USA Football Levels of Contact®
Coach Fundamentals That Support Safety & Skill Development
Coaching the Fundamentals
USA Football Levels of Contact® gives you a step-by-step approach to teaching fundamentals—so your players are prepared before full contact.
As a coach, you can prioritize player safety and skill development by progressing from no-contact to game simulation, gradually increasing intensity while reducing the risk of helmet-to-helmet contact.
Coach blocking, defeating blocks, and tackling through drills that support athlete safety while building skills and confidence with the USA Football Levels of Contact®—For You. For The Game.
Step-By-Step Guide
The USA Football Levels of Contact® breaks down the progression levels from no contact to live.
✓ Drills are performed without opposition or contact
✓ Drills involve contact with a bag or similar soft surface
✓ Drill is run at an assigned speed until the moment of contact
✓ One player is pre-determined as the winner by the coach
✓ Contact remains above the waist and players stay on their feet
✓ Drill is run at an assigned non-competitive speed until the moment of contact
✓ One player is pre-determined as the winner
✓ Players are allowed to take their opponent to the ground in a controlled manner
✓ Drill is run at a competitive speed through the moment of contact
✓ There is no pre-determined "winner"
✓ Contact is above the waist
✓ Players stay on their feet and a quick whistle ends the drill
✓ Drill is run at a competitive speed in game-like conditions