USATF NORTH CAROLINA – Become a USATF Coach

 

Become a USATF Coach

The USATF coaching education program provides educational opportunities, including continuing education units (CEUs), for coaches of all levels. Benefits of coaching education include recognition as a USATF Level 1 coach, an attractive completion certificate, a curriculum book covering sport science and individual events, skills and knowledge covering all of the event disciplines in track and field, and eligibility to attend more advanced courses.  The USATF Coaching Education Level 1 course, as well as levels 2 and 3, is composed of the following components:

• Sport science – Extensive instruction in sport science provides a scientific basis of understanding for rational development of technique and training programs. The sport-science portion has been developed by the American Coaching Effectiveness Program (ACEP) and the USATF National Coaching Education Committee. It includes sports psychology, pedagogy and sports medicine.
• Technical, event-specific instruction – Throws, jumps, sprints/hurdles, and endurance events are all covered at the basic level in this school. Event-specific instruction is progressive in nature. Consequently, at levels 2 and 3, each event is covered in greater depth and detail than at the previous level.
• Hands-on training – Experience is the best teacher. Minimum standards of practical experience are expected of participants at each level.
• Developmental component – This is an association-based introductory course that offers a grassroots overview of the sport and of coaching.

The USATF Coaching Education Level 1 program is intended as a starting point for coaches. One of the objectives of the Level 1 program is to put all coaches on common ground. Coursework covers all events in a rudimentary manner by emphasizing fundamentals, rules, safety, risk management and instruction techniques. The Level 1 program prepares an individual to coach at a variety of levels. Coaches at all levels of track and field, cross-country, road running, triathlon (the course counts for 10 CEUs for USAT-certified coaches), trail and ultra running will find this course of value. 

 

Subsequent coaching education levels include more detailed study. The USATF Coaching Education Level 2 program offers more in-depth training in an event-specific group (sprints/hurdles/relays, endurance, jumps, throws, combined events). The Level 3 program offers a very high-level seminar-structure educational experience in a specific event area.

 

The United States Sports Academy, in cooperation with USATF, provides CEUs (regular and graduate), undergraduate and graduate credit for USATF Coaching Education programs and clinics. Upon completion of the USATF Level 1 requirements, participants can apply for CEUs. These must be must be requested within one year of completion of the USATF Coaching Education school. An additional fee is charged by the USSA. 

 

For more information visit www.usatf.org/groups/Coaches/education.