Coaching Course Schedule

COACHING COURSES

U.S. Soccer has announced some new and exciting changes that went into effect in 2018. The changes include a new introduction into the pathway, referred to as the “grassroots” path, which will focus on helping novice coaches. These changes will be implemented across the country and offered in Soccer Maine starting in February 2018. With the creation of the Grassroots path, the current F and E license will no longer be taught or be a part of the U.S. Soccer Coaching Education curriculum. For current holders of these licenses, U.S. Soccer and Soccer Maine will continue to recognize both as national licenses that meet all prerequisites and or coaching license standards.

The U.S. Soccer Grassroots courses formats are as follows:

4 v 4 – U6, U8
7 v 7 – U9, U10
9 v 9 – U11, U12
11 v 11 U13+

The Grassroots path has been introduced as part of the overall U.S. Soccer Coaching Education structure to permit easy access and entry points. The new structure will allow a coach to enter the pathway in one of two separate ways:

the candidate may take the Online (OL) course or
take the In-Person (IP) course

The online and in-person courses will be treated as two separate licenses. Ex. 4v4 License online OR 4v4 License in-person.

The new in-person licenses to be offered by Soccer Maine are four (4) hours in length. Each IP course contains two hours in the classroom and two hours on the field. The highlight of the IP course is that it offers coaches the ability to have hands-on experience learning with an instructor and players in a realistic environment and promote best practices in coaching education.

‍1. Click here to access the USSF Learning Center

2. Sign up (free of charge) or log-in to your LC profile.

3. Under “Available Courses”, select “Begin Course” to launch the introductory module.

4. Complete U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching.

Scheduled Courses:

11v11 Grassroots Course – Portland (3 spots remaining)

Schedule:

Virtual Classroom Zoom – Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00pm EST

In-Person Field Session – Sunday, February 9. 2025, 12:00 – 2:00pm EST

Location:

Portland Sports Center – 512 Warren Ave, Portland, ME 04103

https://learning.ussoccer.com/coach/courses/available/19/details/20004799

11v11 Grassroots Course – Warren (11 spots remaining)

Schedule:

In-Person Session – Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 5:00 – 9:00pm

Location:

The Pitch – 2606 Camden Road, Warren, ME 04864

https://learning.ussoccer.com/coach/courses/available/19/details/20004649

US Soccer 9v9 In-Person Course Soccer Maine – Warren, Maine (11 spots remaining)

Schedule:

In-Person Course: Tuesday, March 4, 5:00 – 9:00 PM (4 hours)
Location:
The Pitch – 2606 Camden Rd, Warren, ME
REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE

UNITED SOCCER COACHES GOALKEEPING COACHING COURSES

United Soccer Coaches Coaching Education

Goalkeeping Level 1

The overall objective of the Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma is to explore some of the myths and mystiques surrounding the goalkeeping function. The six-hour course is directed towards the team coach – not the specialist goalkeeper coach. The object is to empower the coach with knowledge and practice methods that will enable the coach to evaluate a goalkeeper in game situations and then design an appropriate practice program for goalkeepers in and outside of team practices. The course includes lecture (theory) and field (practical) sessions. (Friday, July 28 6:00 – 8:00pm & Saturday, July 29 9:00 – 3:00pm)

Time Commitment: 6 hours

Cost: $150

Testing: No

Prerequisites: None

Location: TBD

Goalkeeping Level 2

The overall objective of the Goalkeeping Level 2 Diploma is to create an optimal learning environment for this specialized position. The 9-hour course is geared towards the specialist goalkeeping coach and the team coach looking for in-depth information surrounding the coaching of goalkeepers. The course includes both lecture (theory) and field (practical) sessions. A United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeping Level I Diploma is a prerequisite for this course. (Saturday, July 29 3:15 – 5:15pm & Sunday, July 30 9:00 – 4:00pm)

Time Commitment: 9 hours

Cost: $195

Testing: No

Prerequisites: Goalkeeping Level 1

Location: TBD

*If you register for both courses the cost is $295.

Introductory to Grassroots Coaching

Course Info

The free introductory course, which represents the first step in the newly revised coaching license pathway, is now the general starting point 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.

The module takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

https://learning.ussoccer.com/coach/courses/available/16/details/1546

Grassroots Courses

Goals

To create game-like training sessions that encourage players’ ownership (decision-making)
To create a game day environment that encourages players’ ownership (decision-making)

Eligibility – Grassroots Courses

Complete the free Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module via the Learning Center

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

Course Experience

4 hours in-person (2 hours virtual classroom/2 hours field)

REGISTRATION

Cost: $85

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

Course Cost

$85

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

Course Cost

$85

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

Total Course Fee

$85

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

Registration

D Course 2024 March/May

D Course

Goals

To create game-like training sessions that encourage players’ ownership (decision-making)
To create a game day environment that encourages players’ ownership (decision-making)

Eligibility – D Course

To register for the U.S. Soccer D Course, candidates must meet the following prerequisites:

Introduction to Grassroots Coaching
Two (2) Grassroots In-Person (4v4, 7v7, 9v9 or 11v11)
One (1) Grassroots Online (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, or 11v11)

Introduction to Grassroots Coaching
Previously Earned USSF E License

Introduction to Grassroots Coaching
Previously Earned USSF F License
Two (2) Grassroots In-Person (4v4, 7v7, 9v9 or 11v11)

Learning Objectives

To observe the game, recognize formations and all player actions
To create a safe, fun, inclusive and organized game-day environment
To further develop a comprehensive understanding P-P-P methodology
To demonstrate an understanding of how to structure one activity/exercise
To plan, create, organize, facilitate and reflect on 1 P-P-P training session based on the same goal in 1 week
To demonstrate an understanding of developmental stages & age characteristics
To implement a plan for child safety and risk management.
To demonstrate an understanding of how to inform, involve and inspire parents
Identify individual learning needs to create a player-centered environment

Course Experience

9 Weeks Minimum/12 weeks Maximum

2 Weekends (2 day in-person meetings each weekend)

Two (2) in-person meeting
Virtual meetings
Independent learning and development periods
1 on 1 meeting with instructor

NATIONAL C LICENSE

C Course

Goals

To create a series of progressive game-like training sessions that encourage players’ ownership (decision-making)
To create a game day environment linked to training session goals

Eligibility – C Course

Holds a U.S. Soccer D license for at least six months

Learning Objectives

To observe the game, recognize formations and systems with players’ roles and responsibilities
To observe and analyze one team – identify trends in the game
To create a game plan and coach players based on training session goal(s)
To create a safe, fun, inclusive game-day environment
To demonstrate an understanding of how to structure the training session
To demonstrate an understanding of Orientation-Learning-Implementation methodology (O-L-I)
To plan, organize, execute and reflect on four (4) training sessions based on two (2) different goals over 2-weeks
To demonstrate an understanding of the influence of developmental stages & age characteristics on player development
To create a team development process
To define and implement a child safety and risk management plan within the team
To apply a parent engagement process
To develop an understanding and process of self-assessment

Course Experience

4 months – scheduled throughout the year

Two (2) in-person meetings
Virtual meetings
Independent learning and development periods
1 on 1 and 1 on 2 meetings with instructor

REGISTRATION

Cost: TBD

All other questions should be emailed to John Curtis at doc@soccermaine.com.