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ABOUT THE USATF LEVEL 2   YOUTH SPECIALIZATION

The USATF Level 2 Youth Specialization looks at the   intersection of track & field and growth and development. Simply put,   youth (18 and under) are not mini adults. Their experience in our sport   should be appropriate for a long-term, healthy relationship with running,   jumping, and throwing. Join leaders in the sport to parents looking to start   a local club in this five-day course. Participants will more deeply   understand the multiple factors that impact athletes as they learn skills,   participate in our sport, and mature. 

December 27-31, 2021

Live on Zoom

Apply Now

LEAD INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Matt Lydum brings   over 25 years of coaching experience. Starting as head track coach at   Pendleton High School, Lydum’s experience also spans San Francisco State University,   Defiance College and Pacific University. Additionally, Lydum served on Team   USA staff at the 2007 and 2009 IAAF World Youth Championships He was USOPC   delegate to the International Olympic Academy and project writer for the   Human Kinetics text, Coaching   Youth Track & Field (2008). Lydum completed his PhD in   Teaching and Teacher Education at the University of Arizona. 

 Joel Pearson is   the Director of Cross Country and Track at Pratt Community College. His   coaching experience includes stops at the high school, NJCAA, NAIA, NCAA and   club levels. Leading Harrier Track Club, a post collegiate race-walking   group, Pearson’s athletes have competed in World Championships, Pan-American   Games, Pan-American Cup, and NACAC U23. He holds USATF Level 3 and World Athletics   Level V Academy certificates in Endurance and Youth Specialization.

Participants can also expect special-guest appearances from   lead instructors across the other Level 2 event disciplines offered. 

WHAT ALUMNI ARE SAYING   ABOUT THEIR LEVEL 2 YOUTH EXPERIENCE

“A very wonderful experience. I feel like I am a better coach   after this Level 2. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into making this   a meaningful program. I am profoundly grateful for Matt and Joel. They have   incredible insight and expertise.”

“Truly appreciated participating in this course and building   relationships with other coaches. Thank you so much for all of your hard work   in planning and executing this course!!!”

“The energy and knowledge of the instructors was beyond top   notch! THANK YOU!”

“This course was excellent - and the only way I was able to   attend was because it was Zoom! Thank you for making this accessible!”

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

// Must be a 2021 USATF adult member

// Must hold a current USATF Level 1 certificate 

// Minimum three years of track & field, cross country or   personal run coaching experience

Applications will be accepted until NOVEMBER 28, 2021 or  capacity is reached.

APPLY NOW AT: USATF.ORG/CALENDAROFSCHOOLS 

USATF CALENDAR OF SCHOOLS 

Fall and winter dates for Level 1 Schools are available on the   online Calendar of Schools.   All courses continue to be conducted in the Zoom format indefinitely. Early   2022 opportunities will be posted soon. [View upcoming schools]

WINTER LEVEL 2 REGISTRATION   (VIRTUAL EVENT) NOW OPEN

USATF Coaching Education is pleased to announce that the   winter USATF Level 2 School (Zoom) is set for December 27-31, 2021.   Enrollment will be limited to 50 per discipline (Endurance, Sprints/Hurdles/Relays, Jumps, Throws or   Youth Specialization). Early application is advised for placement   in first-choice event-group. [Learn More]

EMERGING FEMALE GRANTS   AVAILABLE FOR LEVEL 1 AND 2 

The Emerging Female Grant is provided by USATF and provides   women minority coaches in track and field with the opportunity to attend   USATF Coaching Education Level 1 or 2 School at an offset cost. Grants are   reimbursement based and valued at the respective course registration fee.   Applicants must be members of the USATF Coaches Registry. [Learn More]

DEADLINE: LATE LEVEL 1   RECERTIFICATION PERIOD TO CLOSE DECEMBER 31

The opportunity to renew Level 1 certificates that lapsed in   2020 will expire on December 31, 2021. After this date, the grace period will   no longer be extended. Members seeking late recertification must complete all   four-steps outlined to extend their certificate until December 31, 2024.   Expired certificate holders will not only lose recognition as a USATF Level 1   Coach, but also eligibility for upper-level coaching education courses and   the inability to use their past completion as a qualifier for the Coaches   Registry Education Standard. [Learn More]

ADDITIONAL ONLINE LEARNING   AVAILABLE ON USATF CAMPUS

USATF Campus is the online learning platform available to all   coaches, athletes and educators. Courses are open to USATF members and   non-members. USATF Campus contains over ten specialized course titles,   including Basic Science   of Sprinting, Sport   Specific Strength and Power, Science   of Long Jumping and more. Courses are self-paced and developed by   Level 2 Sports Science Coordinator and Instructor of High Performance at the   University of Florida, Dr. Christine Brooks. [Learn More]

December 11, 2021

Paris , KY 

As of April 13, 2021 *schedule subject to change*

2021 USATF National Junior   Olympic Track & Field Championships

Jacksonville, FL

July 26-August 1, 2021

2021 USATF National Junior   Olympic Cross Country Championships

Paris, KY

December 11, 2021

2022 USATF National Youth   Indoor Championships

Staten Island, NY

March 18-20, 2022

2022 USATF National Youth   Outdoor Championships

Jacksonville, FL

June 21-26, 2022

2022 USATF National Junior   Olympic Track & Field Championships

Sacramento, CA

July 25-31, 2022

2022 USATF National Junior   Olympic Cross Country Championships

College Station, TX

December 10, 2022

The National Youth Track Coaches Association through the USATF Coaches Advisory Committee submitted a proposal to change the USATF Youth Championships Coaches Credentialing Program Policy.

The partnership of National Youth Track Coaches Association, USATF Coaches Advisory Committee, USATF Youth Department and Coaching Education Department worked together to devise a policy that not only benefits our USATF youth coaching constituency, but also further promotes the USATF Coaching Education program. I hope that the new policy will result in more youth coaches understanding the benefit of utilizing the coaching education resources provided by USATF.

The USATF Youth Department announces revisions to the USATF Youth Championships Coaches Credentialing Program Policy.  This revision is immediately effective.  The USATF Youth Department in conjunction with the USATF Coaching Education Departmentencourages all coaches to take advantage of the benefits the USATF Coaches Registry Program offers.  Please familiarize yourself with coaching education programs and registry requirements at www.usatf.org/programs/coaches and/or contact Matt.Rohlf@usatf.org.  

(revised 2-2021)  

Youth Championships Coaching Credentials shall be issued based upon the following criteria:  

• USATF Coaches Registry Member  
  • Current USATF (adult) Membership  
  • Pass the USATF Background Screening  
  • SafeSport Compliant  
  • Fulfill Education Standard and submit verification application through USATF       Connect
• Listed as “Coach” on the USATF Club Profile  
• Must have an athlete or club entered into the current Championship  
• Coaches for Unattached athletes are required to adhere to the Coaching Credential requirements for the issuance of a coaching credential.  
• There      will be no credential allocation limits.  Credentials will be issued only upon verification of all listed criteria/mandates.  There will be no exceptions.  
• Pole Vault access credentials will be provided upon verification of athlete      entry and date/time of the event.  Date/time will be clearly      noted on the credential and access expires immediately upon completion of      that event.