The short answer
Begin with the job: who would you coach, what would you be responsible for and how would you work with the staff? Build a portfolio that shows how you teach, then check the program’s language, resources and expectations.
What would your job involve?
A head coach, assistant, development coach and academy coach have different responsibilities. Ask who you report to, which players you work with and how your work will be assessed.
At a university, discuss classes and training. At a club, ask about preseason and staff duties. At an academy, check ages, session numbers and contact with families.
- Player ages and competition level.
- Authority over practice, selection and staff.
- Weekly schedule and travel expectations.
- Available facilities and support staff.
- Language of meetings and on-court instruction.
What should be in your portfolio?
Alongside your CV, include a short coaching philosophy, a sample practice and examples of player development. Explain your contribution to team results so the program understands your work.
Get permission before sharing references or training and game clips. Show how you would work with the players and resources available to the program.
- Coaching history with dates and exact responsibilities.
- Qualifications and the organizations that issued them.
- A practice plan matched to the intended player group.
- A short explanation of communication and feedback methods.
- Availability and the kind of position you are seeking.
Where can you keep learning?
FIBA’s coaching resources include information about the World Association of Basketball Coaches and learning material. They can help you prepare sessions and discuss your approach.
Using those resources does not qualify you for every job. Ask the employer or federation which qualifications and approvals the specific role requires.
Source: FIBA — resources for coaches
What conditions should you confirm?
Discuss responsibilities, duration, evaluation, housing and pay before deciding. Ask who handles the official administration for the position.
We can discuss coaching needs with recruiting organisations. Send a clear professional profile and the type of role you want; a specific vacancy needs to be established before planning a move.
- Record the scope of the role in writing.
- Identify your day-to-day contact and reporting line.
- Ask how translation or language support works when needed.
- Confirm the working and living arrangements with the receiving organization.
Sources & approach
We link to official information about schools and competitions. The checklists and questions are our suggestions for preparing your application or comparing an offer. Confirm current requirements with the school, team or responsible authority.
Want to talk it through?
Send us your film, a few details about yourself and what you would like to do.
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