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Coaches Corner

PYSL’s Coaches Corner provides an information resource for our recreation coaches.  Included in the Coaches Corner are age appropriate lesson plans, coaching education links and other helpful information.  Coaches should feel free to use anything seen here in their own practices.


Why Small Sided Games?
 
What is a Concussion?
 

CLICK HERE for a free download of the U.S Soccer "Skills School" manual, which offers key points for fundamental skills, as well as sample drills that coaches can use to teach their players proper technique.

Coaching Education

PYSL is committed to helping coaches through coaching education in order to develop in this sport.  If you are interested in furthering your coaching education, PYSL is committed to helping you through the process.  Please contact us if you have any questions. 

The following is an overview of the US Soccer coaching education programs and the curriculum offered:
 
USSF National "A" License
Length: 16 Days, with development periods, each lasting 6-8 weeks
Prerequisite: Have held a USSF National "B" License for 6 months; Have four or more years of coaching experience
Curriculum Emphasis:
  • The development and understanding of team play and specific tactical concepts applied to a game plan, i.e. low pressure defending, counter-attack, pressing, etc.
  • Ability to construct an appropriate training session and coach within an 11 v 11 format.
  • Understanding of team-related issues, i.e. player management, match analysis, etc.

    USSF National "B" License
    Length: 12 days, with development periods, each lasting 6-8 weeks.
    Prerequisite: Have held a USSF National "C" License for 12 months; Have three or more years of coaching experience
    Curriculum Emphasis:
    • The development of training that provides greater meaning to positional play with the team functional training.
    • Improved understanding of the roles of players and their responsibilities with the game.
    • Development of collective play within the various lines of play, i.e. back line, midfield line or forward line, as applied to tactics and concepts of play.

      USSF National "C" License
      Length: 10 Days, with a development period of 6-8 weeks.
      Prerequisite: Have held a USSF National "D" License for 12 months
      Curriculum Emphasis:
      • The emphasis of the course will continue to be on the development of individual skill taught within individual and small group activities and games (4 v 4 to 7 v 7).
      • The understanding and development of tactics through 4 v 4 to 9 v 9 games.
      • The ability to observe mistakes and make appropriate correction.

        USSF National "D" License

        Overview:
        The National D course is a 36 hour course, typically held over two weekends, 10 weeks apart, designed for the experienced coach who has already earned a National E license. The focus of this course is to improve a coach's ability to positively influence individual players and teams. The course consists of a series of lectures and field sessions, and attendance is mandatory for the full duration of all course meetings. The candidate must be at least 16 years old and held a USSF National "E" License for a minimum of six months.

        Participation:
        Prior to the start of the course, the candidate will have three pre-course assignments to complete, including Laws of the Game, Concussion Awareness, Prevention and Care, in addition to completing three practice plans, one each on attacking, defending, and goalkeeping, and fill out a self evaluation on each session.

        Phases:
        The first weekend consists of meeting with the instructors face to face, learning the principles of play, planning a complete weekly cycle of practices, and developing coaching competencies necessary to effectively teach the 13-14 year old athlete and team. After the "instructional weekend," the candidate creates three more training sessions, each one on attacking, defending and goalkeeping, and fill out a self evaluation on those sessions. After a period of ten weeks or more, the candidate will return to complete an on-field exam.

        Curriculum Emphasis:
        • Methods of Coaching, Team Management & Administration, Tactics I, Tactics II, Match Analysis, Laws of the Game, and Care and Prevention of Injuries.
        • Coaching Small Sided Games, Dribbling, Passing, Receiving and Turning, Heading and Crossing, Finishing, Fitness with the Ball, Goalkeeping, Possession, Defending and Attacking.

        CLICK HERE for a current listing of "D" courses.
         
        USSF National "E" License

        Overview:
        The National E course is an 18-hour course, typically held over one weekend, which covers the elementary principles of coaching and prepares interested coaches for the National D course. The course consists of a series of lectures and field sessions, and attendance is mandatory for the full duration of all course meetings. The candidate must be 16 years of age or older and hold a USSF National "F" License.

        Participation:
        Prior to the start of the course, the candidate will have four pre-course assignments to complete, including Team Management, Laws of the Game, Heads Up Concussion Course, and Prevention and Care.

        Curriculum Emphasis:
        • Methods of Coaching, Team Management, Tactics, Characteristics of the 9-12 year old athlete and team.
        • Dribbling, Passing, Receiving, Shooting, Heading, Goalkeeping, Defending, and Attacking, Small Sided Games.

        CLICK HERE for a current listing of "E" courses.

        USSF National "F" License

        Overview:
        The “F” license is a 2-hour course, conducted entirely online, intended for all parents and coaches of youth players. The focus of this grassroots course is to share U.S. Soccer’s best practices in creating a fun, activity-centered and age-appropriate environment for 5-8 year old players. The "F" license course is open to all applicants at least 16 years of age.

        Taking the Course:
        • In order to register for the course, candidates will first be required to sign up for a user account in the U.S. Soccer Digital Coaching Center- a state of the art online educational platform
        • The course takes approximately 2 hours to complete. However, candidates can stop, rewind, or restart the webinars as often as needed
        • After registering for the course, candidates are granted access to the course content for 12 months. The course may be successfully completed at any time during this period

        Curriculum Emphasis:
        • Philosophy of Coaching, Characteristics of Players, Designing a Practice Plan, Teaching, Laws of the Game, Prevention and Care, Sleep, Nutrition, Technique, Small Sided Games.

        Following each webinar, candidates are required to complete a series of multiple-choice questions. To successfully complete each webinar, all checks for understanding must be answered correctly. To maximize comprehension and facilitate learning, candidates will have multiple attempts to correctly answer all questions.

          For more information on U.S. Soccer Coaching Schools (USSF "A", "B" and "C") contact the U.S. Soccer Coaching Department at 312-528-1219 or [email protected].
           
          For more information on VYSA hosted Coaching Courses (USSF "D", and USSF "E"), contact Virginia Youth Soccer Association at 540-693-1430 or email Jackie Burket at [email protected]. For further information on VYSA's website, click their coaching education link here. http://www.vysa.com/CoachingEd/index_E.html
           

          CLICK HERE to visit USSF's Digital Coaching Center page to view and register for coaching courses.
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