Occupation · SOC 27-2022
Coaches and Scouts
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.
Median wage
$45,920
$27,490–$93,980
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
250,940
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
715 mapped
Core skills
InstructingSpeakingMonitoringLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementSystems AnalysisPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningService OrientationWritingSystems EvaluationNegotiationOperations AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesMathematicsOperations MonitoringManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionScienceOperation and ControlProgrammingRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Education and TrainingEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementPsychologyCustomer and Personal ServiceCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesPublic Safety and SecurityComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeTherapy and CounselingMathematicsSales and MarketingTransportationSociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryTelecommunicationsDesignLaw and GovernmentEconomics and AccountingPhilosophy and TheologyProduction and ProcessingBiologyPhysicsForeign LanguageGeographyMechanicalEngineering and TechnologyFine ArtsChemistryHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
BloomzC++EdmodoEdpuzzleEdulasticEvernoteFacebookFlipgridGoogle ClassroomGoogle DocsGoogle DriveGoogle MeetGraphics creation softwareGroupMeMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft PublisherMicrosoft WordMotion analysis softwareNearpodOnline registration softwareParentSquarePear DeckPerformance database softwareScheduling softwareSchoologyScreencast-O-MaticScreencastifySeesawStatistical softwareTwitterVideo analysis softwareVideo editing softwareVideo file conversion softwareWeb browser softwareWebsite creation softwareYouTube
Representative tasks
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCoaching and Developing OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping and Building TeamsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleGetting InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesThinking CreativelyIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgePerforming General Physical ActivitiesProcessing InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersWorking with ComputersAnalyzing Data or InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesHandling and Moving ObjectsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicSelling or Influencing OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Practice session components — organize and set up under the direction of a head coach in a structured team environment.Basic sport rules and game strategies — instruct individual athletes using provided curriculum during supervised training sessions.Athlete encouragement and motivational communication — deliver using scripted protocols during entry-level coaching assignments.Athlete performance fundamentals — demonstrate correct body mechanics and movement techniques under the guidance of senior coaching staff.Academic eligibility records — monitor and track for student athletes using established institutional checklists and compliance tools.Nutritional guidelines — relay to athletes based on program-approved resources during pre-season preparation activities.Opponent scouting reports — review and summarize key findings using video creation and editing software under supervisory direction.Individual athlete strengths and weaknesses — identify through structured observation logs during routine practice evaluations.Word processing and desktop communications software — use to prepare basic practice schedules and coaching correspondence in an athletic department setting.Student athlete personal and academic concerns — listen to and refer to appropriate counseling resources following established institutional protocols.
developing
Practice sessions — plan, organize, and conduct independently for a competitive team across a full athletic season.Coaching techniques — adjust based on observed strengths and weaknesses of individual athletes during recurring training cycles.Game-day strategy — select team members and assign roles for individual contests using performance data and scouting insights.Sport-specific performance principles — instruct small groups using multimedia educational software and computer-based training tools in a collegiate or club setting.Athlete motivation and conditioning programs — develop and deliver with reduced oversight to prepare players for competitive events and tournaments.Opposing team tendencies — analyze using video review tools and compiled statistical data to inform weekly game preparation plans.Student athlete academic eligibility — monitor proactively across a roster, coordinating with academic advisors to resolve emerging compliance issues.Athlete counseling conversations — conduct on athletic and personal development topics, applying active listening and social perceptiveness skills.Video conferencing and cloud-based sharing software — use to coordinate scouting reports and training materials with assistant coaches and support staff.Time management across overlapping coaching duties — apply structured scheduling and project management software to balance practice, travel, and administrative responsibilities.
proficient
Season-long practice and competition plans — design autonomously integrating periodization principles, athlete readiness data, and opponent analysis across a full program.Complex athlete performance problems — diagnose and resolve using deductive reasoning and systems analysis to address both physical and psychological performance barriers.Multi-layered game strategies — develop and adapt in real time by synthesizing scouting intelligence, statistical trends, and situational judgment during high-stakes competitions.Diverse athlete populations — instruct across skill levels and learning styles by applying advanced instructional strategies and differentiated coaching methods in competitive environments.Comprehensive opponent analysis — conduct using video editing software and performance databases to build detailed pre-competition scouting profiles and strategic frameworks.Student athlete holistic development — counsel on academic, athletic, and personal matters with autonomy, drawing on psychological knowledge and institutional support networks.Roster construction and personnel decisions — execute using systematic evaluation methods, balancing athletic performance metrics with team cohesion considerations across a competitive season.Nutrition and performance optimization programs — design and oversee for entire rosters, collaborating with sports medicine and nutrition professionals in high-performance athletic settings.Academic eligibility and compliance systems — manage at the program level, proactively identifying risks and coordinating with athletic administration to maintain institutional standards.Coaching staff coordination — lead assistant coaches and support personnel using personnel management and coordination skills to ensure consistent program execution.
advanced
Program-wide coaching philosophy — establish and communicate across an entire athletic department or professional organization to align staff, athletes, and stakeholders toward long-term goals.Coaching staff development — mentor, evaluate, and advance assistant and position coaches through structured professional development initiatives in competitive collegiate or professional settings.Multi-season competitive strategy — architect at the organizational level by integrating recruitment, player development, scouting intelligence, and opponent analysis into a cohesive program vision.Institutional culture of athlete development — build and sustain by embedding academic, wellness, and performance standards into all facets of a high-profile athletic program.Recruiting and talent pipeline strategy — lead organization-wide by designing evaluation frameworks and leveraging scouting networks to identify and attract elite athletes.Cross-functional stakeholder communication — lead persuasively with athletic directors, academic institutions, media, and community partners to advance program interests and public image.Technology and analytics integration — drive adoption of performance analytics platforms, video systems, and cloud-based tools across an entire coaching and operations staff.Athlete welfare and compliance governance — oversee at the executive level, setting policies that ensure academic eligibility, personal support, and ethical conduct across a full roster.Organizational performance systems — design and evaluate using systems analysis to assess program effectiveness and implement data-informed improvements at an institutional scale.Industry leadership and innovation — contribute to the broader coaching profession by presenting at conferences, shaping best practices, and modeling advanced instructional and strategic methodologies.
Also known as
68 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Athletic CoachAthletic InstructorAthletic ScoutAthletics TeacherBaseball Club ManagerBaseball CoachBaseball ScoutBasketball CoachBowling TeacherBoxing CoachBoxing TrainerBoys Basketball CoachCheerleading CoachCoachCollege Basketball CoachCollege CoachCollege Football CoachCross Country CoachDiving InstructorEquestrian TrainerField Hockey CoachFitness CoachFootball CoachGolf CoachGolf InstructorGolf TeacherGymnasium TeacherGymnastics CoachGymnastics TeacherHigh School CoachHigh School Football CoachHockey ScoutIce Skating CoachIce Skating TeacherJudo TeacherKarate InstructorKarate TeacherLacrosse CoachMartial Arts InstructorMen's Basketball Coach