Welcome to our Youth Hub!
We're glad you're here. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to youth sport, we have informed resources to help you provide children with a safer and more positive experience, no matter your role.
The resources on this page are designed to help youth sport coaches, parents and caregivers, and administrators alike. We're also excited to share more about the initiatives we support, like the American Development Model (ADM) and the Million Coaches Challenge.
Learn more below about how you can make an impact in youth sport!
The American Development Model (ADM)
The ADM is a concerted effort between the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and it's National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs). Research shows active lifestyles offer enduring benefits for health, performance, and success, in and out of sport. The ADM fosters healthier Americans at every level of sport and age - from youth sports, to competitive club levels, to national and Olympic and Paralympic teams.
The ADM
See our ADM Manual here!, opens in a new tabADM has been around since 2009 with USA Hockey leading the start of the ADM programming and the USOPC taking the lead in 2014 to organize all NGBs to recognize the model and the value it can bring to the athletes, their parents and caregivers, as well as coaches and sport administrators within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement and across America.
ADM utilizes long-term athlete development and quality coaching concepts to promote sustained physical activity, athlete safety and age-appropriate development with the aim of creating a positive experience for American athletes across all levels of sport. The USOPC and the NGBs work together to grow ADM programming and its awareness within the Movement.
National Governing Bodies (NGBs)
Find your sport's NGB here!, opens in a new tabNational Governing Bodies are organizations that govern and manage all aspects of their individual sports within the United States. The NGBs are responsible for training, competition and development for their sports, as well as nominating athletes to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams.
NGBs implement and champion many of the USOPC's guiding resources seen above in their respective programming, and are drivers of the American Development Model (ADM) and many other informed best practices.
Your sport's NGB will have more sport-specific resources for:
- Parents and caregivers,
- Athletes,
- Coaches,
- Sport administrators and club directors,
If you find you or any youth athletes are interested in learning more about a specific sport, contact your NGB to learn more!
For Coaches
Access free online courses and resources designed to help youth and community coaches create more positive, engaging, and rewarding sport experiences. Courses include Connection Based Coaching (CBC), How to Coach Kids (HTCK), and Coaching Girls; all part of the Million Coaches Challenge.
Connection Based Coaching
Take the free course!, opens in a new tabConnection Based Coaching focuses on training coaches in social and emotional learning techniques and is delivered online in an interactive and engaging format. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee created Connection Based Coaching in partnership with StandUp LLC and with support from the Susan Crown Exchange, to support the Million Coaches Challenge, an initiative to train one million coaches in youth development and skill-building techniques.
How to Coach Kids
Take the free course!, opens in a new tabBeing a great coach starts with creating a fun, safe, and great experiences for kids. Take How to Coach Kids and learn how to plan practices that are safer, more fun and keep kids wanting more. Developed by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and Nike in partnership with Project Play, How to Coach Kids is a FREE 20-30-minute online training course designed to help coaches create more positive and engaging sports experiences for children.
Coaching Girls
Take the free course!, opens in a new tabIn sports, girls face different challenges and expectations than boys. Coaching girls will provide tips, information and resource to help coaches of all levels keep girls active and loving sport for life. The Coaching Girls module is a great resource and complement to the How to Coach Kids online program, where through this approximately 20-minute module, any coach that has girls on their team or as the main gender in the program, can learn how to make the experience the best ever.
For Parents and Caregivers
Have you ever wondered if a club, a coach, or a sport program is creating a safe and positive youth sport environment for your kid? Check out these resources, designed specifically for parents and caregivers, to learn more.
Quality Parenting Framework
Read the full guide here!, opens in a new tabParents and caregivers play a crucial role in their child's sports journey. Their involvement can significantly shape their child's experience and development in sports and in life. The Quality Parenting Framework (QPF) is a comprehensive guide designed to support parents in their role within youth sports and focuses on building strong relationships, promoting an athlete-centered approach, supporting physical and socioemotional development, and encouraging various forms of parental involvement.
Parent Toolkit
See the full tool-kit here!, opens in a new tabThe Parent Toolkit below is a more practical guide that compliments the main Quality Parenting Framework. It helps parents understand their roles better and gives even more practical tips on how to support their kids in sports. The toolkit is divided into parts that focus on things like being a good role model, providing the right kind of support, and encouraging open communication.
5 Ways to Know
See all the visuals here!, opens in a new tabThe "5 Ways to Know" posters provided here complement the Quality Parenting Framework by offering practical tips for parents to support their children in sports through quick concise visuals. These visuals help inform parents or caregivers of youth sport athletes; to recognize if coaches and programs are doing the right things to provide a safe and positive youth sport experience.
For Administrators
As an administrator, your role is crucial in making a positive youth sport experience happen. By using the strategies in this Quality Parenting Framework, and the accompanying Admin Toolkit, you can help create a supportive environment where parents and caregivers are engaged positively, coaches are confident, and kids feel encouraged. Everyone works together to make sports a great experience. Your leadership can make a big difference in fostering a community that values growth, fun, and development over just winning.
Quality Parenting Framework
Read the full guide here!, opens in a new tabAs an administrator, the Quality Parenting Framework (QPF) can be a valuable tool to help you foster a supportive and effective sports environment in your programming. By implementing the framework in your program, the QPF helps ensure that parents are positively involved, coaches are aligned with best practices, and athletes receive the comprehensive support they need for both their athletic and personal development.
Admin Tool-kit
See the full tool-kit here!, opens in a new tabThe Admin Toolkit is a more practical guide for youth sport administrators and complements the main Quality Parenting Framework resource. It provides a even more tips and strategies to help administrators support parents and caregivers, coaches, and create a positive experience for young athletes. By using the strategies in the Admin Toolkit, you can help create a supportive environment where parents engage positively, coaches feel confident, and kids feel encouraged; all working together to make sports a great experience.
5 Ways to Know
See all the visuals here!, opens in a new tabThe "5 Ways to Know" posters are also helpful to administrators in several ways. As an administrator, you can use these visuals as educational tools, resources to provide clear and consistent messaging to parents and caregivers, staff and coaches, and other key stakeholders, and reinforce positive behaviors and principles of the QPF in your programming.