USATF Coaches Education Meltdown

I just got done the first endurance section. I am really enjoying it so far.

While they are reading from powerpoints(and really not that much) they are also throwing in extra info, anecdotes, and field questions as we go. very informative and also adding diagrams, charts, etc on the board.

very happy so far with it.

I am in the sprints/hurdles group and don't think it has been nearly as bad as previously stated.

Both instructors seem pretty knowledgeable and while the book and power point have not been exactly in line I think everything has been explained very well.

I don't know that the number of people in the lecture has negatively affected it...it does not seem to be any kind of problem.

As to holding questions until the end I do not have a problem with that either as it allows the instructors to stay on topic, finish a presentation and then go back for the ?

I learned a lot this morning, I think the pro's outweight the cons anyway.

IMO you're just negative and it don't matter who would be teaching....people are asking questions that are pertinent to them - why don't you raise your hand and ask a question? Or do you feel like you know it all already? You can't tell me with all the information that was provided that you could't figure out where in the book he was teaching from? So they read from a power point - who doesn't - get over yourself and open up your mind and try to learn something. Do what your ask your athletes to do - be teachable.....

I wrote that post halfway into the first two hours of the session (look at the time stamp). I will say that the session got alot better as the day progressed, however I will also say that I expected alot more from a level II. Let me repeat: I'm not trying to be negative, I just expected more. The kudos I would give is that the instructors were actually really good when they opened up the Q&A because they were talking and expressing their thoughts and experiences...not just what was on the slide projected on the wall.You are right that the people were asking questions pertinent to them...I can't and won't argue with that. What I will say (and I'm not trying to say I'm better or an elitist by any means) is that I'm surprised by the number of high school and club coaches in the class (yes, I am a college coach). Even if I wanted to ask a question (because I did not) I could not squeeze one in between all of the questions and discussion of high school vs club problems everyone was posing. If the instructors actually talked about all of the biomechanics charts and training technique that is outlined in the book, my hand would have been up all day long. High school/club psychology and drama, definately not my thing.The point I am getting at is that I don't think a very good job was done in spliting up the class. I commend all who are here because they are trying to get better and increase their knowledge. But, with all due respect to everyone here (not here), I feel that with the line of questioning we sat through today and with the way the information was presented, if you had blindfolded me and told me to guess which level II I am at, I would guess that somehow I was in Sacramento at the youth level II next month.

I did not spend a grand to endure narrow thoughts and questions about specific athletes from either the students or the instructors. Level 2 students reading this: It is not about you!!!! The problem with the instructors seems to be letting the lectures turn into "I have a kid.....". Please no more stories.

Pocono Joe wrote:

I did not spend a grand to endure narrow thoughts and questions about specific athletes from either the students or the instructors. Level 2 students reading this: It is not about you!!!! The problem with the instructors seems to be letting the lectures turn into "I have a kid.....". Please no more stories.

This happened last year (endurance) but the instructors got to the point where they nodded through the questions and gave one sentence answers and moved on.

I would put the onus on the coaches in the class, not the instructors. Yes, the instructors have a duty to "shut up" those students that can't see the forest for the trees and have no respect for the rest of the class members. But, when they know the members of the class kicked out $1000+ they probably feel they have a duty to address their questions.

I'm a middle school coach and I definitely knew my place in the class and listened for 99.9% of the class and only asked questions after sessions or during a meal. However, there were plenty of college coaches there that I felt were woefully underprepared for the course and had less of a knowledge base than I did. "Run Fast Turn Left" please take note that there are plenty of non college/postcollegiate coaches that are quite capable of taking the course. In many cases, they should be there instead of the college coaches who got their job because they were an all conference runner or their old coach retired and got them the job.

I think the best way to help the instructors and the rest of the class is to cut off the next ridiculous question and respectfully request that they ask their question after class so the instructor can continue to teach. Takes some balls, people might not like you, and it might seem rude but you'll get your point across.

I've heard things have gone from bad to worse in the sprints and jumps. Anyone on the scene to give a review?

I wouldn't say it's gotten much worse. The issue IMO is that there are people in here that clearly aren't ready for a college/elite Level II. The majority of the material has been watered down and taught to the youth/club/high school level because well over 70% of the class (yes I counted) falls into those categories. How do I know this? We had to be split up in to "like levels" for our group project. Of the 80+ in the class, only 30 or so people are from the college/pro/elite ranks.

To answer MScoaches comment about club/hs vs college, I don't disagree with you. I had coaches coming up who taught me that were of an elite caliber, however they chose to stay at the hs rank and not coach in college. What I will say is that the majority of the hs/club/youth people in here are not of the variety that you described in your response earlier. They should have been sent to the youth level II and not here. I'm not saying it's their fault, because they obviously were allowed to come here by USATF. What I will say is that my experience is far less than I expected and has not been geared towards what I feel is the intended Level II model.

also currently in the level 2 sprints/jumps.

