So, you’ve been thinking about becoming a youth sports coach for a while now. But you’re a little stuck on how to actually get started. Come take a seat on the bench (this is a good thing), as we teach you how to become a youth sports coach who loves helping kids and can truly make an impact.
Becoming a youth sports coach is firstly about educating yourself in your sport of choice and building confidence to teach it. Find yourself a role with a team or club, build your knowledge and reputation and eventually get to a point of coaching your own team or group within the youth coaching ranks.
Becoming a youth sports coach is an incredibly rewarding way to give back to the community. You can teach the next generation to not only be great athletes, but also good people. Take a look at the following four steps to learn how you can become a youth sports coach anyone would love to have.
Step 1: Take a Training Course on the Sport You’re Interested in Coaching
How comfortable would you feel coaching a bunch of eager, energetic kids a sport you’re interested in and maybe watched on TV a few times, but have a loose idea on the rules and really how the sport works?
Pretty daunting, right? I’m getting flustered and hot under the collar just thinking about it.
But you know what…
“Studies show that only 5-10% of youth sport coaches have received any relevant training”
National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education
What!? 5-10% have received any relevant training? In other words 91% of the 2.46 million amateur coaches in America receive little to no training (source)
I was initially shocked to read this but then I really thought about it.
How many moms and dads have been tapped on the shoulder by some anxious and frustrated person at the local sports club a few days before the start of the season saying, “could you please coach the team this season? We are desperate and we think you’d be perfect.”
A lot. Like a heck of a lot. And it’s probably happened to you.
So you might then be thinking, “does it mean I can become a youth sports coach without any form of training or qualification?” And the answer is yes.
But will it make you the best coach you can be, who the kids and their parents look up to and want to be coached by…… probably not.
So you need to ask yourself, what kind of youth sports coach do you want to be?
Do you want to just “wing it” and pick up tips and advice from potentially agitated parents along the way, or do you want to feel extremely confident on game day and know you have what it takes?
If you are interested in just “winging it” good luck. I’ve been there many times before because I never knew coaching courses existed (and really didn’t care to find out due to pure ignorance) and it can be tough, but not impossible.
However, if you want to learn more and be a better, educated coach on the following points, there are courses to help you get there.
- What it means to be a coach
- How to prevent injury
- How to teach goal-setting, perseverance, good sportsmanship
- Nutrition and hydration
- How to keep kids active, motivated and participating
- Why it’s important to be healthy and active, even as a kid
Plus, so much more. Man I wish I had taken a course like this.
Some of these courses are run by the following professional organizations. Click on each link to explore their course, pricing and if it’s right for you.
- National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS)
- American Coaching Academy
- The United States Sports Academy
- Positive Coaching Alliance
Who pays for the youth sports coaching course?
Probably you in the beginning. But it could be worth exploring the option of a split payment / further education when you’ve found yourself a coaching position at a club or facility.
If you want to take your education even one step further, there is an abundance of university and college courses available at your disposal.
These are likely to be more expensive but will dive into details these shorter courses I mentioned above simply don’t have time to cover.
It should also be known that these college degrees are not necessary to successfully fulfil the role of a youth sports coach (outside of the school environment) so don’t stress if you think that’s way to much work!
If you’re interested, here are a few courses to consider:
- Level 3 Diploma in Sports Coaching
- Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching & Leadership (see course)
- Master of Science in Sport Coaching & Leadership (see course)
- Multiple courses from Human Kinetics and Coach Education center (click to find out more)
Step 2: See What Youth Sports Coaching Jobs are Available Locally
It’s time to pound the pavement.
If you haven’t been tapped on the shoulder by the stressed and emotional president of your local club asking you to coach a team, don’t just sit around a wait for it to happen.
You’ve got to get after it.
Here is where I would start:
- The local recreation center.
Rec centers are a fantastic place for you to mingle, meet people and see what opportunities exist. Depending on the size of the center, they can offer anything from pools to tennis and basketball courts, even karate and boxing. Be observant, curious and ready to talk.
- The local field.
Are you interested in a field sport like softball or baseball? Go and talk to the existing coach. How did they get the gig? Are they interested in coaching next year? Would they mind if you came to training to learn from them?
- Local schools
Even if you don’t have formal qualifications, some schools may welcome you anyway if you have impressive past experience in playing the sport, a good attitude and a true, obvious passion for teaching kids.
- Ask around
I am a firm believer in the phrase, “there is no harm in asking.” Ask friends, family, parents, neighbors… anyone who could point you in the direction to obtaining a youth sports coaching job. Put your “I have confidence” outfit on if you need to.
- Online job sites.
Websites like indeed.com and glassdoor.com, CareerBuilder.com, Glassdoor.com, LinkedIn.com, summerjobfinder.com, simplyhired.com may offer some job opportunities you didn’t know existed in your local and surrounding areas.
- Look at surrounding county/suburbs or neighborhoods for opportunities
If you’re having no luck locally, ask yourself how much are you prepared to travel for (usually) a volunteer position? You never know what could be available only 20 minutes down the road.
Step 3: Gain Youth Coaching Experience
You may have taken a whizz-bang, highly regarded coaches course but are you really feeling confident to lead an army of kids onto the field/court or sports arena?
At this point in your youth sports coaching journey, it’s time to get some experience under your belt.
Most youth sports coaches like Dan and I work in volunteer positions before opting to be the head coach. This may be a personal view but I want to feel confident I am not only coaching but mentoring kids the best way I can, and this takes time to learn.
Here are some options to gain experience as a youth sports coach before being the primary decision-maker:
Assistant Coach
Find a local sport you’re interested in coaching and approach the current coach.
Get to know them, say you’re interested in coaching and learning more about the game. Ask if you can either become an assistant or at least attend practice to watch “how it’s done”.
Some people may feel threatened you are “stealing their job” but make it known you simply want to learn more about the game and you admire the way they coach. The majority of people are more than willing to accept a helping hand.
Attend Coaching Clinics
Did you know there are free to low-cost sport coaching clinics available, probably a stone’s throw away from your local area?
A quick Google search or even using the Facebook search capabilities can reveal upcoming coaching clinics and where to find them.
Some are sport-specific while others are broader in nature.
These clinics are great to not only expand your knowledge but they’re an incredibly powerful networking tool.
Volunteer
If there is a limited number of assistant coaching jobs available, can you volunteer around the center/field helping out on game day and even at practice in a team manager type of role?
Can you hand out towels, wash uniforms, take stats and even umpire practice games?
While these suggestions are not directly coaching, you get a foot in the door, the kids, parents and other coaches get to know you and you start to learn how things operate.
This can be a huge confidence booster when your time to coach does eventuate.
Stay Educated
While you’re looking for volunteer positions, Youtube and books can be your best friend to gain knowledge others missed.
Instead of scrolling Facebook and Instagram in your free time, listen to a podcast, watch coaching videos on YouTube and read books from coaches who you admire.
For example; here is a TED Talk I recently listen to about Youth sports and keeping the kids playing longer.
Step 4: Look for Bigger Youth Sports Coaching Opportunities
Once you have gained enough experience, you’ll when it’s enough, you can start branching out to bigger opportunities like the head youth sports coaching gig.
Finally, he/she says!
You’ve likely done the groundwork and proven to both the parents and the kids, you know a little bit about what you’re teaching.
Some of the opportunities you’ll see advertised may require a certain level of education while others won’t.
Some will offer financial incentives while others won’t.
Some will require a contract and have a minimal time you need to coach for, while others will be season by season.
You’re in an exciting position where you get to choose the coaching path which inspires you.
I suggest to take a walk and ponder the following:
- Do I want to get paid or am I happy to be a volunteer? Is not being paid a dealbreaker?
- How far am I willing to travel?
- What kind of time commitment can I afford to give?
- What team/sport would you love to choose as your number 1,2 and 3 choice?
- Do you want to be a head coach or are you happy to be an assistant coach who takes a large role in practice?
Once you have figured out the direction you want to take your youth coaching career, it’s likely you’ll need to update your:
- Police check
- Background screening check
- Evidence of any coaching courses you’ve undertaken
- Coaching /volunteer history
If you do happen to land a head coaching job, keep learning. Read, watch and observe other coaches in order to keep developing your skills as a youth sports coach.
“All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who belives in them”
Magic Johnson
Summary: How to Become a Youth Sports Coach
Step 1: Take a Training Course on the Sport You’re Interested in Coaching
Step 2: See What Youth Sports Coaching Jobs are Available Locally
Step 3: Gain Youth Coaching Experience
Step 4: Look for Bigger Youth Sports Coaching Opportunities
What is the hardest step for you?
Cheers,
Emma
