Coaches Courses

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.

US_Soccer_Coaching_Education_Pathway

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

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 .

Course	Location	Date(s)	Cost	Registration Link
11 v 11	Essex Jct.	Jan. 6 & 8, 2022 **	$90	Essex Jct. 11 v 11
D License	So. Burlington, VT	Mar. 20 - June 30, 2022 **	$395	D License
C License	So. Burlington, VT	Mar. 21 - Aug. 27, 2022 **	$1600	C License

** Indicates virtual and in-person field sessions. MUST attend both.

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

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)

D LICENSE

The National D License is an online and in-person course that began in 2021 by adding the online experience with one in-person meeting. Due to COVID-19, U.S. Soccer has provided the two options to ensure that education can continue in a safe manner and the hosting agency will determine the appropriate option.

Coaches who register for this course can expect 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 on 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 must attend all course meetings to be eligible to receive the license.

Eligibility Requirements:

In order to be considered for the U.S. Soccer D course, all candidates must meet the following prerequisites:

· At least 16 years of age, and

· Currently coaching or have access to a team, and

· 2 Grassroots In-Person Courses (one which is 11v11) + 1 Online course

· U.S. Soccer E License

Course Structure:

Pre-course Meeting

· Opening Webinar Date: 3/21/2022

· Opening Webinar Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Virtual Period:

The Virtual Period is the time in between the pre-course meeting, the on-field component(s) and after the final field component. The Virtual Period will consist of weekly learning opportunities that will feature a mixture of independent learning using online modules, live virtual meetings led by a licensed U.S. Soccer Instructor and small group meetings that are organized by the coaches. 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 that will be finalized during the pre-course meeting. See below for more specifics on typical meeting days/times, as well as the date(s) for the in-person meeting.

Virtual Meetings: 18 virtual conference calls. Specific dates are:

12 virtual conference calls on Sundays from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

March 20, 27 April 10, 24 May 1, 8, 15, 22 June 5, 12, 19, 30

6 virtual conference calls on Thursdays from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

March 31, April 7, 14, 28, June 2, 30

Virtual link will be sent to all candidates.

On-Field Component:

The one day in-person field session will be held on Sunday, June 26, 8 am - 4 pm at South Burlington High School.

C LICENSE

Beginning in 2021, the National C License Course became a combination course with an online learning experience followed by one or two in-person meetings.

Eligibility
In order to be considered for the U.S. Soccer C course, all candidates must meet the following pre-requisites:

* At least 18 years of age; and
* Currently Coaching; and
* Have held a U.S. Soccer D license for at least 12 months.

-OR- meet the waiver guidelines.

All candidates must also have access to internet & web-camera/live video capabilities.

Course Structure

Virtual Pre-Course Meeting

Virtual Learning Period
15-17 weeks of learning opportunities in a mixture of independent learning and live virtual meetings led by a licensed U.S. Soccer Instructor. Coaching will be asked to participate in discussions. 

In-Person Field Component
4 days. Coaches may be asked to participate as either coaches or players.

Development Period
4 weeks applying knowledge in home environment and engaging with instructors and other candidates virtually. 

Course Meeting	Location
Virtual Pre-Course Meeting March 21 \| 8:00-9:00pm	At home / online
Virtual Pre-Course Instructor Meeting TBD	At home / online
Virtual Learning Period April 3 - July 16	At home / online
In-Person Field Component July 28 - 31	Burlington, VT
Development Period July 31 - August 27	At home / online

Coaches