There now seems to be a variety of different coaching certification plans, but wanted to see if anyone had recommendations for any one over another? USAT, ITCA, Ironman U? They are seem to have benefits, and coaches tend to have multiple, but hoping to find the best that balances information / price / recertification. I’m hoping to get certified to get my foot in the coaching door. Thanks!
Keep your eye on this ad ==>
ask yourself which coaching enterprise is doing THIS for its graduates. then choose wisely.
that established, there are schools that teach people how to coach, broadly speaking, USAT as an example, and there are schools (like ours) that simply bite off discrete merit badge style areas of competency and focus on that. when we certify you, it’s not in coaching. it’s in something really specific, like, how to coach adult-onset swimmers from the pool deck; or how to coach using power as the operative metric during cycling. this kind of workshop won’t teach you how to coach; it’ll teach you how to coach THIS. or THAT.
NO coaching certification program is instructing anyone how to teach or coach … that is the problem with “triathlon coaching certifications” OR “subject certifications” … if USAT or IMU or any other program actually did that they would establish a clear distance from what anyone else is doing. In programs such as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) or USA Soccer the programs are much more intensive (5’ish days), teaching based, and you can’t pass / get your license without knowledge AND ability to teach.
10+ years ago I made the recommendation to USAT to consider looking at the NSCAA curriculum and model something after them. I believe it would make for a much more legit certification and a process to develop better coaches.
well, look, i try to be a gentleman. i’m just saying, the landscape, there are general “here is how you coach” schools or programs or clinics or workshops, and then (in our case) there is the “here is how you approach translating to your student(s) the mastery or competency of this one specific task.”
as to which among all the schools or workshops teach HOW TO COACH and teach it competently, i think that’s up to the students themselves to decide once they’ve spent their time and treasure to gain the knowledge.
I agree with Slowman. And IMO prospective professional coaches need not only several certifications or qualifications but need to pursue these on a continual basis as continuing education. I am a professional coach albeit not in this sport and I don’t come from a background in any triathlon discipline, but I did the Ironman U course and found it useful, for what it was. It’s accessible, it’s boiled down to a level that a “beginner” can absorb, and it touches on a lot of good aspects I actually was not expecting it to. That said, will you be able to create your own unique and innovate multisport training plans solely based on that? I doubt it but it depends on the individual. That’s where the merit-based courses come into play and are really useful. But to me it’s not a question of one or the other.
I would have loved to take a USAT course but it was not at all practical in my area or within my time constraints. I do believe that prospective coaches need to pursue something that provides broad-based coaching principles; in Canada there is a program called the NCCP which is not aimed at any one sport but does have sport-specific courses in addition to general coaching theory. Take a look.
I respect the gentleman part 
… and I understand your original point
My original point being … if our governing body (which I have been certified with since it’s inaugural class in 1998) or other associated certificating types chose to, we could do a much better job of educating coaches how to teach (through a variety of formats) we would develop better coaches and in turn better athletes and in general a better system. VERY few good teachers (vs the number certitied coaches) out there in triathlon currently
this is such a tricky thing. Some great coaches don’t have a cert and others that have many certs aren’t great coaches.
Here is what I’d tell you:
Getting a certification should be the first baby step to help build your awareness of coaching clinics/certifications/continued education. However, becoming a low-tier coach in the USAT/USAC doesn’t make you a coach really…it just means you took an online test. It however is a first step. I think what speaks more about the coach is their continued education. For example, If a coach I know is a level II USAC, I know that they had to go spend a weekend with USAC and go through demonstrations that show coaching/teaching abilities. This can only happen though if the coach had been a low-tier USAC coach to start with.
Maybe a better way to say this is that it doesn’t necessarily matter where you start, but rather that you continue and try to better yourself as a coach. If I had to give one cert that may outweigh the others initially I would suggest getting your CSCS. This at least shows a bachelors level education and knowledge of the body and athletic development.
