TRACK AND FIELD TO BE ABOLISHED

If you are taking the time to read this, then you are concerned about the state of track and field in your area. It means that you take the time to read and learn about what makes our sport go. Many of you are high school athletes who are going on to college and hopefully will continue your running careers. Some of you have graduated college and hanging around after work, or waiting to find work, and spending your time watching high school track meets or surfing the web looking for results. While still others are parents who love track and field and want to know how you can do more.

The sport needs coaches, good dedicated coaches, and the best way to help out at the high school field is to become a certified coach with both Level 1 USATF certification and also by completing the required Care and Prevention of Sport Injuries Class.

Most counties in the state of Maryland will offer this course for a nominal fee if you are interested in becoming a coach. There are generally three types of coaches, head coach, assistant coach and volunteer coach. All three require the completion of the Sport Injury Class. The volunteer coach receives one dollar for their services and are not required to be in attendance at all practices and meets. Many volunteer coaches will assist with the field and specialty events.

Contact the Head of Athletics in your county. To find that information go to

www.mpssaa.org

If you would like to become a certified coach which involves three different levels of certification. Each one makes you a little more competent and knowledgeable in the area of track and field which you are interested. To find out about how to become a certified USATF coach go to

http://usatf.org/groups/Coaches/education/

If you don't have time to be a full fledged coach, but still are interested in helping out, you can also become a certified USATF official. Many counties require their coaches to also officiate the meets which does not allow time for coaches to actually spend with their teams during meets. There are different levels of certification and you can become certified in individual events or event management. For more information go to

http://usatf.org/groups/Officials/certification/

If you would like to learn more about coaching and read some very interesting and intense scientific articles about all aspects of track and field visit one of these two sites.

www.coacheseducation.com

www.elitetrack.com

Whatever your goal is to continue to add to the growth of high school track and field, there is a way to accomplish it. It is just up to you to take the first step