The Alabama Department of Public Health has approved USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification as a pathway for football coaches to satisfy the state’s Coach Safely Act. The recent decision paves the way for Alabama football coaches and organizations to continue using USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification to prepare for their seasons. 

Adopted by Alabama in 2018, the Coach Safely Act ensures all youth athletics organization that serves athletes 14 years old and younger in contact sports or activities with the risk of injury require coaches and trainers to complete a course approved by the state’s Department of Public Health to reduce the likelihood of a child suffering an injury.  

As football’s first-ever National Governing Body and a member of the Olympic movement, USA Football engages with local, state and national officials to represent the sport and its many dedicated athletes and coaches. Additionally, USA Football presents leaders at all levels with the latest educational materials, recommendations and research. 

“After earning approval under Arkansas’ Coach Safely Act last year, USA Football was eager to engage Alabama’s Department of Public Health and present our comprehensive Youth Coach Certification,” said USA Football Senior Manager of Curriculum Long Term Athlete Development, Lauren Davenport. “Our program offers certifications for both tackle and flag football coaches. It covers essential aspects of health and safety, well-being and performance through modules focusing on head, heart and heat materials, on-field drills and skills, practical coaching, team management and abuse prevention. We regularly review and update the program to ensure we support coaches with the latest information they need to help athletes fall in love with football.” 

USA Football supports youth programs in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., helping organizations deliver developmentally appropriate coaching, life lessons and memorable experiences. In 2024, 6,370 organizations serving more than one million athletes enrolled with USA Football, and more than 104,000 coach certifications were completed.  

Since 2012, more than 1.2 million coach certifications have been completed nationwide, confirming the football community’s focus on ensuring the sport is coached and played smarter than ever before.  

USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification became the first in football approved by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) in 2022 after undergoing a rigorous review process, confirming its status as a best-in-class educational tool.