Every coach will choose their own path. Think about where you want to get with your coaching career and make an educated decision about which program you think would best prepare you. I can suggest things, but ultimately it is up to you and your desired outcome with coaching.
I hug this post 
And i would add for the OP… your best certification is experience. Start small, learn how to interact with your athletes, tweak and manipulate their plans, see how things change. Now do that over and over again for years. That’s your certification.
Thanks Mark AND I agree with your statement
… too many years of frustration came out in one post
x2
I would also recommend CSCS, and that’s an interesting point that very few make. I have the certification (as well as NASM-PES and CES) and it’s the “gold standard” for broad-based strength training.
When Ironman U came out there was a lot of trash talk on the forums about it. I see it for what it is. Is there self interest for WTC in this? Absolutely? Is there worthwhile input and education from top pro coaches? Definitely. For me it was a stepping stone, an entry-point, and it provided a lot of info in areas that was otherwise not accessible without doing a multitude of other certifications. I will probably eventually do others as well, whether that’s USAT, or CISSN, or Slowtwitch. They’re all just pieces of the puzzle so to the OP, don’t be put off by people that might suggest you MUST start at a certain point, or that one method or path is the only way.
(And simply because you haven’t been coaching professionally since the sport was invented does not mean you can’t jump in, and provide meaningful instruction to athletes based on your experiences, regardless of whether that’s through USAT or anyone else).
What gets mixed up is coaching certification vs coach EDUCATION programs. As Dave mentions, the NSCAA (Soccer) is based upon coaching education programs that are similar to European and Commonwealth countries and require longer term commitment to learning about coaching and the sport from development perspective
In the USA, NGB’s use it as a money maker and as a liability clearinghouse. IMU has doubled down on the $$ making, by essentially monetizing a “monthly” membership to be listed on coach match and its expensive as heck unless they are filling your roster. Dan seems to be right that Slowtwitch is at least focused on the education piece.
But to answer the question, USAT is superior for ONE reason, liability insurance that comes with certification. It is the only tangible return on investment in any of these programs. As far as the information in any of these, I think they are hit and miss. I witnessed a USAT Level 3 coach present very incorrect physiology information to a bunch of people that did not know better and they ate it up. I’ve seen good and bad presentations and webinars, and ALOT of agenda pushing and advertorials from presenters. I think education falls short when the presenter is concerned with recruiting athletes or trying to appear to be “onto something new” by dropping a bunch of catchphrases.
The best thing you can do if you want to learn, take classes at your local college in the different areas you need for the background and then use your experience to inform the practical, then coach people, take specific webinars or ST stuff once you have a background and try things based upon good theory and practice, then use what works and throw out what doesn’t.
Keep your eye on this ad ==>
ask yourself which coaching enterprise is doing THIS for its graduates. then choose wisely.
that established, there are schools that teach people how to coach, broadly speaking, USAT as an example, and there are schools (like ours) that simply bite off discrete merit badge style areas of competency and focus on that. when we certify you, it’s not in coaching. it’s in something really specific, like, how to coach adult-onset swimmers from the pool deck; or how to coach using power as the operative metric during cycling. this kind of workshop won’t teach you how to coach; it’ll teach you how to coach THIS. or THAT.
Dan
I haven’t read through your certification process but does an ST cert require a background check?
Thanks
Mike
well, look, i try to be a gentleman. i’m just saying, the landscape, there are general “here is how you coach” schools or programs or clinics or workshops, and then (in our case) there is the “here is how you approach translating to your student(s) the mastery or competency of this one specific task.”
as to which among all the schools or workshops teach HOW TO COACH and teach it competently, i think that’s up to the students themselves to decide once they’ve spent their time and treasure to gain the knowledge.
Slowman… I totally agree with most of what you have offered on this thread. My ONLY injection into this topic is that when MOST athletes head out searching for a coach they are looking to either hire a former world class athlete or someone that has “certified” behind them. It has been my experiance that relatively few value all the little courses that I’ve been to that I believe makes me a better coach.
