Taking a water break at the 1997 USSF "E" Clinic - Huntsville, AL

From the Soccer-Coach-L website.

       Coach Education Program – Course Descriptions
The following is a detailed description of each of the Coach Education Program courses and learning opportunities offered by Alabama Youth Soccer.
 

• U6/U8 or U8/U10 Youth Module

  Time	3-4 hours

        These courses have replaced the G and F courses and are designed to be age specific and are the initial training courses offered to a new or just getting started parent/coach. This is primarily a classroom course with some fieldwork. All candidates must pre-register with AYS 10 days prior to the schedule start date of the course. If a minimum of 12 candidates is not pre-registered on time, the course may be cancelled. The maximum number of candidates will be determined by the size of the facility and the availability of instructors needed to maintain a good candidate to instructor ratio.
       This module is critical to ensure a positive and developmentally appropriate soccer experience for players of this age. This course addresses this by providing the most current and advanced information on the cognitive, psycho-motor and social development of the adolescent player.
       This course takes a Games and Activities approach to teaching and learning. The coach serves as a facilitator creating a fun learning environment of games and activities.
  
  U6/U8 Module
  This course is specifically designed for the under 6 and under 8 coach. The 3-hour course combines both classroom and field sessions to illustrate age appropriate coaching/teaching techniques. 
  Topics covered:

  • an introduction to coaching
  • Philosophy of coaching the U6/U8 player
  • Characteristics of the U6/U8 player
  • Team Management & Administration
  • Risk Management
  • Care and Prevention of Soccer Injuries
  • Modified laws of the game
  • Developmentally and age appropriate Field Activities and Games

  Length of course: 3 hours: held on one week or weekend day
  Type of sessions: Classroom and Field
  
  Prerequisites:

  • An Open Mind and a desire to give the children the best soccer experience possible
  • A Minimum age of 14 years old
  • Candidates must attend all scheduled course sessions.
  • Certification received: State U6/U8 Module
  • Cost is $30 per candidate. This includes a U6/U8 coach workbook, Kidsport USA curriculum and a T-shirt
     

  U10 Module
  
        This course is specifically designed for the under 10 coach. The 3-hour course combines both classroom and field sessions to illustrate age appropriate coaching/teaching techniques.
  Topics covered:

  • an introduction to coaching
  • Philosophy of coaching the U10 player
  • Characteristics of the U10 player
  • Team Management & Administration
  • Risk Management
  • Care and Prevention of Soccer Injuries
  • Modified laws of the game
  • Developmentally and age appropriate Field Activities and Games
  • Length of course: 3 hours: held on one week or weekend day
  • Type of sessions: Classroom and Field

  Prerequisites:

  • An Open Mind and a desire to give the children the best soccer experience possible
  • A Minimum age of 14 years old
  • Candidates must attend all scheduled course sessions.
  • Certification received: State U10 Module
  • Cost is $30 per candidate. This includes a U10 coach workbook, Kidsport USA curriculum and a T-shirt
     

  U12 Module
  
        This course is specifically designed for the under 12 coach. The 3-hour course combines both classroom and field sessions to illustrate age appropriate coaching/teaching techniques.
  Topics covered:

  • an introduction to coaching
  • Philosophy of coaching the U12 player
  • Characteristics of the U12 player
  • Team Management & Administration
  • Risk Management
  • Care and Prevention of Soccer Injuries
  • Modified laws of the game
  • Developmentally and age appropriate Field Activities and Games
  • Length of course: 3 hours: held on one week or weekend day
  • Type of sessions: Classroom and Field

  Prerequisites:

  • An Open Mind and a desire to give the children the best soccer experience possible
  • A Minimum age of 14 years old
  • Candidates must attend all scheduled course sessions.
  • Certification received: State U12 Module
  • Cost is $30 per candidate. This includes a U12 coach workbook, Kidsport USA curriculum and a T-shirt
     

  State ‘E’ & “D” Courses:
  
        All candidates must pre-registrar with AYS 10 days prior to the schedule start date of the course. If the minimum of 14 candidates is not pre-registered on time, the course may be cancelled. The maximum number of candidates will be determined by the size of the facility and the availability of instructors needed to maintain a good candidate to instructor ratio. Candidates with superior background may request a waiver from the “E” course. All waiver requests must be sent to the Alabama Youth Soccer Association, State Director of Coaching for approval.

