The US Soccer Federation offers coaching education classes at every level for soccer coaches in the United States. Currently, there are four levels of national licensing and certification for all coaches: the A, B, C, and U.S. Soccer Youth licenses. The D, E, and Youth Module coaching education certification programs are available through the state associations. The amateur license is offered by the state's Amateur Association. The state associations are responsible for the courses, but US Soccer designs and orchestrates the curriculum.
Youth "Y" License Course
This six-day course consists of five days of field work and instruction and one day of written and practical field examinations. Days are age specific: each day coaches study techniques for U-6, U-8, U-10 and U-12.The "D", "E", and Youth Module Levels I, II, and III are offered by state associations using U.S. Soccer curriculum. Youth Modules are focused for the parent with little to no experience with youth soccer and these modules are age-specific. The "E" course is the first for coaches teaching 11 v 11 soccer, and includes instruction for small-sided play. The "D" license concentrates on teaching coaches how to develop a player's technical abilities.
C License Course
This nine-day course requires the holder to have had a license for a minimum of 12 months prior. The emphasis is on developmental skill taught within individual and small group activities for small-sided soccer teams. Coaches will learn how to observe mistakes and make corrections to those mistakes.B License Course
This nine-day course provides greater learning of positional play, improves understanding of players' roles, and developing collective play within positions (i.e., moving the ball from midfield to forward line).
