USA Triathlon celebrates the virtues of a USAT Certified Coach
National governing body USA Triathlon (USAT) aims ‘to provide the resources required for all in the triathlon community to reach their full potential.’ The organization believes that for many athletes, a USAT Certified Coach is a key enabler.A USAT Coach will not only help athletes get faster but more importantly can help the enjoyment of the sport even more, whilst aiming to reremain injury-free. In order to be a USAT Certified Coach, a coach first needs to be one of approximately 450 people that are selected from thousands of applicants every year. These coaches are chosen for specific triathlon coaching aptitude and experience, and coaching and triathlon community goals.Accordingly, a coach can only become certified by gaining admission to the selective program and then attending a two-day class and then passing a comprehensive exam. USAT Coaches are uniquely and highly qualified to:Analyze swim stroke and find the missing pieces to help triathletes become more efficient swimmers and thrive in open waterHelp achieve running breakthroughs off the bike through revised training to generate physical adaptations that can be leveraged on race dayHelp generate added power on the bike without compromising the runPerhaps more important, USAT Certified Coaches are adept at helping athletes holistically; not only solving the puzzle of training for all three sports, but also injury prevention, optimizing training and race-day nutrition, managing the often overlooked transition skills, mental preparation, and last but not least, recovery.Moreover, USAT Certified Coaches are held to the highest safety standards. All USA Triathlon Certified Coaches must pass a criminal background screening, complete the USOC’s Safe Sport program, have current CPR, attend an in-person certification course and pass an exam.In addition, every USAT Certified Coach must complete a comprehensive re-certification process every two years including earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs,) passing a criminal background screening, providing service to the sport, and being Safe Sport compliant.www.usatriathlon.org Related