They may occasionally talk to young athletes to give them encouragement. In team sports, professional athletes are usually selected from college drafts, picked as free agents, or moved up from amateur or part-time status. Many professional athletes never reach the highest ranks. They often drop out after several years in the lower levels of professional sports and start in some other occupation. For some athletes, their visibility helps them move into another career, such as sales or business.
Some professional coaches work with athletes who play individual sports, such as gymnastics.
More coaches work with athletes in team sports. Regardless of the sport they coach, these workers have similar tasks. All coaches instruct and motivate athletes. They also direct practice sessions that prepare athletes for competition. Coaches, especially in team sports, come up with strategies to help their athletes win.