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 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 five day course typically begins with an evening lecture and ends with a half day of testing. Three 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.