   

• E Certificate (General Certificate of 11-A-Side Soccer)

  Time	15-20 hours
  Cost	$50-$100

  State “E” Course
  This course focuses on the development of the player as an individual and also as part of a team. This development takes a player from being technically oriented to refining those techniques and applying them to game situations. This course has both classroom and field sessions where the coach is taught the proper techniques of soccer, the progression for teaching technique, how to recognize and correct technical breakdown, the principle of attack and defense, care and prevention of injuries and team management. Some testing may occur and be used as a learning experience. This course is designed as an introduction to eleven-a-side soccer. The 18-hour course combines classroom and field sessions covering a wide range of intermediate coaching/teaching topics. This course also serves as a prerequisite for the state ‘D’ license course.
  
  Topics covered:

  • Methods of Coaching
  • Characteristics of the U14 player
  • Team Management & Administration
  • Risk Management
  • Care and Prevention of Soccer Injuries
  • Coaching Technique – Theory and Practical
  • Coaching Tactics – Theory and Practical
  • Principles of Attack and Defense
  • Small sided games as a teaching tool
  • Length of course: 18 hours: held over one weekend
  • Type of sessions: Classroom and Field

  Prerequisites:

  • A Minimum age of 16 years old
  • Candidates must attend all scheduled course sessions and complete a take home examination
  • Certification received: State ‘E’ Certificate
  • Cost: $65 per candidate. This includes course materials, and a T-shirt
     
• D Certificate (The Consolidation of Techniques & Tactics)

  Time	30-40 hours
  Cost	$100-$150

  State ‘D’ Course
        The 36-hour course offers an in depth coaching/teaching curriculum focusing on individual technique and tactics and small group tactics. In order to complete the course, ALL candidates are required to pass a comprehensive set of theoretical and practical examinations. The state ‘D’ course serves as the preparatory course for the USSF National Licensing Program.
        The curriculum focus is to provide a framework and understanding of practical coaching tools to improve the player's technique and to expand the tactical awareness of the players function within the team, by improving the coaches ability to create game like situations in practice that challenge and improve the individual and the team.
        The successful candidate should be able to devise a training session to develop and correct technique through proper teaching progression, have an understanding of the principles of attack and defense and be able to identify technical and tactical breakdowns within the course of play and set training sessions to correct them.
        Testing covers the area of methods, tactics, laws, team management and practical coaching. The candidate is required to plan and conduct a training session in the practical environment.  This course is designed for coaches who are working with U12 to U14 teams.
  
  Topics covered:

  • Methods of Coaching
  • Characteristics of the U14 and older player
  • Team Management & Administration
  • Risk Management
  • Care and Prevention of Soccer Injuries
  • Coaching Advanced Technique – Theory and Practical
  • Coaching Individual, Small Group, and Team Tactics – Theory and Practical
  • Principles of Play
  • Match Analysis
  • Systems of Play
  • Length of course: 36 hours
  • Format for the course: This course format is held over two 3-day periods. The standard format for the course is Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday on two consecutive weekends.
  • Type of sessions: Classroom and Field

  Prerequisites:

  • Minimum age of 18 years old and one of the following:
  • A State ‘E’ Certificate or equivalent held for at least 1 year or an approved ‘E’ wavier (See Wavier requirement policy)
  • Candidates must attend all scheduled course sessions and pass examinations in the following areas:
     
    • Practical Coaching Field Exam – Technical Topic
    • Written Exam – Care and Prevention
    • Written Exam – Laws of the Game
    • Video Exam – Tactics and Methods

     

  • Certification received: Upon completion of the course, candidates will receive one of three certifications based on their examination results:

  • Pass with a National ‘D’ license. This is the highest state certification available. The National ‘D’ license enables the candidate to attend a National ‘C’ course after the Mandatory 1 year waiting period.
  • Pass with a State ‘D’ license. This is certification required for all competitive coaches in Alabama. Coaches who wish to upgrade to a National ‘D’ license must retake the entire ‘D’ course and pass with the appropriate national score.
  • Fail. The candidate will receive a certificate of participation and is encouraged to take another ‘D’ course.
  • Cost: $135 per candidate. This includes course materials, and a T-shirt.

