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
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 |
Status |
| D License |
So. Burlington, VT |
Dec. - April 2023 ** |
$395 |
Coming in October |
TBA |
** 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
Course Structure:
Pre-course Meeting
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:
Virtual link will be sent to all candidates.
The one day in-person field session will be held on TBA
C LICENSE
Coming soon