Flag Football Certification
Flag Football coach
To get certified as a flag football coach in the US, you can take the "Fundamentals of Coaching" course online through NFHS Learn (www.nfhslearn.com), which costs $52.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- NFHS Learn: The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) offers online coaching education courses, including the "Fundamentals of Coaching" course, which is a good starting point for aspiring flag football coaches.
- Cost: The "Fundamentals of Coaching" course costs $52.
- Bulk Purchase: School districts or representatives can purchase licenses in bulk for their coaches.
- Background Check: All NFL FLAG coaches must undergo a background check conducted by Checkr.
- No Prior Coaching Experience Required: No prior coaching experience is required to become an NFL FLAG coach.
NFHS
The National Federation of State High School Associations
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is developing national playing rules for high school flag football, with the first official rules book expected to be available in May 2025, and the NFHS Learning Center offers resources and courses for coaches and others involved in interscholastic sports, including flag football. You can find individual state high school flag football rules here.
NFHS Flag Football Initiative:
- New Sport: Flag football is the 18th sport for which the NFHS writes national playing rules, and the first new sport offering since boys lacrosse (2000) and girls lacrosse (2016).
- First Rules Committee: The NFHS Board of Directors approved the first NFHS Flag Football Rules Committee, which met in January 2025 to develop the first official national rules for high school flag football.
- Rules Book Availability: The 2025-26 NFHS Flag Football Rules Book will be available in May 2025, both in print and digital formats. You can purchase the print version at www.NFHS.com and access the digital version via NFHS Digital at www.NFHS.org.
- Focus on Participation: The NFHS is excited about this new sports opportunity, especially for girls, and is committed to supporting the growth of flag football in schools nationwide.
- Benefits of Flag Football: Flag football offers opportunities for students who may not have been part of other traditional high school sports, promotes teamwork, builds skills and athleticism, and encourages engagement and camaraderie.
NFHS Learn and Resources:
- NFHS Learning Center: The NFHS Learning Center is an online education platform that offers courses, national credentials, professional memberships, and resources to coaches, officials, students, administrators, parents, and performing arts leaders.
- Flag Football Resources: The NFHS Learning Center will likely offer resources and courses related to flag football, including coaching, officiating, and safety.
- Find Courses: Visit NFHS Learn to explore available courses and resources.
NFL Flag:
To get certified to coach flag football in the United States, coaches can pursue certification through USA Football, the official governing body for youth football, by completing their Level 1 Flag Football Certified Coaching Education courses, which includes online modules and quizzes.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- USA Football Certification:
- Level 1 Flag Football Certification: This is the entry-level certification for flag football coaches.
- Online Courses: The courses are designed to be accessible and easy to use, covering coaching theory, understanding the game, player and position skills, scheme, and health & safety topics like concussion awareness.
- Content: The courses include sections on coaching theory, understanding the game, all player and position skills, scheme, and health and safety content including concussion awareness.
- Accreditation: All courses are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education.
- Cost: The certification is a $25 value, available online for $15.
- Background Checks: All coaches must undergo a background check conducted by USA Football's official partner, Checkr.
- Additional Resources:
- Coach & Commissioner Membership: You can also pursue certification through the Coach & Commissioner Membership, which bundles youth certifications with other benefits.
- Advanced Flag License: For more in-depth education and training, consider the Advanced Flag License, which covers topics like abuse prevention, coaching 5v5 flag football, and injury management.
- i9 Sports: i9 Sports also provides resources and coach training for flag football coaches.
- Steps to Get Certified:
- Become a USA Football Coach Member: Consider becoming a USA Football Coach Member before starting your certification.
- Access the Certification: Go to https://footballdevelopment.com/courses-certifications/ and click LEARN MORE under either the Tackle or Flag Certification.
- Complete the Courses: Complete all the required courses to be certified.
- Pass Quizzes: You may need to pass quizzes to test your knowledge.