Coaching is one of the most important, and often most overlooked, parts of sports. A good mentor is a key piece of any team, and can often be the difference between wins and losses. However, being one is not easy. Especially in basketball.
Basketball coaches have one of the most hands-on jobs in sports. That’s because they oversee every play, choose what schemes to run, and constantly make substitutions or call timeouts depending on what’s going on in the game.
A good coach can make a team run well, while a bad one can greatly hinder that progress. That’s why there are so many qualifications for the position, and why it requires such a strong sports mind to do properly.
Education and Qualifications
All coaches, regardless of skill set, typically need at least two levels of education. First, it’s important to have a high school diploma or a GED. That level of schooling is typically enough for those who want to take an entry-level position.
Most of the time, however, it’s also important to get a bachelor’s degree. That step is required by many programs or schools, as it shows a level of discipline and knowledge that someone with just a high school diploma may not have.
It’s a good idea to also get the degree in a basketball-related field when possible. That means something like sports science, education, sports medicine, or physical education. All of those will only make it easier to become a coach.
Those that want to work at higher levels, especially college, also need to get a USA Basketball (USAB) Associate’s License. That requires a background check in addition to a few courses. Some programs may require first aid or CPR as well.
Skills and Attributes
Beyond degrees and certifications, there are many key qualities all successful coaches need. The biggest are strong communication and leadership qualities, which help motivate players and build a strong culture.
No matter how skilled a coach might be, they cannot properly do their job if the team isn’t behind them. Keeping athletes focused is a big part of running a team, as is making sure they all get along in the right way.
That’s why problem solving and organizational abilities are so important. Coaches need to adhere to a strict schedule. That means structured practices filled with proper drills and the right scrimmages that make their team better. It’s not just about going through the motions, it’s about recognizing weaknesses and making the right moves to strengthen them.
Coaches also need to run games. A lot of coaching occurs during practice, but a lot happens on the court too. Coaches who know how to properly manage a game will almost always come out above those that don’t.
Another overlooked quality is emotional intelligence. Players often clash, and egos can run wild in a locker room. Not properly managing those egos, or letting some athletes stand out above others, can quickly ruin team chemistry.
It’s a coach’s job to keep everyone loose and having fun. Being able to talk to players as equals goes a long way, and most leaders do a great job of handling or shutting down any conflicts that arise right away.
Gaining Experience
Coaching is a tough job, and a lot of it is earned through experience. Those who want to become coaches don’t just do so overnight. They learn the game over an extended period of time and then impart that knowledge to their team.
The best way to do that is by playing. Almost all great coaches at all levels played basketball in one way or another. Understanding the game from the inside is vital to leadership, and it creates a level of respect among the players that nothing else can match.
It’s also a good idea to volunteer or be an assistant coach whenever possible. While not as glamorous as being a head coach, such jobs lay the groundwork for more involved positions and build a strong foundation.
If such opportunities are not readily available, or if someone lacks the experience needed to earn a spot on the bench, volunteering at a youth program is another way in. Those positions are much less competitive, but still provide important tools that can be applied later on.
Networking and Mentorship
While many coaches need experience, as with any job, knowing the right people is incredibly important too. Being able to lead a team is one thing, but it only goes so far. Actually getting meetings requires proper networking.
Joining up with various coaching associations or attending coaching conferences are two of the best ways to extend your personal network and connect to others in the basketball world. The more hands someone’s shakes, the higher their chances are of getting a job down the line.
In addition, it can be useful to find a mentor. There are many ex-coaches in the world, and a lot of them will have no problem taking someone under their wing or teaching them some tricks of the trade. Such coaches tend to have online resources as well.
Searching through Youtube to find videos on coaching, in addition to looking at books on the subject, is another great way to get insight from great minds without having to go too far.
Career Progression
Becoming a basketball coach is tough, and like any career it typically happens in steps. The first is to start out as a player or volunteer coach. From there, the next is to use that background to become an assistant coach, freshman coach, or coach/PE teacher.
Those positions help build a resume, increase basketball knowledge, and create plenty of experience. From there, it’s easier to move into head coaching at a higher level. That includes junior varsity, varsity, and even some low-level colleges.
At that point, the late career becomes all about on-court success. Coaches who build winning teams will move up into higher levels or better jobs, while those that do a good job without sustained success will likely increase their position through seniority.
Some highschool coaches stay there for their entire careers, while others with a lot of basketball experience will use their resume to move into positions like athletic directors. It’s all about career goals, and what someone wants down the line.
Continuous Learning
Another key aspect of becoming a basketball coach is adaptation. The game is always changing, which means those that want to have success in it need to change as well. Learning about new strategies or implementing new schemes are two critical aspects of that.
It’s a good idea for all prospective coaches to attend clinics, pursue advanced certifications, or seek out information that covers the latest trends. Such moves won’t just increase general knowledge about the game, they will also keep everything in focus.
It’s important to keep up with strategies at higher levels as well. Watching game tape from professional or college teams is a good way to better understand what’s popular at any given moment. It helps to look at what the best coaches are doing too.
Job Hunting and Career Tips
The above steps are important, but they don’t mean much unless they’re actually put into practice. When applying for any coaching position it’s important to craft an airtight resume by highlighting past successes and going over relevant skills or achievements.
Being able to show off general basketball knowledge during an interview helps too. It’s not just about discussing how you got there, it’s about being able to succinctly go over a prepared coaching philosophy, scheme, and gameplan while explaining what makes them so special.
Always lead by covering personal experience and highlights, and then use those aspects as a segway into personal knowledge and viewpoint on how to run a team. It’s about showing why you’re a good fit compared to anyone else.
Conclusion
Coaching a basketball team is one of the most difficult jobs in sports. Still, anyone with knowledge of, and love for, the game can do it with a bit of determination. It’s all about gaining the right experience and making the proper connections.
Being a good coach takes time, but that time can be spent learning on the fly or the sidelines. Jumping into a low-level position head first is a good place to start, especially for those who want to experiment or try new things.
While success might not come right away, working at coaching will pay dividends down the line. As long as someone keeps up with the trends and expands their knowledge of the game, they will rise with each passing season.
