Reference
The governing bodies.
Every sport has an authority. The national governing body sets the rules. The state high school association sets eligibility. The big youth associations run the leagues most kids play in. This is the directory.
When someone tells you "the rule book says..." or "USA Hockey requires..." this is where you go to verify.
High school athletics
Your state HS association is the authority on eligibility.
Transfers, GPA minimums, season dates, postseason qualifying, residency rules. All run by your state's high school athletic association under the NFHS umbrella.
- NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) ↗
Umbrella for all 50 state HS athletic associations. Publishes the rule books most HS sports use.
- NFHS state association directory ↗
Find your state's high school athletic association. The authority on eligibility, transfers, and your kid's actual season schedule.
By sport
National governing bodies and major youth organizations.
Baseball
Soccer
Basketball
Hockey
Swimming
Track & Field / XC
Tennis
Gymnastics
Martial Arts
Wrestling
Crew
College recruiting
The eligibility centers that decide whether your kid can play.
For NCAA D1 and D2, register with the Eligibility Center. For NAIA, register with PlayNAIA. For NJCAA, individual schools. D3 has no central eligibility center.
See also: The Recruiting Process · NCAA Eligibility Center
Safety, medical & emergency response
The orgs the Sideline File cites the most.
- U.S. Center for SafeSport ↗
Federally authorized abuse-prevention authority for Olympic and Paralympic movement sports. Required training for many youth sport coaches. Helpline: 720-531-0340.
- CDC HEADS UP ↗
Concussion training and resources for coaches, parents, athletes, and clinicians.
- Korey Stringer Institute ↗
Heat illness prevention, sudden cardiac arrest, and youth sport safety research at UConn.
- National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) ↗
Heat acclimatization, environmental cold, exertional heatstroke position statements. The clinical authority for athletic trainers.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) ↗
Pediatric medicine policy, including the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Authoritative on youth health, climate, and sport.
- American Heart Association (AHA) ↗
CPR and AED standards. Hands-Only CPR. Heartsaver and BLS certifications.
- American Red Cross ↗
First aid, CPR/AED, lifeguard certifications, water-safety standards.
- AAOS / OrthoInfo ↗
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Lay-language guidance on fractures, sprains, and pediatric musculoskeletal injuries.
- American College of Emergency Physicians ↗
Emergency medicine clinical guidance. Useful for parents on triage decisions.
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) ↗
Sun-protection guidance, including for youth athletes.
- Skin Cancer Foundation ↗
Youth UV-exposure data and prevention.
- Concussion Legacy Foundation ↗
State concussion-law tracker, return-to-play resources, and CTE research advocacy.
- Project ADAM ↗
School and youth-sport AED implementation and Heart Safe certification.
- USOPC SafeSport / U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ↗
Olympic movement governance. SafeSport policy framework.
- Stop the Bleed ↗
Civilian bleeding-control training. Tourniquets, wound packing, direct pressure.
Equipment standards
The acronyms inside the helmet shell.
- NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) ↗
Certifies football, lacrosse, batting, and pole-vault helmets. The "Meets NOCSAE Standard" stamp.
- NAERA (National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association) ↗
Licensed reconditioners that recertify NOCSAE helmets annually. Up to 10 years from manufacture.
- HECC (Hockey Equipment Certification Council) ↗
Hockey helmet and face-shield certification. The HECC sticker on the back of the helmet.
- BNQ (Bureau de normalisation du Québec) ↗
Goalie neck-and-collarbone protector standard. Required for younger USA Hockey goalies.
- USA Baseball Bat Standard ↗
The USA Baseball mark required on most youth-baseball bats since 2018.
- ASTM International ↗
Industrial standards body. ASTM F3137 is the girls-lacrosse eyewear standard. Other youth-sport standards across disciplines.
Federal agencies & helplines
Weather, water, kids, and the numbers worth saving in your phone.
- EPA AirNow ↗
Air Quality Index for the field zip code. Wildfire smoke, ozone, particulate. The number that drives the cancellation call.
- EPA: Wildfire Smoke Guide ↗
AQI-based recommendations for schools, youth sports, and outdoor activity.
- National Weather Service: Lightning Safety ↗
The 30/30 rule and lightning-event protocol.
- National Weather Service: Wind Chill Chart ↗
Cold-weather practice thresholds.
- U.S. Coast Guard: Water Safety ↗
Open-water swim and boating safety.
- CDC: Drowning Prevention ↗
Pool and open-water drowning data and prevention.
- NCMEC (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children) ↗
Resources for missing-child events. CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678.
- ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline ↗
24-hour hotline for child abuse concerns and resources. 1-800-422-4453.
- StopBullying.gov ↗
HHS-managed bullying prevention and reporting resources.
- FTC: Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) ↗
Federal rules for online services collecting data on children under 13.
- Consumer Product Safety Commission: Sports & Recreation ↗
Recall database and product-safety advisories for youth-sport gear.
- AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) ↗
Crisis resources and prevention. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- National Alliance for Eating Disorders ↗
Helpline and treatment-finder for eating disorders.
Officiating, culture & policy
The non-NGB organizations shaping youth sport.
- NASO (National Association of Sports Officials) ↗
Officiating standards, training, and abuse-of-officials data and advocacy.
- Positive Coaching Alliance ↗
Coach and parent education on positive sport culture and sportsmanship.
- Aspen Institute: Project Play ↗
National research and policy on youth-sports participation, costs, and health.
- Common Sense Media ↗
Reviews and policy guidance on apps, social media, and digital safety for kids and families.
Adaptive sports
Programs for athletes with physical or intellectual disabilities.
- Special Olympics ↗
Programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities, plus Unified Sports.
- Move United ↗
National adaptive sports network. Programs for athletes with physical disabilities.
- Adaptive Sports USA ↗
National governing body for adaptive sports across multiple disciplines.
- Disabled Sports USA / Move United ↗
National adaptive sports network (merged with Disabled Sports USA in 2020).
Missing one?
Email [email protected] with the sport and organization. We'll add it.