The study presents an analysis of the coach's role in the powerlifters' sports activities. The issue has been studied from the point of view of the coach's real and desired actions in training male and female powerlifters. The questionnaire containing 13 coach's actions was used to survey 30 male and 30 female athletes. The study reveals that the most significant actions used by the coach when interacting with male athletes are "rendering assistance at competitions" (I rank), "possession of a unique method of training athletes" (II rank), "taking into account the athlete's individual characteristics" (III rank). The most significant actions used by the coach in relation to female athletes are: "taking into account the athlete's individual characteristics" (I rank), "assisting at the competitions" (II rank), "explaining the methodology for doing exercises" (III.5 Rank), "evaluation of the athlete's success / failure" (III.5 rank).When the athletes describe the coach's desired actions in relation to them, male athletes single out the following as significant: "possession of a unique method of training athletes" (I rank), "assisting at the competitions" (II rank), "being present in training classes" (rank III); whereas female athletes single out:"taking into account the athlete's individual characteristics" (I rank), "explaining the methodology for doing exercises" (II.5 rank) and "assisting at the competitions" (II.5 rank). The results of the study can be used by coaches in training powerlifting athletes with regard for their gender (sex) affiliation.