When most people think of coaches, they picture enthusiastic men and women who provide training and instruction to athletes in various sports. Experts who manage sports teams and instruct individual athletes do indeed hold many coaching jobs, yet there are several other types of coaches whose services benefit countless people and organizations. Personal coaches help people achieve life goals, develop relationships, and maintain health, while business coaches promote employee satisfaction and productivity. Regardless of their specialties, all coaches share certain key traits, such as leadership, knowledge, attention to detail, and the desire to help others succeed.

A sports coach might work with an entire team of youth, college, amateur, or professional athletes in a given sport. He or she evaluates athletes' potential and performance, provides feedback, and initiates practice sessions and training drills. A sports coach is often responsible for a number of managerial duties as well, such as assigning positions and calling plays.

A knowledgeable coach is essential for an athlete who participates in an individual sport, such as golf, tennis, or bowling. An instructor provide detailed, one-on-one training with an athlete to improve his or her physical and mental abilities. A coach might create practice drills, monitor an athlete's progress, and suggest strategies on how to achieve the best results while playing a game or match.

Business coaches usually have extensive knowledge of business administration, customer services, and human resources management. A company might contract a business coach to discuss strategies with employees and management about increasing productivity, settling disputes, and maintaining happy, healthy interoffice relations. Most coaches do not specialize with a certain type of business. Instead, they employ general coaching techniques that can help workers and executives in any industry.

A person who has difficulty succeeding in school, work, or social situations might hire a personal life coach to help him or her solve problems and find the motivation to improve the quality of life. A life coach can help an individual identify his or her life goals and suggest strategies on how to achieve them. A professional might also actively assist people in finding financial aid resources to attend college, or help them construct resumes and look for jobs.

A life coach often specializes in a certain area of personal coaching, such as relationships or health. A relationship or dating coach helps an individual overcome anxieties and suggests strategies on how he or she can pursue healthy relationships. Health coaches instruct people on how to create and stick to diet and exercise routines so that they may enjoy more active, fulfilling lifestyles.