Sports Coach/Scout

Your Fit

Income

$52K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

9.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Sports Coach/Scout?

A Sports Coach/Scout is a professional who trains athletes and evaluates their skills to build competitive sports teams. Coaches develop training programs and strategies, while scouts identify and recruit talented athletes.

Sample job titles:

Basketball Coach, Coach, Football Coach, Track and Field Coach

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Sports Coach/Scout.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Sports Coach/Scout earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Sports Coach/Scout.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$31K per year	$37K per year	$52K per year	$69K per year	$80K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $13K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Sports Coach/Scout do?

Work environment

Sports Coaches and Scouts typically work in a variety of settings, including schools, colleges, sports academies, and for professional sports teams. Their work often involves outdoor fields, courts, gyms, and sometimes office settings for administrative tasks. Travel is common, especially for scouts attending games and tournaments.

Quick task list

Develops and implements training programs for athletes.
Analyzes athletes' performance and provides feedback and instruction.
Identifies and recruits new talent for teams.
Plans strategies and tactics for competitions.
Ensures compliance with the rules and regulations of the sport.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Team Sports Coaching: Focusing on sports that involve team dynamics like football, basketball, or soccer.
Individual Sports Coaching: Specializing in individual or dual sports like tennis, gymnastics, or swimming.
Strength and Conditioning Coaching: Concentrating on physical conditioning to enhance athletic performance.
Youth Sports Coaching: Working with children and teenagers to develop foundational skills.
Professional Sports Scouting: Identifying and recruiting athletes for professional sports teams.

Description

Sports Coaches and Scouts play a crucial role in the development and success of athletes and teams. Coaches work directly with athletes to improve their skills, develop game strategies, and foster team spirit. They must understand the physical and psychological aspects of the sport to effectively train and motivate players. Scouts, on the other hand, have an eye for talent, assessing players' abilities and potential to fit into teams.

The career requires a deep understanding of the sport, including techniques, rules, and strategies. Coaches and Scouts must be excellent communicators, able to convey complex instructions and feedback effectively. They also need to be adept at managing the diverse needs and personalities of athletes.

This field can be incredibly rewarding, offering the opportunity to shape the careers of athletes and influence the success of sports teams. It can, however, be demanding, with irregular hours and the pressure to achieve winning results. Coaches and Scouts often face intense competition for positions, especially in high-level sports.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Impacting the development and success of athletes.
The excitement and challenge of competitive sports.
Forming close bonds with teams and individual athletes.
The potential for recognition and success in high-profile sports.

You might make a good Sports Coach/Scout if you are...

Passionate about sports and enjoy working with athletes.
Skilled in communication, leadership, and strategy.
Observant with an ability to identify and nurture talent.
Patient, dedicated, and able to motivate and inspire others.
Willing to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and travel as needed.

Pros:

Working in a dynamic and exciting field.
The fulfillment of mentoring and developing athletes.
Opportunities for travel and varied work environments.

Cons:

Potentially long and irregular hours.
High pressure to deliver results and win games.
Intense competition for coaching and scouting positions.

How to become a Sports Coach/Scout

Typical education

While some positions may only require a high school diploma and extensive knowledge of the sport, many coaching and scouting roles, especially at the collegiate or professional level, require a bachelor's degree in sports science, physical education, or a related field, which typically takes 4 years.

High school preparation

Courses:

Physical Education to understand the fundamentals of sports and fitness.
Psychology to learn about motivation and teamwork.
Health and Nutrition to understand athlete wellness.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in school sports teams.
Volunteering as an assistant coach for youth sports.
Attending sports camps or workshops to gain knowledge and experience.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in physical education, sports science, kinesiology, or a related field.
Gain experience through internships with sports teams or organizations.
Obtain relevant coaching certifications.
Build a network in the sports industry through coaching clinics and sports conferences.

More resources

National Association of Sports Coaches (NASC) - Offers resources, certifications, and networking opportunities for coaches at all levels.
American Sport Education Program (ASEP) - Provides coaching education programs and resources.
ScoutSMART - A platform for sports scouts to analyze and recruit athletes.
National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) - Connects student-athletes with college coaches and provides recruiting resources.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.