Soccer Coaching Qualifications

Under 5

• Teaching children under 5 requires no previous experience or certification. There are four considerations at this age level, however, that should be considered:
  • Coaches should be organized. Come to practice with a written plan and be prepared to change it on the spot as necessary if the attention span of the group is lost.
  • Focus less on competition and more on development of motor skills through exercises.
  • Include everyone as, at this age, children are often still quite possessive and sharing (a ball, for instance) may be foreign to them.
  • Instill a sense of love for the game by keeping things fun.

E License

• The basic license for prospective soccer coaches is the E license. This license is obtained through an 18-hour certification course. Course specifics will cover 4-vs.-4 models (without goalkeepers), basic principles of attack including penetration, support, mobility, width and improvisation, and basic principles of defense including pressure, delay, support-cover, balance, compactness, control and restraint and counterattack. Training and lesson plans, care of players and evaluation guidelines are given significant attention. Note that this is a state, not a nationally, licensed course, and coaches will need to contact their appropriate state office to enroll.

D License

• The introductory level license, and the next step up from the E license, is the D license. A 38-hour course teaches those who already have an E license or an appropriate amount of time as a coach or player. The focus is to improve the fundamentals of both individual and team. Team situations will focus on both 5-vs.-5 situations (with goalkeepers being introduced) and 6-vs.-6 situations. As with the E license, the D license requires a state-licensed course.

C License

• The C license or Level 1 license is the first national license. Its training program consists of a nine-day course that focuses largely on the 11-14 age group. The primary focus of this certification is on the melding of technique and tactics. Additionally the course explores concepts of the game, constructive guidance, recognizing problems and formulating solutions and creating a growth-friendly place where players can develop. Applicants must be 18 and have had their D license for 12 months. Exceptions are made based on number of years as coach, player or foreign coach equivalent.

B License

• The B or Level 2 license focuses on players 16 through college level. Main components of this certification include being able to detect breakdowns in tactics or techniques during game situations as well as developing and using training sessions to address these problems. This nine-day course, leading to a national certification, is demanding both physically, as candidates actually play themselves to further understand ideas, as well as mentally, given that the amount of information and hours are considerable. Applicants must be 19 years old, have five years of coaching and playing experience as recognized by FIFA (the world governing organization for the sport) or a foreign coaching equivalent.

A License

• The highest level of coaching certification is Level 3, the A license. The focus is on coaching players who are post-collegiate and up. Candidates must have a thorough understanding of the four pillars of the game: tactics, techniques, psychology and physical skills. This course is nine days long, and candidates are required to write a paper prior to the start of the class sessions. Also, a lengthy reading list must be completed beforehand. Principles of play and breakdown through video analysis plays a large part of this certification. Candidates must be 21 years of age and have a valid B license for at least 12 months. No waivers will be given for outside experience as either coach or player.