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Education

The Illinois Youth Soccer Association’s Coaching Education Program (CEP) provides instruction to any individual regardless of their coaching or playing background.  Course levels have been established to provide instruction to coaches.  The content of each course is arranged progressively so that instruction relates to specific age groups.  Organized in the same manner as the U.S. Soccer national coaching schools for the C, B and A License, the state level courses are for the U6-U8 Youth Module, U8-U10 Youth Module, U10-U12 Youth Module, ‘E’ Certificate and the ‘D’ License.
 
Each Coaching Course participants who completes a course, also receives a complimentary gift certificate from Dick's Sporting Goods.

STATE ‘G’ MINI CLINIC – 3 Hour Course

A three hour introductory mini-clinic is available for your club, league or association.  (Recreational leagues that become affiliated with us will receive their first ‘G’ Clinic free of charge.)  This clinic is designed to introduce youth soccer to the parents and coaches of recreational programs who have little or no experience with coaching youth soccer.  The ‘G’ Clinic can be modified to a specific soccer topic area of training of your choice.
Coaching Education "G" Course Host Request Form (PDF File) 

U6/U8 YOUTH MODULE – Age Specific 4.5 Hour Course
COACHING PLAYERS 6-8 YEARS OLD

This 4.5 hour course is devoted to the philosophy of coaching and characteristics of 6-8 year olds.  Field sessions include appropriate activities for 6-8 year olds with demonstrations using age appropriate players.  The teaching philosophy at this level emphasizes “learning through fun activities.”  Classroom sessions include care and prevention of soccer injuries, team administration, risk management and modified laws of the game followed by a question and answer period.

U8/U10 YOUTH MODULE – A Specific 4.5 Hour Course
COACHING PLAYERS 8-10 YEARS OLD

This 4.5 hours course is devoted to the philosophy of coaching and characteristics of 8-10 year olds.  Field sessions include appropriate activities for 8-10 year olds with demonstrations using age appropriate players.  The course emphasis is on child development by focusing on the psychological, physical and cognitive aspects using activities that contain implications to the game of soccer and producing an environment which challenges each individual.  Classroom sessions include care and prevention of soccer injuries, team administration, risk management and modified laws of the game followed by a question and answer period.

U10/U12 YOUTH MODULE – A Specific 4.5 Hour Course
COACHING PLAYERS 10-12 YEARS OLD

This 4.5 hour course is devoted to the philosophy of coaching and characteristics of 10-12 year olds.  Field sessions include appropriate activities for 10-12 year olds with demonstrations using age appropriate players.  The teaching philosophy emphasizes social interactivity involved in small group play.  Incorporated within this teaching format are related games within smaller groups, which will ensure each player’s maximum participation.  Classroom sessions include care and prevention of soccer injuries, team administration, risk management and modified laws of the game followed by a question and answer period.

‘E’ CERTIFICATE – 18 Hour Course
Introduction course for coaches who are coaching players who play 11 v 11

In this 18 hour course, which is offered in English and Spanish, instruction is focused on refining the players technical skills under game like conditions that incorporate pressure of an opponent and limited time or space.  We refer to this as teaching technique using guided discovery and thew coaches toolkit.  In addition, basic tactics will be taught within technical sessions.  Individual and group tactics are presented in 1v1, 2v1, 2v2 and small-sided games activities.  Basic principles of play such as width, depth, penetration and support are emphasized in this course.  A take home examination is used as an in-class learning tool.

‘D’ LICENSE – 36 Hour Course
COACHING PLAYERS 14+ YEARS OLD

This 36 hour course, which is offered in English and Spanish, is designed for the 
coach who has already received training at the ‘E’ level or been granted a waiver into the 'D' Course.** 
This course is the first licensing course offered under the auspices of the United States Soccer Federation through affiliated members at the state level. To prepare coaches by expanding their knowledge and understanding of the Technical and Tactical demands of the game and the developmental process necessary for players. Coaches are exposed to 2 practical coaching evaluations and a final field test. There are written and oral examinations that each coach must successfully complete receive a passing grade for the course. A National Passing grade or State Passing grade is determined by the coaching candiates final examination results. 


