The Arizona Soccer Association and U.S. Soccer is committed to providing all coaches, from beginner to advanced, with education tailored to their experiences and the needs of their players. The Coaching License Pathway consists of a series of courses designed to meet the specific needs of a coach at every step of the way. The Arizona Soccer Association and U.S. Soccer believes education is a journey, and our goal is to provide the necessary tools, guidance, and mentorship a coach requires.
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Introduction to Grassroots Coaching
This free introductory module, which represents the first step in the newly revised coaching license pathway, is now the general starting point of the 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.
Grassroots Courses
Prerequisite: Must complete the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching. Must be at least 16 years of age.
U.S. Soccer offers four different courses, 11v11, 9v9, 7v7, 4v4, as both in-person and on-line.
Goals For Each Course
- 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
In-Person Course Details & Registration
Course length: All in-person courses are four hours in length. Two hours of Virtual Classroom and two hours of an in-person field session.
Student Coaches must be in attendance for both the virtual and field sessions to be eligible to earn their license.
- 11v11
- 9v9
- 7v7
- 4v4
Online Course Details & Registration
Course Length: All \On-Line Course Are Two Hours
- 11v11
- 9v9
- 7v7
- 4v4
D Course
Prerequisite: Two in-person Grassroots courses (any game format), and one Grassroots Online Course (any game format) or previously earned USSF E license or previously earned USSF F license, but must complete two Grassroots in-person courses (any format). Must be a minimum of 16 years of age.
Course Purpose
- To prepare coaches to work with youth teams (U6-U13) in a participation environment
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)
Course Length
- 9 Weeks
- Virtual meetings (average 1 per week)
- Individual meetings with assigned Coach Educator
- Independent learning and Individual assignments
- Four in-person meetings (two weekends with a 3-5 week developmental period in between)
Student Coaches must attend all virtual and in-person meetings to be eligible to earn their license
C Course
Prerequisite: Holds a U.S. Soccer D License For 6 months. Student Coaches must have access to a team playing 11v11 (U13+) for the duration of the course. Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
Course Purpose
- To prepare Student Coaches to work with youth teams (U13-U19)
Goals
- To create series of progressive game-like training sessions that encourage players’ ownership (decision-making)
- To create a game day environment linked to training sessions goals
Course Length
- Four Months Blended Learning
- Four consecutive in-person days
- Virtual meetings average two per week
- Individual meetings with assigned Coach Educator
- Independent learning and Individual assignments
B Course
Prerequisite: Student Coaches must have access to a team playing 11v11 (U13+) for the duration of the course. Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
Course Purpose
- To prepare coaches to work with youth (U13+) or senior teams in a performance environment
Goals
- To implement a game model based on a style of play
- To create and implement a coaching structure to influence players during games and training sessions
Course Length
- Six (6) Months – January – June or July – December
- Two (2) In-Person Meetings
- Virtual meetings
- Independent learning and development periods
- 1 on 1 meetings with instructor
A-Youth Course
Prerequisite: Must hold a U.S. Soccer B License For One (1) year. Application Based – Details Here
Course Purpose
- To prepare coaches to work as a head coach with youth teams in a high-performance environment
Goals
- To create and articulate a style of play in a game model
- To create and implement a training and coaching methodology to develop the teams and individual players during training sessions and games
Course Length
- Ten (10) Months – August – May (Typical Course Pattern)
- Three (3) In-Person Meetings
- Virtual meetings
- Independent learning and development periods
- 1 on 1 meetings with instructor
- Guest Speakers
- Final Presentation & Interview
A- Senior Course
Prerequisite: Must hold a U.S. Soccer B License For One (1) year. Application Based – Details Here
Course Purpose
- To prepare coaches to work as a head coach with a senior team in a high-performance environment
Goals
- To create and articulate a style of play in a game model
- To create and implement a training and coaching methodology to develop the teams and individual players during training sessions and games
Course Length
- Ten (10) Months – August – May (Typical Course Pattern)
- Three (3) In-Person Meetings
- Virtual meetings
- Independent learning and development periods
- 1 on 1 meetings with instructor
- Guest Speakers
- Final Presentation & Interview
Pro Course
Prerequisite: Must hold a U.S. Soccer A License For One (1) year. Application Based – Details Here
Course Purpose
- To prepare coaches to work as a head coach with a senior team at the highest level of national and international professional soccer
Goals
- Develop a winning team culture
- Create a game model that aligns with the club culture, the quality of the players and believes of the coach
- Develop and use a leadership style that drives the high-performance environment
Course Length
- 12 Months – December – December (Typical Course Pattern)
- Three (3) In-Person Meetings (5 Days Each)
- When Possible, One International Meeting
- Two In-Person Or Virtual Meetings With the Instructor In Candidates’ Own Team Environment
- Virtual Meetings With The Entire Group / Small Groups / 1 on 1
- Independent Learning & Development Periods
- Guest Speakers
- Final Presentation & Interview