50+ Sample Coaching Agreements

What Is a Coaching Agreement?

A coaching agreement is a written contract made between a client and a coach. The client may enlist the help of a coach for different reasons, but mainly to seek improvement in certain areas of a client’s life. The agreement outlines the nature of the coaching relationship and its various terms and conditions.    

According to LinkedIn, the size of the coaching industry is estimated to be $15 billion, as of 2019. Its market value in the United States alone is worth $7.5 billion. Of the estimated 5.8 million coaches worldwide, 42% operate in the US.    

Different Types of Coaches

We’re all familiar with the athletic coach who trains school children in Little League Baseball, the neighborhood soccer team, or the varsity swim team. There’s also the stereotypical basketball coach who likes to scream at his team for playing poor defense during a game. All these are examples of athletic coaches. However, there are also other types of coaches that help groups and individuals alike; these coaches develop and improve areas other than athletic ability and training.

Life Coach: The term life coach has been gaining popularity in recent years. Similar to a therapist, a life coach can act as emotional and mental support for clients who may be struggling in personal aspects of their life. Hiring a life coach does not necessarily mean you are encountering a serious crisis or problem, it sometimes just means you want to take active steps in reclaiming some power and positivity back in your life. Some people seek coaching after going through a traumatic experience, or they find themselves in the middle of a difficult transition or major change in life. Whatever the reason, clients look to life coaches to help them cope better and guide them in asking the right questions. Sometimes people are just looking for additional direction and motivation. A life coach helps people set action-based goals and give them the needed motivation and encouragement for putting their plans into motion. Career or Business Coach: Some people look for professional development in their life. Career growth is a common goal for many employees. A company or place of employment may be unable to provide career counseling, give enough support, or contribute to an individual’s growth. But a career coach can help you figure out how to nurture your professional goals. If you’ve hit a roadblock or don’t feel invested in your current line of work, coaching may help you rediscover and motivate you to make the necessary changes that will help reach your potential and possibly improve the quality of your career. Health and Fitness Coach: Fitness coaches may sometimes be referred to as personal trainers. People have all types of fitness goals. Some want to bulk up, others want to shed several pounds, and some just do it because they are finally taking their health seriously. A client looks to a health and fitness coach for motivation, guidance, and support. The coach gives work out instructions, recommends diet plans, and creates a personalized program for the client. Sessions may either be held in a gym, studio, or at the client’s personal residence. No matter how fit you are, there will always be days when you’re feeling little to no motivation at all. Sometimes, having a fitness coach will give you the necessary push to overcome obstacles and realize your fitness goals. Confidence or Success Coach: Some parents go out of their way to help their children grow more confident and self-assured. Many kids, and even adults, struggle with self-esteem issues. A confidence or success coach can help a client rediscover his or her self-worth. They may also offer tips and strategies to deal with self-doubt, lack of motivation, and poor social or interpersonal skills. If a child is painfully shy, coaching may also help develop and bring out the child’s personality. A confidence coach basically encourages and instructs a client how to act appropriately and carry one’s self well. Financial Coach: Money is probably one of the most fundamental reasons for conflict and problems. It can spur feelings of euphoria, as well as helplessness. Having the knowledge and capacity to handle one’s finances is an important skill. Unfortunately, however, most of the time people are just not careful with their money that they end up drowning in debt or losing their money due to poor decisions and judgment. A financial coach helps a client cultivate financial literacy when it comes to money matters. Budgeting, saving, and investing are necessary skills that a financial coach can help you with. Stocks and investments are not exactly common knowledge; but a coach can give sound financial advice and money-making tips. Relationship or Couple Coach: It’s natural for married couples and romantic partners to argue and disagree. Although sometimes, a third party point of view might help mend any persistent issues and improve the dynamic of the relationship. A relationship coach acts as the facilitator between people. He or she may give the couple advice, help them communicate better, and help them understand each other amid arguments. A relationship coach also works to help the couple overcome challenges and barriers that impair the quality of the relationship.

Components of a Coaching Agreement

A coaching agreement can contain several things, depending on the nature of the coaching relationship. The following are common elements found in a standard coaching agreement:  

