National Youth License

The National Youth License is designed to provide club directors of coaching, youth coaches, physical education teachers, and soccer administrators with the knowledge to successfully structure soccer environments for children aged 4-12. The role of the coach as a facilitator is explored; the physical, mental and emotional needs and capabilities of players from 4-12 are explored; the lessons from developmental psychology are explored; and the art of teaching is explored. Candidates are videotaped for analysis during live training sessions.

The National "C" License course

is designed to introduce concepts that are targeted toward coaching players ages 11 – 14. The course focus is on getting coaches to think about, discuss, and recognize the recurring concepts or themes that exist in soccer. Candidates will be challenged to find ways to offer constructive guidance to players while also allowing players to experience the game for themselves.

A primary emphasis in the National "C" License course is the close relationship between technique and tactics. In this course, technique and tactics will be addressed together. In practice field sessions and the final field exam, the candidate is required to address the impact that technique has on tactics.

Three (3) General Goals of the National "C" License Course:

1. To prepare coaches to better recognize problems and solutions as they occur in the run of play and to communicate this information to their players,
2. To create rich soccer environments that allow players to grow, and
3. To provide a foundation for any coach wishing to pursue higher levels within U.S. Soccer's Coaching Education Program.

The National "C" License course will also provide a foundation in the following areas: tactics, technique, methods of coaching and issues in youth player development, some of which have been introduced in the "D" License course, and will be expanded upon in the National "B" and National "A" License courses. These include but are not limited to the following objectives:

• Observe and identify the technical and tactical demands of the game.
• Focus on the application of technique and small group tactics in games up to 7v7 to big goals.
• Organize, develop and implement appropriate training sessions to correct and reinforce the demands of the game.
• Recognize soccer problems and offer appropriate technical and tactical guidance to the players.
• Develop a better understanding of the responsibilities of coaching.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have held the National "D" License for a minimum of 12 months (attach a copy to application).

National "D" License certification may be waived ONLY under one of the following conditions:

1. Applicant received the NSCAA National Diploma and has held it for a minimum of 12 months.
2. Applicant has three (3) years of coaching experience (any level) AND three (3) years playing experience with a Senior National Team or three (3) years of FIFA recognized professional playing experience.
3. A foreign license of equivalence; to be reviewed by the U.S. Soccer Coaching Department.

- See more at: http://www.ussoccer.com/coaches/licenses/national-c.aspx#sthash.4jkNTnFo.dpuf

The National “B” License Course

is designed to introduce concepts that are targeting toward coaching players age 16 to college level. The National “B” License focuses on recognizing the principles of the game and its technical applications in 9v9 game situations. Candidates will learn to teach and implement these principles through functional training sessions leading up to the 9v9 game. The course will help candidates get a better understanding of the responsibilities of coaching at advanced levels and will prepare those coaches who wish to pursue the National “A” License.

Key Elements of the National “B” License course:

• Help coaches to observe and identify tactical and technical breakdowns in game situations.
• Learn to develop and implement appropriate training sessions to meet the demands of the game.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be at least 19 years of age and have held the National “C” License for a minimum of 12 months.

National “C” License requirement may be waived ONLY under one of the following conditions:

1. Applicant earned the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and has held it for a minimum of 12 months.
2. Applicant has five (5) years of coaching experience (any level) on AND five (5) years of playing experience with a Senior National Team or five (5) years of FIFA recognized professional playing experience.
3. A foreign license of equivalence; to be reviewed by the U.S. Soccer Coaching Department.

- See more at: http://www.ussoccer.com/coaches/licenses/national-b.aspx#sthash.MmZ1PoNf.dpuf

The National "A" License course

is designed to introduce concepts that are targeted toward coaching older players (older junior level and senior level players). The National "A" License focuses on recognizing the principles of the game and its technical applications in 11v11 game format and how these principles influence positional, group and team organization. The course also examines player, team and game management issues as they relate to the senior level player.

Key Elements of the National "A" License Course:

• Candidates are encouraged to understand the "Four Pillars of the Game" (Technical, Tactical, Psychological & Physical) and to devise plans for and effectively improve those areas with their team
• Candidates are encouraged to explore the variety of methodologies open to them and to solve coaching problems in the 11v11 game format. This varies in task from team management, game management, and practice management issues.
• Much attention is given to breaking down the principles of play and the various systems by watching games played (video analysis) and playing in the games themselves.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have held the National "B" License for a minimum of 12 months, and meets the 3.2 rule requirement.

Absolutely no waivers will be considered for entrance into the National "A" License course.

- See more at: http://www.ussoccer.com/coaches/licenses/national-a.aspx#sthash.w0sXHRXo.dpuf