Core Values
USA Ultimate’s Coaching Development Program features and promotes six core values designed to provide an inclusive, safe and fun environment for athletes and coaches alike.
Well-Trained Coaches
Skilled coaches who continue to learn their craft and enhance their knowledge provide a better experience for players.
Focus on Fun & Player Centered
Fun is the primary reason people participate in sports. A player-centered focus teaches autonomy.
Inclusive & Age Appropriate
Establish and maintain a welcoming environment for all. Teach the right skills – physical, cognitive, emotional and moral – at the right time.
Multi-Sport Participation
Encouraging participation in many different sports and physical activities, as well as incorporating rest and recovery, make motivated and well-rounded players.
Physical Literacy
Understanding movement and responsible body control are the building blocks of athleticism.
Small-Sided & Free Play
More playing. More creativity. More learning. Allow athletes to discover and learn through inventive playing. Free play develops autonomy.
What training/certification do I need?
Each team at a USAU-sanctioned middle school or high school state championship or at Youth Club Championships must have a Youth Certified coach. Any other coach on the roster must complete the Foundational Coach training.
Each team competing at college national championships that is requesting credentialed support staff must have a College certified coach. Any other rostered coach must complete the Foundational Coach training.
Any adult team at US Open or Club Championships requesting credentialed support staff must have any coach complete the Foundational Coach training.
Coaches at other USAU sanctioned events must complete the Foundational Coach training to be rostered and manage the roster.
USAU no longer requires the Foundational Coach training to become a certified coach.
What are the requirements?
Requirements for all:
Current membership and signed waivers
Current SafeSport training
Current background check from the USAU provider
Concussion training
Foundational Coach Training
The Foundational Coach training is an entry level pathway to provide new coaches with some basic instruction on ethics, Spirit of the Game, liability, and professionalism via online video modules.
- Foundational coaches are able to manage team rosters and to be credentialed at certain events. The potential coach must then pass a test over the videos, basic coaching concepts, and some rules.
- The Foundational Coach training is needed for coaches needing to be rostered and managing rosters at USAU-sanctioned events.
- Foundational coach training is valid through December 31st of the third year after completion. For instance, if you are trained/certified on July 21, 2024, it would expire December 31, 2026.
- USAU no longer requires the Foundational Coach training to become a certified coach.
Coach Certification
A certified coach completes an online, asynchronous course with video modules along with a manual.
- The certifications available are Youth and College. The coach candidate must then pass a coaching test over the modules, the manual, and some rules.
- The Youth Coach certification replaces the Middle School and High School Coach certifications. All current coaches will be converted to the Youth certification.
- Each team at Youth Club Championships or a USAU-sanctioned middle school or high school state championship must have a Youth certified coach.
- The College Coach certification is only required for college teams competing at D1 or D3 national championships where any team requesting support staff must have a college certified coach.
- USAU no longer requires the Foundational Coach training to become a certified coach.
- The coach certification is valid through December 31st of the third year after completion. For instance, if you are trained/certified on July 21, 2024, it would expire December 31, 2026.
Module Topics
Coaching Values | Effective Coaching (Transformational Coaching) | How to Coach Skills | Practice Planning | Introduction to Long-Term Athlete Development | Spirit of the Game | Recruiting and Inclusion | Athlete Safety
