Soccer coaches have the unusual distinction of being some of the best educated coaches in youth sport. There are few other sports in the United States which provide such an extensive opportunity for coaching education.
SVU prides itself in providing the best soccer coaches (USSF National 'A' and 'B' License and/or NSCAA 'Premier' and 'Advanced National' Diploma) at its highest levels while also providing continuing coaching education opportunities for all levels of coaches. Without the exceptional volunteers that step forward each year to help SVU's Recreational program, SVU's youngest players would not receive the first experience necessary to develop and sustain a passion for the game of soccer. But regardless of the level at which any of us coach, continuing coaching education is vital in our own personal coaching development but also crucial in providing the most modern training methods and developmentally correct training and game environments to all of our aspiring players involved with SVU.
Periodically, SVU will host continuing coaching education at its own facility, Smithland Field. For those serious coaches looking to expand their coaching knowledge, you can take week-long, residential national coaching courses provided by the USSF and NSCAA. We have provided information about each coaching education program below:
National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)
Diploma Program
To find available dates or register for any NSCAA Coaches certification courses, visit the NSCAA website for more details and download form.
The Youth Level I (formerly Parent Coach Diploma) is a 2 ½-hour course for coaches of players 5-8 years of age. The course deals with coaching young players who are playing the game for the first time. The course content includes philosophy of coaching youth, risk management strategies, organization of practice sessions and activities appropriate to players of this age. There is no testing in the Parent Coach Diploma. All candidates must be at least 14 years of age at the time of application. If a candidate is under 18 years of age, an adult must accompany him or her for the duration of the course.
The Youth Level II (formerly State Diploma) is a five-hour course directed toward the person newly involved in coaching soccer. It is designed to help coaches working with players in the 5- to 10-year age range. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the physiological and psychological differences of coaching children. The course is designed to emphasize that the game itself essentially is the teacher and the focus of the coach at this level clearly is as facilitator. The curriculum focuses on the organization of a practice session, using small-sided games to enhance knowledge and fun, basic understanding of the Laws of the Game and information about the care and prevention of injuries. There is no testing in the State Diploma. All candidates must be at least 14 years of age at the time of application. If a candidate is under 18 years of age, an adult must accompany him or her for the duration of the course.
The Junior Level V (formerly Regional Diploma) is a 13-hour course designed for the coach working players 11 to 18 years of age. An emphasis is placed on learning to work with the developing player within both an individual and team concept. The curriculum outlines how technical and tactical concepts can be applied in the development of players. The focus is placed on the basic methods of coaching, teaching proper technique, the theory and application of offensive and defensive tactics and understanding team management.
The Junior Level VI (formerly Advanced Regional Diploma) is a 21-hour course designed as a supplement to the Regional Diploma, adding eight hours devoted to technical and tactical uses of small-sided games, the study of systems of play and a practice teaching component. Participants are given an opportunity to conduct a training session on an assigned topic and are assessed by the course instructor. All candidates must be at least 16 years of age at the time of application. If a candidate is under 18 years of age, an adult must accompany him or her for the duration of the course.
The National Diploma is a 50-hour course designed to meet the needs of the more experienced coach, particularly those coaching at the high school level and above, or youth coaches with previous certification and a number of years working with the developing player. It is strongly recommended that candidates complete the NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma or USSF "D" license prior to the course. Some USYSA affiliates will only recognize the NSCAA National Diploma if they have completed the state association's USSF "D" license. Please check with your state association for details.
The overall objective of the National Diploma is to acquaint the coach with the needs of the American soccer player and provide an organized and progressive methodology of coaching those needs. Basic technical and tactical knowledge is the central theme of the course in a 6v6 model. The course includes sessions on the teaching process, psychological skills training and Laws of the Game. Participants receive a curriculum that outlines the course content and includes valuable resource material. Testing includes oral, written and practical (coaching) evaluations. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
The Advanced National Diploma is a 50-hour course designed for the experienced coach working with the advanced player. The emphasis is on training those players within a team concept designed to produce a successful environment. The 8v8 model is the main focus.
