UNITED SOCCER COACHES DEVELOPMENT DIPLOMAS
Educated coaches help to deliver a positive playing experience for young athletes and a more enjoyable experience for themselves. The United Soccer Coaches Coaching Development Courses reflect the current soccer landscape with a focus on small-sided games and allow all types of soccer organizations to deliver useful coaching education from novice to intermediate in an accommodating way.

Numbered Development Diplomas
A methodical approach to coaching soccer.
4v4 Development Diplomas
The 4v4 Diploma, designed for coaches with players ages 8 and under, can now be enjoyed and completed exclusively online. The curriculum is packed with age-appropriate training activities around a 4v4 game structure.
7v7/9v9 Development Diplomas
The 7v7/9v9 Diploma, for the next level of coaching, focuses on the 9-12 year old player. Content highlights player development, principles of play, technique, and tactics with small-sided games.
11v11/Pre-National Development Diplomas
Moving up the continuum of age levels to the 13 and above player, the 11v11/Pre-National 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.

Foundations of Coaching
Level Diplomas
A holistic approach to soccer coaching.
Foundations of Coaching Level 1
The poem, The Youth Soccer Coach, written by the late Mike Berticelli, will be the primary focus of this introductory course. In addition to applying this poem, coaches will get introduced to the “S’s of coaching” (Safety, Smiles, Skills, Sweat, Simple, and Soccer).
Foundations of Coaching Level 2
Focuses on the two “S’s of development,” skills and soccer, coaches will learn the fundamental difference between a drill and a player-centered activity. There will also be age-appropriate activities that relate to a player’s physical, cognitive, and mental development. The course then leads into how to develop activities to foster skill development and discussion on the principles of play, tactics, and strategy.
Foundations of Coaching Level 3
Focusing on the “S” of Simple, the Foundations of Coaching Level 3 Diploma dives into “The Art of Coaching.” This course’s curriculum will center around transferring knowledge into understanding with one’s team. Coaches will gain a deeper understanding of how to coach in a simplistic style and break down information into easily digestible bits.

Goalkeeping Diplomas
Coaching education specific to goalkeeping.
Goalkeeping Level 1
The Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma explores the myths and mystiques surrounding the goalkeeping function. This course aims 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.
Goalkeeping Level 2
Geared towards the specialist goalkeeping coach and those looking for in-depth information on coaching goalkeepers, the Goalkeeping Level 2 Diploma offers coaches real-world solutions on how to create an optimal learning environment for this specialized position.
Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma required. In-person only.
Goalkeeping Level 3
The Goalkeeping Level 3 Diploma offers a deep exploration into the tactical components of goalkeeping and the specifics of training and developing goalkeepers. The emphasis of this course falls on the tactical roles of the goalkeepers within the team framework.
Goalkeeping Level 1 & 2 Diplomas required.

EVENTS
CONTACT
30 W. Pershing Rd., Suite 350
Kansas City, MO 64108-2463
816.471.1941