The NFHS Level 1 Coaching Certification is a national professional credential offered to anyone who aspires to become a high school sports coach or to individuals already in the coaching profession. Individuals who earn this certification have demonstrated their ability to complete coaching courses offer by NFHS. These courses enhance coaching ability, teach new skills, and ensure that coaches are better able to meet the needs of their clients.

Coaching young athletes is about much more than teaching them the fundamentals and rules of the game; it is about preparing them for the ups and downs of life, and professional development opportunities like the Level 1 coaching program from NFHS are crucial to positive coaching and the development of young student athletes.

What is NFHS?

NFHS is the National Federation of State High School Associations. There are almost eight million participants in high school sports, and besides the parents, the most important individual to these high school student-athletes are their coaches. It is estimated that there are 750,000 high school coaches – many of them are also teachers with a background in education, but there is an increasing number of coaches who are hired for their expertise and experience in a particular sport.

Knowing the fundamentals of their sport is a vital part of coaching at the high school level, but there are also numerous teachable moments and lessons that should be taught by the coaches. From sportsmanship to teamwork to hard work, coaches instill critical values in the youth of America.

What is the NFHS Level 1 Coaching Certification?

The NFHS Level 1 coaching certification is part of professional development for these coaches. The credential for the NFHS Level 1 coaching certification is the Accredited Interscholastic Coach (AIC), and is proof that those accredited coaches are interested in provided the right culture for sportsmanship and learning.

NFHS has also developed a Level 2 program; to be eligible for this advanced program, an AIC credential is required. Upon completion of the Level 2 program, coaches earn the Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC) certificate.

NFHS Core Classes

Some of the basic classes coaches take with NFHS include:

• Fundamentals of Coaching – helps coaches create an age-appropriate and healthy athletic environment that supports learning, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
• First Aid, Health, and Safety for Coaches – designed in partnership with the American Red Cross, this course provides an overview of basic first aid and best practices in situations that require first aid.
• Concussion in Sports – everyone has heard about the problems of concussions, especially in football. But, concussions are a concern in every sport, and it is vital for coaches to understand proper concussion recognition and management.
• One-Sport Specific Course – this can be the sport of the coach’s choice – basketball, baseball, cheer, lacrosse, field hockey, football. Soccer, and more.

There are many other available courses, all of which are geared to the high school sports coach. If you are coaching high school sports or are considering becoming a coach, you should seriously consider the NFHS Level 1 coaching certification.