Upskilling as a Strength and Conditioning Coach: Essential Traits

The master’s in Strength and Conditioning at the University of Bolton is a great platform for sports graduates looking to hone their skills within the coaching arena. If you dream of working with top athletes and sports teams, our Postgraduate course could help you kick-start your career.

But being a highly successful strength and conditioning coach takes a certain set of characteristics and qualities. Here are some of the traits you’ll need if you want to make it happen.

High energy and motivational skills
Sports coaches across every discipline have to go to work with a positive attitude. Clients may not always be in high spirits, but having an optimistic, cheerful and confidence-boosting coach will improve their motivation. Your mood and energy will set the tone for each session, and your dedication to training will set the right example.

Excellent communication skills
In order to become a great coach, you’ll need to be able to build a rapport with people from all walks of life. Therefore, soft skills are absolutely vital. Not only will you need to excel in verbal and non-verbal communication, but you also need to be a great listener.

A passion for sharing knowledge
As a coach, you will take an advisory role for athletes; planning, delivering and reviewing strategies to increase their sports performance. Having a passion for sharing knowledge is key, and having the confidence to step up as an educator is vital to getting clients to collaborate and listen.

Discipline to the sport
Athletes need to have clear rules both on and off the field, and this framework should come from managers, trainers and coaches. State a code of conduct upfront, and discuss expectations with your strength and conditioning strategy. It’s also important to lead by example, so you can inspire them to hit their performance goals.

If you’re interested in upskilling to pursue strength and conditioning coach jobs, our Postgraduate degree could be for you. There’s nowhere better to study either, as the University of Bolton is No.1 in the North West (and 5th in the UK) for Teaching Satisfaction on Sports Science Courses in The Guardian University League Tables 2021. Students have also voted us No.1 in the North West for Student Satisfaction for the past three years (Complete University Guide in 2021, 2020 and 2019).

Plus, students will have access to a range of facilities in our £31 million Bolton One building. It includes a specialist conditioning suite, sport and exercise laboratories, fully equipped teaching clinics, a rehabilitation and exercise suite, a multi-use sports hall, a 25m swimming pool, a competition-level trampoline, and much more.

To enrol in January 2021, go to our course page for details.