"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well."
Welcome
We're glad you're here!
Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to grassroots, we have informed resources to help you provide children and athletes with a safer and more positive experience, no matter your role.
The resources on this page are designed to help coaches, parents and caregivers, and administrators work together to provide children and athletes more informed and positive grassroots sport experiences. We're also excited to share more about the initiatives we support.
We work with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to integrate these resources and best practices into their complementary programs, reaching coaches, parents and caregivers, and sport administrators across the country. Beyond our work with NGBs, we also partner with other key leaders in grassroots sport - like Nike and the Aspen Institute - through initiatives like How to Coach Kids, the Million Coaches Challenge, and as a member of Project Play’s 63X30 Executive Roundtable.
Together, we can support national efforts to build a healthier, more informed, and inclusive future for grassroots!
The ADM is a concerted effort between the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and it's National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs). Research shows active lifestyles offer positive and enduring benefits for health, performance, and success, not only in sport but also in life. The ADM fosters healthier Americans at every level of sport and age - from grassroots, to more competitive sport settings, to national and even Olympic and Paralympic teams. Explore our free resources below to learn more about best practices and recommendations that apply across any sport or activity.
The American Development Model (ADM)
See our ADM Manual here!, opens in a new tabThe ADM has been around since 2009, with USA Hockey first launching the ADM programming and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) taking the lead in 2014 to organize all National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport 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.
The 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.
Some practical resources within the ADM manual linked below include:
- ADM Stages of Development: Outlines what athletes need at different ages and stages of development to grow physically, mentally, and emotionally through sport.
- ADM Checklists (for Clubs, Coaches, Parents/Caregivers, and Athletes): Provides quick, role-specific action steps for coaches, parents, clubs, and athletes to create positive sport environments.
- Quality Coaching Guidance: Highlights key coaching behaviors that support skill development, confidence, and long-term athlete engagement, aligning with the USOPC Quality Coaching Framework.
- Paralympic and Adaptive Sport Inclusion Strategies: Strategies and ways to include athletes with disabilities, so all youth can participate and thrive regardless of ability or level.
- Competition & Participation Guidelines: Offers expert recommendations on how much training and competition is appropriate at each stage.
See the the ADM manual linked below, as well as our quick wins section, to learn more!
Quick Wins: Meaningful Sport Tips in Minutes
Create a Free Account and Learn More!, opens in a new tabBusy schedule? No problem! These bite-sized learning modules deliver 2-3 introductory, practical tips in just 3-5 minutes to help you support the positive development of youth in sport effectively.
- Short, actionable insights
- Expert-backed, research-driven content
- Downloadable one-pager at the end
Whether you're a parent/caregiver looking to foster a positive sports environment, an athlete interested in learning more about your own development through sport and the benefits of activity, or a coach/club director aiming to enhance programming and development, our expert-driven insights - rooted in the American Development Model (ADM) - make it easy to learn more and implement best practices today.
If you like these resources and find them helpful, you can:
- Learn more about your specific sport or activity's context through your sport's National Governing Body,
- Read more about your role and how you can make a positive impact below,
- Complete our more in-depth online learnings and resources below like Connection Based Coaching (CBC), How to Coach Kids, and Coaching Girls.
Invest a few minutes today - make a lifelong impact in sport!
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!
Competition and Stages of Athlete Development
Click here to access this free resource!, opens in a new tabWhether you're a coach, parent, caregiver, or sport administrator, understanding where athletes are in their development is key to creating a positive sport experience. When competition and the sport environment align with an athlete’s developmental stage, it supports both their performance and personal growth - while helping them stay connected to the game they love.
This short, 5-minute e-learning resource introduces the stages of development outlined in the USOPC’s American Development Model (ADM) and offers practical tips and tools for coaches and parents and caregivers supporting younger athletes across various levels of sport.
Multi-Sport Participation
Click here to access this free resource!, opens in a new tabChildren in youth sport benefit most when they engage in a variety of physical activities and movement patterns in early stages of development. This microlearning explores how sampling different movement experiences - or applying multi-sport principles like cross-training or purposefully varied movement exercises - supports longer-term engagement, enjoyment, personal development, and injury prevention.
