Navigating the U.S. Soccer Coaching Education Pathway
U.S. Soccer is committed to providing soccer coaches, from beginner to most advanced, with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge, so coaches across the United States can ensure that players develop to their full potential. Soccer coach education courses, including Grassroots, ‘D,’ ‘C’ and ‘B’ licenses, our goal is to provide a vast catalog course offerings that meet the needs of our membership. The U.S. Soccer Federation offers coaching education classes at every level for soccer coaches in the United States. To navigate the landscape of soccer coaching education in the United States effectively, it's crucial to understand the structure, requirements, and pathways offered by U.S. Soccer. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. Soccer Coaching License Pathway, from grassroots courses to the prestigious Pro License, including requirements, eligibility criteria, and course content.
The Coaching License Pathway: An Overview
The Coaching License Pathway consists of a series of courses designed to meet the specific needs of a coach every step of the way from beginner to advanced, with education tailored to their experiences and the needs of their players. Each level requires specific criteria to be eligible to take the course and the licenses build on the previous level. A 2018 revamp changed the scope of coaching licenses, dividing between grassroots and professional.
Massachusetts Youth Soccer is proud to offer coaching education opportunities from our nationally recognized coaching education leaders: The US Soccer Coaching License pathway, the United Soccer Coaches Coaching Diplomas, and the US Youth Soccer National Youth Certificate course. In conjunction with US Soccer Federations, the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association’s Coaching Education Program offers the latest US Soccer Grassroots License courses.
Grassroots Courses: Building the Foundation
The grassroots game models (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11) through ‘D’ License concentrate on the grassroots environment. These courses replace the old National Youth and E license courses, with several of the grassroots courses offered online. It also requires signing up online for US Soccer’s Learning Center. The grassroots courses now start online with a free, 20-minute online introduction to grassroots coaching. Once you create a profile, you can begin watching our Introduction to Grassroots Module immediately.
That leads into small-sided courses: 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11. Those two-hour courses are offered online and in-person, and two of the grassroots courses must be taken in person. For coaches already holding the old F license, it’s now a requirement to take the online introduction to grassroots coaching along with two of the small-sided courses taken in-person to advance to the next step in licenses. For holders of the old E license, only the online introduction to grassroots coaching is necessary.
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The 'D' License: Leading U6 to U12 Teams
To take the D course, you need at least two grassroots in-person courses and an online license. The goal of the D license is to prepare coaches to lead teams from U6 to U12 in a participation environment. The level of play associated with the need for this license is beginner to intermediate. Coaches are expected to be actively coaching a team to qualify. Candidates take four in-person courses over nine weeks along with what US Soccer calls “assignments and mentoring,” virtual meetings, individual meetings with a Coach Educator, and investigation/research. These classes may or may not require travel, depending on your location. On the US Soccer Learning Center page. In the search field at the top of the page, in the Host section, select “Eastern New York Youth Soccer”. From the list of results, select the course you wish to attend.
The 'C' License: Core Concepts for U-13 to U-17
After the D, you’ll need six months of experience to take the C course. This four-month course with four in-person days requires the holder to have had a D License for a minimum of 6 months, be at least 18 years of age, and be currently coaching. It consists of weekly learning opportunities with a mixture of independent learning using online modules, live virtual meetings, and in-person meetings led by a licensed US Soccer Educator. The C License teaches what US Soccer calls the core concepts of coaching, with a focus on the U-13 to U-17 age groups.
US Soccer has a waiver process for qualified coaches holding foreign licenses and former top-flight professional players handled through the organization hosting the C License course. If you don’t already have the D License and meet the other criteria, contact the host of the C License course you’re interested in to see if you qualify for a waiver.
The 'B' License: Player and Team Development
Beyond C, entry to the pro pathway requires an application to each course and more robust prerequisites. The six-month B course stresses player and team development with youth (U-13+) or senior teams in a “performance environment.” It consists of two in-person meetings, virtual meetings, independent learning and development periods, one-on-one meetings with instructors, and individual and group assignments. Candidates are expected to commit to two to three hours of virtual learning per week.
Candidates need to have had the C License for a year, have three or more years coaching experience, be currently coaching with access to 11v11 training, and a signed letter from club leadership to confirm position, roles, and responsibilities. The waiver procedure for the B License requires the equivalent of a UEFA B License, five or more years of playing experience with a senior US National Team or at the pro level. Current or retired players who participate in youth training camps can earn credit towards required coaching hours.
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The 'A' License: Focusing on the Future Professional
US Soccer divides the A License between youth and senior soccer. The A-Youth license focuses on developing the future professional soccer player. It’s a 10-month commitment with three in-person meetings, virtual meetings, independent learning, one-on-one meetings with instructors, guest speakers, an exit interview, a collaborative project, and a final assessment meeting. Candidates need to have had the B License for one year, have four years of coaching experience, be currently coaching, and have access to a team in a U-13 to U19 youth environment. The differences are access to a college soccer or minor league club and an application submitted through US Soccer’s coaching portal.
The Pro License: The Pinnacle of Coaching Education
Following the lead of UEFA, US Soccer adopted a Pro License for the top-level coaches. It’s now a requirement for MLS head coaches that don’t qualify for a waiver. US Soccer requires holders of the UEFA Pro License to take the USSF Pro License as well. To qualify to take the course, a coach must hold a US Soccer A License for at least one year and be actively coaching in MLS, NWSL, USL, MLS Next Pro, NISA, or on a US National Team staff for at least one year.
The course takes 12 months with three in-person meetings of 5 days each, two virtual meetings per month, two six-day onsite visits to the coach’s club by a USSF instructor, an international visit where possible, two developmental periods, and a final presentation and interview. The Pro License costs $10,000.
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