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 PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Education and TrainingEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementPsychologyCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Desktop communications softwareObject or component oriented development softwareMulti-media educational softwareComputer based training softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Plan, organize, and conduct practice sessions.Provide training direction, encouragement, motivation, and nutritional advice to prepare athletes foAdjust coaching techniques, based on the strengths and weaknesses of athletes.
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
71 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Baseball ScoutSkin Diving TeacherFootball CoachFitness CoachRecruiting CoordinatorIce Skating CoachHockey ScoutBoxing CoachProfessional Sports ScoutGolf CoachKarate InstructorGolf TeacherSoccer CoachScout, Professional SportsSwim CoachJudo TeacherCoachVolleyball CoachAthletic CoachKarate TeacherBoxing TrainerMen's Basketball CoachProfessional Athletes CoachIce Skating TeacherCheerleading CoachDiving InstructorGymnasium TeacherCoach, Professional AthletesSoftball CoachTrack CoachBoys Basketball CoachSki InstructorYouth Soccer CoachGymnastics TeacherHigh School CoachSki CoachAthletic ScoutCollege Basketball CoachAthletics TeacherTrack and Field Coach