  
  For a complete outline of the USSF 'D' Course click here.
  To download the outline in Acrobat pdf version click here.

The coaches take a break to get water 
and take notes at a local USSF Coaching clinic.

National Courses
National (‘C’, ‘B’, ‘A’, and Youth) licenses are received by attending a United States Soccer Federation National Coaching School. For the National ‘C’ course, all new candidates must have a National ‘D’ license and must show proof of it when applying for the course. Candidates must have held their National ‘D’ license for at least 1 year before attending a National ‘C’ course. The National ‘C’ course is the prerequisite for the ‘B’ and the ‘B’ for the ‘A’. For players with professional playing experience there
are waivers available for some national courses. Contact US Soccer for specific details.
For the National Youth license course, all new candidates must have a National ‘D’ license and have held it for at least 1 year or have written permission from their State Director of Coaching.

Brochures may be obtained by writing or calling:

US Soccer National Coaching Programs
1811 South Prairie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-1300

Or forms may be downloaded at:
http://www.ussoccer.com 

• National "A", "B" and "C" courses consist of five days of instruction and two days of extensive oral, written and practical examinations. The "A" license is valid for a period of four (4) years. "A" licensed coaches must participate in the USSF license maintenance program in order to keep their license current. The "B" and "C" licenses are non-expiring licenses. Coaches with expired "A" licenses must re-take the "A" course and pass the examinations in order to be awarded the "A" license.
   
• The National Youth License course consists of four days of classroom and field instruction and one day of written and practical examinations. The instruction for the course is age-specific. Each day of the course is devoted to the physical, psychological and social characteristics displayed by children of a specific age, i.e. Under-6, Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12. Must have an E license, unless waiver granted.
   
• Applicants for a C license must be at least 18 years of age, and have held a National "D" license for a minimum of 12 months. "D" license certification may be waived for highly-experienced coaches and players.
   
• Applicants for a B license must be at least 18 years of age and "C" license held for a minimum of 12 months, unless granted a waiver due to coaching/playing experience or comparable licensing by another country.
   
• Applicants for an A license must be 21 years of age, and have held a "B" license certification for a minimum of one year. Absolutely no waivers will be considered for entrance into the course, per the USYSA.

       The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) offers three levels of coaching licenses offered by the organization. Information regarding course offerings can be found at: http://www.nscaa.com

      The first level, Non-Residential Programs, has two diplomas - State diploma and Regional diploma. The breakdown:

• State Diploma - For newly involved coaches, especially with kids in the 6 - 12 age group. Topics include coach as facilitator, 7-a-side for games, organization of a session, laws of the game, games approach to teaching technique, care and prevention of injuries, small-sided games. Course reference manual and diploma awarded upon completion of course. Cost: $350 for up to 20 people total (cost divided among number of participants), for more than 20 coaches, add $10.
   
• Regional Diploma - A 13-hour course designed for youth and school coaches working with players ages12 - 19. Gives deeper understanding of how technical and tactical concepts can be applied to player development. Course manual and diploma awarded upon completion. Cost - $675 for up to 20 coaches (cost divided amongst number of coaches, add $20 per coach over that number).
   
• National Youth Diploma - Course Overview
       The National Youth Diploma Course is a 21-hour course held during three days designed for the youth coach working with players ages 5 to 12. The goal is to help coaches create the optimal learning environment for teaching the developing player.
       The course features highly informative sessions dedicated to fulfilling NSCAA’s core mission of education. Instruction is provided in a classroom setting in addition to practical on-field demonstrations, allowing candidates to put their knowledge into action.
  
  Course curriculum includes:
  • Organization of a training session;
  • Teaching proper technique;
  • Team management;
  • Concepts of attack and defense in small-sided games;
  • Laws of the Game;
  • Safety and the care and prevention of injuries
  • Course instructors are certified through the NSCAA Coaching Academy representing some of the most experienced and qualified soccer teachers in the United States. No testing is involved with the National Youth Diploma Course; participants who complete the course are awarded a diploma.

  Course Fees - Fees include registration, tuition and course notebook. Recommended housing is available by contacting the local host group.
  NSCAA Member: $175
  Non-Member: $225 * includes one-year NSCAA Youth Coach membership
  
  Qualifications - Participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Previous coaching certification, such as an NSCAA State or Regional Diploma and/or the USSF “E” or “F” license, is strongly suggested. A waiver of previous coaching certifications will be considered on an individual basis if a current resume is submitted with the application.

