Description
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category.
Interests
- Social
- Enterprising
- Realistic
Work Values
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Leadership
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Self-Control
Tasks
- Plan, organize, and conduct practice sessions.
- Provide training direction, encouragement, motivation, and nutritional advice to prepare athletes for games, competitive events, or tours.
- Adjust coaching techniques, based on the strengths and weaknesses of athletes.
- Instruct individuals or groups in sports rules, game strategies, and performance principles, such as specific ways of moving the body, hands, or feet, to achieve desired results.
- Plan strategies and choose team members for individual games or sports seasons.
Work Activities
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Developing and Building Teams
Detailed Work Activities
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Technology Skills
- Word processing software
- Video creation and editing software
- Desktop communications software
- Multi-media educational software
- Analytical or scientific software
Abilities
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
- Information Ordering
Skills
- Instructing
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Sports Conditioning Specialty CertificationCertifying Organization
American Council on Exercise
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Level One Instructor of Riders with Disabilities (IRD)Certifying Organization
Certified Horsemanship Association
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Stretch ScienceCertifying Organization
International Sports Conditioning Association
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Trail Clinic InstructorCertifying Organization
Certified Horsemanship Association
Type
Core
Certificate name
Master Strength and Conditioning CoachCertifying Organization
Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $34,216 |
| Median (50%) | $43,096 |
| High (90%) | $57,905 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $46,442 |
| Mid Level | $51,173 |
| Senior Level | $56,967 |
| Expert Level | $61,747 |
Employability
There are currently 307,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 334,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 9%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 9%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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