Candidates receive a curriculum which outlines the course and includes valuable resource material. The curriculum includes team organization and training, advanced methodology, analysis and understanding systems of play, a focus on tactics within thirds of the field, technical position overviews, match analysis and the psychological aspect of coaching. Testing includes oral, written and practical (coaching) evaluations.
Acceptance into the course requires an NSCAA National Diploma, the USSF “B” or an English UEFA "B" license. A minimum of 10 years of coaching experience at an appropriate level also is suggested.
The Premier Diploma is the pinnacle of the Residential Academy offerings. It is a 50-hour course designed to teach advanced methodology with full-sided soccer (11v11) as its focal point.
Coaches are provided a course curriculum. The course content includes a thorough examination of different systems of play, including: technical and tactical implications; 11 v. 11 topics, including coaching in the game, phase play and shadow play; nutrition; sportsmanship/ethics; and a leadership component including team management, personal development and the coach’s role in game development in his/her community.
Eligibility for the Premier Diploma requires the applicant be an NSCAA member and have the Advanced National Diploma, the USSF “A” License or English UEFA "A" License. Candidates with a "Distinguished Pass" in the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma will automatically qualify for entrance into the Premier Diploma. Additional factors, such as coaching and playing background, community leadership and contribution to the game, are considered. Applications are screened by the Director of Coaching and enrollment is limited for each course.
A special form is available in the January/February and May/June issues of Soccer Journal and is required for application to the Premier Diploma. No applications are accepted after established deadlines.
The United States Soccer Federation
National Coaching Licensing Program
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) established its coaching courses about 25 years ago. The licensing sequence is intended to provide an appropriate level of education to coaches from the youngest youth level right through the most advanced play.
All of SVU’s coaches are encouraged to obtain the license appropriate to their level of interest. In the Travel program, licenses are required. In the Recreational program, licenses are strongly encouraged.
The USSF certificates are offered through the various state associations. In our case this is VYSA. The "C", "B", and "A" courses are national level licenses which are offered at various sites around the country. These are residential courses requiring a week long stay.
"F" Certificate. This is the entry level course for youth coaches. The curriculum has recently been adjusted to train coaches in these age group modules: U6/U8, U8/U10, and U12. Each module is a five hour course. Emphasis is on understanding the developmental stages of the different age groups. Technique is the focus. Coaches receive instruction in coaching philosophy, injury care and prevention, and team management.
"E" Certificate. This course is geared toward 12-16 year old players. This is the first step for serious coaches. Technique is again of central importance, however, the basics of tactics are introduced in small increments of 1-3 players. Philosophical, injury, and management issues are covered in more detail. The primary benefit of this course is the clear presentation of a coaching methodology. Understanding how to teach material to players significantly increases a coaches effectiveness. This is an 18 hour course.
"D" Certificate. This is the highest state level course. It is designed for players 15 years old and older. Advanced technique and group tactics of 3-6 players are the core of the course. Further development of coaching methodology, with an elaboration of structuring sequenced training sessions around a single theme, are key elements. Team management, Laws of the game, match analysis, and injury issues are covered in depth. Candidates are tested in both classroom and field work. This is a 32 hour course.
"C" License. This is the first national level license. Major points of emphasis are: technical refinement, group tactics (3-7 players), principles of team play, match analysis, and a thorough understanding of the coaching progression. Fitness training, team management, scouting, and player psychology are also covered.
"B" License. The focus in this course is on large group tactics (6-9 players), specific functional training for individual players, and further developing earlier material in greater depth.
"A" License. Here the emphasis is on team tactics and strategy (8-11 players) along with advanced review of all previous topics.
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Any SVU coach interested in pursuing these licenses, or if you would like further information, contact the SVU Director of Coaching or Technical Director.