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 coach members 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 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
Foundational
Required for: Rostering and credentialing for any youth, college, or adult club event.
Note: This certification is sufficient for most coaches but see below for more information.
Youth
Required for: At least one coach whose team is competing at a USAU-sanctioned middle school or 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.
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.
1. Foundational
The Foundational Coach certification gives some basic information about coaching and has two tracks: Adult and youth. You choose the more appropriate one for your needs. If you coach both, you can choose which one you want to take. The other course will be available for you as well.
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 adult track covers topics such as developing coaching values, effective coaching using the principles of transformational leadership, and athlete safety. The adult course is about one hour in duration.
The youth track is curriculum developed through the Million Coaches Challenge grant that is aimed at coaching youth athletes and explores effectively coaching generation Z, creating a culture of belonging, partnering with parents, and elevating your coaching IQ. The youth course is about 90 minutes in duration.
The certification test covers the material presented in the course, from the current USAU rulebook, and from the resource materials, and is specific to each course. The test includes essay/reflection questions.
The foundational coach certification is good through the second year following completion. Example: if you complete and pass the test between December 1, 2024 and November 30, 2025, the certification will be valid through December 31, 2026.
For Canadian coaches, please email cdp_info@usaultimate.org for steps to complete the foundational coach certification.
2. 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, 2024 and November 30, 2025, the certification will be valid through December 31, 2027.
3. 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, 2024 and November 30, 2025, the certification will be valid through December 31, 2027.
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 test for the certification.
