Policy Call to Action
Bolster Required Training for School-Based Sport Coaches
Less than 50% of school-based coaches are also teachers (National Coach Survey). Of those who are also classroom teachers, their required training on child development does not teach direct application to sports. This means school-based coaches come to their positions with varying expertise and qualification. To address these inconsistencies, as well as the inconsistencies among school-based coach training requirements nationally, states should adopt minimal annual training requirements for all school-based coaches. This should occur at all grade levels, for all coaches, whether teachers or non-teachers, paid or volunteer.
→What this looks like when we get it right: Every state has consistent policies that require comprehensive, annual training for all coaches that covers safety, mental health, pedagogy, and abuse prevention.
→Who can drive this change? Government, including state legislators, state departments of education; Sports Governance, including state sport associations; with support from Program Operators, Parents/Caregivers, Coaches and Youth
Why This Issue
Recent mapping of state-level policy shows all 50 U.S. states require school-based sports coaches to complete some form of health and safety training, with nearly all mandating CPR, first aid, and concussion management protocols. However, only half of states have legislation that explicitly requires background checks for all coaches including middle school and volunteer coaches. This responsibility is often left to individual school districts or boards.
Elevating the quality and consistency of youth coach training requires state-level intervention.
Getting Started
Address gaps in training topics. There is significant variation in whether coaches must be trained in other critical areas, including coaching pedagogy, sudden cardiac arrest, heat illness and acclimatization, child abuse and neglect, and mental health. These gaps mean that many coaches may lack essential tools to keep young athletes safe and supported.
Mandate annual training for all coaches. Only 20% of states require school-based coaches to receive annual training in health and safety protocols. Without regular updates, even trained coaches may be relying on outdated practices. Moreover, in some states, training is required only for head coaches, leaving assistants, volunteers, and middle school coaches without support.
Standardize and elevate training expectations. States should adopt policies that require all school-based coaches be trained to Stage 4 on the MCC-CCQ. This standard would ensure every coach is prepared to create a safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environment for young athletes.
Game Changing Content
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Mapping School Based Coaches |
Summary of policy changes first mapped in 2020 and then again in 2024 to distill how the landscape of school-based sport is evolving as it pertains to coach training and education requirements in the United States. |