• U-6 Coaching Course
  Target - All first-time U-6 coaches
  Materials - A combination of personal orientation and the U-6 manual
   

• U-8 Coaching Course
  Target - All first-time U-8 coaches and all U-6 coaches who have moved into the U-8 program
  Materials - A combination of personal orientation and the U-8 manual
   

• U-10 Coaching Course
  Target - All first-time U-10 coaches and all U-8 coaches who have moved into the U-10 program
  Materials - A combination of personal orientation and the U-10 manual
   

• AYSO Youth Coaching Course
  Description- 8 hours
  Target - All first-time U-12 coaches and all U-10 coaches who have moved into the U-12 program
  Materials - A combination of personal orientation and the Youth Course Manual
   

• AYSO Intermediate Coaching Course
  Description - 15 hours
  Target - Youth Coaching Course Graduates
  Materials - A combination of personal orientation and the Intermediate Course Manual
   

• AYSO Advanced Coaching Course
  Description - 18 hours
  Target - Intermediate Coaching Course Graduates
  Materials - A combination of personal orientation and the Advanced Course Manual
   

• AYSO National Coaching Course
  Description - Week-long
  When offered - Summer
  Target - Advanced Coaching Course Graduates

For courses and licenses in other countries check out the Soccer-Coach-L website.

Soccer Books for Coaches:

You Know You're a Soccer Coach When...

