Sports Job Insights: How to Become a High School Football Coach

As a high school football coach, you have a rare opportunity to create meaningful relationships that positively impact the lives of young student-athletes. Whether their goals are to become a professional football player or just focus on the sport as a hobby, you will act as a mentor and guide. They’ll look to you for instruction on how to best play the game, and the lessons you teach them will resonate for years to come.

If this job sounds rewarding, you may be wondering how to become a high school football coach. We’ll review the responsibilities and experiences needed to excel in this field. 

What Does A High School Football Coach Do?

High school football coaches are responsible for conducting practice sessions that will help the team enhance their mental and physical skills. You will work on the skills of student-athletes and educate them on how to improve on – and off – the field. You’ll also be responsible for working with your coaching staff to coordinate game plans and practices, as well as off-the-field duties, such as fundraising events.

Additional duties may include, but are not limited to: 

• Going through the analysis of previous games to assess the mistakes and work on strategies to overcome them
• Discovering the capabilities, skills, and weaknesses of your team
• Arranging a venue so your football team can practice routinely
• Tell the students about the guidelines of the game
• Know about first aid 
• Liaison with other teams to conduct matches and leagues 
• Conduct and lead practice sessions

What Qualifications and Skills Are Needed to Be A Football Coach In High School?

If you want to build a successful career and become a good football coach, there are certain skills that you need to have, such as: 

• Leadership – Become a mentor for student-athletes by helping them improve their game, boost their morale, etc.
• Dedication – Show your commitment to the game by overcoming the challenges you and your team are facing.
• Perseverance – A team can lose their confidence after a loss. And that is where you have to motivate and encourage them to strive and display a better game next time.
• Vigilant – You must keep an eye on the weaknesses of the team and the individual players and come up with tactics to overcome those weaknesses. 
• Time Management – Know how to balance the time on the field with kids and their parents and off the field with friends and family.
• Calm – If there is any child who cannot grasp your techniques or if someone is a slow learner, you should not lose your calm. You must have the traits to deal with them patiently to resolve their problems on the field.
• Active Listener – You should have the ability to listen to the young ones’ problems, issues, and advice without being rude, dismissive, or anything else. 
• Communication – Most importantly, a high school coach should have the skills to interact with their students effectively. You must be aware of the appropriate ways to express your feelings and respect them all the time.

Also, having a good educational background can help you land a good job as a high school football coach. Although you don’t need to have a bachelor’s degree, it will likely increase your chances of becoming a coach. You can also choose to do a USA football certification if you want.

How Much Does A High School Football Coach Make?

As a high school football coach, you can make approximately $16 to $17 per hour, and the average salary is $36,085 per annum. Also, high school football coaching jobs are likely to increase by 12% between the period 2019 to 2029.

Steps to Becoming a High School Football Coach

The journey to becoming a football coach for a high school requires following the steps below: 

Step 1: Education. 

A bachelor’s degree can increase your chances of becoming and progressing as a high school coach. And it does not matter what your majors are, you can choose Bachelor of Sports Science and Bachelor of Science to have the right courses to perform your job well. 

Step 2: Skills, Knowledge, and Technique

Improve your skills and get a better understanding of the sport by attending games, watching films, attending clinics, and other opportunities that may arise.

Apart from knowledge of sports, you need to acquire medical knowledge. There is a chance of an athlete getting injured on the field or during training. Therefore, you must have the skills to give them a first-aid response.

Step 3: Hands-On Experience 

Gain hands-on experience to perform your duties as a high school football coach. You can start by volunteering and assisting teams with their games without any pay, and it will help you gain the relevant experience necessary for a high school football coach. 

Step 4: Build Your Network

Building a network is important if you want to find a job quickly. Therefore, you can ask for referrals and connect with the relevant people in the fraternity. 

The Job Search

Now that you have a clear idea of how to become a high school football coach, it’s time to get started. The easiest first step is to begin building your network, and knowing the right people in the industry can help you expedite and elevate your career. 

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