Last Updated on August 28, 2023
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how to become basketball coach
Should I Become a Basketball Coach?
Basketball coaches teach their players how to play the game and work together as a team. They organize team practices, supervise physical conditioning activities, analyze individual players and the team as a whole, and create game strategies. Coaches are also responsible for guiding and motivating their team towards success.
Basketball coaches can work with teams at various levels, including high school, college and professional. This occupation can be physically demanding, and coaches are often called upon to help their players learn good sportsmanship, whether in winning or losing. This work is typically part-time at the high school level but can be full-time at college or professional levels. Higher levels may also offer prestige for coaches of popular teams.
Career Requirements
| Salary | $43,870 annually (2018 average salary for all coaches and scouts) |
| Degree Level | Bachelor’s degree |
| Degree Field | Any; however, it’s helpful if the field is relevant, such as exercise science, physical education, physiology, or sports medicine |
| Experience | Assistant coaching; playing on a basketball team |
| Key Skills | Communication, leadership, ability to make quick decisions, attention to detail, and acute knowledge of basketball and its rules |
| Licensure | Required to work in public schools |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Monster.com.
How To Become a Basketball Coach
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
You have the option to pursue programs in exercise and physical education; however, some schools offer degree programs that specialize in coach training. These programs teach students how to work with athletes and develop game plans, as well as plan and implement physical conditioning and skills development programs. Students also receive training in injury prevention.
Success Tips:
Play basketball. Firsthand experience playing basketball can give you a more well-rounded knowledge of the sport and allow them to better communicate with their players. Having experience playing on a team may also help secure jobs later down the road.
Consider working as a teacher in addition to coaching. Teachers who work in junior highs and high schools may have the best opportunities to coach at that level. Many schools will hire coaches who are already working as state-certified teachers and understand how to educate and communicate with young people. In this case, you can hold a degree in any subject taught at a school.
Step 2: Get Coaching Experience
To be hired in an assistant position, you may need to have coaching experience. While in school, you can begin working with basketball teams at many different levels. Working as team manager for your college team can help you learn how to become a college basketball coach, training you in game and practice preparation. Volunteering as an assistant for a local high school basketball team is another option, helping you train to become a high school basketball coach.
Success Tip:
Learn how to watch game tapes. One of the primary duties of both assistant and head basketball coaches is watching game tapes and breaking down the actions and strategies of teams and players. Watching all levels of basketball games and learning how to reorganize various offenses and defenses can be highly beneficial.
Step 3: Work as an Assistant
Individuals often begin their careers as assistant basketball coaches, with increasingly responsible levels of assisting. It’s also important to work individually with players both before and after practice to help them improve their basketball skills.
Step 4: Obtain Certification
Most states require public junior high and high school coaches to earn certification. In order to obtain certification, you need to complete courses in coaching, CPR, and first aid and pass an examination. Certification may also be required for coaches who are non-faculty members at a school.
Step 5: Advance in the Field
After gaining certification, you are able to work as head coaches at public junior high and high schools. Most junior high and high school coaching positions are part-time and do not offer the pay or benefits of a full-time position. If you are interested in coaching as a full-time career, you should consider coaching college or professional basketball. Professional or college basketball coach requirements often involve years of experience and a winning track record for your team.
To become a basketball coach, you need to have a bachelor’s degree and experience in the sport and with coaching.
how to become a nba basketball coach
How to Become an NBA Coach (Step by Step)
Is it your dream to become an NBA coach so you can train basketball players and potentially win a major game? While it may seem like a glamorous job to be an NBA coach you need exceptionally impressive credentials and powerful communication skills to make the cut.
Additionally, you’ll need plenty of experience to even be considered for the job. Although the salary of an NBA coach is high, the pressure to develop a team of basketball players is immediate after being hired. You will be responsible for your basketball team from the day you start coaching them.
On the other hand, even though being an NBA coach comes with its challenges many basketball professionals seek to become a leader for a basketball team. If you’re up for the challenge then you may find today’s article helpful. Here’s how you can become an NBA coach.
