Touchline - PA West Soccer Association

Page 6 January 2012
TOUCHLINE
COACHING
COACHING COURSES
ARE IMPORTANT TO
THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE PLAYER
It has been my view for a long time that the key to
player development is through coaching development. The coach must
continually challenge themselves by attending coaching courses and seminars
to learn the latest methods to allow their players to grow in the game.
Comments I have heard from coaches:
1. I played therefore I can coach! The step from being a player to becoming
a coach is huge and the player that strives to learn more about the game
past his playing experience will develop into a coach that will help the players
grow.
2. The coaching schools can’t teach me anything, if you are open minded
and have the young players development and well-being in mind then all
coaching schools and seminars you go to will further enhance your knowledge.
Coaches must keep up with the latest methods of the game as the
game has changed dramatically in the last ten years.
Parents if your coach doesn’t have any license to teach your children then
you need to ask why. Licensing is important, just think, teachers, dentists,
doctors, plumbers are licensed to practice their trade so don’t you think that
a position as a youth team coach teaching your child requires the same?
There are some new developments coming from USSF with regards to
the coaching license. In October I attended a three-day course on the new
E license. A change from what was previously an E certificate.
Below is a review of the courses available
NEW “Introductory Coaching Certificate Syllabus
The “Introductory Coaching Certificate” course is designed for the
coach who may be coaching for the first time and may not have any playing
background. The course focuses on activities that will identify the proper
techniques necessary to play soccer at any level and give the participants
ideas on how to successfully plan and conduct training sessions. While
technically geared towards enhancing individual’s performance, training
activities will be presented that will assist in the development of the team.
Objectives of the “Introductory Coaching Certificate”:
• To prepare coaches for training players by expanding the player’s technical
abilities through fun games and activities.
• To provide the framework and understanding of practical coaching
tools for the preparation of the players and the team.
• To introduce attacking and defending tactics in the 4v4 and 5v5 game.
• To provide the framework and understanding for small-sided games
Candidate Expectations:
• To participate in all activities including field and lecture sessions (physical
participation is not required but encouraged).
• To bring a properly inflated ball, appropriate soccer footwear, shin
guards, notepad, pen, water, and willingness to learn with an open mind.
The required USSF courses are the Youth modules (U6-U8 and U10-12
modules), the E certificate, (now E license) and the D license. The pedagogy
of these courses is developed by the national coaching staff with a
specific goal or goals in mind. Some of the courses award a certificate
COACHING/PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Director of Coaching and Player
Development
Paul Halford
412-856-8011
Administrative Assistant
Amy Fogle
412-856-8011
afogle@pawest-soccer.org
Paul
Halford
Director of Coaching
& Player Development
upon completion while others are pass-fail.
Youth modules
These are designed to train novice coaches and
coaches working with young children the best practices
for teaching and coaching young children. The
games and ideals of the modules are rooted in the
same proven learning philosophies that guide early
childhood development specialists and elementary
school teachers. Children think and learn differently than adults and that’s
especially true with young children. The youth modules provide the most
effective ways to meets the learning needs of young children.
The youth modules award a certificate of completion. Coaches are asked
to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of learning and how to
organize an age appropriate training session.
The E License
OBJECTIVES:
The E License is focused on delivering content and instructional methods
relevant to coaching 9 12 year old soccer athletes. The course is intended
to be the initial license serving as a stepping stone along the National
Course pathway.
DEVELOPMENT TARGETS:
1. The Coach will demonstrate competency in teaching methods necessary
to effectively instruct technique and the application to the game.
2. The Coach will demonstrate competency in organizing a complete,
appropriate training session for a soccer team in the Basic Stage of 9 12
years old.
3. The Coach will be familiar with the Principles of attacking and
defending as applied to a small sided game. (3v3 to 6v6)
The course is made up of three components:
• Independent Study (Pre Course) online work prior to taking the course
• Core Course; 17 hours of classroom and field work
• Testing; Field session by the candidate
At the end of the course a coach will receive a pass or an incomplete.
An incomplete will mean that the coach must redo some portion of the
course which can be arranged with the Director of Coaching.
The D License (is now being reviewed and the new format will be presented
to the DOC’s at the US Youth Workshop in February) takes the information
taught in the E course and builds upon it with the refinement of
some technical elements and the addition of tactical training. The course
also requires that the candidates recognize certain elements of the game
and be able to address them. USSF has designed this course as a pass-not
ready - fail course.
This course has two primary goals. The first is to prepare coaches to
teach the appropriate technical and tactical skills for their age group. The
second goal is to prepare and identify coaches for the C License course. As
noted earlier there are two passing levels in this course, a state license indicates
a coach has demonstrated a proficient understanding of the course
material and is able to conduct a training session well enough to meet the
cursory requirements USSF believes acceptable. The national license
means the coach has demonstrated a level of knowledge indicating he or
she is prepared to take the C License course.
Once a coach has received a National D, the additional courses are C, B
and A. All are offered and taught by USSF and those courses only have one
passing grade.
USSF has established a curriculum with each course acting as a building
block for the next. The first two levels focuses on learning and awards a
certificate of completion because the novice coach has felt it important to
begin coaching education. The E certificate is also a certificate course but
becomes more focused on understanding the material for a successful completion
of the pass-fail nature of the D course. The D course is a transitional
course between the certificate and the pass-not ready levels of USSF
Coaching Education as you can not quite meet the level to advance to the