Quality Coaching Framework

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, in partnership with its National Governing Bodies and Dr. Wade Gilbert of Human Kinetics, created the USOPC Quality Coaching Framework, which provides an overarching set of principles that is designed to inform how to coach most effectively. The USOPC QCF is a vetted, carefully crafted, evidence-based resource that establishes a common language and principles of quality coaching for all those working in Team USA coaching contexts.

The USOPC QCF was first published in 2017 and was updated in 2020 to enhance and emphasize key areas of focus for Team USA coaches and the American system. Updates in 2020 include:

• Updated USOPC Code of Conduct references
• Updated connections to the 2019 National Coaching Standards
• Additional information on the USOPC and National Governing Body American Development Models
• Increased emphasis on Athlete-Centered and Coach-Driven methodologies for well-being

The USOPC QCF aims to help the USOPC’s coaching education department make important progress toward achieving the following goals and objectives:

• Advance the profession of coaching in the United States through recognition and exposure
• Promote coaching certification and positive examples of coaching principles in action
• Close performance gaps by raising awareness of and supporting coaching education programming that is aligned through collaboration with NGBs and other partner organizations
• Support Team USA and the USOPC’s sport performance division in the delivery of education about high-performance coaching while developing resources to support NGBs
• Deliver programming from the USOPC to fill gaps in current NGB and U.S. programming

The USOPC QCF further serves multiple stakeholders working in Team USA coaching contexts, including:

• Coaching education program providers
• NGB administrators and working groups
• Coaching scientists
• Sports organizations

The USOPC Quality Coaching Framework consists of six chapters, each focused on a different, but related, component of quality coaching.

The chapters highlight the coach­ing principles associated with each subject:

• Chapter One: Quality Coaching
• Chapter Two: Essential Coaching Knowledge
• Chapter Three: Athlete-Centered Outcomes
• Chapter Four: Contextual Fit
• Chapter Five: Evaluation and Recognition
• Chapter Six: Coach Well-being

Download the full USOPC Quality Coaching Framework.