Soccer Coaching Certification

There are many organizations that offer coaching certification for soccer, but the largest of these groups, and the most far reaching, is the USSF or the United States Soccer Federation. The USSF covers coaching licenses from first-time coaches all the way up to the pros.

For most coaches, the beginning of the road starts with the "E" license. This license covers children 12 and under. This license is obtained after an 18-hour course usually conducted over three consecutive days, sometimes a grueling two. Mainly, the focus here is for coaches who have no previous experience coaching or even playing. This course covers principles for the first-time player. The focus here is on the young players' technical and tactical ability in both individual and team situations. Coaches will participate in field, discussion and lectures. Minimum age for this class is 16 years old. This license is a state license.

The "D" license is the next step up and covers ages 13 and up. This is a 36-hour course held over two three-day periods and covers both classroom and field work. Continuing where the "E" license left off, areas of focus will include advanced theory for groups and individuals, analysis of a match, principles of play, systems of play and risk management. Like the "E" license, the "D" license will spend just as much time on the coaching techniques as it does with players directly. Minimum age for this course is 18, plus an "E" license or equivalent. This license is a state license.

The "C" license is the lowest level national certification available. To qualify, you must have a "D" license in your possession for at least a year, or be a professional player or coach or an amateur coach for three years. These certifications can only be received by attending a United States Soccer Federation National Coaching School. Instruction for this course lasts five days plus two days of intensive oral, practical and written work. This course covers ages 15 and up. This course is more intense than the previous two listed and you should expect the instructor to be critical. Subjects are broad and cover everything from injury care and prevention, to sports psychology to hands-on training. This license is good for life.

The "B" license is also a national certification and one step above the "C" license. Applicants must be 18 years or older and must have in their possession a "C" license for at least a year or comparable experience as a consideration of waiver of requirements. Like the "C" license, this course runs for five days with an additional two added days of oral, practical and written work. This course will center on positional play within the group and functional training, roles of each person on the team and her game time responsibilities, and a deeper focus on tactics and concepts of play. This license does not expire.

The "A" license is the highest certification that the United States Soccer Federation offers at the national level. This certification is only available to those 21 years of age or older who have held a "B" license for at least one year. For this top course, no waivers are accepted under any circumstances. This course is the same length as the other two national licenses. One distinction between this course and the others is that it is only good for four years, at which time it must be renewed. This course focuses on coaching at an elite level and the corresponding tactics and techniques.