Course Descriptions – NH Soccer Association

Coaching Course Description

New Hampshire Soccer Association

NHSA COACHING CERTIFICATION

NHSA is an authorized agent to host and conduct coaching courses for US Soccer Federation (USSF) and United Soccer Coaches (formally known as NSCAA). NHSA is proud to be working with the leaders of soccer education. The programs and coaching education provided by USSF and NSCAA allows NHSA the ability to serve all coaches, professional to volunteer, in NH

NHSA COACHING CERTIFICATION PATHWAYS

NHSA has updated the coaching certification requirements to match the coaching courses and educational pathway offered by U.S. Soccer Federation. NHSA and NHSL coaching certification requirements are based the age of the players on the team and the competitive/skill level of the team. For a further information about the pathways, please go to certification information.

NHSA COACHING CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

USSF Coaching Curriculum

The USSF coaching courses are the premier coaching certification program in America and serves as the primary coaching education pathway for NHSA

soccer coaching certification. NHSA is authorized to host and conduct the foundational courses, USSF Grassroots and D Licenses. These courses build to the national level C, B and A USSF Courses.

NOTE: Full descriptions of the new Grassroots license will be posted in the coming weeks.

Click on the button below for the memo with information about the new USSF courses and coaching pathway. NOTE: This document has been updated on 1/2/2024

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The Difference Between a Certificate Course and a License Course

USSF uses two different words to separate the types of coaching courses. A ‘Certificate’ course is a course that is a survey style course. In a survey course, a coaching candidate is required to complete various homework assignments and attend all course activities in order to pass the course and receive the appropriate documentation. A ‘License’ course is a traditional educational course where the coaching candidate must complete various homework assignments, attend all course activities and pass assessment testing at the end of the course.

Getting Started

USSF has mandated that all coaches are to take the USSF Coaching Courses in the correct sequence. In May of 2015, USSF discontinued all waivers based on playing or coaching experience. All coaches begin the pathway by completing the following two steps:

Create a free profile on the USSF Digital Learning Center (DLC) learning.ussoccer.com
Take the free online webinar, ‘Introduction to Grassroots Coaching’. The webinar takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Once the coach has completed the introduction webinar, they are eligible to sign up for any of the in-person or online Grassroots courses. Coaches can complete the courses in any order.

No Longer Granting Course Waivers
USSF is no longer granting waivers to the higher level courses for any reason. USSF does not recognize previous playing and coaching experience as valid reasons for skipping coaching courses in the USSF curriculum. Furthermore, USSF is no longer accepting other coaching organization’s coaching certifications as ‘equivalency’ for USSF coaching licenses. All coaches MUST begin the coaching curriculum with the entry level course and complete the USSF coaching curriculum in its entirety.

USSF F and National E Licenses – RETIRED IN JANUARY 2018

With the introduction of the new USSF coaching curriculum and coaching pathway, the USSF F and National E License have been retired. While these licenses have been retired, these licenses will always be recognized as coaching certification and accreditation of the coach.

USSF F License – Recognized and accepted as coaching certification for U5-8 youth players.
USSF National E License – Recognized and accepted as coaching certification for U9-12 youth players.

USSF Grassroots Licenses – 4v.4, 7v.7, 9v.9 and 11v.11

Starting in January 2018, USSF launched its new coaching curriculum and coaching pathway. The new curriculum is based on player-centered learning environments using a whole-part-whole teaching method. The new teaching model is woven throughout all the entry level coaching courses offered by USSF. These entry level courses are called the Grassroots Licenses and make up the foundation of the new coaching pathway.

The Grassroots License consist of four modules that focus on the four youth game models (4v.4, 7v.7, 9v.9 & 11v.11). Coaching candidates can take the modules in any order and the modules are offered in both as an online course or traditional in-person course.

In-Person Grassroots License Description
The In-Person Course is a four (4) hour course that builds on the principles covered in the USSF ‘Introduction of Grassroots Coaching’ Module. Specifically, candidates will learn more about USSF Grassroots Coaching Education Philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, the Six Tasks of a Coach, and the characteristics of players for the specific game model:

4v.4 – characteristics of players aged 5-8.
7v.7 – characteristics of players aged 9-10
9v.9 – characteristics of players aged 11-12
11v.11 – characteristics of players aged 13 and older.

Finally, the course will also ask each candidate to reflect on their experiences to develop an action steps for personal growth.

Eligibility
Coaching candidates must complete USSF’s ‘Introduction to Grassroots Coaching’ prior to taking a Grassroots License. (Note: This is a free online webinar that takes about 20 minutes to complete.)