• You tell yourself, when your team is losing 5-0 and hasn't had the ball over the midfield line, that you are really more concerned with player development, that the players will learn from this, and that the other coach is just interested in winning anyway.
• You tell yourself, when your team is winning 5-0 and the other team hasn't had the ball over the midfield line, that all that player development is paying off.
• You lose sleep worrying about whether the line-up for tomorrow's game is fair to every kid on the team.
• You lie about how much time you spend on soccer
• You organized a call-in campaign to get your cable company to carry ESPN2
• You remind yourself before each game to secure the virtual duct tape firmly over your mouth.
• You kick yourself when the duct tape slipped off and you said something you shouldn't have.
• You spend the last hour of work planning today's practice session.
• You read every soccer catalog that comes in the mail cover to cover.
• You wonder why your players can't do most of the things described by other  coaches.
• You look at the snow-covered soccer fields every time you drive past them in winter, just in case…
• You wonder just what your friend meant when he asked whether you had considered getting a life.
• Two kids play, and you coach one, but you are tired of doing that, so you thought you'd coach a third team while both kids play for some one else.
• You bought a new house that needs some work, so one of the first things you do is spend too much money turning the RV barn into an indoor soccer complex.
• Dog named Xara, cat named Mikasa and kittens should be called "Inflate to 9 pounds" and "Nylon wound".
• Your husband and kids go out of town for a weekend and you spend the entire "alone weekend" at a soccer tournament.
• The only reason you have cable TV is to watch soccer
• You take the C clinic in Florida instead of your home town because you think you'll have more time to study if you are away from home.
• You can't trade in the old truck because new trucks big enough to fit your goal are too costly.
• If You've ever said I really think 5 is a little young for Heather to be considered a "natural striker", Mrs. Walsh.
• If You've ever said "Because none of the English-language channels have the %#$@ game on, that's why!"
• If You've ever said No, Mr. MacDonald, putting more air into it will not make it a #4 ball.
• If You've ever said Yes, Derek, it really went a long way; but remember how we did the kickoff in practice?
• If You've ever said Those are hockey shin guards, Samatha. I think your  brother is playing a trick on you.
• If You've ever said No, Mr. MacDonald, that's a VOLLEYball. There most  certainly IS a difference.
• If You've ever said I've got nothing against other sports...in their proper role as cross-training.
• If You've ever said I think I need to explain the word "tackle" again, Derek.
• If You've ever said Here, Mr. MacDonald, I've got an extra ball Dougie can use.
• You have more pairs of sparkling clean soccer shoes than "normal" shoes.
• You purchase soccer gear (for yourself) and end up donating it to the team.
• You purchase soccer-related Christmas gifts for you non-soccer playing loved ones.
• Every girl you know under age 18 is a soccer player.
• When a player on one of your teams asks about a pro player or pro team, you tell them you will pull a tape out of your library (140+).
• You spend hours on the internet trying to figure out how to fly to Europe or Brazil to watch one of your favorite teams play.
• You donate more money to your HS team than the Soccer Boosters do.
• You choose to stay in town over the Christmas holidays and run a free soccer clinic rather than go home and see your parents.
• You decide to purchase a new vehicle "BIG ENOUGH FOR YOUR SOCCER GEAR"!
• All kids within a radius of 4 miles know that you are the only one who owns a Mikasa air pump.
• A whistle is permanently wrapped around your drivers side sun-shade.
• You store goal net anchors at the bottom of your wheel well.
• You wear a tracksuit to church.
• You address the preacher as "ref".
• You leave church at half-time.
• TV soccer schedules are automatically communicated to you by non-believers (i.e. followers of other religions - I mean sports).
• Your personal phonebook/address list is clogged up with soccer weirdoes.
• At any idle moment you instinctively tune in to soccer-coach-l
• You scream "Penalty ref" at precisely 4.34 am.
• You get withdrawal symptoms when the season ends.
• When you have two desks in your office at work, one for your "real job", and one for soccer coaching. (The soccer desk is the largest and most    prominent.)
• You have more pictures of your soccer teams on your walls than you do of  your family.
• At least 10% of your family budget goes for soccer.
• You are involved in no less than three soccer teams and have no one in your family who plays on them.
• You will drive forty miles one way in a car that you are not sure will last 25 miles to watch two bottom of the league college teams play and stay until after dark watching youth league teams play. (Engine blows three days later on the way to work. Who cares? It wasn't a soccer game I had to miss!)
• You always have to drive alone because all of the car seats are filled with soccer gear and the hatchback is tied down to keep the soccer balls from bouncing out.
• When you ride your bicycle across the state the first thing you pack is a   soccer ball and shoes.
• After a hundred mile bike ride you will ride ten more to find a soccer field or at least a good place to play.
• Your life seems empty when you aren't on the field every night, so you take up refereeing on the nights left over.
• Your family goes to the soccer fields first when they want to talk to you and must stand between you and the field to make eye contact.
• All non work clothing has three stripes or an Umbro brand name.
• Thinks about set pieces during dull meetings.
• Dog's name is Toe-Ball.
• Main factor in buying a car is whether or not the portable goal will fit.
• Don't understand why the referee whistled the foul in basketball, when the opponent had a clear breakaway.
• Local soccer retail store gives you a team discount for all personal
  purchases.
• Has all 52 games of each of the last two World Cups on tape
• Thinks that ice is the answer to all injuries.
• Recognizes ex-players by the way they run.
• Doesn't even like to watch that other "football" anymore.
• Talk the game with your wife, who is ignoring you like you weren't there. Good part is you don't even care.
• You become a high school ref, as a means to recruit High School players for your travel team.
• You watch your best friends soccer team play, and think I could have
  done a better job with them.
• When you are on the phone talking to soccer people, and your children complain they never get the chance to use the phone.
• You call in sick from work, but you could be dying but never miss a game.
• Love to watch games featuring your former players, and tell complete    strangers you taught him how to make that perfect cross that player just executed.
• Talk to another coach knocking another coaches best player. Then say to yourself "I wish I had him."
• After your team played their game at home, you stay to see the next 3 games.
• Your will states your ashes should be spread over your home field.
• Whenever you take the family out for a nice meal you pay for it using end-of-the season gift certificates from players and parents.
• Out of habit you tie double knots in your dress shoes.
• Some kid calls you "coach" in every store you go in.
• At least one of your toenails is always black.
• You wouldn't think of seeing a foreign movie but watching a two hour game in a foreign language is a treat.
• When your players see you at work at your real job they are amazed
  because they thought the only thing you did was coach.
• When someone asks you who should get the best actor's award this year
  you mention the striker on the team that beat your team and that great performance he gave inside the 18 last week resulting in an undeserved penalty kick.
• Call ACME the minute you get their catalog because you know the best bargains only last a day or so.

Created: 12/20/99
Last Updated: 04/11/03

Content Owner                                Web Administrator            
Ken Gamble                            dsports@hiwaay.net