Coaching Course Schedule

Coaching Course Descriptions and Schedule
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Contact John Curtis at doc@soccermaine.com with any questions.
 
SOCCER MAINE has just been approved for a National C License Course, which will begin in April 2022.  Stay tuned for more details!
  

USSF Introduction to Grassroots Coaching
The USSF pathway begins with a free online webinar, ‘Introduction to Grassroots Coaching’.
The webinar takes about 20 minutes to complete. represents the first step in the newly revised coaching license pathway, and is the required prerequisite to undergo any of U.S. Soccer's Grassroots Licensing Courses. Coaches who complete the module will also be provided with four complimentary Play-Practice-Play training sessions.  As soon as the coach has completed the introduction webinar, the coach can take any of the Grassroots licenses.

NOTE – THIS COURSE IS MANDATORY. THE LEARNING  CENTER WILL
NOT LET YOU SIGN UP FOR ADDITIONAL COURSES WITHOUT THIS COURSE.

1.  Click here to access the USSF Learning Center
2. Sign up (free of charge) or log-in to your DLC profile.]
3. Under “Available Courses”, select “Begin Course” to launch the introductory module.
4. Complete U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching.

4 V 4 COURSE
PURPOSE - To prepare coaches to work with players U6 to U7.
GOALS
  • To understand the basic needs of grassroots players
  • To understand the basic structure of the game
  • To understand the basic structure of a training session

​ELIGIBILITY - Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center.
ADMISSION CRITERIA - None
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The candidate will discuss, collaborate, and develop knowledge and skills in the following context:
Player characteristics and needs:

  • Age:   U6 to U7​
  • Skillset:   Beginner to Intermediate
  • Motivation:    Like to play / variance in interest level and participation in multiple sports
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  • To observe the game, recognize moments and basic player actions
  • To demonstrate a basic understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology (P-P-P) 
  • To execute and reflect on a P-P-P training session
  • To create a player centered environment
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessment in:
  • Coaching Games
  • Coaching Training Sessions
  • Leading the Player
  • Leading the Team
  • Managing the Performance Environment
  • Leadership
COURSE EXPERIENCE
  • Blended - 2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours in-person
  • Traditional - 4 hours in-person (2 hours classroom/2 hours field)

​___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________​

7 V 7 COURSE
 
PURPOSE - To prepare coaches to work with players U8 to U9.
GOALS
  • To understand the basic needs of grassroots players
  • To understand the basic structure of the game
  • To understand the basic structure of a training session
  • To understand the basic tasks of a grassroots coach

ELIGIBILITY - Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
     None - LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The candidate will discuss, collaborate, and develop knowledge and skills in the following context:
Player characteristics and needs:

  • Age:  U8 to U9
  • Skillset:  Beginner to Intermediate
  • Motivation:   Like to play / variance in interest level and participation in multiple sports
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  • To observe the game, recognize moments and basic player actions
  • To demonstrate a basic understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology (P-P-P)
  • To execute and reflect on a P-P-P training session
  • To create a player centered environment
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessment in:
  • Coaching Games
  • Coaching Training Sessions
  • Leading the Player
  • Leading the Team
  • Managing the Performance Environment
  • Leadership
COURSE EXPERIENCE
  • Blended - 2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours in-person
  • Traditional - 4 hours in-person (2 hours classroom/2 hours field)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
9 V 9 COURSE
 
PURPOSE - To prepare coaches to work with players U11 to U12.
GOALS
• To understand the basic needs of grassroots players
• To understand the basic structure of the game
• To understand the basic structure of a training session
• To understand the basic tasks of a grassroots coach
ELIGIBILITY - Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center.
ADMISSION CRITERIA - None
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The candidate will discuss, collaborate, and develop knowledge and skills in the following context:
Player characteristics and needs:
• Age:   U11 to U12
• Skillset:   Beginner to Intermediate
• Motivation:    Like to play / variance in interest level and participation in multiple sports
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• To observe the game, recognize moments and basic player actions
• To demonstrate a basic understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology (P-P-P)
• To execute and reflect on a P-P-P training session
• To create a player centered environment
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessment in:
• Coaching Games
• Coaching Training Sessions
• Leading the Player
• Leading the Team
• Managing the Performance Environment
• Leadership
COURSE EXPERIENCE
  • Blended - 2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours in-person
  • Traditional - 4 hours in-person (2 hours classroom/2 hours field)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11 V 11 COURSE
 
PURPOSE - To prepare coaches to work with players U13 to U19 in a participation environment.