USSF National D License

The National D License is the second level in the USSF Coaching Schools pathway and is the highest state administered course. The course curriculum is presented in a blended format through asynchronous work (on-line videos), virtual conference calls, formative assessment assignments and in-person field session. The curriculum amount of over 40+ hours of work that is spread over 10 weeks, with weekly virtual meetings and four in-person meeting days. Candidates can expect to invest about 2 hours of work each week during the course.

The focus of the course is to facilitate the improvement of the candidate’s ability to address the Six Tasks of a Coach across all four game models (4v.4, 7v.7, 9v.9) with particular emphasis on Coaching Training Sessions.

Key Course Components

Develop a player-centered learning environment through Play-Practice-Play structured training sessions.
Better understand the Key Qualities of a Player.
Develop skill associated with the Six Tasks of a Coach.
Build on the foundation of knowledge and experience in order to proceed throughout the sequence of the coaching development courses.

Course Prerequisites
With the new USSF coaching curriculum, there are a few ways to meet the prerequisites for the USSF National D License.

Traditional Method
A coaching candidate must have completed a minimum of three (3) of the Grassroots Licenses (4v.4, 7v.7, 9v.9 & 11v.11), in the form of two (2) in-person courses and one online course:

Two (2) of the in-person Grassroots Licenses
One online Grassroots Licenses from the remaining three levels (4v.4, 7v.7 and 9v.9)

Grandfathered USSF F & National E License
A coaching candidate who has earned a USSF F and/or USSF National E License still received credit for their work and certification. Coaching Candidates meet the prerequisites for the USSF National D License using the USSF F and/or National E License in the following ways:

USSF F License
Coaches who hold a USSF F License will be waived the requirement for the online Grassroots License. They will then need to complete the following:

The free online webinar ‘Introduction to Grassroots Coaching’. (NOTE: The webinar takes about 20 minutes.)
Complete two (2) in-person Grassroots Licenses, with one (1) of the Grassroots License MUST be the 11v.11 module.

USSF E License
Coaches who hold a USSF E License will be waived the requirement of taking any of the Grassroots Licenses. USSF National E License coaching candidates will only need to complete the free online webinar ‘Introduction to Grassroots Coaching’. (NOTE: This webinar takes about 20 minutes to complete.) It is recommended that coaches elect to take the Grassroots 11v.11 License in preparation for the USSF National D License.

USC Coaching Curriculum

The United Soccer Coaches has created a variety of coaching certification programs that serve the needs of volunteer coaches. The courses begin with on-line webinars and build up to national level course, like the NSCAA National Diploma. The NSCAA courses are the foundation for the NHSA Travel/Recreational Coaching Certification Pathway.

USC 4v.4 Diploma
The course focuses on initial stage (U6-U8) players. The course helps coaches create positive learning and playing environments for youngest players. The curriculum is packed with age-appropriate training activities around a 4v.4 game structure. The course has classroom and field components and lasts approximately 6 hours. The 4v.4 Diploma is an entry level course. The cost of the course is $80 and includes a 1 year membership to USC.

USC 7v.7/9v.9 Diploma
The course focuses on the basic stage (U9-U12) players. Candidates will explore key topics like player development, principles of play, technique and tactical issues inside the 7v.7 and 9v.9 playing environment. The course includes coaches designing lesson plans, participating in practical field work and observing a model session. The course is a 12-hour (1.5 day) course. The 7v.7/9v.9 is an entry level course. The cost of the course is $140 and includes a 1 year membership to USC.

USC 11v.11 Diploma
The course focuses on the intermediate state (U13-14) players. Candidates will build on information shared in the 7v.7/9v.9 curriculum and explore bigger game topics, like modern number system, formation & systems of play, player competencies and offensive & defensive tactics. Coaches spend time developing and designing a lesson plans. The 11v.11 Diploma is a 12 hour (1.5 day) course. The cost of the course is $140 and includes a 1 year membership to USC.

USC Special Topics Diploma: Training the High School Player
This special topics diploma is tailor made to address coaches training the advanced stage (U15-18) players. The course will focus on the needs of creating a dynamic training environment that helps high school players further develop their soccer skills. Coaches also learn how to teach technical and tactical topics within the game. Furthermore, the coaches will learn how to structure the stages of their training session so that each activity builds toward a common team player style and formation. The special topics diploma is a 12 hour (1.5 day) course. The cost for the course is $140 and includes a 1 year membership to USC.