Coaching Education

USA Cycling was a pioneer in Coach Education in the late 1990’s. The curriculum is refined and revised on an annual basis. Those who work through the program can expect to:

  • Learn and develop a practical, grounded knowledge of:

    • Coaching

    • Psychology

    • Exercise physiology

  • Formulate the ability to collaborate and research to effectively solve problems using advanced content

  • Create learning, training and competition environments to support performance while considering long term athlete health and wellness

  • Create an individual coach identity to ensure positive long term impacts with athletes


MENTOR

    Do you find helping others enjoy the sport of bike racing rewarding? Then the USA Cycling Mentor Certification is for you! It’s a short and inexpensive way to get the background information you need to help others and be an integral part of the sport in the US.

    Learn more about becoming a Mentor


    LEVEL 3

      Level 3 is our introductory coaching level. The curriculum covers the basics of not just coaching but the framework of the sport in the US. This first step is composed of a detailed online manual, exam, and sport integrity training. Get started on your pathway to coaching success!

      How To Get Certified

      1. Login your USAC Account or Create a Primary USAC Account
      2. Visit "Coaching Certification Level 3" : Enter course > Create an account (this is different from your primary USAC account) > Login and enroll in the course.
      3. Follow the process and instructions as outlined in the course
      4. This course is housed at https://learn.usacycling.org/ our Learning Management System. Please bookmark this for an easy return to login and access your course.
      5. All requirements for the certification are linked through the course, including the required SafeSport Training and Background Checks

        Once the course is complete, please follow the closing instructions on the short wait time before being able to pay for your new coaching certification.

        Learn More About L3


        LEVEL 2

        This level is the next step in a coach's journey. It can be started as soon as a coach completes Level 3. The curriculum focuses on several areas

        • Combine the foundational knowledge of coaching, psychology, and exercise physiology to develop and retain athletes in cycling

        • Analyze, collaborate and research to effectively solve problems using widely available content

        • Discuss the elements of an environment that supports performance and long term athlete health and wellness

        • Examine the benefits of additional learning to refine the coach identity


        The online course is the first step in the upgrade process. The revised course will be launched in spring 2024

        Once complete with the online portion of Level 2, a coach is eligible to take a Level 2 Clinic

        The clinic provides a chance to work with other coaches around practical application of the online material. It also provides an opportunity to form a relationship with a USA Cycling Coach Developer who can assist in your coaching career development.

        Clinics conclude with a final project and several follow-up calls over the following 6 months.

        Clinic Costs vary on location.


        LEVEL 1

        Level 1 provides a deep understanding of coach-athlete relationship by tackling how to coach and not just what to coach . The curriculum focuses on:

        • Advanced Physiology

        • Sport Psychology

        • Inter/Intra personal relationship enhancement

        • Resourceful problem solving


        The 3 day clinic provides a chance to work with other coaches in a collaborative environment to grow a group, not just as individual coaches. It prepares coaches to use cutting-edge research to inform their decision-making while significantly elevating their coach/athlete relationship development. It also provides an opportunity to form a relationship with a top level USA Cycling Coach Developer who can assist in your coaching career development.

        Clinics conclude with a final project and several follow-up calls over the following 6 months.

        Clinic Costs vary on location.