UNITED STATES CENTER FOR COACHING EXCELLENCE ACCREDITS USA FOOTBALL'S YOUTH COACH CERTIFICATION

INDIANAPOLIS – USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, announced today that the non-profit’s Youth Coach Certification Program has been accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence’s (USCCE) National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE). USA Football offers the only USCCE-accredited certification for youth football coaches. USA Football’s accreditation is active through 2028.

The rigorous USCCE review process ensures coach education programs comprehensively align with SHAPE America’s third edition of the National Standards for Sport Coaches.

The USCCE’s accreditation ensures youth football coaches across contact, limited contact and non-contact play will continue to receive one of the strongest coach certifications in all of youth sports.

“USA Football and U.S. Track and Field are the only current United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee national governing bodies to receive full program accreditation,” said USCCE Accreditation Chair ANDREW DRISKA, Ph.D. “Accreditation ensures that a coach education program can deliver evidence-based knowledge, resources, and skills to its coach members. USA Football has developed a comprehensive program that prepares coaches to meet youth athletes at their stage of development while prioritizing quality experiences and healthy environments.”

Updated for the 2022 season, USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification is now open, delivering customized certification pathways for coaches based on their certification history and the game-type they coach, spanning flag through tackle.

USA Football’s accredited certification encompasses athlete health and safety, abuse prevention, Transformational Coaching, and skill and technique development for tackling and blocking. It also includes education on USA Football’s Football Development Model, which has earned the support of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The USA Football model is a comprehensive approach to training created in partnership with leaders in medicine, football, and athlete development to deliver age-appropriate teaching methods.

“Today’s news underscores how USA Football remains at the forefront of coach education for our children and their families,” said DR. GERARD GIOIA, Children’s National Hospital Neuropsychology Division Chief and Chair of USA Football’s Medical Advisory Panel. “USA Football’s certification represents the best of youth sports. From player safety to exciting player skill development, this is what 21st century youth sports coach preparation looks like and it’s what moms and dads should expect from a sport’s national governing body. USA Football does vitally important work, advancing youth athletes’ health and wellness through a terrific team sport for our kids.”

Since 2013, nearly 1 million coach certifications have been completed by coaches in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 10 foreign countries across four continents.