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Become a Certified USA Powerlifting Coach
Overview
USA Powerlifting offers a comprehensive Coaching Certification and Educational Course program that is accessible to all USA Powerlifting members aged 18 and older. We provide three distinct levels of certification: Club Coach, Senior National Coach, and Senior International Coach. This program is designed to support coaches at all stages, from beginners to international and professional levels. Our mission is to equip coaching candidates with both information and technical expertise necessary for effective coaching at any level.
USA Powerlifting has gathered valuable information on powerlifting coaching from a variety of global sources. This resource will be beneficial to powerlifting coaches, competitors, fitness industry professionals, personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, sports performance specialists, and coaches of specific sports.
In the Club Course, USA Powerlifting delves into the rules governing the performance and execution of the three core disciplines: squat, bench press, and deadlift. Experienced international-level coaches and staff will impart coaching techniques that can be successfully applied to athletes at all levels.
The USA Powerlifting Club Coaching courses are structured as one-day events lasting approximately eight to nine hours, with both in-person and online options available. Participants are expected to demonstrate proficiency in powerlifting movements during the practical portion of the course. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to coach and critique their peers during the execution of the lifts.
At the conclusion of the course, a written examination will be administered. A USA Powerlifting coaching certificate will be awarded following the evaluation of performance and successful completion of the written exam.
**Certification Levels**
- **Club Coach (USA Powerlifting-CC)**: Focused on coaching novice to local and state-level lifters as well as acting as a club team coach.
*Course includes:*
- Basic human anatomy and physiology
- Biomechanical aspects of human movement
- Exercise descriptions and movement performance
- Rules of performance (squat, bench press, deadlift)
- Basic review of USA Powerlifting Technical Rules
- Methodology, principles, and theories of meet preparation and strength training
- Evaluation of performance
- **Senior National Coach (USA Powerlifting-SNC)**: Designed for coaching state to regional and national level lifters, including collegiate team coaches.
*Course includes:*
- All topics listed for Club Coach
- More thorough review of USA Powerlifting Technical Rules
- Team and meet management & strategy
- Advanced meet preparation and training
- Roles and responsibilities
- **Senior International Coach (USA Powerlifting-SIC)**: Intended for coaching national to international and professional level lifters and teams.
*To qualify for this exam, candidates must have served as an assistant coach on a national team competing abroad.*
*Course includes:*
- All topics covered in Club & Senior National Coach
- Intense examination and review of USA Powerlifting Technical Rules
- Drug testing parameters and protocol
- International team and meet management & strategy
- Pro Series Strategy
- Roles and responsibilities
**Additional Course Details**
Club Courses are conducted as one-day seminars at various locations throughout the year, available upon request. Senior National and Senior International Courses take place at select National Level Meets, requiring a minimum of 12 confirmed participants, with venues accommodating both classroom instruction and practical segments. Course materials consist of various articles, the USA Powerlifting technical rulebook, and an online curriculum approved by the Coaching Committee. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect any changes in technical rules or to incorporate new and valuable training information.
Curriculum
The curriculum is typically mailed out right after the regular registration deadline closes. This timing allows for sufficient opportunity to review the materials and get ready for the course. Please note that courses may be canceled if class rosters are insufficient by the regular registration deadline.
Course Schedule & Fees
All participants must be at least 18 years of age and current USA Powerlifting members, which requires a membership fee of $70 per year.
The registration fees for the courses are as follows: Coaching Fundamentals Course registration is $150, Level 1 - Club Certification Course registration costs $495, and Level 2 - Senior National Certification Late registration is also $495. Please note that the Level 3 - Senior International Certification Course is currently not offered.
All registrations are non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and there are NO REFUNDS for the courses. In the event that a course is canceled due to insufficient registrants, you will receive a refund from the National Office for the course fee.