RAISE THE BAR
REQUIREMENTS FOR RECOGNITION
Adopting these standards will set your league on a path to be recognized and celebrated for making a difference for athletes and their families.
Organizations have until September 30 of the current year to satisfy the requirements outlined in the levels. Benefit packages will be available for 6 months after the organization's achievement date.
Leagues will unlock their benefit package when their subsidiary organizations independently satisfy the identified standards and requirements. Starting in 2023, we've also added additional pathways to Silver and Gold.
DIG INTO THE DETAILS
As you explore the League Excellence Program to understand what is asked of your organization, you'll want to review the full verification requirements document. It includes details on criteria for all levels, including:
- 100% of Coaches Certified
- Concussion Return to Play Protocol
- Satisfy Insurance Requirements
- Emergency Action Plan
Examples and more information for certain requirements can be found below.
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INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Starting with your league’s 2023 enrollment, there will be new required minimums for coverage that reflect where we believe leagues need to be to best protect their athletes and themselves. The chart shows required coverages from 2022, and 2023 requirements will be listed soon at usafootball.com/insurance.
LEVELS OF CONTACT
Levels of Contact allows coaches to plan effective practices through a step-by-step approach to teaching the fundamentals — so players can build skills and gain confidence in limited full contact environments.
PRACTICE GUIDELINES
USA Football is committed to advancing player safety to protect the health and well-being of every child. The purpose of practice guidelines is to provide youth football organizations with recommendations for consistent methods designed to limit the chance for injury during structured practice sessions.
PRACTICE PLANS
Beyond practice guidelines, using USA Football's practice plans illustrates your organization's further commitment to the proper instruction and development of athletes. Coaches can access these plans after purchasing certification, with the option of using USA Football’s new Coach Planner app, coming to iOS and Android devices soon.
SKILL ASSESSMENTS
Assessments are used by coaches to better understand an athlete's physical aptitude, choose appropriate drills, and track how a player is progressing. When young players are taught the right skills at the right time it makes the game fun and fulfilling, which means they are also more like to stay with football over the years.
These assessments are also available to coaches as part of the Player Progression Guide.
PLAYER PROGRESSION GUIDE & CONTACT MANUAL
USA Football’s Player Progression Guide and Contact Manual provide step-by-step approaches to technical skills like Passing, including drill glossaries.
Coaches will also learn how to teach the new Prep for Contact curriculum, designed to help you get your athletes ready for player-to-ground or player-to-player contact.