Even in sports where early specialization can be prevalent - like figure skating, diving, or gymnastics - coaches and parents or caregivers can work together to apply these principles to ensure children experience a healthy development, regardless of their level or ability.
Deliberate Practice
Click here to access this free resource!, opens in a new tabThis 5-minute microlearning offers quick insights into what makes practice truly effective for children in youth sport. You’ll be introduced to the idea of deliberate practice - focused, intentional training or play that supports skill and personal development over time.
Whether you're a coach, parent, caregiver, or sport administrator, this module highlights how to encourage meaningful practice that meets each child where they are in their development.
Competition Duration and Dose
Click here to access this free resource!, opens in a new tabThis 5-minute microlearning explores how the frequency and length of competitions can impact children in youth sport. When competition schedules are aligned with a child’s developmental needs, it supports longer-term enjoyment, motivation, and long-term participation.
Coaches, parents, caregivers, and sport administrators will gain quick insights into how to structure competition in ways that prioritize well-being - for athletes and children of all ages, stages, and experience levels.
Learn more about sport specific competition formats and best practices from your sport's National Governing Body.
Balancing Training and Competition
Click here to access this free resource!, opens in a new tabThis 5-minute microlearning introduces key considerations for balancing training and competition in youth sport. Coaches, parents, caregivers, and sport administrators will gain insight into how to align competition-to-practice ratios with a child’s stage of development - helping to prevent burnout and support steady growth. The guidance applies to all children in sport, whether they’re early in their journey or progressing toward higher levels.
More sport specific recommendations can be found through each sport's National Governing Body.
Focusing on Growth Over Winning
Click here to access this free resource!, opens in a new tabThis 5-minute microlearning offers insights into how we ought to define and measure success in grassroots sport settings. By shifting the focus to learning over winning, coaches, parents, caregivers, and sport administrators can help children achieve longer-term growth through improved personal development, performance, and participation, while maintaining their love for sport.
These principles apply to every child in sport - no matter their goals, background, or current skill level.
Preventing Overuse Injuries in Sport
Click here to access the free resource!, opens in a new tabThis 5-minute microlearning offers important insights into how overuse injuries can impact children in youth sport - and how adults can help prevent them. Coaches, parents, caregivers, and sport administrators will learn how rest, varied movement, and communication that includes input from children can support longer-term health and positive development through sport.
These strategies are valuable for every child in sport, regardless of any specialization, level, or physical ability.
Periodization: Balancing Training, Rest, and Recovery in Sport
Click here to access the free resource!, opens in a new tabThis 5-minute microlearning briefly introduces the concept of periodization - the planned balance of training, competition, and rest to support long-term development. Coaches, parents, caregivers, and sport administrators will gain insight into how structured variation in physical activity helps children in youth sport, and even athletes in high performance sport settings, stay healthy, motivated, and progressing at a pace that fits their specific goals and needs.
Seek out your sport's National Governing Body to access more sport specific resources on periodization and other topics.
Helping Athletes Deal with Ups and Downs in Sport
Click here to access this free resource!, opens in a new tabThis 5-minute microlearning shares practical ways to support children and athletes in youth sport through the natural highs and lows of development and competition. Coaches, parents, caregivers, and sport administrators will gain insights into goal-setting, communication, and celebrating progress - whether goals are met or still being pursued.
These tools will help children and athletes adopt a growth mindset and stay engaged and confident in sport, no matter where they are in their sport journey.
Access free online coaching courses, modules, and resources designed to help coaches create more positive, engaging, and impactful sport experiences. Courses include Connection Based Coaching (CBC), How to Coach Kids (HTCK), and Coaching Girls; all part of the Million Coaches Challenge. We also have a coach-specific toolkit for strategies and best practices on working with and incorporating parents and guardians in sport. For more sport specific resources, follow-up with your sport's National Governing Body.
Connection Based Coaching
Take the free course!, opens in a new tabConnection-Based Coaching focuses on equipping coaches with strategies to better foster interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and positive relationships when working with their athletes. This free online course features Team USA athletes and staff and is delivered through three 30-minute modules, each designed with an interactive and engaging e-learning 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 contribute to the Million Coaches Challenge, an initiative to train one million coaches in positive 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.
