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USA Football
The National Governing Body for American Football
The National Governing Body for American Football
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee has officially certified USA Football as the National Governing Body (NGB) for American football.
This distinction marks a significant milestone in American football history — and for the future of the sport. For the first time ever, American football has a clear Olympic pathway and a defined path to the highest level of the sport.
This is just the beginning. Together, we’re shaping the future of football — For You. For The Game.
As the NGB, USA Football is responsible for selecting and leading the U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams in tackle and flag football while advancing the game for athletes, coaches, and officials through safer, inclusive, and innovative pathways.
USA Football supports the sport's growth through various world-class competitive, educational and financial opportunities, including its National Team Development Program, accredited education programming and extensive resource and grants offerings.
USA Football's mission as the NGB is to grow and develop the sport across the nation and on the world stage and to lead the sport in reaching new heights by continuing to advocate for more opportunities for athletes, coaches, and officials to enjoy and compete in football at all levels, regardless of game type.
Your journey as an athlete, coach, or official starts with USA Football and it's also where you can get on the radar of the U.S. National Team.
GRASSROOTS
YOUTH RECREATIONAL
TACKLE & FLAG
This pathway offers young athletes more opportunities to play the game and choose the type of football they want to play.
Coaches learn how to mentor and coach their athletes based on age, skill, and game type. This pathway can also provide certification and training for new or experienced flag football officials.
As the NGB, USA Football's role is to help identify the right entry point for athletes to learn the game and related skills in a progression that best suits them, further advance standards in education and certification, and work with youth football organizations to promote smarter and safer ways to play and teach the game.
DEVELOPMENT
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
TACKLE & FLAG
Athletes on this pathway seek more competitive football, combining the technical skills they have learned with new tactics while testing themselves in games that involve more complex strategies and athleticism.
Coaches on this pathway receive additional certification and training, focusing more on advanced concepts, position-specific skills, coaching tactics, schemes, and football knowledge. Officials on this pathway are utilizing their flag football certification and the training tools and resources to officiate rules and safety on the playing field at the next level of competition.
As the NGB, USA Football offers athletes, coaches, and officials the chance to elevate their performance on and off the field by preparing them for higher levels of competition such as tournaments, playoffs, championships, the National Team Development Program and Junior U.S. National Team.
ELITE
ADULT COMPETITIVE
FLAG
Athletes, coaches, and officials are on the pathway to the highest competitive level of flag football.
Athletes and coaches dedicate significant portions of their daily lives to training and competing to win, focusing on understanding the game's mental aspects, including rest and recovery, refining position-specific skills, and understanding what it takes to meet the demands of the elite competitive environment.
As the NGB, USA Football provides adult athletes from all sports with a clear pathway to represent the U.S. National Team on the world's biggest stage. Athletes are exposed to opportunities to compete with and against the best flag athletes in the country, receive instruction from U.S. National Team coaches, and learn how their skills compare to elite athletes.
Our National Team athletes and coaches represent the highest level of competition and the standard of excellence.
USA Football is looking for the best athletes and coaches for the Adult and Junior U.S. National Teams. As the NGB and sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), USA Football builds and manages all aspects of the U.S. National Teams.
The Men's and Women's U.S. Flag National Teams are ranked first in the IFAF Flag Football World Rankings. The Men's team has won six gold medals and the Women's team has won three. The teams are featured in the documentary "Champions Rising: USA Football's National Team," which highlights their journey to becoming world champions in flag football.
The Boys' and Girls' U.S. Junior National Teams represent the USA in youth flag football at the highest international level. The 15U and 17U Boys have won a combined five gold medals, and the 15U and 17U Girls have won a combined six gold medals.
As the NGB, USA Football's National Team Development Program (NTDP) is the primary pathway for youth athletes and coaches to level up their skills and raise their game as they train, compete, and are evaluated.
The NTDP program prepares and showcases athletes' character and skill in both practice and competitive environments. On-going athlete development is measured and evaluated, with top performers earning invites to join a Select Team roster spot and attend future U.S. National Team Trials.
Talent ID Camps are part of USA Football's NTDP and are the best way for athletes and coaches to get on the radar of the U.S. National Team and be part of the next generation.
4/17/25 - USA Football becomes formally certified as the sports official national governing body by USOPC.
4/17/25 - USA Football joins the likes of track and field, swimming and gymnastics as a national governing body after being certified Thursday by the USOPC.
4/17/25 - USA Football has officially been certified as the national governing body for American football by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
4/17/25 - CEO of USA Football Scott Hallenbeck discusses the growth of flag football ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
4/17/25 - USA Football has been named the national governing body for American football by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.