USATF vs. RRCA Certification

I do not have either, but I think a level 2 is superior to RRCA certification based on what I know of each. I know one person who has RRCA. He said it was less intense than a coaching certification I know very well. That tells me it is not all that intense.

The USATF level 2 requires (last time I checked) some time coaching before you can attend. Then it is about a week long. At one time, you ended the course by having to write a year long periodization plan.

Most of these so called "coaches" the RRCA cranks out are back of the pack runners looking to turn their first marathon into a business since they now know everything!

The more imporant question isn't what your certification is, but what are your PRs?

I have a Level 1 from USATF and an RRCA cert. The course for the USATF Level was fundamentally better at giving you the tools to create a training plan.

The RRCA course in my experience just gave you a few examples of training, and then basically said "who's the say which one is best?"

Both have peripheral stuff that you may not care to hear about:

USATF - Field events and sprinting

RRCA - Club management, insurance, etc.

I don't know which is viewed better in an athlete's eyes.

All you need is a Runner's World subscription.

Amby wrote:

Most of these so called "coaches" the RRCA cranks out are back of the pack runners looking to turn their first marathon into a business since they now know everything!

This.

You can look at the content of each training and see which appeals. USATF training seems to be oriented toward HS and college coaching with the L1 covering the essential knowledge to start as an assistant coach. RRCA seems more oriented to a charity club coach (Team in Training, etc.) or a local club coach or someone who wants to have a side business as a coach. For either, you will want to have some practical experience to combine with the training.

somebloke wrote:

Amby wrote:

Most of these so called "coaches" the RRCA cranks out are back of the pack runners looking to turn their first marathon into a business since they now know everything!

This.

Tell me again what Joe Vigil's 10k pr was.

The certifications target different athletes. USATF as well as USTFCCCA are more geared to young track runners. RRCA goes more towards adult road runners. Which you go to depends on who you want to coach.

Its just a longer run wrote:

somebloke wrote:

This.

Tell me again what Joe Vigil's 10k pr was.

Experience is what he has to offer, and heaps of. He surely didn't get any of that from a certification. The phrase above, as quoted, still remains true.

Some_Dude wrote:

I'm curious if anyone can tell me the benefits of each. I mean does one out way the other? Say, if I were to gain Level 1 and then Level 2 Certification from USATF would that outweigh an RRCA Cert? Does an RRCA Certification equal a Level 1 USATF Certification?

Any info would help.

If you are just merely coaching HS track or xc, then stick with USATF. I have a level 1 certification, but could never take the time to travel for a level 2 class.

It provides a very broad based instruction for all events. It discusses physiology and the mechanics of several events. At the high school level, it is probably essential to know something about everything, unless you are an assistant for a single area. But even if you are an assistant for a certain area, you need level 1 to go to level 2.

RRCA has a benefit if you are a club team. From what I understand, RRCA provides grant money to clubs. But I would imagine that to do this, you need to be affiliate with the RRCA and have a certified coach on board.

somebloke wrote:

Amby wrote:

Most of these so called "coaches" the RRCA cranks out are back of the pack runners looking to turn their first marathon into a business since they now know everything!

This.

Tell me again what Joe Vigil's 10k pr was.[/quote]

Experience is what he has to offer, and heaps of. He surely didn't get any of that from a certification. The phrase above, as quoted, still remains true.[/quote]

Do you not understand why Joe is called DOCTOR Vigil? He has a PhD in exercise physiology and has THREE masters degrees, which is just a "few" levels above coaching education. And anyone who is a real coach and has gone to see Vigil speak knows that Joe's one-liners are worth the trip.

Probably the biggest indictment of the RRCA program are the statements on here that USATF Level I is a cut above RRCA, because USATF Level I is just an introduction to get people understanding the same terminology and the real training occurs in level II-III. RRCA people are not real coaches and don't understand even the most basic fundamentals. But for people who are real coaches (meaning high school and above) the place you want to go is USTFCCCA, for both the symposium and the Academy, and you really don't need much of anything beyond these.

What was Bill Bowerman's PR?Oftentimes the greatest performers have tremendous ability which makes it difficult to teach others. Every person that I've ever coached has outperformed me and I am certain many coaches can say the same thing. Usain Bolt can't teach what he does and those Kenyans can't teach what they do.

Amby wrote:

Most of these so called "coaches" the RRCA cranks out are back of the pack runners looking to turn their first marathon into a business since they now know everything!

The more imporant question isn't what your certification is, but what are your PRs?

What were Lydiard's PRs? Wetmore? Heck Daniels for that matter?

I would say certs are not all that important in a field that is not regulated, but it at least shows someone sought out education. Ultimately in coaching it is the success of the athlete that matters. In coaching age groupers, the relationship is also very important.

Awesome