Level 1

Become a Recognized USATF Coach! The USATF Level 1 Program is your essential foundation for coaching track & field. Accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE), this comprehensive course equips you to effectively coach athletes at the junior age, high school, and club levels.

What You'll Learn

This 22-hour blended learning program combines online self-study with live, interactive training. You'll gain expertise in:

• Fundamental Coaching Principles: Providing a supportive and ethical coaching environment, rules, safety, and risk management.
• Essential Sports Science: In-depth knowledge of physiology, training design, biomechanics, motor performance, and sport psychology.
• All Track & Field Events: Comprehensive coverage of endurance, race walking, sprints, hurdles, relays, jumps, and throws, including sample microcycles, teaching progressions, and error corrections.

Course Format

• Blended Learning: Combines online self-paced modules with live, interactive training.
• Self-Paced Online Modules (60 Days):
  • Positive Coaching
  • Ethics and Risk Management
  • Growth, Development, & Lifestyle Issues
  • Instructional Strategies for Skill Acquisition
  • Physiology
  • Training Design
  • Biomechanics
  • Motor Performance Abilities for Speed and Power
  • Sport Psychology
• Live Event-Specific School (Zoom or In-Person):
  • Endurance/Race Walking
  • Sprints/Hurdles/Relays
  • Jumps
  • Throws
• Exam: Following the live school, you'll be automatically enrolled in the online USATF Level 1 exam. You'll have 30 days and two attempts to achieve a passing score of 80% or higher.
• Digital Certificate: Upon successful completion, you'll receive a digital USATF Level 1 Track & Field Coach certificate, valid for four calendar years.

Requirements

• Age: Must be 18 years or older.
• USATF Membership: Must be a current USATF member.

Click here for instructions on how to purchase, access, and complete this course.

Certificate Validity and Renewal (Recertification):

• Initial Term: The USATF Level 1 Coach certificate is valid for four calendar years, expiring on December 31st of the fourth year.

• Recertification: To maintain your USATF Level 1 certificate, you must complete a USATF-approved continuing education course during each renewal period (additional requirements apply).

Benefits

• Official Recognition: Become a USATF Level 1 Coach with a recognized education course for the USATF Coaches Registry*.

• Expert Instruction: Learn from experienced USATF instructors and gain the knowledge to coach athletes at all levels.

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Receive a detailed curriculum book covering sports science and event-specific knowledge in addition to online course materials.

• Pathway to Advanced Coach Education: Eligibility to attend USATF Level 2 Schools and receive a recertification exemption.

*Level 1 certificate holders interested in joining the USATF Registered Coaches Program must maintain USATF 3-Step SafeSport Compliance requirements to remain active on the SafeSport Compliant and Coaches Registry lists.