The following information was taken directly from the GA Soccer Coaching Courses Page   For more detailed information please visit the GA Soccer website.

Most Courses are held in pre-spring (January & February) and pre-fall (July & August) period of each year. Course schedules are posted in mid-December and mid-June respectively. To register for currently available classes, please CLICK HERE. For more information, please contact Tara Daniel at [email protected].

Where Do I Start?

All these course offerings could be confusing for some coaches. Where does one start? How does one progress from course to course? To understand how to navigate through the coaching education pathway, please review the Starting Point Guidelines, the Pre-requisite Guidelines, and the Coaching Education Pathway chart below:

Starting Point Guidelines

• If you are coaching a U6/U8 recreational team, you must start with the ‘G’ Certificate course.  Previous playing or coaching experience cannot be used to waive the ‘G’ course if you are coaching U6/U8 teams.
   
• If you are coaching a U10/U12 Recreational team, you must start with the ‘F’ certificate course.  Previous playing or coaching experience cannot be used to waive the ‘F’ course if you are coaching U10/U12 Rec teams.
   
• If you are coaching a U14 or older Recreational team, you can start at either the ‘REC E’ certificate course, or the National ‘E’ License course, or the NSCAA Level 6 Diploma.
   
• If you are coaching a U9/U10/U11/U12 Academy team, you can start at either the National ‘E’ License course or the NSCAA Level 6 Diploma.
   
• If you are coaching a Select team, you can start at either the National ‘E’ License course or the NSCAA Level 6 Diploma.
   

Pre-Requisite Guidelines

This section outlines the pre-requisites for each course in the Pathway Chart:

• ‘G’ course: No pre-requisite.
• ‘F’ course: No pre-requisite. But if you are coaching U6/U8, you must start at the ‘G’ course.
• ‘REC E’ course: No pre-requisite. But if you are coaching U6-U12 Rec, you must start at the ‘G’ or ‘F’ course.
• National ‘E’ course: No pre-requisite. But if you are coaching U6-U12 Rec, you must start at the ‘G’ or ‘F’ course.
• National ‘D’ course: Must possess the National ‘E’ License for at least 6 months. The ‘REC E’ certificate cannot be used as a pre-requisite for the course. The NSCAA Level 6 cannot be used as a pre-requisite either.
• National Youth License: National ‘D’ License. A waiver of the ‘D’ can be granted by the State DOC. Waiver request must be submitted in writing to the State DOC.
• NSCAA Level 6 Diploma: No pre-requisite.  But if you are coaching U6-U12 Rec, you must start at the ‘G’ or ‘F’ course.
• NSCAA National Diploma: NSCAA Level 6 or National ‘D’ License.
• USSF ‘C’ License: Must possess the National ‘D’ license or the NSCAA National Diploma for a minimum of 12 months.
• NSCAA Advanced National Diploma: NSCAA National Diploma or USSF ‘C’ License.
• USSF ‘B’ License: Must possess the USSF ‘C’ License or the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma for a minimum of 12 months.
• NSCAA Premier Diploma: NSCAA Advanced National Diploma or the USSF ‘B’ License.
• USSF ‘A’ License: Must possess the USSF ‘B’ License for a minimum of 12 months.
   

The arrows in the Pathway Chart below also show how coaches can progress from one course to another.  Coaches can move vertically down the US Soccer path or use the NSCAA path or combine the two.

In addition to the courses in the Pathway Chart, The NSCAA offers goalkeeping Diplomas, Director of Coaching Diplomas, High School Coaching Diplomas, and Special Topics clinics.  For a complete list of the NSCAA courses please CLICK HERE.

State ‘G’ Certificate Coaching Course
FREE for Georgia Soccer Members and $50 for Non-Members

Aimed at coaches and parents of U-6 or U-8 players. The course is four hours long and provides fun activities that enhance players’ skill development. Attendance is required to receive the ‘G’ certificate. 

