SOAC SOCCER
COACHING LICENSES & DIPLOMAS
There are two organizations in the United States that offer formal,
recognized soccer coaching education: the US Soccer Federation (USSF)
and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The
courses currently offered by these organizations provide coaches, of every
level, both theoretical and practical knowledge on how to teach the game. As
is true in any area of life, to remain effective, we need to continue our
education. Every coach will always benefit from taking an appropriate
course.
Earning a basic USSF license or NSCAA diploma (or both) will help you
learn the right way to structure practices, demonstrate a skill, teach tactics
and encourage your players in a positive manner at the appropriate times. It
will also improve your own confidence and in turn, enhance the whole
coaching experience for you and your team.
Below is a list of recommended age appropriate licenses and diplomas.
Although these are not requirements, it serves as a useful guide to anyone
looking to begin coaching or for an experienced coach just looking to see
where they should be at (if they have not already taken the licensure).
RECOMMENDED EDUCATION LEVEL
AGE
GROUP
U6-U8
U9-U10
U11-U12
U13-U14
U15-U16
U17-U18
NSCAA
NSCAA Youth Level 1-2 Diploma
NSCAA Youth Level 3-4 Diploma
NSCAA Youth Level 5-6 Diploma
NSCAA Youth Level 5-6 Diploma
NSCAA National Diploma
NSCAA National Diploma
USSF
USSF F License
USSF State E License
USSF State or National D License
USSF State or National D License
USSF National D-C License
USSF National C License
SOAC SOCCER
Licenses and Diplomas Currently Offered by the USSF & NSCAA
In the grid below is a list of the most common USSF and NSCAA courses
offered. In the column marked “HOURS”, this indicates the amount of
instruction offered at each course. The majority of that time is mostly “on
field” sessions but, there are nearly always classroom sessions involved too.
For the more advanced NSCAA courses there will be some additional testing
time that goes with the course (the USSF testing is included in the allotted
hours). Courses that are on the same row are roughly equivalent (e.g. the
USSF State E Certificate is equivalent in content and time to the NSCAA
Junior level 6 Diploma).
All courses highlighted blue have been traditionally offered multiple times,
per year, in and around our area. Because of the frequency of these courses
being offered, attending one should not pose much of a logistical challenge.
The courses highlighted in yellow represent courses that are generally
offered only once per year or sometimes only bi-annually. These can cause
some logistical problems because of the time involved, but are well worth
the commitment.
All of the other courses are usually offered out of State and although I would
recommend coaches to take them, they are for the serious coach. I say this
because of the time/cost commitment that these courses entail.
USSF
State Youth Module 1 (U6-U7)
State F Certificate (U8-U9)
State E Certificate (10-U13)
State E Certificate (10-U13)
State E Certificate (10-U13)
State or Nat’l D License (U14+)
National C License
National B License
National A License
National A License
HOURS
6
8
18
18
18
36
70
68
70
70
NSCAA
Youth Level 1(U5-U8)
Youth Level 2 (U5-U10)
Youth Level 3 (U6-U10)
Youth Level 4 (U9-U12)
Youth Level 5 (U11-U18)
Youth Level 6 Diploma
National
Advanced National
Premier
Master
HOURS
2.5
5
13
18
18
21
50
50
50
--
SOAC SOCCER
Additional Courses Offered:
USSF
USYS National Youth License
HOURS
40
GOALKEEPING
National Goalkeeping License
SPECIALTY
Fitness License
Adult License
70
?
?
NSCAA
HOURS
High School Coaches Diploma
GOALKEEPING
Goalkeeping Level 1
Goalkeeping Level 2
Goalkeeping Level 3
Advanced National GK Diploma
SPECIALTY
Director of Coaching Diploma
21
6
18
18
50
21
As you can see there are plenty of options to begin and/or continue your
coaching education. All that you really need is the time, a willingness to
improve, and a mind that is open to new ideas, and you are on the journey
that will touch the lives of many people and enhance your own.
If you are interested in taking one of these courses and would like further
information and more details then visit the websites listed below
For further details and availability of EAST NY State and USSF licensing
visit;
http://www.enysoccer.com/coach_central/about_coaching_education/
For further details and availability of NSCAA courses visit;
http://www.nscaa.com/education/coaching-courses