Career Requirements to Become an NBA Coach
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Degree Field: Sports medicine, physiology, exercise science or Kinesiology
Experience Needed: Playing basketball in a team or experience in being an assistant coach or high school basketball coach will be helpful
Required Skills: Acute knowledge of basketball and its rules, excellent communication skills, leadership skills, quick decision making, motivational and managerial skills, the ability to teach
License: International or Gold Coach License
Potential Salary: $1 – 2 million annually
What Does a Basketball Coach Do?
The purpose of a basketball coach is to improve his team’s offense and defense skills. A basketball coach also has the responsibility of managing his team and ensuring they all work together. As a coach you’ll need to organize practice sessions to develop your team’s skills and optimize their playability.
Additionally, you may need to help individual players outside of a team environment to strengthen their basketball proficiency. You’ll be responsible for developing strategies based on your team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Lastly, you’ll also be your team’s mentor and motivator to ensure they all focus on the value of the team as opposed to their individual achievements.
Steps on How to Become an NBA Coach
So you’ve made your decision and you’re looking for ways to become a professional NBA coach. Unfortunately, you can’t simply apply for the job and expect to get it immediately. There is a process to becoming an NBA coach. The following steps will help you on your way to reaching your goal.
Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
To increase your chances of becoming an NBA coach you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree first. Most people study in a field that’s related to basketball or coaching. There are programs in exercise science and then there are degrees that specialize in coach training.
A coach training program teaches you how to manage a team of players and develop a strong game plan. You can also train in injury prevention. Without a degree you may not get the NBA coaching job. So decide which program you’d like to study and earn that degree.
Play the Game of Basketball
While you’re studying to earn your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to start playing the game of basketball. The professionals that hire NBA coaches expect them to know how to play the game. You can’t learn by theory alone. So learn more by playing basketball consistently.
Luckily, you don’t have to be a professional player. But firsthand experience can give you the knowledge you need to strategize and communicate with your team effectively.
Try playing in different basketball positions such as small forward or a point guard. By knowing how the different basketball positions operate you’ll be able to coach your team on how to improve their playability.
Get Basketball Coaching Experience
To become a professional NBA coach you’ll need a considerable amount of coaching experience already. You can gain coaching experience in high school and college by becoming a coach’s assistant.
Manage your own school team so you can develop your skills and train in-game and practice. What’s more, you can volunteer to become an assistant coach at your local high school or college.
Get Certified To Add Papers to Your Resume
If you’re going to become a coach at your local high school to gain experience you’ll need to get certified. You may need to complete your bachelor’s degree in coaching and you’ll need a CPR and first aid certificate.
Another certification to look into is the USA Basketball Gold Coach License. This is a program where you get basketball education and training to coach teams. You can study for this license online or attend a USA basketball coach academy.
Start Advancing in Your Career
Once you’ve gained experience and you’ve earned all the necessary certification you should start advancing in your career. You will need an excellent track record for coaching and the only way to do that is to apply for high school basketball coaching jobs.
You may have to work a few years as a high school or college basketball coach before you can advance to the big leagues. Furthermore, you may need a winning track record to be considered for an NBA position.
How Long Does it Take to Become an NBA Coach?
The length of time to become a professional NBA coach can take years. Earning a bachelor’s degree, certification and gaining experience could take you between 3 to 5 years or more but it will all depend on how quickly you advance.
As mentioned before, you need to develop strong coaching skills so you can train a team and gain wins. Having an excellent track record and years of experience will increase your chance of being accepted to be an NBA coach.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you found some valuable information on how to become an NBA coach. If your goal is to become an NBA coach in the shortest time possible, the tips in this article may help you get there faster. We wish you all the best of luck on your journey!
skills needed to be a basketball coach
How to Become an NBA Coach (Step by Step)
Is it your dream to become an NBA coach so you can train basketball players and potentially win a major game? While it may seem like a glamorous job to be an NBA coach you need exceptionally impressive credentials and powerful communication skills to make the cut.
