USAT Level 1 class

x2.  My understanding is that USAT is still reviewing applications for the level 1 clinic in an effort to ensure that all participants actually want to coach.  This may make it challenging to get accepted into a session.

I found the information and experience to be very good.  The opportunity to network with other coaches and pick the brains of some of the top coaches in the sport can be very valuable.  For example, Bobby McGee, Shelly O'Brien, and Bob Seebohar (all level 3 coaches) were 3 of the presenters when I took the clinic.

To echo some of what Shane and others mentioned...

The USAT Level 1 cert used to be a joke.  It was pretty much anyone with a heartbeat could get in a class which led to a glut of really terrible coaches and useless folks with the USAT Level 1 cert.  They finally changed the process and the pendulum swung in the other direction.  Getting into a Level 1 class is actually pretty difficult now.  The coaching experience hurdle is rather high to jump over if you're not currently coaching.

I took the class in 2012 and found class disappointing. Some old school training methods that many feel are outdated and not scientifically proven were talked about as fact.  I had been a triathlete for 8 years and been coached for 7 of them. I didn't learn much and disagreed with some/much of what some of the presenters shared. Overall I found it a money making adventure for USAT and many of their affiliated coaches. Overall not much practical information. I do know one thing that bothered me is they kept pushing that we had the knowledge and should feel comfortable going out and charging athletes full normal coaching prices despite some having little or minimal experience.Two days of training does not make anyone a coach.

Glad to hear things have improved since I took the class.

Many (if not most) of the more well known, well respected, and successful tri coaches are not certified.  A certification is not a prerequisite.

You won't learn that at the Level 1 clinic.

USAT certification is a process that builds on a series of activities and benchmarks aimed at directing and measuring a coach's development. The most basic is the Level 1 certification, and it certainly is basic but as only the first step in a process it should be. The Level I certification is broken down in to several components: a) application/resume/recommendation letters, b) workshops, c) exam, and d) continuing education.

1) There were all sorts of folks at my clinic: only two others beside myself had no coaching experience at all; most there were actively making a go at coaching as a business and had been doing it for at least a couple of years. Several ran more broad-based training facilities/gyms and were there to gain more background in endurance training, or quite honestly to simply (and for better or worse) gain a marketing credential. There were a surprising number of folks that had years and years of coaching experience at the high school, college, AG, and/or elite level and were either beginning or renewing a lapsed level 1 certification but all with the expressed goal of working up through the system. Several of these had extensive background in other sports, but had a growing number of clients that were focused on triathlon. So, yeah - there were all kinds of folks there. It seemed everyone there besides me had at least some formal higher education in sport training and/or physiology - I was a real outlier in that regard.

The workshop component spans two days and covers a wide range of presentations, discussions, and exercises from a host of experts. The one I attended ranged from a handful of "excellent" presentations, most others that were good and somewhat informative, and one that was down-right terrible. To their credit that particular bad session was filled at the last minute by a stand-in in order to cover for a presenter that had to unexpectedly drop out. It would have been better if they had of instead scheduled a webinar to cover the topic at a later date, but that is obviously a hindsight-is-20/20 observation.

As Suzanne pointed out earlier by far the REAL value of the clinic is the network of contacts that you make. Our clinic was structured such that we spent just about all of our time together, both in the workshops as well as during our "free" time; so it was easy to get to know one another. I have maintained a fairly close relationship with several of our Level 3 presenters along with a couple of other participants. They have been a tremendous resource and mentors for me this past year.

2) The Level I examination is broken in to three parts: about 75 or so multiple-choice questions, 10 essay questions, and the development of two training plans for athletes facing a particular set of circumstances (along with a description of the conceptual framework that governs your thought process). The exam is basically an "open book" test. Comprehensive study materials are provided to workshop attendees, and aside from the training plan development, it would be easy enough to pass without studying by simply searching the supplied PDFs for answers related to the questions. So like most things this is what you make of it. I took the strategy of taking the test cold, then reading the material cover-to-cover and taking it again without looking back through the material (but I did consult other resources in developing my answers). Finally I went through and checked my answers against the study material. Having no formal background in sports physiology I found this experience to be extremely valuable in exposing myself to a wider range of concepts and point of views than are delivered in the clinic or in the study material. It took me about 1 month to chip through the test this way. So, to Blastman, I honestly wouldn't just go to the clinic. In my case it was the actual studying for the exam that got me a lot further down the pipe than I began. I would also commit to taking that step as well.

As a side note, It is true that almost all of the clinics require you to go through an application and review process, but I think USAT has decided to keep one clinic per year open to a wider audience and therefore not require the application. Last year that clinic was held in the USVI, and it looks like it will be again this year, so if you are truly looking for a "vacation" clinic, that might actually be your best bet - ha.

3) since I have only just this week gained access to the continuing education resources available from USAT I don't have anything to offer relative to their range, depth or quality.

4) While I have obviously not moved forward beyond the first step in the USAT process, I do think conceptually the idea that it is a PROCESS of advancement is a good one. While the possession of a USAT level 1 certification would be at (or at least near) the bottom of the list of qualifications I would personally look for in a coach, just passing through the first gateway has provided the initial resources, network, mentors, and served to focused my attention in a way that has been much more expeditious than I ever could have on my own. The athletes I have been working with this year (and will be for the foreseeable future) are all between 6 and 12 years old. I have signed up for the next USAT Youth Clinic. I hope this clinic is as helpful in resource and network development as the first.

Last winter Shane tried to start up a sort of "mentors group" for coaches (thanks Shane!). While I am at the point where I have a lot of questions and very, very few answers, I wouldn't mind trying to blow the dust off that group again if folks were interested?