FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have a question about Coaching Corps? Check out some of the most commonly asked questions!

For more information, email us at info@coachingcorps.org. 

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  • What if I already coach a team and just want access to trainings and support? 
    We’re here for you, too! Sign-up on our Coach Training page, and you will receive instant access to Coaches Corner- your portal for online trainings, resources, and continued connection to the Corps.

  • How often will I coach?
    We ask that you show up weekly for your team. Make sure to look at the team details on our map for season start and end dates. Once you connect with your selected afterschool program site, you can discuss the team practice schedule.
  • What age range can I coach?
    The majority of our sites serve elementary and middle school ages but there are a handful of programs with high school youth. Make use of our interactive map in Coaches Corner (our coach portal) for more team details and choose a team based on your interests.
  • What sports can I coach?
    Our afterschool programs post teams in a wide array of sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, running, boxing, yoga and more! Choose a team that works best for you using our interactive map in Coaches Corner.
  • How old do I need to be to coach?
    Volunteers must be at least 13 years old to coach. If you are between 13-17 years old, your selected site may select you as an assistant coach so you can receive additional coach training support. Look at the team details for more information.
  • What if I’ve never coached before?
    Don’t worry – we’re here for you every step of the way! Through Coaches Corner, you have unlimited access to our online training, resources, sports specific videos, and discussion forums. You’ll also receive our biweekly e-newsletters with the latest tips and tricks to ensure your coaching experience is a great one. Lastly, Coaching Corps staff are available to answer any questions or concerns. Contact us in Coaches Corner or email coachsupport@coachingcorps.org.
  • What if I can’t find a team?
    Great news! New teams are added each week so visit our interactive map often and make sure to stay on our email list for regional updates. 
  • What are the benefits of becoming a Coaching Corps program partner?
    • Our program partners can provide Coaches Corner portal access to all of their staff and volunteers. This includes access to online trainings, coach resources, discussion forums, monthly newsletters and the ability to connect with Coaching Corps staff mentors. 
    • Joining the Corps Community will also allow you to share and receive relevant resources from other youth-centered organizations across the country.
    • As a Coaching Corps partner, you can receive new coaches each season for your sports programs to help build the capacity of your organization and the number of participants who get to play with a trained, caring coach!
  • How much does it cost to benefit from Coaching Corps’ services and trainings?
    The services and benefits we offer are completely free of charge  through philanthropic support. In return, we ask for your support to provide a trained, caring coach for EVERY child who wants to play. We aim to provide the highest quality resources to programs supporting the most under-resourced youth. We rely on philanthropic donations to support kids in the communities that need us most.

  • My organization doesn’t serve primarily low-income youth. Can we still partner?
    Yes! For a limited time we are opening up our trainings and coach support for all programs serving youth through sport and physical activity. Please note, we prioritize our coach recruitment services for organizations in under-resourced communities. You may not qualify to request new coaches. Please fill out a Partner Application to get started. If you would like to collaborate in another way beyond providing our coach trainings and resources, contact partner@coachingcorps.org.

  • How does my organization request a Coaching Corps training?                                                                    Our trainings are available in 3 formats: Online, LIVE Virtually, and In-Person. To request trainings for your organization, start by becoming a Coaching Corps partner by filling out our Partner Application. Once processed, you will be able to share training links with your staff and volunteers to self-enroll and complete our trainings at any time. Each organization will be able to track their coaches’ training enrollments and completion progress through the Partner Portal. If you would like to train a group of 20+ coaches at one time over Zoom, or 50+ coaches in-person, please email your Coaching Corps contact or partner@coachingcorps.org with 3 dates and times when your coaches would all be available.

  • How can I receive referred coaches from Coaching Corps?
    Once your partner application is complete and a staff member from your organization has completed one of our online trainings, you can utilize the Partner Portal to submit your coach requests. Your teams who need additional coach support will be publicly visible in our portals for interested coaches in our network to select and connect. You will instantly receive a notification whenever a coach asks to support your organization. We encourage you to connect directly with the referred coach as soon as possible to see if they are a good fit and to prepare them to coach for your program using your organization’s onboarding protocol. If you choose NOT to proceed with this referred coach, simply indicate that in the Partner Portal, so we can help redirect them to another coaching opportunity.
  • Does Coaching Corps process background checks on referred coaches?
    No, since the coach will be working directly with your organization, the background check needs to be processed and monitored by your program.
  • How many coach referrals can I expect?
    While we cannot guarantee a specific number of new coaches each season, we have found that the organizations who request coaches 4-8 weeks before their season starts have the highest referral rates. The more time and notice you can provide the better, even if you are still ironing out all the details. You can always update your coach requests as the information becomes available.
  • How do I know if my organization offers a youth development training?
    In your coach onboarding and training process, we will want to ensure that all coaches are prepared to provide these 5 key elements in their physical activity and sport sessions:
    • Safety
    • Teambuilding
    • Youth Engagement
    • Skill Building
    • Physical Activity

Our 60-minute Coaching for Youth Development online training addresses these building blocks to create an effective social, emotional, and physical learning environment. This is available for all of your staff and volunteers- new and experienced. If you offer a different training that covers these components, our trainings are still available to you, although not required.

  • Where does Coaching Corps operate?
    We support organizations nationwide!

    Our staff and trainers are located throughout the U.S. in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and New Jersey.

  • Other Questions?
    Please contact us at partner@coachingcorps.org. We look forward to answering them!
  • How can I donate?
    You can support us by making an online contribution, or find additional ways to support our programs by clicking here.
  • How do I know my gift will make a difference?
    Studies show that nearly 9 million at-risk youth will reach adulthood without having a mentor. When you support Coaching Corps, you help our coaches enable youth to thrive as individuals and grow into the next generation of leaders.
  • Can I work with you?
    Visit our Careers page for ideas on how to work with us and to find a list of our current job and internship opportunity.