3 Professional Development Opportunities for Coaches During the Off-Season

The off-season is a great time for basketball coaches to enhance their own skills and stay up-to-date on coaching tactics, rules, NIL, and the game itself. And seeking out professional development opportunities like coaching clinics, mentorship programs, and even self-reflection are all things that you can be actively pursue during the next few months.

Here are some of the top professional development opportunities for coaches and tips for how you can get started right now.

1. Continuing Education

This is usually the first area of professional development coaches think of, and often the most pursued in the off-season. If you’re looking to get specific certifications, hear from other coaches, and learn more about how the game is changing consider:

• Attending Coaching Conferences / Clinics
  • Here at Dr. Dish, we are proud to partner with a variety of State Coaching Associations and events like HCTC and CoachingU that create value for coaches with live on-court demonstrations, speakers, and more.
• Attending a Webinar
• Taking an Online Course
  • This can be anything from leadership, relationship building, and coaching philosophy to strength and performance, CPR certification, and exercise science.

Industry events can help you develop relationships while gaining insights. And working towards more credentials can enhance your credibility as a coach. No matter what your goal is for continuing education over the off-season, there are flexible options.

2. Networking and Mentorship

More professional and personal development opportunities lay in basketball coach-specific networking and mentorship programs. As a mentor, you can gain insights into what things are like now from a younger coach’s perspective as well as practice your leadership abilities. And as a mentoree, you can get irreplaceable guidance and support especially in areas you feel like you may be lacking.

Joining a networking group or organization can help you develop more relationships outside of your program, conference, and division. And having a large network opens doors for new job opportunities, collaborations, and even competition for your team. If you’re not already a part of your state’s Coaches Association, this can be a great palace to start!

3. Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is always hard which is why most coaches often overlook this valuable, and very easy process. Now that the season is over, take the time to reflect on your coaching practices, game strategies, and even relationships with your own players, and even their parents. Whether you make a “strengths” and "weakness" comparison and have a personal evaluation like you would your players’ skills, this can help uncover what professional development opportunities you prioritize over the summer. And after a tough season, this can always help you remember your “why”. 

Outside of legitimately evaluating yourself, self-reflection can always be:

• Seeking Feedback 
  • End-of-year surveys are a great way to know how your players and staff feel.
• Research
  • Stay informed on what other coaches are doing and compare or take some time to think about how what you’re doing fits into those practices. This can also help you inform others on why you do those things differently.

If you’re still not sure about pursuing professional development this off-season or need more ideas, hear from Coach Jefferson Mason on why professional development is important and what some of his favorite opportunities are.