80+ hours (virtual + in-person meetings) 

Coaches who register for this course can expect weekly learning opportunities that will feature a mixture of independent learning using online modules, live virtual meetings, and a 4-day in-person meeting led by a licensed U.S. Soccer Educator. Coaches will be asked to participate in discussions so each person should have access to the internet and a laptop/device with web camera/live video capabilities. The virtual meetings will take place on agreed-upon days and times (see below). Coaches may be asked to participate in the in-person field component as either coaches or players, so please come prepared to actively learn. 

Formative Assessment (course assignments during the course) in​

• Leadership and Managing the Performance Environment 
• Leading the player within the team
• Team performance observation-analysis
• Coaching Games
• Caching Training Sessions

Summative Assessment (Final projects at the end of the course) in

• Coaching Games
• Team performance analysis report
• Coaching Training Sessions
• Designing two (2) training session plans (within one week)
• Coaching one (1) training session (video)

Pre-Course:

• The National “B” License course is a nine-day program and the physical and mental demands of the course are great. Candidates are encouraged to participate in the sessions in order to maximize learning. Therefore, attention should be given by each candidate to arrive at the course in good physical condition.
• Pre-course reading material is expected to be completed prior to arrival to the course. U.S. Soccer’s Best Practices for Coaching in the United States manual is available online and candidates should become comfortable with the information.

During the Course:

• The National “B” License course consists of approximately 20 classroom hours and 48 field sessions hours.
• Classroom sessions involve active candidate participation and use game and training video as a learning tool.
• Assist candidates in how to observe and scout a game with the purpose of analyzing the opponent, as well as analyzing one’s own team.
• Assist candidates in how to work with individuals / small groups and be able to put all components together in a game situation.
• U.S. National Instructional Staff conduct realistic training sessions throughout the course using methodology recognized and used by U.S. Soccer.
• Candidates are given opportunities to run two practice coaching sessions and provided feedback from U.S. National Instructional Staff.
• Candidates will learn how to properly step in at the right time to make coaching points during training sessions and in 11v11 game situations.
• Candidates are responsible for reading the FIFA Laws of the Game Booklet and completing the corresponding written examination.
• Candidates will be given two oral exam questions, one on Tactics and one on Methodology. A passing grade in both questions must be received in order to pass the course.

After the Course:

• Candidates are encouraged to be ambassadors for the game, to treat the game, and those involved with the game with respect and dignity.

Recommendations Prior to Attending:

• Candidate has experience coaching players age 16 to college level.
• Review National “C” License course materials.
• Know the principles of defense and attack and have a good understanding of their application in the context of the game.

The curriculum for the National “B” License course is based upon modern methods of coaching soccer. The curriculum is divided into Theory and Practical areas of coaching. 

Theory:

• Analyzing the Opponent
• Methods of Coaching
• Game Analysis and Model Training Session Review
• Tactics
• Psychology
• Goalkeeping the Modern Game

Practical:

• Finishing
• Goalkeeping
• Changing Point of Attack
• Playing out of the Back
• Training the Playmaker
• Middle 1/3 to Attacking 1/3
• Playing in the Attacking 1/3
• Zonal Defending in the Back
• Midfield Defending
• 11v11
• Fitness
• Observation Topics
• Game for Analysis
• Model Training Session
• Attacking from the Flank

Candidates undergo a challenging series of written, oral and practical examinations on a variety of subjects in the National “B” License course.

• Field Examination 
• Psychology/Team Management Examination 
• Anatomy & Physiology Examination 
• Oral Examination 
• FIFA Laws of the Game Examination

Candidates are not graded upon playing ability, but are required to fully participate. 

If an applicant misses any of the course sessions, they must return to a future school to participate in that session/lecture, even if the candidate has passed all of the testing areas. License will be withheld until this requirement is fulfilled.

Pre-Course:

• The National “A” License course is a nine-day program and the physical and mental demands of the course are great. Candidates are encouraged to participate in the sessions in order to maximize learning. Therefore, attention should be given by each candidate to arrive at the course in good physical condition.
• Each candidate is required to research and write a paper prior to the start of the course. This assignment is an integral part of the course and must be successfully completed to pass the National “A” License.
• Pre-course reading material is expected to be completed prior to arrival to the course. U.S. Soccer’s Best Practices for Coaching in the United States manual is available online and candidates should become comfortable with the information.

During the Course:

• The National “A” License course consists of approximately 30 classroom hours and 40 field sessions hours.
• Lectures rely heavily on the use of video analysis of game situations and footage. Candidates spend time breaking down the principles of play and the various systems by watching games played and playing in games themselves.
• Great attention is given to the candidate’s ability to read and understand the game accurately and to be able to transfer that understanding to their players.
• U.S. National Instructional Staff conduct realistic training sessions throughout the course using methodology recognized and used by U.S. Soccer.
• Candidates are given opportunities to run practice coaching sessions and provided feedback from U.S. National Instructional Staff.
• Candidates will learn how to properly step in at the right time to make coaching points during training sessions and in 11v11 game situations.
• Candidates are tested on their ability to articulate their ideas effectively and affect positive change on those people who they are managing.
• Candidates are responsible for reading the FIFA Laws of the Game Booklet and completing the corresponding written examination.

After the Course:

• Candidates are encouraged to be an ambassador for the game, to treat the game, and those involved with the game with respect and dignity.

Recommendations Prior to Attending:

• Candidate has experience coaching older players (older junior level and senior level players).
• Review National “B” License course materials.
• Spend time watching and analyzing high level senior games (ex: Advanced Under-17 teams and higher).
• Observe training sessions put on by coaches of high level college programs and professional teams.

The curriculum for the National “A” License course is based upon modern methods of coaching soccer. The curriculum is divided into Theory and Practical areas of coaching.

Theory:

• Reading the Game
• Methods of Coaching
• Video Analysis
• Game Analysis and Model Training Session Review
• Tactics
• Psychology
• Goalkeeping in the Modern Game
• Fitness
• Systems of Play and Restarts
• Laws of the Game

Practical:

• 11v11 Review
• Finishing
• Technical/Tactical Functional Training
• Speed of Play
• Pressing
• Low Pressure
• Counter Attack
• Zonal Defending
• Off Sides Tactics
• Fitness
• Systems and Restarts
• Observation Topics
• Game for Analysis
• Model Training Session

Candidates undergo a challenging series of written, oral and practical examinations on a variety of subjects in the National “A” License course.

• Field Examination
• Psychology/Team Management Examination
• Physiology of Exercise Examination
• Oral Examination
• FIFA Laws of the Game Examination

Candidates are not graded upon playing ability, but are required to fully participate. 

If an applicant misses any of the course sessions, they must return to a future school to participate in that session/lecture, even if the candidate has passed all of the testing areas. License will be withheld until this requirement is fulfilled.