I am a current college coach and while it has had some down moments overall I've learned a lot and for me it has been a worthwhile experience.

In every class there are people who want to try to prove they are smarter than the instructor or what not but overall I think the instructors have done a good job handling those situations.

Coach Truvillion (sp?) spent 30 minutes after the session ended last night just to help me with some specific questions I had regarding one of my athletes and was very helpful, did not try to rush me out even though it had also been a long day for her.

I would agree that I would have liked a somewhat smaller group more concentrated of college coaches where specifics would have been geared toward an NCAA season but that is a small complaint overall.

[quote]anan wrote:

Apparently some people on here just to tear down everybody and everything.

4 of us in my room...2 jumps...1 throws...1 sprints...we all agree that we are better off from being here...and not because of the food or accomodation.

I'm in jumps...Coach Fischer has personally been very helpful to me personally...and all of our class has had access to addition material if we choose to avail ourselves of it...we are the only class that has actually gone outside for demonstrations....it might not have been perfect....but if someone was in that class and didnt learn anything...they were just there for the certification and should say that

I'm a former Div. 1 distance runner who has coached track at a small hs for the last 15 years. I'm basically working with everyone. I've attended 3 level 2's (endurance, sprints, throws) and have had just the opposite viewpoint. Many of the high school coaches knew much more than the younger assistant college coaches. Experienced high school coaches don't move up to college, it's too much of a pay cut. Sitting in those level 2's showed very clearly that just because you're a college coach in name, means nothing as far as ability and knowledge.

Did jumps last year, sprints this year.

It was a world of difference between the two and not in a good way.

Last year Boo, Kebba, Lane. Boo is the master, Kebba and Lane are Boo's in the making. It was a deep understanding of the science and application in training, something to build on as I continued to coach more. I continually went back to my notes this past season.

This year Wendy and Clinton. It was nothing more than a glorified high school track clinic or a video that I could buy. I felt so ripped off. Any notes were a waste of time. The jumps this year sounded the same way also.

Those of you who have taken Level II in the past know the difference and if this is what coaches education is becoming it's sad.

I took throws which seemed ok but disorganized but I heard many people complaining from sprints and jumps. Pretty much everything Level Headness Prevail said is what I heard especially from people who'd taken Level 2 in the past. I knew it might be bad but took throws because the instructor group all stayed on teaching after the 'meltdown'. I wouldn't have attended for the jumps or sprints. Those who did don't know how short-changed they were. Giving away free videos and other materials and answering questions after class doesn't make up for poor teaching and a clinic style atmosphere. USATF really bungled things up to let Corn, Boo, Lane, Young, Badon, Tolbert, and the rest leave.

Everything I've heard about this year's level 2 from people who would actually know (alumni who took another event group this year) was that it was ok but nowhere near what it's been in the past. USATF finds a way to screw up even the best programs.

Let's tally it up. Doug Logan is running away from Indianapolis with his hair on fire after being torched by Stephanie Hightower. They both stabbed Brooks Johnson in the back a year ago, and this was after Brooks supported Stephanie for President of USATF. New hire Terry Crawford threw Boo Shexnayder and Mike Corn under the Association steamroller last December after letting the (Association) group emerge from their cubicles at the annual meeting and push coaches education policy their selfish way. Then the untruths and the he said, she said, to cover all of this up. Remember the silly USATF "press release" from Crawford on letsrun.com last February? You absolutely cannot make up a more outrageous soap opera. Tragic.....The selfish power trips by the people furthest from the athletes, but closest to the money is nuts.

That pretty much covers it.

I'm at Bowie State for a level one school. I was going to go to the level two over summer but when the shit hit the fan I decided to try to come to hear Mike Young here. So far he's taught a shit load -the bio-mechanics, physiology, bio-motor speed power development and sprints. I think he's teaching one or two more things too. The guy is like a force of nature. I think he's talked for like 10 hours all ready and still sounds fresh and excited. This is my first time hearing him and he is really good. It's amazing how much he knows about so many areas and events. I wonder why he would teach level ones but not level twos?

I feel like I got totally lucky to get my first Level II done (jumps) last year, in Boo's last year. I know guys who have actually been offered positions to present this year, and even THEY have told me the group isn't nearly as strong. Working with last year's group was amazing. USATF has completely blown it.

Has anyone seen this -

http://www.elitetrack.com/blogs/details/5370/

Looks like the big dogs of the old USATF coaching education program have regrouped.