UNITED SOCCER COACHES ADVANCED DIPLOMAS

The National Diploma, the introductory United Soccer Coaches Advanced Diploma, acquaints the coach with the technical, tactical, psychological, and physical needs of soccer players and provides an organized and progressive methodology of coaching those needs. Technical and tactical knowledge on the field is the central theme of the course, with sessions on the teaching process, principles of play, the importance of leading, and physical and psychological applications to develop the player and team. 

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Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes, virtual assessment*
Prerequisites: None. United Soccer Coaches 11v11/Pre National Diploma or the U.S. Soccer ‘E’ License are suggested

*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. 

With an emphasis on training players within a team concept designed to produce a successful environment, the Advanced National curriculum includes team organization and training, advanced methodology, analysis and understanding systems of play, a focus on tactics within thirds of the field, technical position overviews, match analysis, and the psychological aspect of coaching.

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Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes, virtual assessment*
Prerequisites: National Diploma // U.S. Soccer ‘D’ or ‘C’ License 

*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. 

The association’s top technical award, the Premier Diploma curriculum includes a thorough examination of different systems of play, including technical and tactical implications; 11v11 topics, including coaching in the game, phase play, and shadow play; nutrition; sportsmanship/ethics; and a leadership component including team management, personal development and the coach’s role in game development in their community.

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Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning 
Testing: Yes, virtual assessment 
Prerequisites: Advanced National Diploma // U.S. Soccer ‘B’ or ‘A’ License. 

* 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. 

The overall objective of the National Youth Diploma is to support the coach in the understanding and implementation of developmentally appropriate training protocols. Particular attention is paid to players 11 and under, considering the physical, cognitive and social demands of the game in each child’s context. 

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Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes, virtual assessment*
Prerequisites: None. United Soccer Coaches National Diploma or the U.S. Soccer ‘D’ License are suggested
Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old to attend

*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. 

The pinnacle of United Soccer Coaches goalkeeping education, the Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma offers curriculum includes, advanced positioning, communication, goalkeeper psychology, fitness and methodology as well as a thorough review of technical fundamentals. An important aspect of this diploma is integrating the goalkeeper into team training and developing the goalkeeper’s coordination with their teammates in game situations.

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Pre-course assignment: Video-tape yourself training a goalkeeper/goalkeepers (20-30 minutes). Session training forms and self-evaluation forms will be sent once you sign up for the course.
Time Commitment: 40 hours of directed learning
Testing: Yes, virtual assessment*
Prerequisites: Goalkeeping Level 3 Diploma OR Goalkeeping Level 2 Diploma and extensive experience as a goalkeeper/goalkeeper coach, and National Diploma

*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. 

The Director of Coaching Diploma is an applied theoretical educational offering with lecture and interactive classroom sessions. It is designed to address the issues confronting the Director/Leader of an American soccer club/organization. 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 a range of topics that will be drawn from the following list which is not exclusive.

• Organizational structure
• The “business” of Soccer
• Methods of coaching
• Leadership  
• Development of coaches and players
• Fiscal, legal and moral responsibility
• Sports Science

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Time Commitment: 12-14 hours of directed learning
Testing: No
Prerequisites: None

United Soccer Coaches Master Coach Diploma/University of Delaware Master Coach Certificate

This program, offered by the collaboration of United Soccer Coaches and the University of Delaware, is an excellent educational opportunity for coaches seeking growth in their skills and development in their careers. The course focuses on evidence-based management principles and player development to prepare experienced coaches and soccer organizational leaders.

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The only soccer-specific master’s degree in the United States, the Master’s Degree in Soccer Coaching program was developed in partnership with United Soccer Coaches and Ohio University. This program aims to offer candidates a comprehensive understanding and the practical tools for the administrative, health/safety, fitness, player development, and management requirements of coaching, directing and managing soccer players, teams and programs.