High-performance Coach

Industries: Performance sport

Overview and responsibilities

High-performance coaches work with elite and professional athletes to aid them in achieving peak performance in their chosen sport. This role involves both the technical and tactical aspects of coaching alongside a deep understanding of the psychological and physiological demands of high-performance sports on different athletes.

High performance coaches work to design and implement training programmes tailored to the specific needs of an individual athlete or team. This includes periodisation planning, which optimises performance in competition cycles. They also continuously evaluate an athlete’s performance using qualitative and quantitative methods including the use of competition and training data to inform their future coaching plans.

At a high-performance level, coaches are expected to be able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. This provides a holistic approach to an athlete’s development while also offering mentoring and emotional support when required.

Working hours

High-performance coaching is a demanding role. Practitioners often work varied hours which may include evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Education

To be professionally recognised as a CIMSPA Coach Practitioner, we ask that you provide us with evidence of holding a relevant CIMSPA-endorsed qualification, degree or apprenticeship certificate issued by a CIMSPA Awarding Organisation Parter or Higher Education Partner or the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE).

If you have a qualification or degree that is not endorsed by CIMSPA or is over five years old, or if you have an international qualification, we still encourage you to apply for professional recognition. We may, however, need to ask you for additional evidence of other training you have undertaken as part of your application.