Development. Support. Dedication. Inspiration. Passion for learning.
State Office Contacts
Host a Course
Clubs or Leagues interested in hosting a US Soccer Coaching License course should complete the registration form below.
Lesson Plans
In order for players to continue to progress, coaches have to be better prepared with the practice topic, the age appropriate progressions and the key points related to each. These plans will help you to stay organized and help you to further your own growth as well. Enjoy!
Thanks to Gary Stephenson and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer for allowing Virginia Youth Soccer Association to have access to these age-appropriate lesson plans!
Coach For Community
The Coach for Community (C4C) is a free two hour course (one hr on the field and one hr in the class) that provides coaching education and age appropriate resources for grassroots coaches.
The C4C is intended to help educate entry level coaches and is designed to increase player participation and retain players and coaches. The objective is to share best practices for player development in games and training sessions and share member benefits for the host organization.
U.S. Soccer Grassroots Licenses
Coaching License Pathway
U.S. Soccer is committed to providing all coaches, from beginner to advanced, with education tailored to their experiences and the needs of their players. The Coaching License Pathway consists of a series of courses designed to meet the specific needs of a coach at every step of the way. U.S. Soccer believes education is a journey, and our goal is to provide the necessary tools, guidance, and mentorship a coach requires.
Step 1: Create a profile in the US Soccer Learning Center
Step 2: Complete the Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module
This free introductory module, which represents the first step in the newly revised coaching license pathway, is now the general starting point of the pathway and is the required prerequisite to undergo any of US Soccer’s Grassroots Licensing Courses. Coaches who complete the module will also be provided with four complimentary Play-Practice-Play training sessions.
The module takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed through your US Soccer Learning Center profile.
Step 3: Complete at least one of the four, age-appropriate grassroots courses
These courses specifically target the age-appropriate needs of players at the 4v4, 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11 levels.
See what Grassroots courses are available in your area by selecting a course below!
Upcoming Coaching Courses
| Date(s) | Coaching Course | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| July 28 – Aug 1 | 7v7 (In-Person/Virtual) | U.S. Soccer Learning Center |
| Sep 7 – Dec 19 | U.S. Soccer C Course | U.S. Soccer Learning Center |
D License
The purpose of this course is to prepare coaches to create environments that are inclusive, fun and safe for children, ages U6-U12, promoting their love for the game.
Eligibility
To register for the U.S. Soccer D Course, individuals must meet the following prerequisites:
- Is at least 16 years of age
- Complete Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module
- Earn Two (2) Different Grassroots In-Person Licenses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9 or 11v11)
- Earn One (1) Grassroots Online License (4v4, 7v7, 9v9, or 11v11)
or
- Complete Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module
- Previously Earned U.S. Soccer E License
or
- Complete Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module
- Previously Earned U.S. Soccer F License
- Earn Two (2) Different Grassroots In-Person Licenses (4v4, 7v7, 9v9 or 11v11)
and
- Student Coaches must have access to a team (U7-U12) for the duration of the course
Register for all courses through your Learning Center profile at learning.ussoccer.com/
National Coaching Licenses
National C License
The purpose of this course is to assess, organize, design, and implement strategies for player and team development in a participation environment.
Eligibility
To be register for the U.S. Soccer C Course, applicants must meet the following prerequisites:
- Is at least 18 years of age
- Holds a U.S. Soccer D license for at least six (6) months
- A waiver of the U.S. Soccer C License may be considered based on previous professional or national team playing experience or foreign licensure (https://ussf.my.site.com/lcsupport/s/article/Waiver-Process-FAQs)
- Student Coaches must have access to a team playing 11v11 (U13+) for the duration of the course
Register for all courses through your Learning Center profile at learning.ussoccer.com/
National B License
The purpose of this course is to prepare coaches to work with youth (U13+) or senior teams in a performance environment.
Eligibility
To register for the U.S. Soccer B Course, individuals must meet the following prerequisites:
- Is at least 18 years of age
- Hold a U.S. Soccer C license for at least one (1) year
- Have three (3) or more years of coaching experience (any level)
- A waiver of the U.S. Soccer C License may be considered based on previous professional or national team playing experience or foreign licensure. More information can be found here: https://ussf.my.site.com/lcsupport/s/article/Waiver-Process-FAQs
- Student Coaches must have access to a team playing 11v11 (U13+) for the duration of the course
Register for all courses through your Learning Center profile at learning.ussoccer.com/
Technical Leadership: Personal & Professional Development
Book List
Soccer, Leadership, and Culture
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t
The Barcelona Way: How to Create a Winning Team
Brave New World: Inside Pochettino’s Spurs
Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches
Legacy: 15 Lessons in Leadership
The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance
Self-Improvement/Interesting Reads
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Coaching Education Withdrawal and Refund
Once registration closes or the course reaches capacity, refunds will only be considered if the participant space can be filled from an active waiting list (cancellation fee applies)
- No refunds or transfers will be granted after the course has begun.
- Requests for medical or compassionate withdrawals may be considered in extraordinary circumstances, including:
- Serious illness or injury that prevents participation.
- Significant personal or family emergencies that prevent continued attendance.
- All medical withdrawal requests must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation.
- Approval of medical or compassionate withdrawal requests is not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the VYSA Coaching Education Committee.
- In cases of approved medical/compassionate withdrawal:
- All refunds are subject to a cancellation fee
- Refunds will be prorated based on amount of time completed
- Any expenses incurred by VYSA on behalf of the participant will be deducted from refund amount
- Withdrawal requests must be submitted via form no later than seven (7) days prior to the course start date
- Form for withdrawal requests
- Verbal notifications to instructors, course staff, or other VYSA representatives do not constitute an official withdrawal request.
- VYSA does not reimburse for travel related expenses
- Virginia Youth Soccer Association will provide full refunds for Coaching Education Courses that are canceled due to an Act of God less a cancellation fee and costs incurred by VYSA.
By registering for this course, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to the course policies regarding course assignments, attendance, registration fees, and refunds.