E M A G G N I V L O THE EV September, 2017
Issue 41 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter
US Soccer Set to Unveil Their New Grassroots Soccer Licensing In January of 2018 US Soccer will be saying goodbye to their current educational licensing programs and introducing a new and in my opinion, a clearer and more concise pathway for coaches of all levels. Gone will be the F License, E License and the current D License. Replacing the F and the E License will be a 4v4 coaching license for players under 8, a 7v7 license for players under 10, a 9v9 license for players under 12 and an 11 v11 license for player 13 years and older. All of these licenses are geared primarily for the recreation soccer coach. The new D or Developmental License will offer each coach a clear understanding and awareness of the objectives from the 4 grassroots level courses and clear understanding of expectations for the coach who may want to take the National C License. Each of the four grass route courses will have a two hour on line portion and a four hour in person portion.
Mike Barr Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Technical Director
The four grassroots level courses will follow a play, practice and play formula within each training session. I have been part of the grassroots study for the last six months and agree that we as coaches need to have players learn by playing the game and performing exercises that reflect the game and the topic of a training session. Each session will begin with small sided play for about 20 minutes as soon as the players arrive; followed by one or two topics related to the theme or goals of the session for 30 to 45 minutes. The session ends in a final game of 4V4, 7V7, 9v9 or 11V11 for 25 to 35 minutes. In coaching within the training sessions, the coach is less intrusive and there is a better flow to the session. Coaching occurs primarily through positive feedback and guided discovery type questioning. Every coach will have a bucket of countless training session exercises compiled by numerous US educational staff coaches to utilize for their exercises. These will be available from US Soccer’s Digital Coaching Center when a coach enrolls in any course. Within these Grassroots licenses the coach is looked at more as an educator than a coach. Coaches who take these courses will recognize their roles in leading the team, leading the player, improving the performance environment and being a role model. US Soccer feels every child should be provided quality instruction at every age and at every developmental level. The new curriculum will benefit everyone and provide the guidance many new coaches need.
Inside: An Interview with Stephen Hogan and Jeremiah White