Description of Services: The agreement should effectively define the nature of the coaching relationship. Will the coach provide peer group counseling, motivational advice, relationship mediation, or career counseling? The job description of a life coach can cross several lines and may overlap, depending on the needs of the client. He or she can teach proven coping mechanisms, give the client self-reflection tools, and provide counseling materials. For a fitness coach, services may include customized workout programs, weight loss training, meal planning, etc. Coach’s Role: It’s important for the agreement to set the expectations of the coach. Both parties need to harmonize their objectives within the coaching agreement. A client’s purpose needs to be in sync with the coach’s proposed methods. The role should be clearly defined and determined, specifying what is within the coach’s area and what isn’t. Boundaries should always be set. Client’s Role: The agreement should likewise outline the responsibilities on the part of the client. A coaching relationship should be a two-way relationship. If the client is unwilling to fulfill his obligations, or if she remains closed to the coach’s methods and advice, then the relationship will not go anywhere and it will be a complete waste of time for both parties. Commitment and Agreement Terms: It should be explicitly stated in the agreement that both client and coach are voluntarily entering into a contract upon the agreed terms set by both parties. It’s paramount that an understanding is well defined and documented in the contract. Duration or Length of Coaching: The client should agree to a number of sessions with the coach. The coach likewise commits to these sessions, and must remain committed to results and the improvement of the client. Some contracts stipulate weekly or bi-weekly coaching sessions. Frequency can vary, others may prefer every other day or 3-4 times a week. Session procedures should also be described. These may include the session location, time, and contingency plans. Confidentiality: Coaching entails a significant amount of trust and confidence. Clients look to their coaches as both an authority and a friend. Coaching sessions are usually intimate and highly personal, so certain information is bound to be shared. It’s very likely some clients will share sensitive information. So it’s imperative that both parties understand and respect the other’s right to privacy. A confidentiality statement is absolutely essential because coaches can be confidants as well. Therefore, they are expected to be trusted with the client’s personal information. Fees: Payment for coaching services should be stipulated and enumerated in the agreement, prior to starting any session. The client should settle all initial fees beforehand. Coaches are responsible for indicating their payment terms and guidelines. Both need to be clear and transparent on compensation and monetary issues to ensure proper, smooth transactions and coaching sessions. Rescheduling and Refund: Coaches and clients cannot always foresee unintended events or circumstances. It’s important to anticipate these instances in the agreement. Make sure to clearly lay down the rules for rescheduling coaching sessions and refund policies, in case of a cancelled session. Some coaches require 1-2 days notice for any rescheduling plan. Others clients are more lenient and don’t demand a refund; or some make arrangements to use it as advance payment for future sessions. Termination of Contract: A coaching agreement can be prematurely terminated if there is sufficient basis to do so. It’s imperative that grounds for termination be clearly defined and stated within the contract. Serious transgressions like a violation of ethical boundaries or a breach of confidence and security are often valid grounds for cancellation of agreement.

How to Create a Coaching Agreement

Like any basic contract, make sure you prepare the necessary information. Once you have the details ready, organize your information by following the steps below: 

Step 1: Introduce the Parties

The first step is naming the individuals who are entering into an agreement. Be sure to note down the complete names for both the coach and the client. You can include their address, email and contact numbers, and other basic information.  

Step 2: Define the Relationship

As a client, make sure you know what type of coaching or mentoring you are looking for. What is the purpose of the coaching? Why do you even need it? For both the client and coach, it’s important to state the nature of the relationship. Clearly indicate the responsibilities and obligations that each party is expected to fulfill. What are the coach’s functions and rules of engagement? It’s the client’s responsibility to also perform what is needed of him or her. To get desired results, a coaching relationship should not be one-dimensional, but a team effort.   

Step 3: Terms and Conditions

Specify the terms and conditions of payment, the session procedures, duration of sessions, rules on cancelling sessions, etc. Indicate if the sessions are weekly or monthly, and what payment scheme is to be followed. Some coaches prefer to be paid at the end of every session. While others accept a monthly payment schedule. With regard to cancelation, a prior call to cancel the session is the usual practice. It’s standard protocol for a client to inform the coach of any change in schedule or unforeseen event. The same would also apply for the coach who, for whatever reason, may not be available for a scheduled session. All these potential scenarios should be anticipated and duly documented in the written agreement.    

Step 4: Commitment and Signature 

After settling all the terms and conditions, provide a disclaimer statement or declaration that reaffirms the mutual agreement made between coach and client. Like any contract, a voluntary and willing acceptance needs to be proven and explicitly written down. Conclude your contract by providing signature lines for each party to affix their name and signature.  

FAQs

What are the main components of a coaching agreement?

According to Performance Coach University, the basic components of a coaching agreement include an introduction, disclaimer section, payment and refund policies, client responsibility, liability and confidentiality, and a termination clause.

What is a life coaching agreement?

A life coaching agreement is a contract agreement made between two mutual and consenting parties. The parties are the client and life coach. A client enlists the help of a life coach normally to address personal issues that involve self-discovery and self-improvement.

How do you conclude a coaching contract?

A coaching contract typically ends with a general acceptance or declarative statement that reinforces the commitment of each party. Oftentimes, a termination clause or disclaimer is also stated towards the end of a contract.

Coaches can serve as role models, especially for younger individuals. They are often respected and admired for both their expertise and dedication. But knowing where to draw the line between healthy and unhealthy coaching relations is paramount. Coaching agreements help clear the air and manage both parties’ expectations. Download a sample coaching agreement today!