Coaching Courses

Category: Advice for Coaches

Are you looking to coach your little son or daughter but you’ve never played soccer before? Have you played soccer all your life and would now like to share your experience and expertise with younger players? If you fit one of those, or anything in between, don’t worry. There are coaching courses you can take.

G License (4 hours)
This beginning course for coaches teaches about both coaching organization and theory. The intention of the G course is to help you to become a more resourceful and confident “activity leader”-to combine your enthusiasm and commitment to children with the basic theory and practical exercises that will be provided. It will cover teaching and correcting dribbling, passing, and shooting technique as well as particular characteristics of U6 and U8 players.

F License (8 hours)
Prerequisite: G
A more ambitious introductory course for novice coaches or those with some experience. Designed primarily for coaches of U8, U10, or U12 teams. The intention of the F course is to help you to become a more resourceful and confident “activity leader” – to combine your enthusiasm and commitment to children with the basic theory and practical exercises that will be provided.

E License (16 hours)
Prerequisite: F License
This course combines soccer theory and practice. During the course, each participant will have the opportunity to lead a short coaching session, with constructive feedback from the instructor. Designed primarily for experienced coaches of U10, U12, and U14 teams.

D License (36 hours)
Prerequisite: E License
A rigorous course for experienced coaches of U12, U14, or U16 club or town teams, or of high school teams. Three or four years experience coaching older players is recommended. During the last eight hours of the D Course, each coach takes a one-hour written examination and presents a 20-30 minute practical coaching session that is graded.

For coaches interested in taking their coaching skills to the highest level, there are also C, B, and A license courses available.

For more information in the Massachusetts area, please visit Mass Youth Soccer.

NOTE: Coaching courses may be different between states and countries.