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Grant
Student
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How much of an advantage do you gain by going to college for coaching (Physcology/Education/Fitness Education Major)?
I am 16 year old boy going to a small charter school in suburban MN. I want to learn more about setting up a positive career in basketball coaching and getting into plus completing college.
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
549
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Grant,
Good question! Going to college for coaching, especially with a focus on Psychology, Education, or Fitness Education, can provide several advantages when building a career in basketball coaching. Here’s why:
1. Strong Knowledge Base: Majors like Psychology and Education help you understand how athletes think, learn, and develop. This is critical for motivating and effectively teaching players. Fitness Education will give you the skills to properly train athletes, reduce injuries, and improve performance.
2. Credibility and Professionalism: Having a college degree shows that you’re committed to your profession. It also opens doors to coaching jobs at higher levels, like high schools, colleges, or even professional teams. Many organizations prefer or require coaches to have relevant degrees.
3. Networking: In college, you’ll meet professors, coaches, and other students who can connect you with opportunities. These connections can help you land internships, assistant coaching roles, or even full-time positions after graduation.
4. Job Versatility: With a degree in one of these fields, you can also take on other roles, such as sports psychology, teaching, or athletic training, which may increase your career stability.
5. Leadership and Communication Skills: Education and Psychology majors, in particular, focus on understanding human behavior and communication, which are essential for leading a team effectively.
As a 16-year-old planning for college and a career in coaching, you’re already on the right track by thinking ahead. Keep working hard on your academics and basketball skills, and look for opportunities to volunteer or work as an assistant coach to gain experience. Pursuing a college degree in a related field will give you a solid foundation and more options for growth in your coaching career.
Best wishes!
Good question! Going to college for coaching, especially with a focus on Psychology, Education, or Fitness Education, can provide several advantages when building a career in basketball coaching. Here’s why:
1. Strong Knowledge Base: Majors like Psychology and Education help you understand how athletes think, learn, and develop. This is critical for motivating and effectively teaching players. Fitness Education will give you the skills to properly train athletes, reduce injuries, and improve performance.
2. Credibility and Professionalism: Having a college degree shows that you’re committed to your profession. It also opens doors to coaching jobs at higher levels, like high schools, colleges, or even professional teams. Many organizations prefer or require coaches to have relevant degrees.
3. Networking: In college, you’ll meet professors, coaches, and other students who can connect you with opportunities. These connections can help you land internships, assistant coaching roles, or even full-time positions after graduation.
4. Job Versatility: With a degree in one of these fields, you can also take on other roles, such as sports psychology, teaching, or athletic training, which may increase your career stability.
5. Leadership and Communication Skills: Education and Psychology majors, in particular, focus on understanding human behavior and communication, which are essential for leading a team effectively.
As a 16-year-old planning for college and a career in coaching, you’re already on the right track by thinking ahead. Keep working hard on your academics and basketball skills, and look for opportunities to volunteer or work as an assistant coach to gain experience. Pursuing a college degree in a related field will give you a solid foundation and more options for growth in your coaching career.
Best wishes!
Tamberlyn McIntosh
sales
13
Answers
Roselle, Illinois
Updated
Tamberlyn’s Answer
Grant, you've asked a fantastic question! Some colleges indeed provide majors in Sport Psychology and Physical Education. You might notice some similarities in the coursework required if both majors are offered at your chosen college. Here's a few strategies you might want to consider:
- Pursue a double major (both subjects)
- Choose one major and supplement it with a minor (which requires fewer credit hours) in the other. For instance, I was a Psychology major, took Physical Education as a minor, and then moved on to graduate school for Sports Psychology (this isn't a necessary route nowadays unless you're aiming for higher degrees)
- If your ultimate goal is to become a professional basketball coach, make sure to enroll in courses like Anatomy & Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Sports Training (for preventing and treating injuries), Basketball officiating, and other mandatory courses for your major.
Before you even step into college, try to participate in your charter school's basketball teams if you can. If that's not an option, look into joining community sports leagues. Any experience with basketball teams, in any role, will be beneficial and will also help you determine if it's truly your passion.
- Pursue a double major (both subjects)
- Choose one major and supplement it with a minor (which requires fewer credit hours) in the other. For instance, I was a Psychology major, took Physical Education as a minor, and then moved on to graduate school for Sports Psychology (this isn't a necessary route nowadays unless you're aiming for higher degrees)
- If your ultimate goal is to become a professional basketball coach, make sure to enroll in courses like Anatomy & Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Sports Training (for preventing and treating injuries), Basketball officiating, and other mandatory courses for your major.
Before you even step into college, try to participate in your charter school's basketball teams if you can. If that's not an option, look into joining community sports leagues. Any experience with basketball teams, in any role, will be beneficial and will also help you determine if it's truly your passion.