Programs u0026 Services
Athlete Protection u0026 Safety
Our Top Priority
The overall health, safety and well-being of the ultimate community stands alone as our top priority and our commitment to protecting our members – including athletes, coaches and volunteers – is unwavering. This page details many of USA Ultimate’s policies, procedures and resources designed to safeguard the physical, mental and emotional health of our community.
Athlete Protection
USA Ultimate is committed to fostering a safe environment for all of its members and has aligned itself with the U.S. Center for SafeSport. The Center is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on ending all forms of abuse in sport. Under federal law, the Center develops resources and policies to safeguard athletes from bullying, harassment, hazing, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and sexual misconduct. The Center is a trusted educational resource for sports entities at all levels from grassroots amateur sports organizations to professional leagues.
What We’re Doing
Implementing policies and procedures and providing resources designed to protect our members – particularly youth athletes – from harassment, abuse and misconduct.
u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eRequiring SafeSport training for all coaches, chaperones and sanctioned event tournament directors at no cost.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eOffering free SafeSport training for all USA Ultimate members.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRequiring NCSI background checks for all coaches and chaperones.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRequiring chaperones for any team, regardless of division, that has a youth athlete (under the age of 18) on its roster.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSharing resources and information for athletes, coaches and parents.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePublicizing member suspensions and bans.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
Recognizing Prohibited Conduct u0026 Behaviors
In accordance with the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code and USA Ultimate’s Code of Conduct, all USA Ultimate members, including but not limited to employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers and chaperones, are prohibited from engaging in the following conduct at any time.
Bullying
Bullying is repeated or severe behavior that is aggressive, directed at a minor, and intended to hurt, control or diminish the minor emotionally, physically or sexually.
Hazing
Hazing is conduct that subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally or psychologically, to anything that may endanger, abuse, humiliate, degrade or intimidate the person as a condition or joining or being socially accepted by a group, team or organization.
Harassment
Harassment is repeated or severe conduct that causes fear, humiliation or annoyance; offends or degrades; creates a hostile environment; reflects discriminatory bias in an attempt to establish dominance, superiority or power over an individual or group based on age, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, national origin or mental or physical disability; or any act or conduct described as harassment under state or federal law.
Emotional Misconduct
Emotional misconduct involves a patte of deliberate, non-contact behavior that has the potential to cause emotional or psychological harm to a participant. These behaviors may include verbal acts, physical acts, acts that deny attention or support, criminal conduct or stalking. Emotional misconduct is determined by the objective behaviors, not whether harm is intended or results from the behavior.
Physical Misconduct
Physical misconduct is any intentional contact or noncontact behavior that causes, or reasonably threatens to cause, physical harm to another person.
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual Misconduct offenses include, but are not limited to: Sexual or gender-related harassment; Non-consensual sexual contact (or attempts to commit the same); Non-consensual sexual intercourse (or attempts to commit the same); Sexual exploitation or bullying, hazing or other inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual misconduct of a minor occurs when any physical contact occurs for the purpose of causing sexual arousal or gratification of either the minor or the adult.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, graphic, physical, or otherwise. Sexual harassment includes harassment related to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, which may include acts of aggression, intimidation, or hostility, whether verbal or non-verbal, graphic, physical, or otherwise.
Intimate Relationships
A participant violates this code by engaging in an intimate, romantic or sexual relationship where a power imbalance exists. This includes relationships, regardless of age, between individuals with a position of power or supervisory role over athletes (excluding pre-existing relationships between spouses and life partners).
Report a Concern
9-1-1
Contact 9-1-1 immediately if you are facing a life-threatening emergency.
Report to USA Ultimate
All prohibited conduct, including SafeSport Code and USA Ultimate Code of Conduct violations, can be reported directly to USA Ultimate by calling 719-219-8339 or emailing ReportConces@usaultimate.org.
Mandatory Reporting
By federal law, any SafeSport trained member of USA Ultimate, including all staff, coaches, chaperones and touament directors, are considered mandatory reporters and must report suspected sexual, physical or mental abuse of a minor to law enforcement.
Athlete Protection u0026 Safety Resources
Background Checks
USA Ultimate requires criminal background checks for all coaches and chaperones. Screenings are conducted by the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NSCI). The NSCI is widely considered to be the leader in the youth sports safety movement and is the industry standard trusted by national governing bodies of amateur sport and the National Council of Youth Sports.
Athlete Safety
USA Ultimate works closely with its medical advisory working group – a team of licensed medical professionals with a broad range of expertise – to develop policies and implement best practices designed to protect the physical health and safety of our members and the greater ultimate community.
What We’re Doing
Providing training and resource materials and implementing policies, procedures and protocols for different members of the community.
u003culu003ern tu003cliu003eRequiring coaches to complete a concussion awareness and safety program.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eRequiring event organizers and tournament directors to follow health, safety and liability requirements addressing:u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cli style=u0022list-style-type: none;u0022u003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eEmergency medical plans and protocols.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eMedical and training staff and space.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eWeather-related issues, including lightning and extreme heat, cold and wind.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eHydration.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eAlcohol consumption.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eConcussion safety and awareness.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSideline safety and field-of-play quality.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSafeSport training.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eEducating athletes about injury prevention and treatment and other health and safety issues.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
Concussion Resources
USA Ultimate requires its members to strictly follow the CDC’s HEADS UP Concussion Action Plan in the event of a suspected concussion.
