Due to the ongoing health crisis, the format of coach licensing courses will change as we adopt US Soccer’s Return to Educate curriculum and practices. Coaches registering for Grassroots and ‘D’ License courses should expect virtual classroom interactive meetings lead by our licensed US Soccer instructors. Those registered will also be asked to participate in a field component as coaches and/or players. All activities will follow state and local guidelines for social distancing and gatherings as well as US Soccer’s PLAY ON protocol. US Soccer PLAY ON | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
COACHING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Coaching Education Overview
Vermont Youth Soccer Association, as the US Soccer state governing body, is responsible for providing coaching education opportunities to coaches at all levels of play across the state. Coach education opportunities are available via the US Soccer Coaching Education Pathway as well as the United Soccer Coaches Pathway. Together, with US Soccer and United Soccer Coaches, Vermont Soccer Association is committed to empowering coaches with the knowledge, skills, and practices to create a positive, engaging, and enjoyable learning environment for their players.
US Soccer Coaching Education Pathway
US Soccer national and state-level coaching education pathways and courses are designed to positively impact the development of grassroots coaches across the country by making education more accessible and developmentally appropriate for grassroots coaches.
Introduction to Grassroots Coaching
This free introductory module, which represents the first step in the newly revised coaching license pathway, is now the general starting point of the pathway and is the required prerequisite to undergo any of US Soccer's Grassroots Licensing Courses. Coaches who complete the module will also be provided with four complimentary Play-Practice-Play training sessions.
The module takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
How to access and take US Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module:
- Visit US Soccer’s Digital Learning Center (DLC).
- Sign up (free of charge) or log-in to your DLC profile.
- Select “Courses” from the top menu.
- Under “Available Courses”, select “Begin Course” to launch the introductory module.
- Complete US Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching.
Coaching Course Schedule & Registration
For a complete list of available coaching courses, click on the 2020 Grassroots Course Schedule. If the current course schedules do not already accommodate the coaches needs in your community, you may request to host a course by contacting VSA Director of Coaching, John Curtis at doc@vermontsoccer.org.
4 V 4 COURSE
PURPOSE
To prepare coaches to work with players U6 to U7.
GOALS
- To understand the basic needs of grassroots players
- To understand the basic structure of the game
- To understand the basic structure of a training session
ELIGIBILITY
Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
None
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The candidate will discuss, collaborate, and develop knowledge and skills in the following context:
Player characteristics and needs:
- Age: U6 to U7
- Skillset: Beginner to Intermediate
- Motivation: Like to play / variance in interest level and participation in multiple sports
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- To observe the game, recognize moments and basic player actions
- To demonstrate a basic understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology (P-P-P)
- To execute and reflect on a P-P-P training session
- To create a player centered environment
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessment in:
- Coaching Games
- Coaching Training Sessions
- Leading the Player
- Leading the Team
- Managing the Performance Environment
- Leadership
COURSE EXPERIENCE
Blended
2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours in-person
Traditional
4 hours in-person (2 hours classroom/2 hours field)
7 V 7 COURSE
PURPOSE
To prepare coaches to work with players U8 to U9.
GOALS
- To understand the basic needs of grassroots players
- To understand the basic structure of the game
- To understand the basic structure of a training session
- To understand the basic tasks of a grassroots coach
ELIGIBILITY
Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
None
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The candidate will discuss, collaborate, and develop knowledge and skills in the following context:
Player characteristics and needs:
- Age: U8 to U9
- Skillset: Beginner to Intermediate
- Motivation: Like to play / variance in interest level and participation in multiple sports
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- To observe the game, recognize moments and basic player actions
- To demonstrate a basic understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology (P-P-P)
- To execute and reflect on a P-P-P training session
- To create a player centered environment
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessment in:
- Coaching Games
- Coaching Training Sessions
- Leading the Player
- Leading the Team
- Managing the Performance Environment
- Leadership
COURSE EXPERIENCE
Blended
2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours in-person
Traditional
4 hours in-person (2 hours classroom/2 hours field)
9 V 9 COURSE
PURPOSE
To prepare coaches to work with players U11 to U12.
GOALS
- To understand the basic needs of grassroots players
- To understand the basic structure of the game
- To understand the basic structure of a training session
- To understand the basic tasks of a grassroots coach
ELIGIBILITY
Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
None
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The candidate will discuss, collaborate, and develop knowledge and skills in the following context:
Player characteristics and needs:
- Age: U11 to U12
- Skillset: Beginner to Intermediate
- Motivation: Like to play / variance in interest level and participation in multiple sports
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- To observe the game, recognize moments and basic player actions
- To demonstrate a basic understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology (P-P-P)
- To execute and reflect on a P-P-P training session
- To create a player centered environment
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessment in:
- Coaching Games
- Coaching Training Sessions
- Leading the Player
- Leading the Team
- Managing the Performance Environment
- Leadership
COURSE EXPERIENCE
Blended
2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours in-person
Traditional
4 hours in-person (2 hours classroom/2 hours field)
11 V 11 COURSE
TO REGISTER FOR THE 11 V 11 COURSE - Click Here
PURPOSE
To prepare coaches to work with players U13 to U19 in a participation environment.
