Because the IYCA has the only certification designed specifically for high school strength and conditioning – the IYCA HSSCS – I get a lo
t of questions about how to get your foot in the door or how to become a high school strength and conditioning coach. I also happen to work in several high schools, I post a lot of content from weight rooms, and I love working in high school strength and conditioning, so it makes sense that people ask those questions. But, is this job really right for you?
Through the years, I’ve answered these questions individually, and this video breaks down just about all of the advice I’ve given and everything you need to know to get your foot in the door or get started in high school strength and conditioning.
Keep in mind that this article/video is not covering how to be a great coach or any of the science and training methods needed to do the job. This video is about understanding the job and how to get started. I also explain how different each job can be depending on the situation at the school. Some schools are very well funded, have great facilities, and have supportive coaches and parents. Other situations are the complete opposite where just about everything is a struggle. You need to fully understand each situation and know which ones fit you the best.
The two most important things to understand are:
- There are both tremendous challenges and opportunities in high school strength and conditioning. Funding, schedules, facilities, group size, skill level, motivation level, demands from coaches, safety, and constantly changing coaches and athletes are all part of the job. But, being able to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of young people is an amazing opportunity. Before you jump into this demanding job, make sure you understand the pros and cons and decide if this is the right position for you.
- You have to be a really good coach, teacher, and role model to be an effective high school strength and conditioning coach. Just because you like to lift weights or were a good athlete does not qualify you to be a great S & C coach. This is a demanding job and kids deserve to have a great coach working with them. The mission of the IYCA is to help educate coaches in an effort to create exceptional training experiences for athletes, and we feel that this is very important. That means that the days of unqualified and sub-par coaches in high schools should come to an end. You need to have great knowledge, great energy, great coaching skills, and a passion for developing athletes at all levels and in all sports.
In the video, I discuss:
- Is this the right job/situation for you?
- Qualifications
- Funding
- Challenges & opportunities
- Relationships
- Creating a job vs. being hired
There is obviously a lot to understand before you get started in high school strength and conditioning, but this should help you understand what is necessary and give you a sense of what you can do to make things happen.
Jim Kielbaso is the President of the IYCA and Owner of Impact Sports Performance in Novi, MI. He has authored multiple books, articles and training products and has spoken at events around the world. He holds a BS in Exercise Science, an MS in Kinesiology and has gone through multiple certifications through the IYCA, NSCA, NASM and more. Jim is a former college strength & conditioning coach and has trained thousands of athletes at every level of competition. He runs a successful NFL Combine training program in Michigan and has been hired as a consultant for major sports programs like the University of Michigan Football Program and the University of Kentucky Basketball Program.
The IYCA High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist is the only certification created specifically for coaches training high school athletes, and it has recently been updated!. The course includes several hours of video instruction (including a complete Olympic lifting instructor course) and two textbooks with contributions from some of the top strength and conditioning coaches in America. Click on the image below to learn more about how to become a certified high school strength & conditioning coach.