I have posted this in one format or another for over a decade now, but it's always good to repost as a tool to help others out. First Posted in 2004 

Questions

Rank each:  1-5
Q1) What is their formal education?  
* The higher the education, the higher the rank.

Q2) Who have they trained with?
* The better their partners are/were, the higher the rank.

Q3)  Who coached or mentored them?
* The better the coach(s), the higher the rank.

Q4) What have they done in the sport?
* The higher the level, the higher the rank

Q5) Have they made anyone better than them?
* This is always a 1 or 2  if Q4 is under "elite” total.  Outliers (all-time WR holders) need to be looked at as how many have they taken to the top level.

Q6) How many years competing in the sport.
* Under 5 years is a 1 - Over 15 years a 5

Q7) How many years of serious training
* Under 5 years is a 1 - Over 15 years a 5

Q8) How many years coaching or helping lifters?
* Under 5 years is a 1 - Over 15 years a 5

NOTES: 

Some other thoughts. If you are a beginer, think of all of these in the context of their experiance working with beginers.

The reason for the higher rank for each level is in most of these case each level takes years and repetetion to achieve. Everyone can learn the basics of any sport is a fairly short period of time.

If you want the very best you want those who have over learned in all areas so all the basic things come so natural they do not even need to think about them. This over learning takes time and this is where I do agree with the 10 year or 10,000 hour rule.

Do they suck?

Score 35 and over - great coach
30-34 - good coach
25-29 - ok but you can do better
18-24 - fine if its all you have, but you could do better on your own
17 and under - they suck!

If they suck it doesn't mean they always will as everything takes time to master.  There are and will still be outliers, but it's rare. This rank is for those who are looking for Powerlifting coaches to help them compete at their very best. This is not for personal trainers who want to use Powerlifting movements to help their clients.  Lastly, many coach lie, if you can't validate assume its BS. 

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