Building a Career as a

Strength and Conditioning Coach:From University to Employment

Careers in Sport and Exercise Science/Performance, Durham University,

9th April 2008

Dave Cripps, BSc, MSc, CSCS

Moseley Rugby Football Club

INTRODUCTION

• What is a strength and conditioning coach?:

Someone who bridges the gap between sport science

theory and applied coaching to provide support to athletes

and teams.

Implement a structure to develop individuals

physiologically and physically using a sport specific

approach, to promote optimal sport performance

• Who employs them?

- Professional sports clubs

- National governing bodies

- Private companies

WHAT DO I DO?

• Team training – Warm up/cool down, conditioning drills,

fluids, monitor

• Matchday – Warm up/cool down,

fluids, oversee, assist!

• Strength training – Implement individualised programmes

and coach

• Nutrition – Implement individualised programmes

• Monitoring – Track changes in body composition,

strength training loads and fitness

My other relevant experiences:

• Strength and conditioning support to elite and amateur: rugbyreferees, university scholar athletes, junior tennis players, rugbyplayers, football players, track athletes and triathletes

• Visits to a number of professional sports clubs and organisationsto spend time with coaches and athletes

• Physiological support to elite and amateur athletes: rugby,swimming, track and field, triathlon and basketball players

• General coaching experience in schools and at sport clubs

My key qualifications:

• BSc (hons) Sport Science and MSc Exercise Physiology

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS

(QUALIFICATIONS)?

Undergraduate degree in

related sport science

disciplines (usually

minimum 2:1)

HSE approved full first aid

certificate

NSCA CSCS or UKSCA

accreditation

Postgraduate degree in related

sport science disciplines (MSc,

MPhil, PhD)

Additional coaching awards

(Governing body coaching

awards

Additional professional awards

(BWLA and possibly BASES

SE and accreditation)

Essential Desirable

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS

(EXPERIENCE)?

2-3 years experience of providing a range of strength and conditioning support to athletes and/or teams

This should include work within different sports

Working alongside coaches and other support staff

Experience providing

strength and conditioning

support to elite/high

performance athletes

Including work with teams as

well as individuals/small

groups

Work with national teams/

athletes

•Experience of providing

support during travel

Essential Desirable

WHAT KIND OF PERSON DO YOU NEED TO

BE?

Personality:

- Confident - Motivational

- Innovative - Sociable

Qualities:

- Excellent communicator - Team player

- Work under pressure - Problem solve

Background:

- Played competitive sports

MISCONCENPTIONS AND MISTAKES OF

STUDENTS

• A degree/degrees alone qualify you

• There are no experience opportunities

• Not appreciating the importance of applied coaching skills

• Not gaining experience early enough

• Not thinking about and looking into your career early enough

WHAT IS THE REALITY?

• Very difficult to find any experience

• Little help from current professionals

• Voluntary basis

• Covering your costs

• Very frustrating

HOWEVER…

• Real opportunity to learn how to

apply sport science

• Development of skills and

knowledge

• Build contacts and network

• Make a real difference and work with great people!

HOW DO I GAIN EXPERIENCE AND FIND

WORK THEN?

• Email and write to every strength and conditioning coach at a

club/organisation within your travelling area

• Enquire about internships at clubs/organisations, many are

not advertised

• Contact clubs/organisations/individuals who maybe interested

in your services (local sports clubs and athletes)

• Search the web (UKSport, BASES, UKSCA, EIS, Jobs.ac.uk,

clubs and organisations)

• Network: attend conferences, keep in touch with contacts, get

your name known!

CONCLUSIONS

• Submerge yourself in strength and conditioning, read key texts

and the latest research, it’s a world away from university!

• Start gaining experience ASAP! Its hard to find but be

determined and opportunities will open

• Get a full first aid certificate and once prepared, book a place for

either an NSCA CSCS exam or begin UKSCA accreditation

• Network, let as many people in the field know who you are!

• Arrange visits and attend conferences, seminars and workshops

KEY ORGANISATIONS, WEBSITES AND

AUTHORS

• UKSport.gov.uk

• BASES.org.uk (British Association of Sport and Exercise Science)

• NSCA.lift.org (National Strength and Conditioning Association)

• UKSCA.org.uk (Uk Strength and Conditioning Association)

• Jobs.ac.uk

• EIS2win.co.uk (English Institute of Sport)

• PPonline.co.uk (Peal Performance Online)

• Periodization Training for Sports (Bompa and Carrera,2003)

• High Performance Sports Conditioning (Foran et al., 2001)

• Supertraining (Mel Siff, 2003)

• Any other texts/research by: Vern Gambetta, Mel Sif, Tudor Bompa,

Vladimir Zatsiorsky, Gray Cook, Paul

Gamble, Dan Baker, Tim Gabbett,

Mark Kovacs and others