Coach/Athletic Instructor

Specialties: Aerobics Instructors, Exercise Physiologists, Water Ski Instructors.

What does a Coach/Athletic Instructor do?

  • Athletic Instructors work with people to develop their ability to perform a sport and to remain free from injury.
  • They may work with professional, collegiate, or school teams, such as football, baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer, or with amateur or professional individuals in boxing, wrestling, golf, skiing, swimming, gymnastics, skating, sailing, mountain climbing, tennis.
  • They may also work with small groups in these sports.
  • They analyze and evaluate the performance and the physical condition of athletes. They may monitor weight conditions and recommend special diets to build health.
  • They also plan daily practice sessions.
  • They may also use blackboards or movies, as well as verbal descriptions to demonstrate techniques.
  • They tape ankles, fingers, and wrists to provide support for muscles during training and play. They may also devise special equipment, such as brace or pad and develop a rehabilitation program.
  • They may also give first aid to injured players and may massage parts of a player's body to relieve soreness and strain.
  • Trainers also check equipment.
  • Tasks include: They keep daily records of performance and plan and supervise routine strength and conditioning programs and corrective exercises.
  • Coaches with small schools may teach several sports, as well as do the purchasing, recordkeeping, scheduling of games, and arranging for travel.

Salary and Employment Outlook:

Career Info Net

Occupational Employment Statistics

Typical Employers:

Coaches and trainers work for high schools, private or public colleges and universities, as well as professional athletic teams and clubs and for athletic tournament organizations. Other sports instructors may work for private athletic health or recreational clubs, country clubs, local park and recreation districts, and government agencies who work with youth groups. Some may work for private resorts, at country or athletic clubs or other organizations. Some work for Olympic hopefuls. Others may be self-employed.

Preparation:

Those employed in schools must have at least a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and state teacher certification. Those in colleges and universities are required to have a master's degree and recognized outstanding sports ability. Most professional teams, as well as sports such as gymnastics, require less training and more experience or proven ability in the sport. Other sports, such as tennis or golf require demonstration of ability through competitive experience. Many Professional Athletes remain in the sport and may become trainers, instructors or coaches. Some are scouts who make trips to opponents' games to determine what to expect from them or who visit schools to evaluate talent. Some enter this field as Assistant Coaches.

Educational Program(s):

  • Health and Physical Education
  • Web Resources:

    ONet online

    Occupational Outlook Handbook

    Career Info Net

    Career Center Career Clusters

    Career Zone

    Career Center Home Page | Career Info Sheets

    Diablo Valley College Career/Technical Education Homepage