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Home USA Football Advanced Flag Coach License

Advanced Flag License

Take your coaching to the next level

Level Up Your Coaching

The level of competition rises for flag football athletes ages 12 and older, requiring coaches to adapt and improve their skills to find that winning edge.

Coaches need a more advanced understanding of the game as practices and training ramp up for athlete skill development, schemes and tactics become more complex against never-before-seen opponents, and games and tournaments take on a new meaning.

Join new and experienced coaches from across the country, taking their game to the next level with a USA Football Advanced Flag License.

Learn More

Advance Your Game

The Advanced Flag License offers new and experienced flag football coaches the insights, strategies, and tools to gain a competitive edge for athletes ages 12 and up while keeping them safer on and off the field.

The Advanced Flag License is also the first step and only way for flag football coaches to join the sport's Olympic movement through the USA Football National Team Development Program.

With the USA Football Advanced Flag License, you can get the training and education to coach flag at the next level, meet one of the coach requirements for the National Team Development Program, and unlock exclusive resources to boost your skills.

Get Licensed

Advanced Flag License for Coaches

Specialized training and education for new or experienced coaches of flag football athletes ages 12 and older

Advanced Flag License $30

Online Education and Training Courses

Abuse Prevention

- Identifying signs of abuse

- Reporting processes and ways to protect athletes

Coaching & Managing 5v5 Flag Football

- Develop skills for effective instruction

- Management of practices, games and tournament opportunities

Health & Safety

Concussion

- Understanding concussions

Immediate Health Risks and Injury Management

- Identify Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), heat illnesses and other common injuries

- Strategies to help reduce risks during practices and competitions

Physical and Mental Health Performance and Preparation

- Tools to support the physical, mental and emotional health of athletes

- Learn the importance of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Principles of 5v5 Flag Football

- Foundational elements of 5v5 flag football

- Learn key rules, positions, and strategies for offense and defense

Get Licensed

GET GAME-READY

Why You Should Get Licensed

Whether new or experienced in club or scholastic coaching, the Advanced Flag License takes your game to the next level. Gain new skills and access to valuable resources to help elevate yourself and your athletes on and off the field.

Greater Opportunities
Take the first step in meeting a requirement for a coaching role with the USA Football National Team Development Program.

Advanced Training
Learn more advanced flag coaching strategies, schemes, and techniques for practices and game days.

Sharpen Your Skills
Interactive and comprehensive online courses that give you the skills to improve athlete development and find that winning edge.

Drive Progress
Be part of a growing sport and help shape the future of flag athletes with best practices in health, wellness, and safety.

Stay Ahead
Access the latest coaching resources and tools, practice and playbook designs, rulebooks, and scouting.

Get Licensed

KEY FINDINGS

The competitive level of flag football, as seen by coaches, league commissioners, and administrators*

80%

say it's a good competitive sport for female athletes

78%

say it's a good competitive sport for male athletes

72%

say the sport can be played into adult life at a competitive level for both men and women

*Source: 2022 Tackle vs. Flag Perceptions Research Report conducted by Performance Research

Looking for More?

If you become a Member, you can get the Online Youth Flag (and Tackle) Coach Certification, additional coaching resources, drill videos, X's & O's, and more for only $40!

Learn More

The Next Generation of Flag Coaches

USA Football is the only organization that selects and leads the men's and women's U.S. National Team programs and the boys' and girls' Junior U.S. National Team programs.

USA Football is expanding opportunities for coaches to participate in the National Team Development Program through Talent ID Camps and other events that offer coaches a chance to be evaluated and showcase their skills.

If you are interested in coaching at national or international flag football competitions, take the first step to meeting one of the coach requirements for the National Team Development Program by getting your Advanced Flag License.

Get Licensed

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What you need to know about the USA Football Advanced Flag License

The Advanced Flag License is $30 and includes in-depth education and training in abuse prevention, understanding and coaching 5v5 flag football, immediate health risk and injury management, and physical and mental health performance and preparation. Once completed, you'll unlock access to download additional coaching resources and tools, practice and playbook designs, rulebooks, and more.

No, you don't need any prior coaching experience. The USA Football Advanced Flag License is for those who aspire to coach athletes ages 12 and older (including club and scholastic). It can be purchased separately or, like many other coaches, after completing the Youth Flag Certification.

USA Football is the only organization currently offering an Advanced Flag License that meets the baseline needs and requirements for the Football Development Model, meets one of the coach requirements for the National Team Development Program, and focuses on 5v5 flag football aligning with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).

The USA Football Advanced Flag License is valid for the year it is completed. For instance, if a coach completes their License on August 1, their License will be valid until December 31. After this period, you must renew your Advanced Flag License by completing the required courses to stay up-to-date.

The USA Football Advanced Flag License is entirely online, allowing you to take it at your own pace and on your schedule, which can vary the amount of hours it takes to complete.

Greater Opportunities
Take the first step in meeting a requirement for a coaching role with the USA Football National Team Development Program.

Advanced Training
Learn more advanced flag coaching strategies, schemes, and techniques for practices and game days.

Sharpen Your Skills
Interactive and comprehensive online courses that give you the skills to improve athlete development and find that winning edge.

Drive Progress
Be part of a growing sport and help shape the future of flag athletes with best practices in health, wellness, and safety.

Stay Ahead
Access the latest coaching resources and tools, practice and playbook designs, rulebooks, and scouting.