardless of the sport, a coach has a unique ability to improve players' skills and help them become more confident in their game. A basketball coach can help a player through the season or prepare him for the professional level.

    In this article, we will explain what a basketball coach is and what he does, talk about the average salary of basketball coaches in the country, explain how to become a basketball coach, and answer some frequently asked questions about the job.

    What is a basketball coach?

    A basketball coach is a person who guides a player or group of players during a game of basketball. They teach students how to play the game, strategize with them during competitions, help build skills and inspire. A basketball coach can work with players of different levels, from very young to professional athletes. Basketball coaches need to be excellent communicators, be patient, have strong leadership skills, and know the game of basketball well.

    Most basketball coaches who work in the school system also teach a school subject, but it is possible to work as a basketball coach part-time in elementary or high school, or full-time with no additional responsibilities at the college level or beyond.

    What does a professional basketball coach do?

    Being a professional basketball coach is a lot and has a lot of responsibilities. A basketball coach at any level is responsible for:

    • Teaching your team how to play basketball, including basic skills, rules and various strategies.

    • Make sure all players work together as a team and that everyone values ​​the team more than their own personal accomplishments.

    • Organization of training sessions so that players can improve their skills

    • Training of players who may need individual assistance outside of a team environment

    • Create strategies to use on the court based on the skill level of the players and the team they are playing against.

    • Being a motivator and leader for the team and all players

    • Identifying each player's strengths and weaknesses and addressing them accordingly

    • Making quick decisions during the game for things such as changing players

    • Prevention, assessment and treatment of injuries

    • Promote teamwork and good sportsmanship and share the importance of friendly competition.

    Average salary for basketball coaches

    The average national basketball coach salary in the US is $48,590 per year. This salary may vary depending on your years of experience and the city and state in which you work as a basketball coach.

    For example, in Atlanta, Georgia, the average salary of basketball coaches is $61,480 per year, and in New York, New York, basketball coaches are reported to earn an average of $44,843 per year.

    Some common advantages that basketball coaches can use are:

    • Flexible schedule

    • Medical insurance

    • subscription to the gym 9000

    • Paid housing

      9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000
    • Professional development assistance

    • Disability insurance

    • Life insurance

    • Access to the recreation program

    • Dental insurance

    • Savings account of health

    • AD & D Insurance

    How to become a basketball trainer 92 1.

    Get a high school diploma

    Depending on the level you intend to teach, you may only need a high school diploma or equivalent to be a basketball coach. If you do not have a high school diploma, a GED will be sufficient in most cases.

    2. Get a bachelor's degree

    Most employers require you to have a bachelor's degree in order to be a basketball coach. A degree in education is preferred, but you may want to consider additional physical education or athletic training if available. You can also specialize in areas such as physical education, exercise or sports medicine.

    During your college years, try to play for your high school team to gain experience and develop your skills. This will help you save the position later. You may also aspire to become a team manager, which will help you develop your leadership skills.

    3. Decide what level you want to coach

    Basketball coaches can work directly with many age groups, from elementary school to professional level. One of the first steps to becoming a basketball coach is knowing what your ideal career path is. You may find that your love of the game means that the level of your athletes doesn't matter, or you may prefer to work with players who are a bit more experienced and willing to try their hand at the professional level.

    If you're talking about a certain level of skill, it might help you choose a career or open up some extra learning opportunities outside of your core job, like in a sports league.

    4. Play Basketball

    Many basketball coaches love the game and become basketball coaches because they grew up playing the sport. While many may have formed teams with neighborhood kids in their youth, many others played at school. While not required to be a successful basketball coach, you must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the game and demonstrate certain skills that you can teach others, and probably the best way to do this is to experience the game in person.

    5.

    Become a Volunteer Coach

    When you get your degree, look into volunteering at local schools or sports leagues as a second basketball coach. This will give you experience and help you connect with those who work at the school. These same contacts can connect you to post-graduation employment opportunities either at the same location where you volunteered or at a nearby school.

    6. Take education-related courses

    Your employer may still hire you without a bachelor's degree in education, but without it, you may have to take education-related courses if you want to work in the school system. These courses will prepare you to work in an educational environment, including how to create and manage a curriculum, and the different ways your student base can learn.

    7. Get Certified in Your State

    Each state has specific rules it must follow before certifying professionals as teachers and coaches. Contact your state Board of Education to determine what you need to do to get approved to teach and coach. You may have to work a certain number of hours at school under the guidance of a mentor and demonstrate that you have certain skills and knowledge.

    In addition to teaching certification, you may be required to be certified in CPR and first aid to help students with medical emergencies.

    8. Working With Experienced Coaches

    You may want to ask experienced coaches to guide you as you begin your basketball coaching career. They can provide valuable insight into the training of players in the sport. Get guidance and ask them questions so you can get different perspectives on the job and how they were able to succeed.

    6. Apply for a job

    Search online for basketball coach jobs. You can search the Internet for job boards or even visit local gyms or recreation centers to see if they need a coach. Youth or senior basketball leagues often need coaches during the season, so you can look for jobs in the leagues in your area.

    Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Becoming a Basketball Coach

    Here are some frequently asked questions about becoming a Basketball Coach:

    Do basketball coaches have to wear suits?

    Whether or not you need to wear a suit to work depends on your employer.


    Learn more