How to Become a Basketball Coach: 3 Coaching Requirements

A basketball coach is a professional who provides instruction and strategy to players on a basketball team. The coach is an integral part of a team at every level, from student-athletes and youth basketball players to more advanced players at the college and professional level. A basketball coach has several responsibilities, including: - __Teaching the fundamentals__: Coaches of junior leagues use their knowledge and experience to teach beginners the rules and skills required to play the game, along with various strategies. For more experienced and professional basketball players, coaches manage and motivate the team and its members while developing strategies that will generate more wins. - __Monitoring players’ health__: Basketball coaches must monitor their players’ health and ensure they are not overextending themselves, which can lead to injury. Coaches at the high school level (or lower) may need to know first aid in the event of a game or practice injury. College basketball and National Basketball Association (NBA) coaches must work with the coaching staff to assess player injuries and the need for physical therapy or treatment. - __Leading practice sessions__: Coaches establish practice sessions to review new and established strategies based on the abilities of the team and their upcoming opponents. Practice sessions also allow coaches to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of individual players and work with them to develop their abilities further. - __Serving as a role model__: Coaches serve as role models for elementary school and youth sports programs by supporting friendly competition, player development, and the importance of the team over individual success. Coaches also emphasize [teamwork](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/team-work-explained) and [good sportsmanship](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-show-good-sportsmanship) among team members. There are several coaching requirements at every level of basketball. They include: 1. __Certification__: Most coaches must receive certification at the youth sports, high school, and college levels to work under the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Certifications may include training in CPR and first aid, drug testing, and background checks. Some high school basketball coaches may also need teaching certifications. 2. __Education__: While some coaching jobs require only a high school diploma or GED, most basketball coaching jobs require a bachelor’s degree in a field related to coaching, like physical education, sports management, sports medicine, or kinesiology (the study of human movement). Since many coaching positions at the high school and college level are dual positions, a degree or minor in education is also valuable. 3. __Experience__: While recreational leagues do not require previous coaching experience, it’s invaluable for anyone looking to become a high school or college basketball coach or coach an NBA team. College teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and professional teams will look for candidates with years of coaching experience. There are several ways to become a basketball coach, such as: - __Decide the level you want to coach__: Before pursuing a career as a coach, it’s important to know which level of basketball you want to pursue. Coaching grade school teams and youth leagues may be an ideal career path if you enjoy working with children. But if you want to work with more experienced players or coach higher-stakes games, college or professional basketball might suit you better. - __Gain experience__: The easiest way to gain experience as a coach is to volunteer with basketball programs in youth or community leagues or basketball camps. Local high school teams may also have part-time openings for volunteers who work as secondary coaches. These volunteer positions help develop many of the fundamentals of coaching, like [communication skills](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-communication-skills) and [leadership skills](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/leadership-skills-explained). - __Climb the ladder__: Once you’ve gained the necessary experience, start looking for coaching positions. It’s unlikely you’ll start as a head coach at this early stage in your coaching career, and you may spend a few years as a high school coach or full-time assistant coach before moving up the ranks. But determination—and a winning track record—can lead to greater opportunities. Want to become a better athlete? The [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) provides exclusive video lessons from the world’s best athletes, including Wayne Gretzky, Serena Williams, Stephen Curry, Tony Hawk, Misty Copeland, and more. A basketball coach motivates players at every level of the game, from high school to the pros. Learn how to become a coach, along with a breakdown of the role’s responsibilities.