Coaching Soccer in NY

[Soccertes]

was hoping someone might be able to give me some
guidance and advice as to how I can become a soccer
coach.

My first reason for becoming a coach is that I
want to get a deeper understanding of the game and be
able to take more away from it when I am watching a
game. I know that if a person knows nothing about
soccer all they see is 22 people kicking the ball
around. I'm far enough that I see more than that and
I know how to enjoy a game. However, I believe
coaches can look at a game and see so much more. I
would like to be able to understand the game like a
coach and see a game through the coach's eyes. Also,
I have a child of my own and I think one day, if I
feel like I know enough and I can make a positive
contribution, I may be interested in coaching kids.

Are there any coaches out there that can give me some advice how I can go about getting my coaching licenses for soccer? I believe there are 6
licenses ranging from F-A. It seems like different
institutions like ENYYSA, LIJSL, and NSCAA offer
courses on coaching licenses. Are they all the same?
Is an F license and F license no matter who teaches it
and administers the test? Also, do I need to start
with an F license and work towards an A or can I start
from E or D depending on what I want to learn or which
age groups I may want to coach one day? Finally, once
I get the necessary licenses do you have any advice on
how can I find out if there are any opportunities to
become an assistant coach in a youth league in the NY
area?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[ranova]

My first reason for becoming a coach is that I
want to get a deeper understanding of the game and be able to take more away from it when I am watching a game.

If you really want to understand the game better, find a recreational league and play. Your state will have an official state soccer assocciation. Contact them and they can tell you when and where the next "E" (first) license class is. You can also do what I did. Read. I started with the USSF youth coaching manual to learn the basics and then started reading books at my local library. I suggest that you read the Laws of the Game early on. (at fifa.com). The early license classes are short on theory (team tactics are not addressed at all) and provide practical exercises to demonstrate coaching skills. They are designed to coach kids on basic skills and individual tactics. Which is what kids need, but they are not designed to teach coaches the finer points of the game.

[gosh1976]

I think there is a "F" level course available in Manhatten in October. I enjoyed taking the course it would probably be a good place to start.

You should definitely find a league to play in. Playing the game is the best teacher.

The ENYYSA and NSCAA licenses are not the same but there is a thread around here somewhere that goes into how the different courses & levels compare.

I believe the ENYYSA courses are the USSF courses that are handled by the different state organizations & associations around the country.

Check out http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=6&change_well_id=1&reset=Y I was looking through these threads last night and it prompted me to go and look at that site and I thought there was some interesting stuff there.

I'm sure you could find contact info for a local "rec" league and get intouch with them about coaching opportunities another route would be to contact a "soccer in the streets" type program in New York and see about volunteering they are always looking for volunteers and I believe there are a few different active programs in NY.