Coaching Education.
Welcome to the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association’s Coaching Education Hub, where the art and science of coaching come together to empower our coaches at every level. We are committed to nurturing a culture of continuous learning and development, ensuring that coaches – from grassroots to those pursuing advanced licensure – have access to a comprehensive range of educational opportunities. Our coaching education program encompasses a spectrum of courses, from foundational training for grassroots coaches to the prestigious C License for those aspiring to the highest levels. Beyond the classroom, we offer unique avenues for growth, including an annual international coach education trip, allowing you to gain insights from the world’s best minds in soccer. Moreover, our Activity Center brims with a wealth of meticulously crafted lesson plans, equipping coaches with the tools they need to tailor their lesson plans to perfection. Whether you’re stepping onto the field for the first time or looking to refine your coaching prowess, our Coaching Education platform is your gateway to unlocking the art of effective coaching.
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Administrative Information
Club Director of Coaching or Technical Director
A Club Director of Coaching/Technical Director is defined as an individual coach who is directly involved with the hiring and/or releasing of coaches for the club. Additionally, they oversee the overall education of coaches, players and parents. Kentucky Youth Soccer recommends that the Club Director of Coaching or Technical Director possess the U.S. Soccer Coaching Licenses, but this is not required. These positions play a vital role in implementing coaching education policies on behalf of Kentucky Youth Soccer.
| Full-Time Select & Recreational: | U.S. Soccer “C” License |
| Part-Time Select & Recreational: | U.S. Soccer “C” License |
| Volunteer Select & Recreational: | U.S. Soccer “D” License |
| 9U Academy Directors: | U.S. Soccer “D” License |
Select/Academy Soccer Coaches
The minimum coaching standards incorporating the new US Soccer Grassroots Licenses will commence September 1, 2018 and will be effective immediately.
9U-10U Select/Academy Teams:
| Head Coach: | 7v7 & 9v9 In Person License or U.S. Soccer “E” License |
| Assistant Coach: | 7v7 & 9v9 In Person License or U.S. Soccer “E” License |
10U–12U Select Teams:
| Head Coach: | 9v9 & 11v11 In Person License or U.S. Soccer “E” License |
| Assistant Coach: | 9v9 & 11v11 In Person License or U.S. Soccer “E” License |
13U–19U Select Teams:
| Head Coach: | U.S. Soccer “D” License |
| Assistant Coach: | U.S. Soccer “D” License |
Any coach with the NSCAA National Diploma or above obtained prior to 2009 will be grandfathered in under the Kentucky Youth Soccer Association minimum coaching standards. If that coach chooses to start the US Soccer Pathway, they will have to begin with the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Course.
All new coaches will have a six-month grace period to begin the US Soccer Coaching Pathway. Coaches that don’t hold the minimum required license for the age group they are coaching must show that they are in the process of working toward earning the appropriate license.
Policing of Standards
Team Managers are not permitted on the player’s sideline unless the Head Coach has been ejected or in the case of an injury to a player.
Directors of Coaching or Technical Directors may be listed on the team roster; however, if they are not the official Head Coach for the team they must be listed as an Assistant Coach.
Teams wishing to participate in Kentucky Youth Soccer State Open Cup, Presidents Cup, Kentucky Challenge Cup & Kentucky Premier League must have coaches listed on the roster as Head or Assistant Coach that meet the minimum coaching standard requirements.
Teams competing in these events will submit rosters online to the Kentucky Youth Soccer Office to be reviewed by Kentucky Youth Soccer’s Technical Director before they can be approved.
If a roster is not approved, the roster and player cards will not be accessible for printing until a coach with the appropriate licensure is added to the roster.
For a deeper dive into the Player Development Initiatives recommended by U.S. Soccer, explore the information below.
The next available International Coach Education Trip will be announced soon!
Please note that Kentucky Youth Soccer will offer US Soccer Grassroots courses in a blended format for the foreseeable future, where the classroom portion of the course will be done virtually and the field portion of the course will be done in person. Blended format courses are considered in-person courses for US Soccer.
The 4v4, 7v7, 9v9 & 11v11 In-Person Course Grassroots Courses are a four-hour course that builds on the principles covered in U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module. Specifically, candidates will learn more about U.S. Soccer’s Grassroots Coaching Education Philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, the Six Tasks of a Coach, and the characteristics of players appropriately aged for the specific course. The course will also ask each candidate to reflect on their experiences to develop action steps for personal growth.
Eligibility Requirements: In order to register for any of In-Person Course, candidates must have completed U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module.
The 4v4 Online Course is a two-hour course that builds on the principles covered in U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module. Specifically, candidates will learn more about U.S. Soccer’s Grassroots Coaching Education Philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, the Six Tasks of a Coach, and the characteristics of players aged 6-8. The course will also ask each candidate to reflect on their experiences to develop action steps for personal growth.
Eligibility Requirements: In order to register for the 4v4 online Course, candidates must have completed U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module.
The U.S. Soccer C License hosted by Kentucky Youth Soccer is an online and in-person course. This blended format combines an online experience, assignments, small group meetings, independent learning, and in-person meeting.
Eligibility Requirements:
- To register for the U.S. Soccer C course, students must meet
- the following prerequisites:
- At least 18 years of age
- Have held a U.S. Soccer D license for at least 6 months or meet the waiver guidelines
- https://ussoccerfederation.force.com/lcsupport/s/article/I-am-a-former- professional-player-where-can-I-begin-in-the-Coaching-Education-Pathway
- Access to a team (U13+) in a participation environment for the duration of the course
Course Experience:
80+ hours (virtual + in-person meetings)
Students who register for this course can expect weekly learning opportunities that will feature a mixture of independent learning using online modules, live virtual meetings, and in-person meetings led by a licensed U.S. Soccer Educator. Students should have access to the internet and a laptop/device with web camera/live video capabilities. The virtual meetings will take place on agreed-upon days and times (see below). Students may be asked to participate in the in-person field component as either coaches or players, so please come prepared to actively learn.
