Level 2 Course - General Information
General Level 2 Course | Youth Level 2 Course
The USATF Coaching Education Level 2 program is intended to give coaches more advanced, in-depth knowledge in one event group of their choosing. The Level 2 program covers advanced sport science concepts and training principles.
How to Apply
- Become a member of USA Track & Field.
- Review the application requirements (listed below).
- Select an event group (listed below). It is recommended that first-time Level 2 participants select the event group in which they feel most competent. Due to intimate class sizes (see list below), USATF recommends applying early!
- Complete the online application form which includes:
- Coaching Experience
- Level 1 and Level 2 (if applicable) completion information (year, site and state).
- A brief (two pages maximum) resume or curriculum vitae, which includes pertinent information regarding your personal athletic experience, all coaching positions held, and any related activities (e.g., camps, clinics, publications, presentations).
- Name and email address of three references with knowledge of your coaching and/or athletic experience.
- Make travel arrangements AFTER acceptance into the program. USATF advises that applicants wait until they receive an acceptance notification before making travel arrangements.
Requirements
- Must be a member of USA Track & Field.
- Must have successfully completed a Level 1 school and passed the online exam no later than the end of April prior to the Level 2 School for which you are applying
- Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submission of the application.
- Must have a minimum of 3 years (e.g.; three cross country and/or three indoor and/or three outdoor seasons) of TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY coaching experience.
- Credit will not be given for time spent as a personal trainer, strength & conditioning coach or health club trainer.
- No coaching experience gained while the applicant was still in high school will be considered.
- Must submit a completed application, including a resume and three references.
- Acceptance into the Level 2 program is based on qualifications and is not "first come, first served." The USATF Coaching Education Committee reserves the right to place an application "on hold" while it reviews the entire pool of applicants.
- Notifications of acceptance, rejection or "on hold" status will be made via e-mail within three weeks of receipt of application.
- Attend a Level 2 Coaching Education School (see application process above).
- Pass exams covering each of the sport science areas (see below).
- Fulfill the requirements (exam, training program) of the chosen event group.
Benefits
- Recognition as a USATF Level 2 Coach
- Curriculum books covering sport science and individual events
- Skills and knowledge to coach athletes at the high school through collegiate level
About Level 2 Schools
Level 2 schools are five days in length, with the second half to focus on specific event groups. The event groups are listed with class size limitation:
- Sprints/Hurdles/Relays--60 students
- Endurance--60 students
- Jumps--60 students
- Throws--40 students
- Combined Events--40 students
In addition to expanding upon the sport sciences covered in Level 1, the course will cover specific information in the following areas:
- Training Theory
- Sports psychology
- Physiology
- Biomechanics
The course focuses on the technical aspects of the chosen event group using video analysis, group projects, classroom instruction, and hands-on training. Attendance at all sessions is required. At the end of the course, participants will devise a training program and be tested on the material covered in their event group.
The cost for a Level 2 school varies by location (see 2011 Level 2 School Information).
After successfully completing the course, participants will receive a Level 2 Certificate of Completion.
Level 2 schools may be taken multiple times in order to obtain Level 2 Coach status in more than one of the event groups. However, participants may only complete one event group per School.
