Overview of Growing a Career as a Hockey Coach
Hockey is an important paert of many people’s lives around the world. For those who have a passion for hockey and want to share this love, becoming a hockey instructor/coach could be a valuable career move. There are many opportunities to coach hockey. These vary from small-time leagues such as children’s hockey, to school sporting teams, and up to college scouts. The requirements for each level of hockey will vary based specifically on the role that the individual instructor has taken up.
- The main job requirements of a hockey instructor/coach are to:
- Plan, organize, and conduct practice sessions
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of individual athletes
- Provide assistance, motivation, and encouragement to athletes
- Call plays and make decisions about strategy during games
- Plan and direct physical exercise programs
- Instruct athletes on proper techniques, game strategies, sportsmanship, and the rules of the sport
- Keep records of individual athlete’s performance
- Identify and recruit potential athletes
- Arrange for and offer incentives to prospective players
- Administration duties
There are specific government-mandated regulations to becoming a hockey instructor/coach, depending on the level of hockey being coached. As such, it is important to conduct research into each to find the best option for your career.
Requirements for a Hockey Instructor / Coach
For those interested in a new career path, research is the most important step to undertaken before you can begin. One of the essential things to consider are the legal requirements for becoming a hockey instructor / coach. This includes conducting thorough research into important aspects such as certification and education to ensure you are covered and providing the best service to your athletes as possible. The certification process is going to change depending on your own personal circumstances, so make sure you are specific in your research inquiries. This can be an overwhelming process, and it may determine the path that you choose to take, whether it be coaching within a small-time league, or as a recruitment officer at the college level. It is always best to ensure that you have an adequate support system in place to help you understand the requirements of your newly desired profession moving forward. Online communities are a good place to start.
Growing Your Career as a Hockey Instructor / Coach
The requirement for becoming a fully certified hockey instructor is typically a bachelor’s degree in either sports coaching or a related degree. Networking communities and associations are an important method in which to grow as a hockey instructor. Industry-specific communities such as these offer insight into trade secrets, as well as provide opportunities to grow one’s business opportunities. These types of groups exist to allow industry-specific professionals to build one another up in a competitive world, creating a sense of community that come together to support one another in your day to day struggles and share in celebrating each other’s successes as industry professionals in the field of fitness.
Search through the resources below to begin your journey into your dream job!
How Much do Hockey Instructors / Coaches Earn?
The pay scale for a hockey instructor will vary depending on the qualifications of the professional, the location, hours worked, type of business and state regulations. On average, hockey instructors/coaches earn $42,000 per year.
Resources to help in starting or expanding your Hockey Instructor/Coach: