Adult Coaching License? [Archive]

never2late2start

11 Aug 2009, 11:55 AM

I'm in the US. I'm going to be coaching a women's team that is made up primarily of ages 18 to about 30. The league does not require a license to coach, but I would like to get one in case I coach in other leagues in the future. I'm confused about the structure of the licenses though. It seems they are for coaching kids which I'm not interested in doing. Is there a license just to coach adults?

ranova

11 Aug 2009, 12:46 PM

In the US you are correct the licenses build on each other to a large extent. They go from skill development in young kids, to teaching tactics to older intermediate players, to work up to coaching advanced players. Some of what you learn in the lower licenses is about coaching methods, which apply to any age level. If you have teaching experience or a degree, the coaching methods will seem familiar to you. Having an A or B license would be great, but unless you have significant playing experience at a very high level USSF won't let you start with the B course.

There are other things that you can do to improve your coaching without getting a USSF license. NSCAA has a lot of material available on their website, and some good books you can buy or read from the library. They also offer courses on special topics that are less likely to have prerequisites. Possible special areas of study are fitness training, goal keeper training, and speed training. Learn about Coerver training. Along the same line learn about drill design. "Triangles" was originally a concept for drill design. Coaching women has special considerations not only mentally, but with physical fitness as well. (For instance women must maintain over 10%body fat to stay healthy.) Part of the requirement for an A license is to get a low level (grade 8) referee license and ref some matches. This just requires an investment of time on your part, but the experince is worth it. Not only for coaching matches, but for coaching practices as well, when the coach is the only referee present. Finally a great thing to do is watch good coaches in action. Professional coaches watch other teams train, so why not. If there is a professional team locally with open practices that would be great. Working as an assistant coach is an even better way to learn than simply watching. If you don't know anybody, then I would start looking for successful coaches of a team playing at a higher level than yours.