 

GOALS
• To understand the basic needs of grassroots players
• To understand the basic structure of the game
• To understand the basic structure of a training session
• To understand the basic tasks of a grassroots coach
ELIGIBILITY - Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center.
ADMISSION CRITERIA - None
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The candidate will discuss, collaborate, and develop knowledge and skills in the following context:
Player characteristics and needs:
• Age:   U13 to U19
• Skillset:   Beginner to Intermediate
• Motivation:    Like to play / variance in interest level and participation in multiple sports
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• To observe the game, recognize moments and basic player actions
• To demonstrate a basic understanding of Play-Practice-Play methodology (P-P-P)
• To execute and reflect on a P-P-P training session
• To create a player centered environment
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessment in:
• Coaching Games
• Coaching Training Sessions
• Leading the Player
• Leading the Team
• Managing the Performance Environment
• Leadership
COURSE EXPERIENCE
  • Blended - 2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours in-person
  • Traditional - 4 hours in-person (2 hours classroom/2 hours field)
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BLENDED NATIONAL D LICENSE
Total Course Fee: $375
New D license course early 2022
Blended D License Course being held March 20 - June 25, 2022.   click here to Register
 
The Blended National D license is a 40 to 45-hour course with an online experience, and ends with a one-day on-field component in early 2022. The course is designed for the grassroots coach working with youth players U6 to U13 in a participation driven environment and focuses on all four game models as outlined 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 & 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
•  To demonstrate an understanding of how to inform, involve and inspire parents
Coaches who register for this course can expect up to 3 to 5 hours 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 a web-camera/live video capabilities. The virtual meetings will take place agreed upon days and times (see below). Coaches may be asked to participate in the field component as either coaches or players, so please come prepared to actively learn. Candidates that register for this course are expected to attend all course meetings to be eligible to receive the license.
 
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 of which must be the 11v11)
  • 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.

​​Please contact John Curtis at doc@soccermaine.com with any questions.

The blended curriculum for the 2022 USSF D License is a combination of on-line asynchronous work, virtual conference meeting synchronous learning and a single in-person field session.
The on-line asynchronous work is spread out over the 21 weeks of the course, with an average of two (2) modules to be completed each week. A full list of due dates will be available in the Learning Center.
The virtual conference calls are held weekly as a check point and group interaction to discuss the completed on-line modules. The virtual conferences are held on Sunday nights at 7 pm. Length of the meetings varies from 60 – 120 minutes. Due to holidays and pacing of the material, it is necessary to hold three (3) virtual meetings on other nights. All meetings will begin at 7 pm. The schedule for the 17 virtual meetings is:
Meeting Day Meeting Dates: 
Sundays (11) March 20, 27, April 10, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, June 5, 12, 19
Thursdays (6) March 31, April 7, 14, 28, June 2, 30
 
The single in-person meeting is a formative assessment process where candidates run a training session.
This meeting will be held on Saturday, June 25, from 8 am – 4 pm. Location TBA.
 
 
 
Each of these educational opportunities is available on line in the US Soccer Learning Center, and will be hosted by Soccer Maine in conjunction with member clubs.  The Courses are tailored around four Grassroots game models: 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11. These course options will offer coaches the chance to learn more about how to develop a player-centered approach to coaching.

Spanning 4-hours in length, each in-person Grassroots Course consists of both classroom and field-based sessions. Coaches will learn more about U.S. Soccer’s Coaching Education philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, and the Six Tasks of a Grassroots Coach among other topics.

The newly revamped D License is a culmination of all four game models and an extension of the Grassroots courses. After completion of the Grassroots Courses, coaches will have the knowledge and tools to positively impact their player and the environment in which they interact.

The new player-centered environment is based on the Play-Practice-Play format to create an easy to manage training environment. Meanwhile, USSF has written hundreds of Play-Practice-Play training sessions and made them available through the DCC. Each session will be designed to address a specific player quality and action. In short, the new format will allow coaches to focus their time and energy to guiding players through game-like activities, instead of creating training sessions.

Interested coaches may begin with any in-person grassroots course of their choosing following the completion of the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module, which is offered in U.S. Soccer’s Learning Center. (previously known as the Digital Coaching Center)

• READ: Five Things to Know About the Grassroots Pathway Coaching Initiative
• READ: Five Things to Know About the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module
• READ: Five Things to Know About U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives

“Grassroots is where soccer begins. These early experiences spark a child’s love for the game. As a parent or coach, these courses will help build those positive experiences,” said U.S. Soccer Director of Coaching Education, Nico Romeijn. “If you are completely new to coaching or the game of soccer, this is a tremendous opportunity to further your knowledge of how to teach children to learn and love the game. For the experienced coach or former player, this is an opportunity to provide a more structured approach based on the needs of the players. In both cases, the focus is on the player and how to ensure that player is able to learn, grow and have fun playing soccer.”
Together with U.S. Soccer, member organizations are committed to improving the experience and level of youth players through empowering coaches with low-barrier, easily accessible education.
 

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