Education » 

National Diploma

“I appreciated the exposure to different habits of thought coupled with the structure and curriculum of the course. It was refreshing and energizing to gain a diversity of perspectives on the sport and the art of coaching at all levels.” 

Lauren Calabrese, 2019 Candidate

“The experience pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible and left me with a hunger learn more, grow more, and be a more effective coach for our young people. I left with some great new connections and a notebook full of methods, tools, and understandings, as well as a ton more gratitude for the professional.”

Evren Gunduz, 2019 Candidate

Earn your national diploma in our new blended format

United Soccer Coaches’ advanced diplomas have long been regarded as an excellent way to expand your coaching knowledge, advance your career, and improve your players’ development. And now, with our newest blended format, coaches with ever-demanding schedules can earn their diploma in the most time-friendly way possible while maintaining the integrity of these highly regarded courses. 

Online Resources

Upon Registration, you will receive access to online content within a few days to begin your course. Watch sessions and lessons from some of the best coaches in America. 

In-Person

One weekend of in-person sessions delivered in a local environment will provide for hands-on instruction and demonstration.

Virtual Classrooms

Cohorts will be created and scheduled to participate in a series of virtual classroom sessions. Interact with instructors & peers as you learn and share experiences. 

Video Assessment

Complete your course by submitting a video of your session with your players in your environment to be assessed by your coaching peers. 

 

The overall objective of the National Diploma is to acquaint the coach with the technical, tactical, psychological, and physical needs of soccer players and provide an organized and progressive methodology of coaching those needs. The application of technical and tactical knowledge on the field is the central theme of the course.  The course includes sessions on the teaching process, principles of play, the importance of leading, physical, and psychological application to develop the player and team.

Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes, NEW FOR 2020: Virtual Assessment
Prerequisites: None. United Soccer Coaches 11v11/ Pre National Diploma or the U.S. Soccer ‘E’ License are recommended.

Virtual Assessment: United Soccer Coaches advanced diploma coach assessment will be done by video.

After the in-person portion of the courses, coaches will return to their coaching environment to develop the ideas of the course with their players. When the coach is ready they upload a 20-minute video of them coaching their athletes to an online platform provided by United Soccer Coaches. They also upload a lesson plan and a “peer to peer” assessment.

United Soccer Coaches staff review the plan and video and tag up moments from the session to give feedback to the coach. The coach may then watch clips of their session with assessment notes. Upon completion of the assessment, the coach receives a written summary of their coaching session and their diploma.