Course Descriptions
Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) has designed a series of coaching courses, each leading to a certificate or license that emphasizes proper coaching principles. These courses are taught by MYSA staff. MYSA believes that “the game is the greatest teacher” and that children will get better at soccer by playing, playing and more playing. Well-trained, resourceful activity leaders and coaches will enhance a child’s enjoyment of this beautiful sport. We strongly encourage all coaches to take advantage of these courses.
Although there are no performance or written tests in the G, F or E courses, each involves several hours of activity. To get the most out of each course, participation in the practical, active sessions is strongly encouraged, but is not required. This activity is not physically rigorous, and lasts approximately one half of each course.
Next Courses To Be Offered in Lexington
G Course (4 hours) – Check www.mayouthsoccer.org.
F Course (8 hours) – Check www.mayouthsoccer.org.
E Course (16 hours) – Check www.mayouthsoccer.org.
D Course (32 hours) – Check www.mayouthsoccer.org.
To Register: Go to: http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/ and register. Coaches must complete the G course before taking the F course and must have held their F license for 6 months before taking the E course. All courses are offered throughout the year at different locations. To find out about these courses go to www.mayouthsoccer.org and click on “Coaches”, “Coaching Events Schedule”, and choose “Coaching Courses/Clinics” in the dropdown. Click on the course you would like to take. Register by contacting the course contact. Lexington United Soccer Club coaches are eligible for reimbursement of the registration fee after successful completion of the course. Send an email to the LUSC registrar at registrar@lexingtonunited.org for reimbursement.
G Course Description: Early Activity Leader
An elementary course for novice coaches or those with little or no experience. Designed primarily for coaches of U6 – U8 players. The course will help you to become a more resourceful and confident “activity leader” – to combine your enthusiasm and commitment to children with the basic theory and practical exercises that will provided. The G course is a prerequisite for the F course.
Prerequisites: None
Content: Ideas about how to organize and run activities and games, lots of practical and stimulating games for activities, brief demonstration of basic techniques.
Materials (Provided to all registered coaches): Zipper Bag containing the Mass Youth Soccer G Manual as well as numerous pamphlets that will be very helpful. Mass Youth Soccer Coaching Program T-shirt.
Tests: None
For Whom: Novice coaches, or coaches with little experience with U6 – U8 players. Though not currently a requirement, all U6 – U8 coaches are expected to take the G course. Must be 16 years of age to attend.
Duration: 4 hours
Cost: $30/person – free for all Lexington United Soccer Club coaches.
F Course Description: Activity Leader
A more ambitious course for coaches with some experience. Designed primarily for coaches of U9 – U10 teams. The F course is a natural progression of instructional material and content. The course helps you continue to grow and develop as an “activity leader”. You will learn the essentials of practice organization and game day conduct. The F course is a prerequisite for the E course.
Prerequisites: G License MANDATORY
Content: Ideas about how to organize practices and game days, many games and exercises for practices, a more thorough demonstration of basic technique, elementary goalkeeping techniques, some basic tactical ideas.
Materials (Provided to all registered coaches): Mass Youth Soccer F Manual and Mass Youth Soccer Coaching Program T-shirt.
Tests: None
For Whom: For coaches with some experience with U6 – U10 teams. Though not currently a requirement, all U9 – U10 coaches are expected to take the F course. Must be 16 years of age to attend and must hold G license.
Duration: 8 hours
Cost: $55/person – free for all Lexington United Soccer Club coaches.
E Course Description: The Coach
This course combines soccer theory and practice. You now transition from being an “activity leader” to a “coach”. During the course, each participant will have the opportunity to lead a short coaching session, with constructive feedback from the instructor. Designed primarily for experienced coaches of U11 – U14 teams.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the F course, and must be at least 6 months after completion of F.
Content: Systems of play, laws and restarts, more games and exercises for practices, more tactical ideas, including the tactics of 2 versus 1 situations, and more on goalkeeping.
Materials (Given to the coach): Mass Youth Soccer E Manual and Coaching Soccer, by Bert van Lingen. Mass Youth Soccer Coaching Program T-shirt.
Tests: None
For Whom: For coaches with some experience with U9 – U12 teams. Though not currently a requirement, all U11 – U14 coaches are expected to take the E course. Must hold an F license for at least 6 months.
Duration: 16 hours
Cost: $85/person – free for all Lexington United Soccer Club coaches.
D Course Description: The Trainer
There is a D course scheduled on April 2,3,9,10 in Winchester. To register go to: www.mayouthsoccer.org. Coaches need to have an E license that they have had for at least 6 months. The cost is $300, which LUSC will reimburse upon successful completion of the course. The D course is not usually offered this close to Lexington.
A rigorous course for experienced coaches of U12 – U18 players. Three or four years experience coaching older players is recommended.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the E course, and can only be taken 1 year after completion of E.
Content: Coaching methodology and fitness; more advanced techniques and tactics; more goalkeeping, and “the correction method”.
Materials (Given to the coach): The Mass Youth Soccer D Manual
Tests: Both written and practical coaching exams
For Whom: Must hold an E license for at least 1 year. This course is not a requirement, but recommended for those coaching U13 and above.
Duration: 36 hours*
Cost: $300 – All coaches must initially pay for the course. Lexington United Soccer Club coaches will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the course.
*During the last eight hours of the D Course, each coach takes a one-hour written examination and presents a 20-30 minute practical coaching session that is graded.
