COACH CERTIFICATIONS
Coaching Certification
u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eCoaches 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.u003c/spanu003e
Why Requirements u0026 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
u003cemu003eRequired for:u003c/emu003e Rostering and credentialing for adult club teams at events such as U.S. Open and National Championships.rnrnu003cemu003eNote:u003c/emu003e The club coach is a u003cemu003enewu003c/emu003e 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.rnrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu0026nbsp;
Youth
u003cemu003eRequired for:u003c/emu003e At least one coach whose team is competing at a USAU-sanctioned high school state championships or at YCC must have the youth certification.rnrnu003cemu003eNote: u003c/emu003eAll other coaches on the roster or credentialed must have the foundational coach certification.rnrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eUSAU-sanctioned High School State championship or YCC teams need at least one certified coach. See Youth Guidelines for details.u003c/spanu003e
College
u003cemu003eRequired for: u003c/emu003eFor teams competing at the national championships and requesting team support, at least one coach on the team must be college certified.rnrnu003cemu003eNote: u003c/emu003eAll other coaches on the roster or credentialed must have the foundational coach certification.rnrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eNationals-bound teams need at least one college-certified coach. See College Guidelines for details.u003c/spanu003e
Club
u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe 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:u003c/spanu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eCoaching valuesu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eEffective coaching (transformational coaching)u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAthlete safetyu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThere 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.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eFoundational Coach Note: u003c/spanu003eu003c/emu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe 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.u003c/spanu003e
Youth
u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe youth certification is geared towards the coach working with players high school and middle school aged. The course includes the following topics:u003c/spanu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eCoaching valuesu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eLong-term athlete developmentu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eEffective coaching using transformational leadership principlesu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eA model for teachingu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAn overview of practice planningu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAn introduction to coaching Spirit of the Gameu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eRecruiting and inclusionu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAthlete safety specific to USAUu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe 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.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe 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.u003c/spanu003e
College
u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe course for the college certification includes the following topics:u003c/spanu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eCoaching valuesu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eLong-term athlete developmentu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eEffective coaching using transformational leadership principlesu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eA model for teachingu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAn overview of practice planningu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAn introduction to coaching Spirit of the Gameu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eRecruiting and inclusionu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ern tu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAthlete safety specific to USAUu003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe 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.u003c/spanu003ernrnu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe 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.u003c/spanu003e
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.
