Overview
of National and State Coaching Licenses
National
Coaching Schools
Created in
1970 by the famed West German coach Detmar Cramer, the USSF National Coaching
Schools offers fours levels of licensing ("A", "B", "C"
and US Soccer Youth Licenses). Candidates attending the national coaching schools
go through a rigorous nine-day schedule of field and classroom sessions, concluding
with extensive testing on theoretical and practical applications of the game.
During these 30 plus years of licensing nearly 10,000 coaches have earned a National
License, but only 1,290 have earned their "A" license.
The
USSF also offers the "D", "E" and Youth Modules, which are
available through each state association. While the state associations are responsible
for the execution of these courses, the curriculm is controlled by USSF.
The
following is an overview of the coaching education programs and the curriculum
for each level that we offer:
"A"
License Course
Length: 9 days
Curriculum Emphasis
of the "A" Course:
- Development
and understanding of team play and specific tactical concepts applied to a game
plan, i.e., low pressure defending, counter-attack, pressing, etc.
- Ability
to construct an appropriate training session and coach within an 11v11 format
- Understanding of team-related issues, i.e.,
player management, match analysis, etc.
"B"
License Course
Length: 9 days
Curriculum Emphasis
of the "B" Course:
- The
development of training that provides greater meaning to positional play within
the team structure, i.e., functional training
- Improved
understanding of the roles of players and their responsibilities within the game
- Development of collective play within the various
lines of play, i.e., back line, midfield line or forward line, as applied to tactics
and concepts of play
"C"
License Course
Length: 9 days
License held for a
minimum of 12 months
Curriculum Emphasis of the "C" Course:
- The emphasis of the course
will continue to be on the development of individual skill taught within individual
and small group activities and games (4v4 to 7v7).
- The
understanding and development of tactics through 4v4 to 9v9 games
- The
ability to observe mistakes and make appropriate corrections
Youth
License Course ("Y" License)
Length: 5 days
Curriculum Emphasis of the "Y" Course:
The NYLC consists
of 5 days of classroom and field instruction and one day of written and practical
field examinations. The instruction for the course is age specific. Each day is
devoted to the physical, psychological and social characteristics displayed by
children of specific ages, i.e. U-6, U-8, U-10 and U-12.
"D"
License Course
Length: 38 hours
Cost: $75.00
7 hours - theory in classroom
21 hours - practical sessions on field
1 ½ hours - written testing in classroom
6 ½ hours - practical testing on field
Curriculum Emphasis of the "D"
Course:
- Course is offered by
each state association
- Prepare coaches to further
develop the player's tchnical abilities and their application within the game
- Increase the understanding of the Principles
of Play and how they are applied in the game
- Expand
the coaches understanding of 11 a-side soccer and the importance of developing
a team system that is based on the player's abilities
"E"
Certificate Course
Length: 18 hours
Cost: $50.00
6 hours - theory in classroom
10 hours - practical sessions on field
2 hours - practical coaching with candidates
No formal testing
Curriculum Emphasis of the "E" Certificate:
- Course
is offered by each state association
- This course
is the first course for coaches who will be coaching 11 a-side soccer and provides
general instruction to coaching and organizing your team
- Introduction
to the methodology of coaching and the four components of coaching soccer, Technique,
Tactics, Fitness and Psychology
- Field sessions
concentrate on developing technique within small-sided games that also present
problems for players to solve within the game
Youth Modules
- Level I and II
Length: Varies by level
Cost: $30.00 (includes 2 dvd's)
Approx. 4 hours
1 ½ hours in classroom
2 ½ hours on field
No formal testing
Curriculum Emphasis of the Youth
Modules:
- Course is offered by
each state association
- Content of youth modules
is same as the US Soccer Youth License Course and is age specific
- Level
I—U-6; Level II—U-8&10
- Focus of
youth modules is the parent coach who has little or no experience in the game
of soccer
Mini-Clinics
Objective:
Concentrated lectures or demonstration on a specific subject; i.e. Management,
Goalkeeping, Care/Prevention of Athletic Injuries
Length: 3 hours
Cost: $150.00 total for course
Two (2) free 3-hour clinics can be granted
per year to each affiliate per delegate vote; e.g. if an affiliate has 3 delegate
votes to EPYSA, then they are entitled to 6 free 3-hour clinics.
Requirement:
Appropriate facilities and 20 participants
Examination: None
