Coaching Certification
Coaches are more than just instructors. They’re leaders, mentors and influencers. They can be profound and transformational figures, particularly for young athletes. USA Ultimate certified coaches receive basic education on rules, ethics, conduct, Spirit of the Game and more in order to lead a team on and off the field. Whether you’re passionate about coaching, want to help grow the game, or simply wish to stay connected to the ultimate community after your playing days are over, coaching ultimate is a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Why Requirements & Certification?
Athlete Safety, Education and Access
USA Ultimate’s Coaching Development Program (CDP) provides information and resources designed to make the coaching experience better for both coaches and athletes. Coaches receive athlete safety and protection training and learn about rules, ethics and Spirit of the Game. Certifications provide more specific instruction about coaching philosophies, athlete development, leadership and other technical aspects. In many cases, USA Ultimate requires coach qualifications to coach a team competing in a USA Ultimate sanctioned or championship event.
Certification Options
Club
Required for: Rostering and credentialing for adult club teams at events such as U.S. Open and National Championships.
Note: The club coach is a new certification for adult club coaches that replaces the Foundational coach certification. Current foundational coaches can still use that certification to meet club coach requirements and requirements for other events.
Youth
Required for: At least one coach whose team is competing at a USAU-sanctioned high school state championships or at YCC must have the youth certification.
Note: All other coaches on the roster or credentialed must have the foundational coach certification.
USAU-sanctioned High School State championship or YCC teams need at least one certified coach. See Youth Guidelines for details.
College
Required for: For teams competing at the national championships and requesting team support, at least one coach on the team must be college certified.
Note: All other coaches on the roster or credentialed must have the foundational coach certification.
Nationals-bound teams need at least one college-certified coach. See College Guidelines for details.
Club
The Club coach certification is for coaches of adult club teams. The club coach certification replaces the foundational coach certification. Current foundational coaches can still use that certification to meet club coach requirements and requirements for other events. The course is available to any current member online through the USAU MobileCoach app. The course includes modules on:
- Coaching values
- Effective coaching (transformational coaching)
- Athlete safety
There are two tests associated with the certification. One is a multiple-choice test on the basic rules of ultimate and about athlete safety. The second is a series of reflective questions.
Foundational Coach Note: The foundational certification is no longer provided. If your foundational coach certification expires December 31, 2026, you can still use it to meet requirements at club, college, and youth events through 2026. If your foundational coach certification has expired, you will need to complete the certification appropriate for the age group you are coaching.
Youth
The youth certification is geared towards the coach working with players high school and middle school aged. The course includes the following topics:
- Coaching values
- Long-term athlete development
- Effective coaching using transformational leadership principles
- A model for teaching
- An overview of practice planning
- An introduction to coaching Spirit of the Game
- Recruiting and inclusion
- Athlete safety specific to USAU
The course takes about three hours to complete. The certification test covers the material presented in the course, from the current USAU rulebook, and from the resource materials and is specific to the course. The test includes essay/reflection questions.
The Youth Coach certification is good through the third year following completion. Example: if you complete and pass the test between December 1, 2025 and November 30, 2026, the certification will be valid through December 31, 2028.
College
The course for the college certification includes the following topics:
- Coaching values
- Long-term athlete development
- Effective coaching using transformational leadership principles
- A model for teaching
- An overview of practice planning
- An introduction to coaching Spirit of the Game
- Recruiting and inclusion
- Athlete safety specific to USAU
The course takes about three hours to complete. The certification test covers the material presented in the course, from the current USAU rulebook, and from the resource materials and is specific to the course. The test includes essay/reflection questions.
The College Coach certification is good through the third year following completion. Example: if you complete and pass the test between December 1, 2025 and November 30, 2026, the certification will be valid through December 31, 2028.
What are the requirements?
Requirements for all certifications:
Be 18 years of age or older.
USAU membership (any level except youth).
Agree to the USAU Coaching Code of Ethics.
Agree to the USAU Spirit of Coaching.
Pass a criminal background check (required every two years).
Complete annual SafeSport training.
Complete a one time concussion training.
Complete the appropriate course for the certification.
Pass the required tests for the certification.
