Want to be a football coach?

GET INTO COACHING Contact: FA Learning Department Tel: [phone] www.thefa.co.uk/falearning

It's now easier than ever to become a qualified football coach - and we've got all the information you need to get started.

By getting on the coaching ladder, individuals have the opportunity to progress through the various FA Coaching qualifications while constantly enhancing their skills and knowledge

The Football Association runs courses for aspiring coaches at all levels, the first two of which are offered by county FA's.

Here is the pathway to your career as a football coach.

LEVEL ONE

The UK's most popular coaching course is open to anyone over 16 and provides an ideal introduction to coaching. Little prior knowledge or experience is required.

The course is open entry - an interest in coaching and the motivation to improve your skills and understanding is all you need.

The course comprises a theory and practical element.

Theory

• Emergency first aid
• Children ensuring safety in football

Practical

• Understanding defence
• Goalkeeping
• Heading
• Mini soccer
• Understanding attack
• Turning
• Pass and control
• Shooting
• Combination plan - 2 v 1 and 2 v 2

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Assessment

Candidates must deliver a 20-minute session against a given topic demonstrating the following:

• Safe practice
• Organisation
• Enjoyment and fun
• With progression

The assessment will be followed by an oral interview.

LEVEL TWO

If you're a coach with a few seasons experience you may wish to start your training at Level Two, as this is still an open entry course. You'll need to have observed qualified and experienced coaches working with adults and children.

The course comprises a theory and practical element.

Theory

• The learning and coaching process (part 1 - including communication and coaching skills)
• Planning, preparing and evaluating coaching sessions
• Football fitness (part one)
• Football food (part one)
• Emergency aid
• Health and safety
• Overuse injuries
• Growing up - youngsters in football
• Laws of the game
• Attitudes and ethics

Practical

• Basic techniques: Passing, ball control, running with the ball, turning, dribbling, shooting, heading, goalkeeping
• Attacking and defending (1v1; 2v2)
• Principles of attack and defence - small-sided games (3 v 3, 4 v 4, 5 v 5, 6 v 6)
• Warm-up/cool down
• Group work and discussion

Observed coaching practice

• Three sessions techniques, skills and principles of play in attacking or defending
• Group review of coaching

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Feedback

Candidates are required to keep a log-book, recording the development of their individual action plan and details of planning, preparing and evaluating 10 training sessions.

Candidates should also undertake a minimum of 16 hours' coaching using recognised techniques and principles, and provide evidence of coaching both adults and children.

Final training and assessment

Candidates can choose to be assessed on a national or local course, by the following:

• Laws of the game examination
• Review of the study tasks
• Review of log-book
• Oral interview
• Practical coaching assessment - adults and children

LEVEL THREE

For most coaches, completion of the Level Two course provides all the skills required. But for those looking to coach at the highest level, the Level Three Certificate is the next step.

Once again, the course comprises a theory and practical element.

Theory

• The learning and coaching process (part two)
• Match and player analysis
• Team organisation: Strategies and tactics
• Psychological factors
• Football fitness (part two)
• Injury identification
• Aspects of first aid
• Drug awareness and education
• Youngsters in football - child
• Development (part two - including working with teenagers)
• Preparing, planning and evaluating coaching sessions in conjunction with competitive match programmes
• Attitudes and ethics

Practical

• Development of possession
• Movement to create space
• Counter-attacking play
• Play in the attacking third
• Regaining possession
• Defending in the thirds of the field
• Goalkeeping

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Assessment

Candidates can choose to be assessed on a national or local course, by the following:

• Written Examination - Multiple Choice in: football fitness, injury identification and recognition, aspects of first aid and nutrition
• Oral Interview regarding Recorded Coaching
• Practical Coaching Sessions