What is the difference between sport instruction and sport coaching? sport instructors are hired by an individual or group to provide specific sport instructional services, while, depending on the level, sport coaches are volunteers or paid by an institution (school, recreational program, club) to provide services (practice, management, game day duties) to a group of athletes. sport instructors provide daily practice sessions while sport coaches typically only meet 1-2 times a week with their athletes. sport instruction is acquiring knowledge, and sport coaching is improving performance. sport instruction is only for novices, and sport coaching is only for the elite populations.