** Coaches who are interested in bypassing the ‘E’ Certificate Course which is a pre-requisite for attending the 'D' License Course must submit the following E Course Test and a completed Lesson Plan to Ian Mulliner, Director of Coaching for Illinois Youth Soccer Association.   A waiver is not the same as a License nor does it substitute the 'E certificate. You will NOT receive an 'E' certificate. This waiver only allows you to bypass taking the 'E' certificate course and enter the Coaching Education process at the 'D' Course. Any coach applying for a waiver will be charged $50 and is not refundable nor is it transferable.  Completed E Course Tests and completed Lesson Plans must be mailed along with your $50 payment to: Illinois Youth Soccer-CEP, 1655 S. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 201, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.  Please email Ian at doc@illinoisyouthsoccer.org with any questions.

NATIONAL LICENSE COURSES

If you currently hold a National 'D' License and have for a minimum of 1 year and would like to attend the 9 day duration national coaching school for the National 'C' License, please contact the Coaching Department at U.S. Soccer, 1801-1811 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616, or call at 312-808-1300 for a brochure. Attendance at national coaching schools is limited and courses do fill up quickly. If you are looking to be waived into a National A, B or C License Course, please contact Mike Leuzzi at U.S. Soccer for requirements. The Illinois Youth Soccer Association does not have the authority to waive any individual under any circumstances into a National A, B or C License Course.

COURSE CONTENT

All courses include both lecture and participation orientated field sessions.  You will be exposed to modern methods of coaching soccer where principles and methods of coaching are taught to help you prepare for practice sessions and games.  Sessions on tactics will include specific principles and exercises for the development of tactical skills through individual, small group and team tactics.  The field coaching sessions will assist you in developing your players’ technical skills and tactical understanding in progressive, easy to understand exercises and games that motivate your players.  Each state level coaching course has been designed  to provide the aspiring youth coach with the necessary knowledge to improve his players team.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Knowledgeable coaches are essential to the development of players.  Coaches must keep apprised of the latest techniques, philosophies and tactics.  To maintain credibility, to learn the latest information and to keep up with the players, improve your knowledge by taking advanced and refresher courses.

INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF

All courses are taught by members of the Illinois Youth Soccer Instructional Staff.  These coaches have many years of experience and hold a national coaching license from U.S. Soccer Federation.  These coaches have been selected as instructors for the Illinois Youth Soccer Coaching Schools because of their outstanding teaching and coaching ability.

HOSTING A COURSE

In order to cover the curriculum effectively, the minimum number of participants required for the U6-U8 Youth Module, U8-U10 Youth Module and U10-U12 Youth Module courses is twelve (12), for the ‘E’ Certificate is fifteen (15) and for the ‘D’ License is twenty (20).  There is no minimum required for the ‘G’ group clinic. If your club, league or association is interested in hosting a coaching course or obtaining information on coaching courses, please download the application form. 

RESERVING SPACE

Only original course application submitted with payment to Illinois Youth Soccer will reserve course space.  Faxed applications are an indicator of the potential number of course participants only.  If a course fills up and an applicant has only faxed in an application with no payment then they will be removed from the course in order to allow applicants that have followed procedures. 

REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATES/LICENSES

To obtain a copy of a misplaced or lost certificate, please send your $25 payment (made payable to Illinois Youth Soccer-CEP) along with course level, course dates (year is fine) and course location to: Illinois Youth Soccer-CEP, Attn: CEP Coordinator, 1655 S. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 201, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HOSTING A COACHING COURSE, PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS WITH THE REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT IAN MULLINER, DIRECTOR OF COACHING, AT doc@illinoisyouthsoccer.org or LOUIS GONZALEZ, COACHING EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT cep@illinoisyouthsoccer.org
 

Coaching Forms

• Online Coaching Education Course Form (to pay with a credit card)
• Coaching Education Course "Youth Module" Application Form (PDF)
• Coaching Education Course "E" and "D" Application Form (PDF)
• Coaching Education Course Host Request Form (PDF)
• Coaching Education "G" Course Host Request Form (PDF)

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