Coaching

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Coaching School Information

U-6/8 and U-10/12 Information

D Licence Information

 

National Youth License

  • 2010 National Youth License Application (Pending)

 


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OYSAN Coaching Education Programs

Ohio Youth Soccer Association North (OYSAN) offers a comprehensive range of United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer) coaching education courses: the U6/8 Module, the U10/12 Module, and the "D" License for U12 and older.   

Each participant is provided with a course manual, an OYSAN Coaching School T-shirt, and an official OYSAN certificate recognized by US Soccer and each of the 55 youth state associations.

Coaches should register for the course(s) that best suits the needs of their players. There are no prerequisites and coaches may take any course in any order.   

It is recommended that member organizations schedule annual or bi-annual programs to introduce new coaches to modern training methods and to provide continuing education for more experienced coaches.  

OYSAN also offers three specialist courses in conjunction with US Soccer / US Youth Soccer (National Youth License) and the National Soccer Coaches of America (NSCAA State and Regional Goalkeeper Diplomas).

Listed below are descriptions of each course.

US Soccer U-6/8 Module

The U-6/8 Module is a three-hour field-only course designed for coaches (and administrators and parents) working with children between the ages of four and eight. The U-6/8 Module explains and demonstrates how to organize child-centered soccer programs for very young children and includes many examples of age-appropriate soccer-related activities. 

At its core, the U-6/8 Module explains and demonstrates why soccer for entry-level players should not be viewed in the same light, or organized in the same competitive formats, as soccer for teenagers or adults. 

Host organizations are required to provide U-6/8 players (approximately 8-12) for the course.

US Soccer U-10/12 Module

The U-10/12 Module is a twelve-hour course designed for coaches working with players competing in the 6v6 (U-9/10) and 8v8 (U-11/12) formats. Coaching players between the ages of nine and twelve is arguably the most critical period for long-term player development and the technical foundation for later tactical understanding is either successfully established, or irretrievably lost, during this stage.

The U-10/12 Module consists of theoretical (classroom) and practical (field) information associated with the teaching of techniques and tactics for soccer games between 1v1 and 8v8. Technical skills, including goalkeeper skills, are broken down in depth, as are small-group tactics relevant to 6v6 and 8v8 coaching. Soccer fitness is presented as a by-product of active play.

Fundamentally, the U-10/12 Module strives to demonstrate how soccer “skill” (the application of technique under pressure) can be developed by playing soccer in a variety of game forms; and by utilizing a variety of simple conditions and scoring systems to promote learning. There is no formal testing in the U-10/12 Module.   

Typically, the U-10/12 Module is scheduled for one weeknight (Friday, 6pm-9pm) and one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday, 8am-5pm), but can be adapted to accommodate most local needs.

Host organizations – and participating coaches -- are encouraged to provide U-10/12 players for the course.

US Soccer "D" License

The "D" License is a thirty-four hour course typically held over two full weekends. Additional local scheduling options can be arranged, as required. It is suggested that all competitive OYSAN coaches working in 11-a-side soccer hold at least a "D" License. 

The “D” License consists of theoretical (classroom) and practical (field) instruction on teaching the four components of soccer -- technique, tactics, fitness and psychology -- as they relate to games between 1v1 and 11v11. The course also includes an extensive “methods” component, designed to improve the pedagogical skills of participating coaches and prepare candidates for the US Soccer national coaching schools.  

The “D” License includes a formal testing process to qualify coaches for the national coaching schools. Coaches are assessed on their ability to create and implement a written lesson plan; identify and correct technique in non-pressured and pressured activities; create “expanded small-sided games” to develop tactical understanding; and identify and improve specific soccer problems, such as lack of team shape, in 6v6 games.

There are two possible outcomes for “D” License candidates:

1.      Coaches can be assessed as capable of succeeding at the national coaching schools and awarded a “National” pass.  These coaches must also hold, or obtain, a Grade 8 referee qualification, or higher, to formally receive the “National” certification and qualify for the “C” course. 

2.      Coaches can be assessed as “not ready” for the national coaching schools and awarded a “State” pass.  Coaches who wish to proceed to the national coaching schools can retest at any future “D” License course after at least one season of additional practice. There is no charge for retesting at a regular “D” course and a $50 fee to schedule a private assessment.   

US Soccer National Youth License

The National Youth License (NYL) is a US Soccer course offered by US Youth Soccer State Associations. In OYSAN, the course is offered on an annual or bi-annual basis, as demand dictates.

The NYL is designed to provide club directors of coaching, youth coaches, physical education teachers, and soccer administrators with the knowledge to successfully structure soccer environments for children between the ages of five and twelve.  The course is often regarded as the most beneficial and important of the national-level courses.

The week typically begins with an evening lecture and ends with a half day of testing. Four full days of theoretical (classroom) and practical (field) information and demonstration fill out the remainder of the schedule.  

The role of the "facilitator" and the role of the "coach" are explored; the physical, technical, tactical, mental, and emotional needs and capabilities of players from five to twelve are explored; the lessons from developmental psychology are explored; the nature and structure of the soccer environment are explored; and the art of teaching is explored.

NYL candidates are videotaped for analysis during live training sessions and those coaches who wish to be considered for state and local Youth Module Instructors are certified within this course.

The NYL is hosted by OYSAN in conjunction with a host community. The availability of young players for demonstration and testing is essential for the successful hosting of the course. 

NSCAA State and Regional Goalkeeping Diplomas

OYSAN offers the State and Regional Goalkeeper Courses on an annual or bi-annual basis, based on demand. 

State Goalkeeper Diploma

The overall objective of the State Goalkeeping Diploma is to explore some of the myths and mystiques surrounding the goalkeeping function.  The six-hour course is directed towards the team coach - not the specialist goalkeeper coach.  The object is to empower the coach with knowledge and practice methods that will enable them to evaluate a goalkeeper in game situations and then design an appropriate practice program for goalkeepers in and outside of team practices.  The course includes lecture (theory) and field (practical) sessions. 

Regional Goalkeeper Diploma

The overall objective of the Regional Goalkeeping Diploma is to create an optimal learning environment for this specialized position.  The eight-hour course is geared towards the specialist goalkeeping coach and the team coach looking for in-depth information surrounding the coaching of goalkeepers.  The course includes both lecture (theory) and field (practical) sessions.  An NSCAA State Goalkeeping Diploma is a prerequisite for this course.

OYSAN-member organizations wishing to host a U-6/8, U-10/12 or “D” coaching course can call OYSAN Director of Coaching, Tom Turner, at 330-659-0989; or e-mail him at Coaching@oysan.org


Ohio Youth Soccer Association North

3554 Brecksville Road Suite 100, Richfield, OH 44286
Tel: 330/659-0989; Fax: 330/659-0993 Contact OYSAN
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