There are two ways a candidate can take the ‘G’ course:

1. The ‘G’ course can be taken in the traditional way by attending the 4 hour course (the traditional ‘G’ course starts with a two hour classroom theory session and followed by a two hour field session).
2. Or, candidates can do the theory portion of the course online and complete the course by attending the 2 hour field session portion of a traditional ‘G’ course. 

Attending the Traditional ‘G’ course:

If you choose to attend the traditional 4 hour course, please scroll down and find the section titled:  How To Register For A Coaching Course and follow instructions. 

Doing the online Theory portion first:

If you choose to do the online theory portion first, you will have to go through the following steps:

1. Sign up on the US Youth Soccer site to do the online portion.
2. Complete the online theory portion.  You will have the option of completing the theory portion in one go or doing it a few chapters at a time over a maximum of a 3 months span.
3. Once you complete the online course, you will be instructed to sign up for the two hour field portion by selecting the location from the list of available courses.  Please note that the list of available course locations will be regularly updated throughout the summer/winter.  If you do not see a course location that is convenient for you once you complete the online portion, keep checking the list for a better location.
4. Attend the two hour field portion of the course.  For example, if the traditional ‘G’ course is from 9am to 1pm, you only need to show up at 11am and attend the field portion, which will go from 11am to 1pm.  

To start the online theory portion sign up process, please CLICK HERE.

Please contact Tara Daniel at 678-993-2110 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
 

State ‘F’ Certificate Coaching Course
FREE for Georgia Soccer Members and $90 for Non-Members 

The ‘F’ course is tailored for the coach who is working with U-10 or U-12 Recreational players. The emphasis is on teaching young players through a variety of fun games and practices. The course consists of 7 hours of instruction and practice. Attendance is required to receive the ‘F’ certificate. There is no pre-requisite for this course. However, U-6 & U-8 coaches must start with the ‘G’ course. 

State ‘Recreational ‘E’ Certificate Coaching Course
FREE for Georgia Soccer Members and $90 for Non-Members 

The ‘Rec E’ is aimed at coaches of recreational players U-14 and older. The course consists of 7 hours of instruction and practice. Attendance is required to receive the ‘Rec E’ certificate. There is no pre-requisite for this course as long as attendees are coaching U-14 or older. The ‘Rec E’ certificate cannot be used as a pre-requisite for the ‘D’ course. 

National ‘E’ License Coaching Course
Fee is $90 for Georgia Soccer Members and $200 for Non-Members 

The ‘E’ course is an intermediate course geared towards providing a foundation for coaching players in the 9-12 age range Academy/Select levels. The course consists of 16 hours of instruction in the theory and practice of soccer coaching methods. Successful completion is based on the following three requirements:

1. Submitting 3 Pre-Course Assignments (candidates will be given links to assignments upon course registration).
2. Attending the full course
3. Passing a coaching practical test at the course

 
The ‘F’ certificate is required for attendance. ‘F’ certification may be waived for coaches who are coaching Academy/Select teams or U-14 and older recreational teams. 

National ‘D’ License Coaching Course
Fee is $140 for Georgia Soccer Members and $500 Non-members 

The ‘D` course provides a detailed analysis of the modern methods of coaching advanced players of all ages. It involves 32 hours of instruction and testing. Successful completion is based on the following:

1. Preparation Phase:  Candidates are required to complete five (5) pre-assigned training sessions and submit the practice plans at the first weekend of the course.   The five topics for the pre-course training sessions are:
   Goalkeeping – Shot Stopping and Hand Distribution
   Individual Defending
   Receiving and Turning
   Improve Your Team`s Ability to Build up Through Midfield
   Improve Your Team`s Ability to Recover the Ball in the Defensive Half of the Field
   
   Candidates can use the practice plan progression taught at the ‘E` course: Technical Warm Up, Small-sided Activity, Expanded small-sided Activity, Match Condition.
   
   Candidates must submit the five practice plans at the course check-in on Friday of the first weekend.
    
2. First Weekend of Course - (Instructional Phase): Candidates must attend the first weekend of the course.
    
3. Deliberate Practice Phase: Between the first and second weekends of the course.  Candidates are required to complete five (5) pre-assigned training sessions over a minimum of 10 weeks and submit the practice plans on the second weekend of the course.
    
