coach

A coach is a person who trains and develops the performance and skills of individuals or teams in a structured program. They may work in sports, education, business, or personal development. They design training plans, set goals, provide feedback, and monitor progress.

In sports, coaches plan practice sessions, develop tactics, analyze performance, and motivate athletes. They may specialize as head coaches, assistant coaches, or position coaches. Certification and licensing vary by country and sport; many sports require involvement with national or international federations, coaching education programs, and first-aid or safeguarding training.

The term coach also refers to a type of vehicle: a horse-drawn carriage used for long-distance travel, and in modern usage, a large motor vehicle used for intercity passenger transport, particularly in the United Kingdom where a long-distance bus is called a coach. Etymology traces the word to the Hungarian kocsi szekér, with English adoption through French coche from that term.

There is also coaching as a professional service, including life coaching, executive coaching, and academic coaching; coaches guide clients through goal setting, accountability, and skill development, often without providing direct instruction but through questioning, reflection, and support. They typically work with coaching accords or agreements and maintain confidentiality.