National Team Development Program
The Next Generation of Flag Football Athletes
The National Team Development Program identifies and develops athletes nationwide through a structured pathway of evaluation, training and best-on-best competition.
Athletes showcase their skills, receive valuable coaching and feedback, compete against top talent and pursue opportunities along the pathway to TEAM USA FOOTBALL®.
As the official National Governing Body, USA Football is building the developmental pipeline to feed future U.S. Flag National Teams competing for TEAM USA FOOTBALL®—one family of teams representing the U.S. in elite competitions, including the Olympics.
You can help support the next generation of athletes on the cusp of greatness and give more athletes a chance to #RepTheFlag by nominating a talented athlete who has the skills, character, and passion to compete at the next level.
USA FOOTBALL
Reaching the next level requires dedication, development and opportunities to test your skills against the best. Athletes in the National Team Development Program can continue building their game through:
- Skill Development: Strengthen football fundamentals, techniques and game knowledge.
- Performance Evaluation: Gain valuable insight into athletic abilities, strengths and areas for improvement.
- Competitive Experience: Test skills against top athletes in challenging, high-level environments.
Every experience helps athletes build on their development, sharpen their skills and prepare for future opportunities along the pathway to TEAM USA FOOTBALL®.
Get Your Athlete ID
Athletes who want to join the National Team Development Program must have a TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Youth Athlete ID ($35) or Adult Athlete ID ($39.50).
Camps & Evaluations
Train with USA Football coaches, test your athletic abilities and compete in flag football drills and gameplay. Receive performance feedback and get evaluated by scouts.
Showcase your flag football skills from anywhere through USA Football's Digital Combines hosted on GMTM. Complete designated drills, submit your performance videos and get evaluated by USA Football scouts.
Take your development further at invite-only camps focused on position-specific skills, advanced coaching and competitive gameplay. Refine your techniques and get evaluated in a high-level training environment.
🅘 Participation in Talent ID Camps, Digital Combines and Accelerators requires an eligible TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Youth Athlete ID or Adult Athlete ID. Accelerators are invitation-only. Participation and evaluations do not guarantee advancement or selection for future National Team Development Program or U.S. National Team opportunities.
The USA Football Select Bowl brings together some of the nation's top rising flag football athletes for an elite, best-on-best competitive experience.
Athletes train with experienced coaches, compete against top talent from across the country and showcase their skills in front of U.S. National Team scouts.
More than just a competition, the Select Bowl provides athletes with an opportunity to challenge themselves, elevate their game and pursue the next step along the pathway to TEAM USA FOOTBALL®.
The National Team Development Program not only aims to introduce the future generation of athletes to the U.S. National Team Program, but it also stands to identify the next generation of coaches.
Coaches interested in being part of the National Team Development Program start their pathway with a TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Coach ID.
To be evaluated and considered to coach at a Talent ID Camp, you must have a TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Coach ID ($54.50), pass the Advanced Flag Course, complete SafeSport training, and take an NCSI Background Check before participating in a USA Football Event and submitting your application (spots are limited, and final selection is not guaranteed).
USA Football's National Team Development Program provides education and training for flag football officials, along with opportunities to officiate an evaluation or competition event.
To officiate, you must have a TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Official ID ($44.50), complete the Flag Officials Course and SafeSport training, and pass an NCSI Background Check. Spots are limited, final selection is not guaranteed, and all requirements must be completed to be eligible.
National Team Development Program evaluations and competitions are a key step on the pathway to TEAM USA FOOTBALL®.
Athletes receive coaching, performance feedback, and training to help prepare for future USA Football opportunities.
USA Football is the official National Governing Body for American football in the United States, the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and the only organization that selects, trains, and leads TEAM USA FOOTBALL® in elite international competition, including the 2028 Summer Olympics.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you are a parent or guardian of an athlete, you can contact a representative from the National Team Development Program by filling out a form here.
If you are a coach or run a youth flag football program, you can contact a representative from the National Team Development Program by filling out a form here.
Flag football players nationwide are trained, identified, and invited to be part of the next level of competition through USA Football's National Team Development Program.
The program's events prepare and showcase players' character and skill in both practice and competitive environments. Ongoing athlete development is measured and evaluated, with top performances throughout the event cycle earning invites to the U.S. Flag National Team Trials.
The National Team Development Program focuses on helping athletes enhance their skills to become the next generation of talent. The program offers a structured environment for elite skill development, along with opportunities for athletes to demonstrate their abilities in both practice and competitive settings. Athletes also gain exposure to U.S. Flag National Team coaches and staff.
The National Team Development Program (NTDP) is a structured pathway designed to identify and develop the next generation of U.S. National Team flag football athletes.
Athletes enter the pathway through Talent ID Camps and other evaluation events, where they receive elite coaching, combine-style testing, performance feedback, and exposure to USA Football scouts. From there, top performers can advance to Select Teams and compete at the Select Bowl, or represent their hometown team at Stars & States—premier competitions that bring together top athletes from across the country.
Through the NTDP, athletes continue to refine their skills, gain exposure, and compete at a higher level, all leading toward U.S. National Team Trials invite eligibility and the opportunity to represent TEAM USA FOOTBALL® in elite international competition, including the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Coaches join the National Team Development Program with a TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Coach ID ($54.50), where they receive education and training through USA Football's Advanced Flag Course. After completing all requirements, coaches become eligible to apply for Talent ID Camps, where they are evaluated by USA Football personnel for additional coaching opportunities with Select Teams and Stars & States Teams. This program creates a direct pathway for those aspiring to coach the U.S. National Team in international competitions.
Officials join the National Team Development Program with a TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Official ID ($44.50), which provides access to the required Flag Officials Course. After completing all requirements, officials become eligible to be assigned to officiate an evaluation or competition event, where they are assessed by USA Football personnel. This program creates a clear pathway for officials aspiring to officiate national and international Olympic-style competitions.