Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association

Overview of National and State Coaching Licenses

National Coaching Schools

Created in 1970 by the famed West German coach Detmar Cramer, the USSF National Coaching Schools offers fours levels of licensing ("A", "B", "C" and US Soccer Youth Licenses). Candidates attending the national coaching schools go through a rigorous nine-day schedule of field and classroom sessions, concluding with extensive testing on theoretical and practical applications of the game. During these 30 plus years of licensing nearly 10,000 coaches have earned a National License, but only 1,290 have earned their "A" license.

The USSF also offers the "D", "E" and Youth Modules, which are available through each state association. While the state associations are responsible for the execution of these courses, the curriculm is controlled by USSF.

The following is an overview of the coaching education programs and the curriculum for each level that we offer:

"A" License Course
Length: 9 days
Curriculum Emphasis of the "A" Course:

Development and understanding of team play and specific tactical concepts applied to a game plan, i.e., low pressure defending, counter-attack, pressing, etc.
Ability to construct an appropriate training session and coach within an 11v11 format
Understanding of team-related issues, i.e., player management, match analysis, etc.

"B" License Course
Length: 9 days
Curriculum Emphasis of the "B" Course:

The development of training that provides greater meaning to positional play within the team structure, i.e., functional training
Improved understanding of the roles of players and their responsibilities within the game
Development of collective play within the various lines of play, i.e., back line, midfield line or forward line, as applied to tactics and concepts of play

"C" License Course
Length: 9 days
License held for a minimum of 12 months
Curriculum Emphasis of the "C" Course:

The emphasis of the course will continue to be on the development of individual skill taught within individual and small group activities and games (4v4 to 7v7).
The understanding and development of tactics through 4v4 to 9v9 games
The ability to observe mistakes and make appropriate corrections

Youth License Course ("Y" License)
Length: 5 days
Curriculum Emphasis of the "Y" Course:
The NYLC consists of 5 days of classroom and field instruction and one day of written and practical field examinations. The instruction for the course is age specific. Each day is devoted to the physical, psychological and social characteristics displayed by children of specific ages, i.e. U-6, U-8, U-10 and U-12.

"D" License Course
Length: 38 hours
Cost: $75.00
7 hours - theory in classroom
21 hours - practical sessions on field
1 ½ hours - written testing in classroom
6 ½ hours - practical testing on field
Curriculum Emphasis of the "D" Course:

Course is offered by each state association
Prepare coaches to further develop the player's tchnical abilities and their application within the game
Increase the understanding of the Principles of Play and how they are applied in the game
Expand the coaches understanding of 11 a-side soccer and the importance of developing a team system that is based on the player's abilities

"E" Certificate Course
Length: 18 hours
Cost: $50.00
6 hours - theory in classroom
10 hours - practical sessions on field
2 hours - practical coaching with candidates
No formal testing
Curriculum Emphasis of the "E" Certificate:

Course is offered by each state association
This course is the first course for coaches who will be coaching 11 a-side soccer and provides general instruction to coaching and organizing your team
Introduction to the methodology of coaching and the four components of coaching soccer, Technique, Tactics, Fitness and Psychology
Field sessions concentrate on developing technique within small-sided games that also present problems for players to solve within the game

Youth Modules - Level I and II
Length: Varies by level
Cost: $30.00 (includes 2 dvd's)
Approx. 4 hours
1 ½ hours in classroom
2 ½ hours on field
No formal testing
Curriculum Emphasis of the Youth Modules:

Course is offered by each state association
Content of youth modules is same as the US Soccer Youth License Course and is age specific
Level I—U-6; Level II—U-8&10
Focus of youth modules is the parent coach who has little or no experience in the game of soccer

Mini-Clinics
Objective: Concentrated lectures or demonstration on a specific subject; i.e. Management, Goalkeeping, Care/Prevention of Athletic Injuries
Length: 3 hours
Cost: $150.00 total for course
Two (2) free 3-hour clinics can be granted per year to each affiliate per delegate vote; e.g. if an affiliate has 3 delegate votes to EPYSA, then they are entitled to 6 free 3-hour clinics.
Requirement: Appropriate facilities and 20 participants
Examination: None