Coaching Licensing Credentials FAQ's

Coaching licenses and credentials FAQ's

LICENSES AND DIPLOMAS


Soccer coaching licenses and diplomas are offered by the top two national soccer organizations in the United States, the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF or US Soccer) and United Soccer Coaches (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America). US Soccer is the body for soccer in the United States as recognized by FIFA. They are not only entrusted with the National teams, but also are the pipeline and foundation of soccer development in the country.  They offer the official licenses for soccer coaching in the United States.  These start with what is characterized as a “grassroots pathway,” which then progress through the D License, the C License, the B License, and the A License (youth) or A License (seniors). The top US Soccer license is a professional team license.


The grassroots courses are available online or in person and progress up the small-sided game formats from 4v4, to 7v7, and 9v9, finally culminating in the full-sided, 11v11 game. To qualify for the US Soccer D course, candidates must meet the prerequisite of having had an in-person course at the 11v11 level as well as having passed through the other three formats. To take the C, B, or A, and the professional courses, the previous-grade course must be passed and the license held for six to twelve months. Licenses are granted after satisfactory completion of course requirements and examinations.


What the US Soccer Federation courses cover:

  • The D Course facilitates the improvement of the candidates in the “Six Tasks of a Coach” across all four game models (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11) with an emphasis on coaching training sessions.
  • The C Course focuses on the core concepts of coaching.
  • The B Course focuses on the principles of long-term player development and developing a team.
  • The A-Youth Course focuses on the development of elite youth players as a part of the pathway to becoming a professional player.
  • The A-Senior Course focuses on creating a winning team in a high-performance environment, based on the development of attacking, defending, and transitioning of the coach’s own team related to upcoming opponents.
  • The primary objectives of the courses are for each coach to develop and improve the habits of a coach learning from one’s own experiences, to work on and improve the individualized needs of each coach’s personal development, and to become more competent and proficient in their coaching tasks.
  • USSF Club Technical Leadership License- The CTL Level 1 and Level 2 are the top licenses for club technical leaders.


USSF Coaching Licenses can be searched and viewed at: https://learning.ussoccer.com/directory



What the United Soccer Coaches courses cover:

Using On-Line Resources, Virtual Classroom, In-Person learning, and Video Assessment, the diploma certification program and courses consist of Development, Advanced, and Masters categories.

The Development Courses are:

  • 4v4
  • 7v7 / 9v9
  • 11v11
  • Pre-National
  • Goalkeeper 1
  • Goalkeeper 2
  • Goalkeeper 3
  • Special Topics

All are available online.  Each contains four components: 1) An interactive lecture presentation (at the conclusion of the presentation, coaches receive a digital Diploma), 2) A full-color PDF course manual, 3) A 64-page full-color activity guide, and 4) Two 50-minute videos from the United Soccer Coaches Convention.


Advanced Diplomas are:

  • National
  • Advanced National
  • Premier (Top Club Coaching Diploma)
  • National Youth
  • Advanced National GK
  • Director of Coaching
  • High School
  • College Coach
  • Coach Developer
  • Sport Performance


In addition, United Soccer Coaches has university partners who offer:

  • Master Coach Diploma
  • Master’s Degree in Soccer Coaching.


What is NFHS?

NFHS stands for the National Federation of High School Sports. Along with multiple online courses, coaches get additional training in social and psychological development of children. In addition to training, NFHS coaches have a very in-depth background check.


What about UEFA?

The UEFA coaching licenses are documents testifying credentials of coaches among members of UEFA. UEFA, the governing body for football in Europe, mandates several coaching licenses for professional managers, each valid for coaching at a certain level for all members of the organization. The US Soccer Federation has some of the most in depth coaching courses in the world. UEFA licenses typically transfer a letter grade down compared to USSF licensing. For example, if a coach comes over from Europe with a UEFA B license, they will have to test for a US Soccer B license and not an A license.



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