Course duration:
Four (4) Months (Including summative assessment) with four (4) in-person days
- Virtual meetings (Large group/small group)
- Videos • Individual meetings with Coach Educator
- Independent learning and investigation/research
- Individual assignments
- Collaborative projects
Assessment:
Formative Assessment (course assignments during the course) in
- Leadership and Managing the Performance Environment
- Leading the Player within the Team
- Team Performance Observation-Analysis
- Coaching Games • Coaching Training Sessions Summative Assessment (Final projects at the end of the course) in • Coaching Games
- Team Performance Analysis report
- Coaching Training Sessions
- Designing two (2) training session plans (within one week)
- Coaching one (1) training session (video)
Students that register for this course are expected to attend all course meetings and complete all assignments in order to be eligible for the final assessment
Course Details: The Blended National D license is a 40 to 45-hour course, that is comprised of two components: an online classroom session and a one-day on-field session. The course is designed for the grassroots coach working with players 6U-13U in a participation driven environment and focuses on all four game models as outline in the Player Development Initiatives (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11).
The goals of the course are to help coaches understand how:
- to create game-like training sessions that encourage players ownership (decision-making)
- to create a game day environment that encourages players ownership (decision-making)
The learning objectives of this course are to facilitate coach improvement in the Six Tasks of a Coach with an emphasis on developing the team and individual players by learning how:
- to demonstrate an understanding of developmental stages and age characteristics
- to observe the game, recognize formations and all player actions
- to further develop a comprehensive understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology.
- to organize, execute and reflect on 2 Play-Practice-Play training sessions based on the same goal in 1 week.
Coaches who register for this course can expect weekly learning opportunities that will feature a mixture of independent learning using online modules and live virtual meetings led by a licensed U.S. Soccer Instructor. Coaches will be asked to participate in discussions so each person should have access to the internet and web-camera/live video capabilities. The virtual meetings will take place agreed upon days and times (see course schedule). Coaches may be asked to participate in the field component as either coaches or players, so please come prepared to actively learn.
Eligibility Requirements: A unique combination of three of the eight Grassroots Licenses now formally represent the prerequisite to progress to the U.S. Soccer D License. Specifically, candidates must have completed a minimum of three grassroots courses, in the form of two in-person courses and one online course:
- Two in-person courses
- One online course across any of the four levels (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, 11v11)
- Coaching candidates who have earned the E or F License will have the following opportunities to use those certifications toward the D License prerequisites:
- U.S. Soccer E License + Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module
- U.S. Soccer F License + Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module + 11v11 in-person license + one other in-person license
Candidates that register for this course are expected to attend all course meetings to be eligible to receive the license.
Below are the duties and responsibilities for hosting a US Soccer Grassroots course with Kentucky Youth Soccer. If you are interested in hosting a course, please contact Derek Willis at derekwillis@kysoccer.net
Host Duties
Sites must have the following:
- Classroom space must have an overhead projector/screen, a whiteboard and flipcharts. Kentucky Youth Soccer Association Instructors will bring the Lap-Top and LCD projector, however please provide power strips and extension cords.
- 12 candidates to 1 instructor ratio
- Appropriate Outdoor Space/Field. Each 12:1 group will need to work on half of an appropriate size field. See chart below for a guide on field space needed.
| License | 12:1 | 24:2 | 36:3 | 48:4 |
| 4v4 Grassroots | 1 x 4v4 Field | 1 x 4v4 Field | 2 x 4v4 Fields | 2 x 4v4 Fields |
| 7v7 Grassroots | 1 x 7v7 Field | 1 x 7v7 Field | 2 x 7v7 Fields | 2 x 7v7 Fields |
| 9v9 Grassroots | 1 x 9v9 Field | 1 x 9v9 Field | 2 x 9v9 Fields | 2 x 9v9 Fields |
| 11v11 Grassroots | 1 x Full Size Field | 1 x Full Size Field | 2 x Full Size Fields | 2 x Full Size Fields |
| D License | 1 x Full Size Field | 2 x Full Size Fields | 3 x Full Size Fields | 4 x Full Size Fields |
- Fields have to be lined and have appropriate size goals.
- This venue can be at a separate venue to the classroom
- Indoor Playing Space is permitted and may be required in case of inclement weather.
- Select a person to act as the host for the course to liaise with Kentucky Youth Soccer Technical Director & Course Instructors.
- Clubs wishing to host a course must contact Derek Willis for approval at least four (4) weeks in advance of the requested starting dates.
- Two Grassroots courses an be hosted in one day
- Clubs hosting a D License Course will have to set a minimum of weeks and a maximum of six moths for the Development Period between weekend 1 and 2
- Kentucky Youth Soccer Association will assign course instructors. The club Technical Directors may be used if they posses the US Instructor License and approved by Kentucky Youth Soccer.
- All courses will be hosted in the US Soccer Learning Center.
Kentucky Youth Soccer Responsibilities: Kentucky Youth Soccer will assign Instructor(s). Promotion of the course will be done through Kentucky Youth Soccer publications, email, direct mail and through our web site. Certification will be given only to those candidates who attend the entire course and successfully complete the course requirements.
Extra Coaching Clinics: Kentucky Youth Soccer offers specialized clinics for clubs to host. Clubs wishing to host a Recreational Coach Clinic, Parent Awareness Training or a Specialized Tactical Topic should contact Derek Willis for more details.
Related Links
Coach Education Highlights