I wish that one of the established programs would change the game and really create a “coaching program” that would really ensure that these weekend coaches really know what they are talking about. Just my $0.02.
well, look, i try to be a gentleman. i’m just saying, the landscape, there are general “here is how you coach” schools or programs or clinics or workshops, and then (in our case) there is the “here is how you approach translating to your student(s) the mastery or competency of this one specific task.”
as to which among all the schools or workshops teach HOW TO COACH and teach it competently, i think that’s up to the students themselves to decide once they’ve spent their time and treasure to gain the knowledge.
Slowman… I totally agree with most of what you have offered on this thread. My ONLY injection into this topic is that when MOST athletes head out searching for a coach they are looking to either hire a former world class athlete or someone that has “certified” behind them. It has been my experiance that relatively few value all the little courses that I’ve been to that I believe makes me a better coach.
I wish that one of the established programs would change the game and really create a “coaching program” that would really ensure that these weekend coaches really know what they are talking about. Just my $0.02.
They do have these programs. They have a Masters Degree in Coaching Sports Performance at both Western Michigan U and Denver U now I believe. I’m sure there are others but these are the only two that I have experience with or have heard of. There are absolutely programs out there to develop coaches, its just that so many want a “certification” that tells them they are a coach now. It would be nice if USAT, ST, IMU followed the CSCS standard and required a bachelors degree as a pre-req. Just a thought.
Basically, as long as a cert can be accomplished in a weekend or 1 day, we will always have individuals getting certs and claiming to be great coaches. Maybe they are, maybe they aren’t, but the true value really comes from the continued education and the years of experience.
Dalzell…
Agreed with some. I think there has to be something between 4-6 year program and a weekend. Some of the best coaches in the world have little to no formal education but have a ton of experience at making people faster. Formal education is not the always the answer.
Pat Green
Green Multisport Coaching
http://www.du.edu/gspp/programs/sportcoaching/overview.html
http://www.du.edu/gspp/programs/sportcoaching/courses.html
Additionally it’s all online which is nice.
The Canadian NCCP is a model for many other national sport bodies. For most users, it’s theory-based. Historically one completed sport-specific levels of practical skill-based learning, and it has transitioned to more “competency” based knowledge depending upon what level of athlete you’re coaching, with sport specific practical courses offered around that core.
Just FYI
Pat,
I completely agree that formalized education is not the correct choice for everyone, but it is out there and a possibility for tying in continued education for those interested in a true coaching program.
I by no means condone people quitting their careers to chase another degree. But if most other careers require higher education for advancement or entry level jobs now, then why are we not requiring this from professionals in the endurance athletic setting. I don’t mean to side-track this thread from the OP and I agree with you that education isn’t for everyone, but maybe the reason why everyone hates on coaching in endurance athletics so much is because the requirements we expect in normal careers isn’t being brought into our athletic setting.
As swimming seems to be THE most problematic part of the sport (both for newbie athletes and coaches), I’d suggest getting your USA swimming 1 & 2 certifications as well as your ASCA Level 1& 2 certifications. This will least provide you with some stroke mechanic knowledge. Both organizations also have additional resources available for continuing education.
All this pales in comparison to a degree in coaching and/or exercise science/physiology.
I’m with you on not high jacking this thread, just wanted to say I agree with your assessment and agree that education is of utmost importance. I also value years of “doing” and the most important thing in my opinion is RESULTS…!! If you’re creating world champs no one cares if you have a degree…!!
I attended the Slowtwitch Power Coaching Cert. in Vegas and can honestly say it was the best I been through. Finally, someone gets it… We were already coaches or professionals in the field and it was like graduate school. It was real world application and not “fluff”. I’ve been coaching for 15 years and I have definitely learned the most through experience but I would attend any of the slowtwitch certs and plan to continue my education with them. And yes the do require background checks.