Coach Toolkit
See the full toolkit here!, opens in a new tabThe Coach Toolkit below is a practical companion to the main Quality Parenting Framework, created specifically for coaches. It offers insights and strategies to help coaches understand and support parents in their roles throughout the sport experience. The toolkit is organized into sections that guide coaches on building relationships with parents, promoting athlete-centered parenting, and supporting physical and socioemotional development. It also helps coaches navigate the various contexts in which parents engage, ultimately fostering a more collaborative and positive youth sport environment.
Informative Graphics Detailing the Million Coaches Challenge Implementation Study
Initial Findings from the Million Coaches Challenge Implementation Study
A well-trained coach can transform a young athlete’s experience - building confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for the game.
Take our free courses here!, opens in a new tab
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 and those in the ADM section, designed specifically for parents and caregivers, to learn more. For more sport specific resources, follow-up with your sport's National Governing Body.
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.
As an administrator, your role is crucial in making a positive grassroots sport experience happen. By incorporating the strategies and best practices within the ADM, Quality Coaching Framework, and Quality Parenting Framework, and the accompanying Admin Toolkit, you can help create a supportive environment where parents and caregivers are incorporated more positively, coaches are more confident and supported in their work, and children feel more fulfilled and encouraged to stay in sport. 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. For more sport specific resources, follow-up with your sport's National Governing Body.
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.
Quality Coaching Framework (QCF)
Read the full guide here!, opens in a new tabThe USOPC Quality Coaching Framework (QCF) outlines what effective coaching looks like and provides brief practical guidance to bring it to life. Developed by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee with input from sport leaders and experts, it defines the key principles that create safe, engaging, and holistic, athlete-centered sport environments. The QCF supports both coach development systems and individual coaching practice - helping coaches grow while elevating the experience for every athlete.
Read insights and advice from sport experts including Olympians, Paralympians, coaches, and youth athletes on creating impactful sport experiences.
How Coaching Shapes the Youth Sport Experience — And a Free Course by the USOPC to Help
Read More Here!As fall approaches, families across the country prepare for the familiar back-to-school whirlwind – new routines, new supplies, and, for many, the start of a new sports season. Amid the excitement lies many important choices like selecting the right program for your child or building the right environment as a coach or administrator.
At the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), we’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the most elite athletes in the world. When we ask what made the greatest difference in their athletic journeys, their answers almost always point to one thing: a great coach. But what defines a “great” coach? It’s not just about wins, skills, or game plans. Time and again, we hear that it’s about relationships, trust, encouragement – and the way coaches shape athletes as people first, not just athletes.
That’s why we created the free Connection Based Coaching course – designed to help coaches of any sport and experience level build the social and emotional skills that today’s young athletes value most. It's also part of a national movement to train one million coaches in positive youth development by the end of 2025.
Great Coaching Is More Than X's and O's
Read the full blog here!, opens in a new tabKey Points:
- Athletes at every level of sport—from young athletes to Olympic and Paralympic medalists—agree that great coaches foster social and emotional growth as much as physical performance.
- Great coaches genuinely care about their athletes, build relationships and environments that foster success, and instill life lessons about teamwork, resilience, and more.
- Ensuring a positive experience for athletes at every level starts with the training coaches receive. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) is part of the Million Coaches Challenge (MCC), a multi-partner movement that aims to train one million coaches, bridging a gap in coach training and ensuring that coaches are equipped with the necessary tools to promote positive youth development.
Winning Beyond the Game: Preliminary Findings from the Million Coaches Challenge
Learn more here!, opens in a new tabA well-trained coach can transform a young athlete’s experience - building confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for the game.
Preliminary findings from the MCC Implementation Study highlight the influence of coach training:
93% of coaches agreed training had an influence on building their confidence.
94% believe all coaches should receive foundational youth development training.
71% of coaches believe that their participation in training positively influenced athlete retention and made athletes more likely to return.
We’re winning beyond the game - learn more about our efforts at MillionCoaches.org/implementation-study/