BALTIMORE – US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport, is playing a leading role in offering essential sport training and credentialing for the national lacrosse coaching community through its ground-breaking coaching education program (CEP). Following the successful launch of Level 1 CEP certification for men’s and women’s lacrosse coaches in 2007, the organization announces the availability of Level 2 CEP certification, the only credential of its kind available to coaches in the sport.

"This new component of our coaching education program recognizes coaches who are dedicated to the game and to learning the best practices for coaching our sport safely and effectively," said Erin Smith, director of education and training for US Lacrosse. "As the sport grows, more and more individuals are needed to coach this unique game. The coaching education program and certification were designed to address this need. We feel that all coaches coaching at least ages 13 and up should seek to become Level 2 certified and athletic directors should look for this qualification when selecting and hiring their lacrosse coaching staff members."

"US Lacrosse recognizes that training for lacrosse coaches is essential to a positive, successful experience for their players," said David Antol, chair of the US Lacrosse national coaching education committee.  "Coaches equipped with a Level 2 certification have a complete toolbox to provide the most beneficial sport experience for their players from the high school level to the youth level."

The US Lacrosse coaching education program is the only nationally standardized, lacrosse-specific program in the US. It is aligned with the National Standards for Coaches and aims to not only train coaches in the finer points of the game, but to help coaches be better teachers of the game and to be knowledgeable of all their roles and responsibilities. Level 2 is aimed at coaches who have at least two years of coaching experience and are coaching players who understand the basics of the game. The coaching education program features a blended learning curriculum of online coursework and in-person clinics.

Level 2 certification requirements are as follows:

• Current Level 1 CEP certification which includes completion of the Level 1 core curriculum and Positive Coaching Alliance double-goal coach workshop
• Completion of the CEP Level 2 online course
• Completion of a CEP Level 2 instructional clinic

More than 9,000 coaches have participated in some component of the coaching education program in the last five years. For more information about the coaching education program and certification and training opportunities for lacrosse coaches, please visit www.uslacrosse.org/cep. To view a comprehensive white paper on US Lacrosse coaching certification, visit http://www.uslacrosse.org/cep/certification-whitepaper.pdf.

US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse. US Lacrosse has more than 300,000 members in 62 regional chapters around the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. To learn more about US Lacrosse, please visit www.uslacrosse.org.