How can I become a Basketball Coach?

Ninety percent of basketball lovers aside from playing basketball would love to become a basketball coach. This is because the coaches of today were once players of yesterday.

Hence, this article on “How to Become a Basketball Coach” explains in detail the requirements to become a basketball coach, a full guide, and how much you may earn as a basketball coach.

Becoming a basketball coach only becomes less rigorous if you have the right information.

Basketball boast of having approximately 825 followers and over a hundred thousand teams. Actually, the history of basketball is traceable to 1891 when James Naismith a Canadian Physical education instructor introduced it as a less injury-prone sport than football.

Getting into coaching basketball demands some qualification, expertise, physical strength, and a result-oriented mindset. In fact, legendary coaches are known for their resilient spirit and commitment to achieving set goals.

The table of contents below reveals series of frequently asked questions pertinent to becoming a basketball coach duly answered in this article.

Is Basketball a Game or Sport?

Basically, a sport is a physical activity carried out under an agreed set of rules, with a recreational purpose. It could be for competition or self-enjoyment or a combination of both.

Whereas a game is a recreational activity involving one or more players, defined by a goal that the players try to reach within some set of rules.

So, the difference of purpose differentiates sport from game combined with the notion of individual skill or prowess. While games are primarily played for entertainment or enjoyment, sport maybe a competition or self-enjoyment purposes.

Basketball is a sport because it is a physical activity played under set rules and also a game because it serves entertainment purposes.

What is Basketball?

Basketball is a team sport where two teams, usually consisting of five players on each team play against each other on a rectangular court. Its origin is traceable to 1891 when James Naismith invented this game as a less injury sport.

The two teams are made up of five players each. So, we have ten players in a court at one time and a maximum of seven players on the bench.

Basically, the game involves one team trying to stop players on the other team from scoring. However, every normal score is two points and if a player throws the ball into the hoop from behind the large arced line on the court called the “3-point line” the score is worth three points.

Furthermore, this game has a number of officials who are not from either team but are there to help. They are Umpire, referee, timekeeper, scorekeeper, and a shot clock operator.

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Who is a Professional Basketball Coach?

Every sport or game must have players and one who directs and teaches skills on how these players must succeed in the field. These teachers or directors are called coaches.

So, a Professional basketball coach teaches professional basketball players all the skills they need to succeed on the court.

Also, professional basketball coach runs practices, recruits players and calls plays during games. They often analyze the strengths and weaknesses of their team as well as those of their opponents.

In addition, Professional basketball coaches also evaluate and keeps track of individual performance and create plays that take advantage of their players’ strengths. They may work hand in hand with assistant coaches to bring out the best from their players.

Finally, most professional basketball coaches started as and won records highschool basketball coaches or even coaching basketball in colleges and middle school. Some legendary  coaches of basketball teams include

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Who is a Highschool Basketball Coach?

A highschool basket coach is a coach who works with basketball teams at the high school level. So, a high school basketball coach will carry out all the actions and duties of a coach for a high school team.

Basketball is one game for both recreational, entertainment and sportsmanship among highschool students. Mostly, former high school players often advance towards becoming high school basketball coaches.

Moreso, these professionals are in high demand today, so you may take a shot at becoming high school girls or boys basketball coach. However, you may need the following to start a career as a basketball head coach in a high school.

Basically, you must include the following information in your portfolio

Subsequently, if your school views your resume, cover letter, and portfolio and agree you may be a good fit for the program. To become a high school basketball coach, you will attend an interview. While preparing for the interview expect questions like;

How do I Become an NBA Coach?

NBA stands for National Basketball Association. Firstly, this position is not easy to come by. Becoming an NBA coach is interesting but scarce and landing one is tough. However, it is still possible

Secondly, basketball coaches when hired by this association becomes NBA coaches. Mostly, these coaches should have worked as college basketball coaches, high school basketball coach and more importantly are professional coaches in basketball games.

Thirdly, according to business insider, all coaches who made it to the NBA agree that two things are important. One, making connections and the other boasting a strong resume. Also, different paths to the NBA following stories of coaches and players will also help you in advancing your career path.

What Degree do I Need to Become a Basketball Coach?

There is no minimum educational requirement to become a professional basketball coach. However, many coaches start their career at high school or collegiate level and a bachelor’s degree may be required for these positions.

Also, you may go for a coaching-related bachelor’s degree program which includes physical education and exercise science.

You should expect and excel in coursework that covers lifetime fitness and wellness, anatomy and physiology, motor development. Subsequently, you may also learn to get online certifications in sports history, rules, and strategies.

Furthermore, you need all the experiences you can get to advance in this career. Basically, you may need to work as an assistant basketball coach for both college and high school.

Also, you may try gaining experience from being a head coach in smaller schools and programs before advancing to bigger opportunities and teams.

How do I become a Basketball Coach?