GOALS
- To understand the basic needs of grassroots players
- To understand the basic structure of the game
- To understand the basic structure of a training session
- To understand the basic tasks of a grassroots coach
ELIGIBILITY
Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
None
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The candidate will discuss, collaborate, and develop knowledge and skills in the following context:
Player characteristics and needs:
- Age: U13 to U19
- Skillset: Beginner to Intermediate
- Motivation: Like to play / variance in interest level and participation in multiple sports
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- To observe the game, recognize moments and basic player actions
- To demonstrate a basic understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology (P-P-P)
- To execute and reflect on a P-P-P training session
- To create a player centered environment
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessment in:
- Coaching Games
- Coaching Training Sessions
- Leading the Player
- Leading the Team
- Managing the Performance Environment
- Leadership
COURSE EXPERIENCE
Blended
2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours in-person
Traditional
4 hours in-person (2 hours classroom/2 hours field)
BLENDED NATIONAL D LICENSE
Total Course Fee: $325
To register for the Blended D License Course – Click Here
The Blended National D license is a 40 to 45-hour course, with an online experience and ends with a one-day on-field component in early 2021. The course is designed for the grassroots coach working with youth players U6 to U13 in a participation driven environment and focuses on all four game models as outlined in the Player Development Initiatives (4v4 / 7v7 / 9v9 / 11v11).
The goals of the course are to help coaches understand how:
- To create game-like training sessions that encourage players’ ownership (decision-making)
- To create a game day environment that encourages players’ ownership (decision-making)
The learning objectives of this course are to facilitate coach improvement in the Six Tasks of a Coach with an emphasis on developing the team and individual players by learning how:
- To demonstrate an understanding of developmental stages & age characteristics • to observe the game, recognize formations and all player actions
- To further develop a comprehensive understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology • to organize, execute and reflect on 2 Play-Practice-Play training sessions based on the same goal in 1 week
- To demonstrate an understanding of how to inform, involve and inspire parents
Coaches who register for this course can expect up to 3 to 5 hours weekly learning opportunities that will feature a mixture of independent learning using online modules and live virtual meetings led by a licensed U.S. Soccer Instructor. Coaches will be asked to participate in discussions so each person should have access to the internet and a web-camera/live video capabilities. The virtual meetings will take place agreed upon days and times (see below). Coaches may be asked to participate in the field component as either coaches or players, so please come prepared to actively learn. Candidates that register for this course are expected to attend all course meetings to be eligible to receive the license.
Eligibility Requirements: A unique combination of three of the eight Grassroots Licenses now formally represent the prerequisite to progress to the U.S. Soccer D License. Specifically, candidates must have completed a minimum of three grassroots courses, in the form of two in-person courses and one online course: • Two in-person courses (one of which must be the 11v11) • One online course across any of the four levels (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11)
Coaching candidates who have earned the E or F License will have the following opportunities to use those certifications toward the D License prerequisites:
- US Soccer E License + Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module
- US Soccer F License + Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module + 11v11 in-person license + one other in-person license
Please contact John Curtis at doc@vermontsoccer.org with any questions.
The blended curriculum for the 2021 USSF D License is a combination of on-line asynchronous work, virtual conference meeting synchronous learning and a single in-person field session.
The on-line asynchronous work is spread out over the 13 weeks of the course, with an average of two (2) modules to be completed each week. A full list of due dates will be available in the Learning Center.
The virtual conference calls are held weekly as a check point and group interaction to discuss the completed on-line modules. The virtual conferences are held on Sunday nights at 7 pm. Length of the meetings varies from 60 – 120 minutes. Due to holidays and pacing of the material, it is necessary to hold five (5) virtual meetings on other nights. All meetings will begin at 7 pm. The schedule for the 18 virtual meetings is:
Meeting Day Meeting Dates:
Sundays (13) March 21, 28, April 11, 18, 25, May, 2, 9, 16, 23, June 6, 13, 20, 27
Mondays (1) May 31
Thursdays (4) April 1, 8, 22, June 3
The single in-person meeting is a formative assessment process where candidates run a training session.
This meeting will be held on Sunday, June 27, from 8 am – 4 pm. Location TBA.