foundations of coaching diploma

United Soccer Coaches has developed the Foundations of Coaching online course as the perfect introduction to coaching youth soccer for the first time, and as a helpful refresher for those coaches coming back to the youth game.

Click here to read more and take the online course.

heading diploma

United Soccer Coaches has launched Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer™, the first interactive online course developed to educate coaches on how to teach safer heading techniques for players ages 11-13. This 30-minute course is free and available to anyone and everyone interested in heading safety.

Click here to read more and take the online course.

4v4 diploma

This course is designed for coaches with players ages 8 and under. The curriculum is packed with age-appropriate training activities around a 4v4 game structure.

Time Commitment: Up to 3 hours in person plus additional online course content.
Testing: No
Prerequisites: None

7v7/9v9 diploma

This combined course for the next level of coaching is a nine hour in-person course focused on the 9-12 year old player. Content highlights player development, principles of play, technique, and tactics with small-sided games.

Time Commitment: Up to 6 hours in person plus additional online course content.
Testing: No
Prerequisites: None

11v11 diploma/pre-national

Moving up the continuum of age levels to the 13 and above player, this Diploma is designed for an intermediate coach. It is focused on the 11v11 game with topics including the modern numbering system, formations and systems of play, player competencies and defensive and offensive tactics.

Time Commitment: Up to 6 hours in person plus additional online course content.
Testing: No
Prerequisites: None

director of coaching (DOC) diploma

The Director of Coaching Diploma is a 21-hour course designed to address the issues confronting the Director of an American club. The curriculum has been created in cooperation with US Club Soccer. It examines the technical, conceptual, leadership and administrative skills of future and current Directors of Coaching for youth soccer clubs for the purpose of developing the American soccer player. This is accomplished through a curriculum rich in application and theory and will focus on organizational structure, methods of coaching, leadership theory, evaluation and development of coaches and players and fiscal, legal and moral responsibility. Candidates will understand each of the individual units of the club as well as the interrelationship of those parts to achieve the specific goals and objectives of a youth soccer club.

Time Commitment: 21 hours
Testing: No
Prerequisites: None. Recommended National Diploma or U.S. Soccer D License

special topics diploma

The United Soccer Coaches Academy conducts Special Topics Diplomas periodically in different parts of the country, as well as special clinics at various events, including the annual United Soccer Coaches Convention. Some examples of Special Topics Courses include Zonal Defending, Sports Psychology, Striker Play, Management of Soccer Programs, etc. For further information, contact the United Soccer Coaches National Office. All candidates must be at least 16 years of age at the time of application. Candidates under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the course.

Goalkeeping Level 1 diploma

The overall objective of the Goalkeeping Level 1 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 the coach 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.

Time Commitment: 6 hours
Testing: No
Prerequisites: None

Goalkeeping Level 2 diploma

The overall objective of the Goalkeeping Level 2 Diploma is to create an optimal learning environment for this specialized position. The 12-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. A United Soccer Coaches Goalkeeping Level I Diploma is a prerequisite for this course.

Time Commitment: 9 hours
Testing: No
Prerequisites: Goalkeeping Level 1

Goalkeeping Level 3 diploma

The overall objective of the Goalkeeping Level 3 Diploma is to explore the tactical components of goalkeeping and the specifics of training and developing goalkeepers. The emphasis of this eighteen-hour course is on the tactical role of the goalkeeper within the team framework. All candidates wishing to take the Goalkeeping Level 3 Diploma must hold the Goalkeeping Level 1 and 2 Diplomas or equivalent (United Soccer Coaches /U.S. Soccer Level 1 and Level 2 Diplomas).

Time Commitment: 18 hours
Testing: No
Prerequisites: Goalkeeping Level 2