Firstly, most high school basketball players advance to coaches after school. To be a basketball coach in college or high school, you must have an ardent interest in this career path. Also, you may check out other high paying career paths too.

Step1: Get a Bachelor’s Degree

Basically, you need a bachelor’s degree to be a basketball coach. so, you pursue programs in exercise and physical education or better still take the course in coach training.

In fact, a degree program in coach training aids you to know how to work with athletes and develop game plans as well as plan and implement physical conditioning and skills development programs.

In addition, it is important you get firsthand experience playing basketball. This gives you a more well-rounded knowledge of the sport and allows them to better communicate with their players.

Also, you may learn teaching skills as many schools hire coaches who are already working as state-certified teachers. Some degree programs you may offer are

This program features coursework in sports psychology, human movement, coaching principles. It is available as an undergraduate degree, Graduate degree and certificate programs. Basically, an undergraduate certificate in Athletic Coaching prepares you to be an effective leader and health advocate of athletes regardless of the sport. some course you may offer include:

Actually, this course is available for both Bachelor’s, Master’s Associate and Doctoral degree programs. These programs must meet the four objectives which are credibility, professionalism, quality of service and confidence.

Basically any of these degree programs will expose you to basic principles like:

Furthermore, to get an online certificate in athletic coaching from Columbia University: it will cost you an average of $480/semester credit hour.

Step 2: Get an Experience in Coaching

Basically, before you can get an opportunity to work as an assistant coach, you need to have coaching experience. So, you need to start working with basketball teams at many different levels. Preferably, volunteer at middle school, high schools or even your college team as a team manager.

In fact, learn to watch as many game tapes as possible. This will help you understand, break-down the actions and strategies of teams and players.

Furthermore, both volunteer and game tapes will teach how to reorganize various offenses and defenses. This is important in becoming a basketball coach both in high school or college.

3rd Step: Work as an Assistant Basketball Coach

Basically, to become a coach in basketball, you should start your career as an assistant basketball coach. This is easier to get as assisting jobs are quite on the increase. However, this may come with increasing responsibility.

At this point, you should work more closely with players individually before and after practice to help them improve their basketball skills.

4th Step: Get Certified

A degree is great accompanied by experience as a basketball coach but certifications are very important. Basically, certificate programs deal extensively on a chosen part of a broad field.

So while a degree in Physical education is great, certifications in CPR, first aid and coaching may be required for coaches who are looking at working at public junior high or non-faculty members at a school.

Step 5: Grow in the Career Path.

Now you’re certified as a basketball coach, you can work as a head coach at public high schools, middle schools, and colleges. Since most high school coaches work part-time and don’t get the pay or benefits of a full-time coach, you should consider advancing to college or professional basketball.

However, this may require years of experience and a winning track record of your team,

In fact, you should keep winning and chasing bigger opportunities until you join the Naismith Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

How Much Does a Basketball coach Earn?

Basketball coaches earn $100, 000 on average if they work with teams at smaller schools.

However, coaches at any of the top-paying NCAA school earn close to $1 million or more annually.

Becoming a Basketball Coach FAQs

Salary earnings for a basketball coach varies according to your current employer, team standard and qualifaction and experience. . For example, of the 65 teams making the men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament in 2014.
Basically the lowest earning coach made around $ 171000.
Furthermore in a professional league, according to CBSSPorts.com average salary is about $3.05 million.

A highschool basket coach is a coach who works with basketball teams at the high school level. So, a high school basketball coach will carry out all the actions and duties of a coach for a high school team.

To be a college basketball coach, the level you wish to coach will determmine the degree requirements.
Basically, at Div: 1 level, you just need a degree. However, as you move down in level, many schools look for Master’s degree applicant.
In addition to your qualifications, it is important to note that coaching is very much contact based than knowledge based. So you need a strong resume and network connection too.

Conclusion

Basketball is an interesting game and being a basketball coach is also an interesting career path. This article from World Scholarship Forum explains the basic difference between game and sports,

Although there is a difference this post says why basketball is both a sport and a game.

Also, it throws more light on who basketball coaches are, their different levels and detailed guide on how to become one.

Basically, you may first need to show interest in the career to become a basketball coach. Also, you need a bachelor’s degree and certification with ample years of experience to excel in this coaching career.

This post also shows tips on becoming a high school and college basketball coach. The FAQ answers how much you may earn coaching a basketball team.

Finally, it lists out communication, leadership ability to make decisions attention to details and acute knowledge of basketball and its rules as key skills for a basketball coach both at the high school level or college level

Get all the requirements and start your career journey to greatness. See you at the Hall of Fame.

References

• Learn.org; Professional Basketball Coach Career.
• Simple Wikipedia: Basketball Teams
• Duckster: Basketball
• Breakthrough Basketball: Tips on how to make a great coach
• Basketball-Reference: High school Basketball Coach

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