4. Second Weekend of Course - (Performance Review Phase): Candidates must attend the second weekend of the course at least 10 weeks after the first weekend and pass a final on-field exam.

The ‘E` License is required for attendance (the ‘Rec E` certificate is not acceptable). No waivers of the ``E`` License are allowed as of January 2013, according to the US Soccer Coaching Department. Upon earning a National ``E`` License, candidates must wait for at least 6 months before attending a ``D`` License course. This 6 month period is the Preparation Phase explained above.

NSCAA Level 6 Diploma
Fee is $150 for Georgia Soccer members and non-members

This course is 16 hours long and involves both classroom and field work.  The focus is on coaching technique and tactics within the 4v4 to 6v6 models of play.  Attendance is required to receive the diploma.  No pre-requisite needed for coaches working with Academy/Select teams.

NSCAA Level 1 Goalkeeper Diploma
Fee is $50 for Georgia Soccer members and non-members

This is a 6 hour course geared towards the team coach and focusing on helping the team coach evaluate his/her keeper performance in the game and design appropriate practice in and outside of team practices. No pre-requisite needed.

NSCAA Level 2 Goalkeeper Diploma
Fee is $75 for Georgia Soccer members and non-members

This is a 12 hour course geared towards the specialist goalkeeper coach and the team coach looking for in-depth information surrounding the coaching of keepers. The level 1 Goalkeeper Diploma is a pre-requisite.

NSCAA Level 3 Goalkeeper Diploma
Fee is $200 for Georgia Soccer members and non-members

This is an 18 hour course geared towards the specialist goalkeeper coach and the team coach looking for in-depth information surrounding the coaching of keepers. The focus is on the tactical aspects of goalkeeping within the team framework and the specifics of training a keeper. The level 2 Goalkeeper Diploma is a pre-requisite.

NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma
Fee depends on location

This is a 21 hour course designed to address the issues facing the Director of Coaching of an American club. The curriculum examines the technical, conceptual, leadership and administrative skills required of Directors of Coaching of youth clubs. This is accomplished through a curriculum rich in application and theory and will focus on organizational structure, methods of coaching, leadership theory, evaluation and development of coaches and players and fiscal, legal and moral responsibility. Candidates will understand each of the individual units of the club as well as the interrelationship of those parts to achieve the specific goals and objectives of a youth soccer club. The fee for this course will depend on the location.  No pre-requisite is needed.

NSCAA High School Diploma
Fee depends on location

The High School Coaches Diploma is a 21-hour course helping coaches deal with the challenges of building a successful soccer program, both on and off the field. The course is designed for coaches of both male and female high school teams. The High School Diploma is rich in on-the-field training: NSCAA staff coaches, all with experience in the high school game, teach six field sessions, encompassing six different coaching methodologies that are designed to enhance the “toolbox” of any high school coach. Coaches will also explore concepts of match analysis for both scouting opponents and improving one’s own team, and they will watch a match with high school age players to put those concepts into practice. Classroom sessions are designed to address many issues and responsibilities included in the high school coaching portfolio, including: developing a coaching philosophy; team management (pre-season training, team building, game day preparation issues, out of season play, ODP Academy and club relationships, team rules, choosing team captains, parental issues, etc.); risk management specifically for high school programs; college recruiting issues and helping high school players move to the next playing level; fund raising for, and marketing, one’s program; dealing with social media; and developing a constructive relationship with one’s athletic director. Previous coaching education experiences, such as the NSCAA Level 6 Diploma or the US Soccer D License, are recommended but not required of course participants. There is no testing in the High School Diploma.

NSCAA Special Topics Course
Fee depends on location

The NSCAA Academy conducts Special Topics Courses periodically in different parts of the country, as well as special clinics at various events, including the annual NSCAA Convention. Some examples of Special Topics Courses include Zonal Defending, Sports Psychology, Striker Play, Management of Soccer Programs, etc. For further information, contact the NSCAA National Office. All candidates must be at least 16 years of age at the time of application. Candidates under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the course.