No matter what natural talents an athlete brings to a sport,
the game can be won or lost by the skill of the coach.
Coaches can be patient instructors, demanding bosses, and enthusiastic cheerleaders.
Their job is to prepare athletes for competition, and victory. The best coaches also help teams learn from defeat.
They may work with young athletes to teach basic skills, then refine and improve the athletes’ form and technique.
Or they may manage entire teams, from running practice sessions to planning strategy for a big game.
Most coaches also need physical endurance and the willingness to handle difficult outdoor conditions.
Off the field, coaches study team statistics and footage of past practices and games,
and work with athletes to improve their performance.
A head coach may hire assistants to take on some of the budgeting and scheduling tasks.
analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of opposing teams to develop game strategies.
Coaches work whenever practices and sporting events are scheduled, often at night and on weekends and holidays.
Though an athletics-related college degree is usually preferred,
education and training requirements vary widely by sport.
Coaches often start as assistants. They work their way up by developing good relationships with players,
demonstrating expert knowledge of the sport, and helping athletes or teams improve and win.
Some coaches become celebrities in their own right.
Others may be stars only to the players they've coached, inspiring them long after they've left the field.