Additionally, you’ll need plenty of experience to even be considered for the job. Although the salary of an NBA coach is high, the pressure to develop a team of basketball players is immediate after being hired. You will be responsible for your basketball team from the day you start coaching them.
On the other hand, even though being an NBA coach comes with its challenges many basketball professionals seek to become a leader for a basketball team. If you’re up for the challenge then you may find today’s article helpful. Here’s how you can become an NBA coach.
Career Requirements to Become an NBA Coach
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Degree Field: Sports medicine, physiology, exercise science or Kinesiology
Experience Needed: Playing basketball in a team or experience in being an assistant coach or high school basketball coach will be helpful
Required Skills: Acute knowledge of basketball and its rules, excellent communication skills, leadership skills, quick decision making, motivational and managerial skills, the ability to teach
License: International or Gold Coach License
Potential Salary: $1 – 2 million annually
What Does a Basketball Coach Do?
The purpose of a basketball coach is to improve his team’s offense and defense skills. A basketball coach also has the responsibility of managing his team and ensuring they all work together. As a coach you’ll need to organize practice sessions to develop your team’s skills and optimize their playability.
Additionally, you may need to help individual players outside of a team environment to strengthen their basketball proficiency. You’ll be responsible for developing strategies based on your team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Lastly, you’ll also be your team’s mentor and motivator to ensure they all focus on the value of the team as opposed to their individual achievements.
Steps on How to Become an NBA Coach
So you’ve made your decision and you’re looking for ways to become a professional NBA coach. Unfortunately, you can’t simply apply for the job and expect to get it immediately. There is a process to becoming an NBA coach. The following steps will help you on your way to reaching your goal.
Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
To increase your chances of becoming an NBA coach you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree first. Most people study in a field that’s related to basketball or coaching. There are programs in exercise science and then there are degrees that specialize in coach training.
A coach training program teaches you how to manage a team of players and develop a strong game plan. You can also train in injury prevention. Without a degree you may not get the NBA coaching job. So decide which program you’d like to study and earn that degree.
Play the Game of Basketball
While you’re studying to earn your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to start playing the game of basketball. The professionals that hire NBA coaches expect them to know how to play the game. You can’t learn by theory alone. So learn more by playing basketball consistently.
Luckily, you don’t have to be a professional player. But firsthand experience can give you the knowledge you need to strategize and communicate with your team effectively.
Try playing in different basketball positions such as small forward or a point guard. By knowing how the different basketball positions operate you’ll be able to coach your team on how to improve their playability.
Get Basketball Coaching Experience
To become a professional NBA coach you’ll need a considerable amount of coaching experience already. You can gain coaching experience in high school and college by becoming a coach’s assistant.
Manage your own school team so you can develop your skills and train in-game and practice. What’s more, you can volunteer to become an assistant coach at your local high school or college.
Get Certified To Add Papers to Your Resume
If you’re going to become a coach at your local high school to gain experience you’ll need to get certified. You may need to complete your bachelor’s degree in coaching and you’ll need a CPR and first aid certificate.
Another certification to look into is the USA Basketball Gold Coach License. This is a program where you get basketball education and training to coach teams. You can study for this license online or attend a USA basketball coach academy.
Start Advancing in Your Career
Once you’ve gained experience and you’ve earned all the necessary certification you should start advancing in your career. You will need an excellent track record for coaching and the only way to do that is to apply for high school basketball coaching jobs.
You may have to work a few years as a high school or college basketball coach before you can advance to the big leagues. Furthermore, you may need a winning track record to be considered for an NBA position.
How Long Does it Take to Become an NBA Coach?
The length of time to become a professional NBA coach can take years. Earning a bachelor’s degree, certification and gaining experience could take you between 3 to 5 years or more but it will all depend on how quickly you advance.
As mentioned before, you need to develop strong coaching skills so you can train a team and gain wins. Having an excellent track record and years of experience will increase your chance of being accepted to be an NBA coach.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you found some valuable information on how to become an NBA coach. If your goal is to become an NBA coach in the shortest time possible, the tips in this article may help you get there faster. We wish you all the best of luck on your journey!
