COLTS TO SUPPORT INDIANA ATHLETES & COACHES BY PROVIDING USA FOOTBALL’S YOUTH COACH COURSE

Thousands of Indiana athletes to benefit from coaches accessing best-in-class educational resources 

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – As part of their ongoing efforts to support and grow Indiana’s football community, the Indianapolis Colts will supply 1,200 local coaches with USA Football’s nationally recognized Youth Coach Course for the 2026 season. The program provides educational insights and resources to elevate sports standards and pave the way for communities to build memories together through football.  

This coming season, thousands of Indiana athletes will receive the benefit of learning from coaches who have completed USA Football’s Youth Coach Course free of charge, thanks to the Colts. The program offers pathways for both tackle and flag football coaches and provides essential education relating to player health and safety, fundamentals and technique, team management and more.  

“The opportunity to collaborate with the Indianapolis Colts to support grassroots Indiana football is always exciting and humbling,” said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. “We are grateful for their generosity as we strive to ensure the game is taught and played smarter than in any previous generation. 

“Our best-in-class Youth Coach Course encompasses athlete health and safety, abuse prevention, team management and skill and technique development in separate pathways for tackle and flag game-types. It’s all the latest information coaches need to prepare for and make next season the best one yet.”  

Youth football organizations in Indiana that enroll with USA Football are eligible for their coaches to receive access to the Youth Coach Course at no charge, courtesy of the Colts. Enrollment is a free and simple process that provides league leaders with USA Football’s library of resources covering education, eligibility for grants and promotional opportunities. For more info, visit usafootball.com/enrollment. 

Since 2021, the Colts have equipped more than 7,500 coaches with access to USA Football’s programs. The Colts provide comprehensive resources and opportunities for youth organizations and athletes, including grants, youth camps and efforts to grow girls’ flag football in Indiana.  

“The Colts are pleased to partner with USA Football to provide Indiana football coaches with training and resources to help them become more effective teachers and coaches,” said Colts Director of Football Development Andy Matis. “While these courses are designed to develop coaches, Indiana’s student-athletes will ultimately benefit from this shared information and new lessons learned.”    

USA Football is based in Indianapolis and serves as the sport’s National Governing Body and the member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) responsible for selecting, training and leading Team USA Football® in international competition, including flag football’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.  

USA Football’s Youth Coach Course encompasses the Football Development Model (FDM). Developed in partnership with medical, child development, long-term athlete development and football subject matter experts, the FDM aligns with the USOPC’S long-term athlete development principles. At its foundation, the FDM focuses on holistic learning and progressive skill instruction that meet young athletes at their current stage of development to teach appropriate skills. 

Since 2012, coaches across all 50 states and six continents have completed USA Football’s Youth Coach Course more than 1.35 million times.  

About USA Football: USA Football is the National Governing Body (NGB) for American Football in the United States and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the international governing body for the sport of American football. USA Football selects, trains and leads Team USA Football® in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways. For more information, visit usafootball.com.