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What does a coach do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a coach do

The main responsibility of a coach is to motivate an individual or an entire team. Coaches are focused on improving the performance and skills of athletes by conducting training sessions, coordinating practice drills, and providing guidance. Their work is conducted both on and off the field - not only while an athletic event is in session. Coaches are sometimes tasked with recruitment activities in order to fill a team's roster to help them succeed. Other duties of a coach include fundraising, overseeing facilities, and promoting a safe environment.

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Coach responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real coach resumes:

  • Provide guidance for individual athletes and assist them in achieving spots within elite summer rowing programs in Philadelphia.
  • Develop / implement IEP's, prepare / lead ARD meetings, and supervise/ manage students in special education.
  • Manage and schedule local and national soccer competitions.
  • Perform additional responsibilities as deemed appropriate by school and district supervisors such as organizing and managing elementary school mathematics information nights.
  • Supervise designated swimming areas and enforce safety rules and regulations as a lifeguard.
  • Coach U10 and U8 recreational soccer teams.
  • Handle ammunition in accordance with orders and directives.
  • Create course syllabus for use by other math coaches.
  • Train freshman athletes in the skills of rowing and encourage teamwork within the program
  • Develop and run a help line that assist team members with questions on claims.
  • Train CPR, first aid, and sensitivity to the physical needs of the elderly and disable.
  • Delegate assignments to staff committee members in order to ensure all community events run smoothly and successfully.
  • Maintain thorough knowledge of all rules, game procedures, coaching techniques and current trends in NAIA.
  • Follow NAIA, conference, and university regulations at all times while cultivating a compliance first atmosphere.
  • Provide coaching assistance and training in technical and tactical skills to U12 girls' youth soccer team.

Coach skills and personality traits

We calculated that 24% of Coaches are proficient in Customer Service, CPR, and Food Handling. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dedication, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Coaches that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 24%

    Provided superior customer service while building professional rapport with dealers to sustain acceptable cashing ratios and provide a balanced portfolio mix.

  • CPR, 10%

    Earned concussion and stunting supervision certification, renewed CPR and first aid certification.

  • Food Handling, 8%

    Followed state guidelines on quality assurance, food handling and alcohol responsibility.

  • Safety Rules, 6%

    Established, implemented and monitored standardized accident investigation and reporting procedures, safety rules, self-inspection and training programs.

  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%

    Coordinated and supervised all event/party services, equipment, responsibilities and areas in order to ensure customer satisfaction and efficient operations.

  • Mental Health, 4%

    Supported consumers in addressing mental health/drug and alcohol concerns with treatment team including therapist, psychiatrist and other behavioral health professionals.

Common skills that a coach uses to do their job include "customer service," "cpr," and "food handling." You can find details on the most important coach responsibilities below.

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a coach to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "because coaches instruct, organize, and motivate athletes, they must be able to convey information clearly." Coaches often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "supported hr information systems with related problem, resolution through effective troubleshooting and communication. "

Dedication. Another essential skill to perform coach duties is dedication. Coaches responsibilities require that "coaches must attend daily practices and assist their team and individual athletes in improving their skills and physical conditioning." Coaches also use dedication in their role according to a real resume snippet: "strived to instill and model discipline, dedication, and the positive benefit of a strong work ethic to student athletes. "

Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of coaches is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday coach duties, as "being able to relate to athletes helps coaches and scouts foster positive relationships with their current players and in recruiting potential players." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "awarded a 16 hr interpersonal communication skills certificate. "

Leadership skills. For certain coach responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a coach rely on this skill, as "coaches must motivate, develop, and direct athletes to help them reach their potential." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what coaches do: "have successfully mentored over 50 student athletes by providing leadership and technical assistance. "

See the full list of coach skills

The three companies that hire the most coachs are:

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Compare different coaches

Coach vs. Strength and conditioning coach

A Strength And Conditioning Coach designs, implements, and supervises the strength and conditioning programs for multiple sports programs. They generally work with athletes.

The annual salary of strength and conditioning coaches is $6,666 higher than the average salary of coaches.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both coach and strength and conditioning coach positions are skilled in weight loss, student athletes, and volleyball.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between coaches and strength and conditioning coach. For instance, coach responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "cpr," "food handling," and "safety rules." Whereas a strength and conditioning coach is skilled in "weight room," "softball," "injury prevention," and "facility maintenance." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Strength and conditioning coaches really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $52,874. Comparatively, coaches tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $48,931.strength and conditioning coaches tend to reach similar levels of education than coaches. In fact, strength and conditioning coaches are 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Coach vs. Assistant track and field coach

Assistant track and field coaches are sports professionals who are responsible for supervising and instructing athletes involved in the areas of sprints, relays, or jumps. These coaches are required to recruit high caliber student-athletes and create a competitive and positive learning environment for them. They must assist track athletes with their events to prepare them for their upcoming track meets. Assistant track and field coaches must also complete training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults and infants.

On average, assistant track and field coaches earn a $2,636 higher salary than coaches a year.A few skills overlap for coaches and assistant track and field coaches. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "cpr," "role model," and "training programs. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, coach responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "food handling," "safety rules," and "customer satisfaction." Meanwhile, an assistant track and field coach has duties that require skills in areas such as "track meet," "iii," "assist head," and "strength training." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Assistant track and field coaches may earn a higher salary than coaches, but assistant track and field coaches earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $48,952. On the other hand, coaches receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $48,931.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Assistant track and field coaches tend to reach similar levels of education than coaches. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Coach vs. Assistant basketball coach

An assistant basketball coach helps in the basketball team's conceptualization and guidance to enhance their play and coordination on the court. The assistant basketball coach works closely with the head coach and provides all the necessary information needed to develop plays. There are instances where the assistant coach will research opponent players, coaches, and their strengths and weaknesses. The effectiveness of the team relies heavily on both the players and the team of coaches.

An average assistant basketball coach eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of coaches. The difference in salaries amounts to assistant basketball coaches earning a $1,760 higher average salary than coaches.Using the responsibilities included on coaches and assistant basketball coaches resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "cpr," "safety rules," and "role model.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from coach resumes include skills like "customer service," "food handling," "customer satisfaction," and "mental health," whereas an assistant basketball coach is more likely to list skills in "player development," "varsity girls," "basketball program," and "assist head. "

Assistant basketball coaches earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $44,765. Coaches earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $48,931.assistant basketball coaches typically earn similar educational levels compared to coaches. Specifically, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Coach vs. Assistant baseball coach

An assistant baseball coach is primarily in charge of performing support tasks for baseball coaches and managers. Among their responsibilities include managing players and providing their needs, taking part in facilitating exercises and training, monitoring the progress of players, and liaising with physicians and other staff. They may also perform clerical tasks such as overseeing the budgets and schedules, handling inventory and procurement procedures, responding to calls and correspondence, producing reports, and running errands for the coach.

Assistant baseball coaches tend to earn a higher pay than coaches by an average of $1,807 per year.According to resumes from coaches and assistant baseball coaches, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "role model," "leadership," and "student athletes. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "customer service," "cpr," "food handling," and "safety rules" are skills that commonly show up on coach resumes. On the other hand, assistant baseball coaches use skills like baseball program, field maintenance, hitters, and assist head on their resumes.The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for assistant baseball coaches, with average annual pay of $44,581. Comparatively, the highest coach annual salary comes from the technology industry.In general, assistant baseball coaches hold similar degree levels compared to coaches. Assistant baseball coaches are 2.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of coach

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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