Do You Have to Be Licensed to Be a Soccer Coach?
Soccer can be played in school or recreation leagues throughout the country. A soccer coach takes on a great deal of responsibility for her players. She is responsible for keeping them safe while they play and producing a team that can win. There are classes and licenses specifically designed for soccer coaches, and the type of license a coach needs depends on where she is coaching. Each league or state has different requirements for its soccer coaches.
Other People Are Reading
-
Teaching License to Coach for Public Schools
-
Coaches for most public schools must have a teaching or coaching license issued by the state. In addition to the traditional teaching license, a coach must have completed classes in coaching and safety to qualify for a coaching endorsement on her license. The exception to this is a certified physical education teacher, since these classes are part of the teaching major. Each state has slightly different guidelines but generally requires at least a 15-hour class that deals with safety, coaching and sports teams. Additionally, the first aid and CPR certification from the Red Cross needs to be current.
Coaching for Public Schools When Not a Teacher
-
Occasionally, a school hires someone specifically to coach soccer, even if the person does not have a teaching license. This person is required to apply for a coaching license through the state. The criminal background must be completed before you can begin teaching. Some states give you up to two years to complete the remaining endorsements for the license but only if you have prior experience in the sport, either as a coach or professional player.
-
Soccer League Requirements
-
Each soccer league has a different set of requirements for coaches. Some leagues rely heavily on volunteer coaches who primarily are parents of the players. Depending on the seriousness of the league in producing good soccer players, the coaching requirements may be different. At the very least, any coaches for a league should have first aid and CPR training. Several leagues and universities also provide safety training for coaches. This can protect the coach and the league from being sued. Additionally the U.S. Soccer Federation offers coaching licenses specifically for coaching soccer.
U.S. Soccer Federation License Process
-
If your league requires you to have an official coaching license from the U.S. Soccer Federation, you need to attend one of its weekend workshops. The level of license you receive depends on your previous years of coaching and playing experience, as well as the course you take. High school coaches serious about building a winning program can benefit from the training that looks both at safety and how to improve your team. Your school may be willing to pay some or all of the cost for the additional training.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
