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What does a Basketball Coach do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A basketball coach is responsible for leading a team of players and assistant coaches in practices and games. They devise strategies to win games, scout for new talent, and work with players to improve their skills.

Basketball Coach job duties include:

  • Develops game strategies and determines the best way to use players’ strengths.
  • Works with players on individual skills development.
  • Evaluates talent and decides who will play, how much each player will play, and what positions they will play.
  • Plans practices and designs drills.
  • Reviews game film to identify strengths and weaknesses of team and opponents.
  • Attends coaching clinics to stay up-to-date on new strategies and techniques.
  • Leads team in pre-game and post-game huddles.
  • Calls timeouts during games to make strategic changes.
  • Represents the team at press conferences and other public appearances.

Basketball Coach Job Requirements

Basketball coaches typically have a bachelor's degree in physical education, sports science, or a related field. In addition, many coaches have certification from organizations such as the National Basketball Coaches Association. Finally, most coaches have several years of experience coaching at the high school or collegiate level.

Basketball Coach Skills

  • Motivational
  • Organizational
  • Strategic
  • Passionate
  • Leader
  • Innovative
  • Communication
  • Interpersonal
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Public Speaking
  • Writing

Related: Top Basketball Coach Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Basketball Coach

Basketball coaches have a wide range of responsibilities, from teaching the game to developing strategy to managing player personnel. If you're interested in becoming a basketball coach, there are a few things you need to do.

First, get some experience playing the game. This will help you understand the mechanics and strategies involved in basketball. You don't need to be a star player, but it will be helpful if you have some experience at the high school or collegiate level.

Next, get some coaching experience. This can be done by volunteering at a local youth basketball program or working as an assistant coach at a higher level. This will give you an opportunity to learn the ropes and see if coaching is something you're interested in.

Finally, get certified. In order to coach at the high school or collegiate level, you'll need to be certified by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA). The NBCA offers several levels of certification, so you can choose the one that's right for you.

If you're interested in becoming a basketball coach, there are a few things you need to do. First, get some experience playing the game. Next, get some coaching experience. Finally, get certified by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA). With these steps, you'll be on your way to becoming a successful basketball coach.

Related: Basketball Coach Resume Example

Related: Basketball Coach Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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