Football Coaching Courses

a candidate's notes

THE UEFA 'B' Level 2, FA COACHING CERTIFICATE

Goalkeeping Topics

Defending Topics

Attacking Topics

Small Sided Games

The UEFA 'B' Level 2 Course teaches the candidate how to coach the basic techniques of football. The course involves both written and practical work and is generally run over a 10 day period (for details of courses in your area contact your local F.A.).

Pre-Course Tips

Practice the drills on this website before you take the course and think about what the qualities of a good coach are. A good coach sees what is right and praises it. A good coach sees what is wrong and, recognises why it is wrong and knows how to correct it.

Learn and Practice 'The Coaching Formula'

The coaching formula gives the coach a structure on how to deliver information. It is a basic four rule system:

STOP: A method of stopping the play. This can be with a whistle or a verbal command, e.g. Stop or Freeze, which is agreed before the session with the player's.
DEMO: Identifying the problem, delivering the coaching point and performing a demonstration.
REHEARSAL: Letting the player/s practice what you have demonstrated.
LIVE: Restarting the practice/game with the same skill/move and playing on.
Practice asking lots of questions to your players and inviting feedback so that you can develop your coaching style.

Course Tips

Go into the final assessment with more knowledge than you need because this will give you more confidence. There are several coaching books available so do a little pre-course reading. When you are being assessed try to relax and enjoy the experience. You will be with like minded people so it should be a lot of fun. Be yourself and don't copy anybody. Plan your session and try to practice it with your club. Before your assessment walk around the pitch/area and try to visualise what you expect to achieve from the session

Organisation is vital

When organising the session:

  • Have a realistic starting point and progression. Don't run before you can walk.
  • Know how many players you are coaching and their ability is. Plan who can do a good demonstration for you.
  • Make sure you know what equipment you need and that it is available.
  • How many bibs you need
  • Where the equipment is going to be
  • Draw simple diagrams on the session plan, don't complicate things
  • Include your key coaching points
  • Include progressions on your plan
  • Conditions - on players. Are you going to condition the opposition to give the ball back early in small sided games?
  • Linesman?

During the Assessment

  • Check for safety, jewellery and watches
  • Simple explanations at the beginning to get them going
  • Play and watch it. Let the players have a go for a couple of minutes first
  • Identify the problem
  • Stop the play (as the ball roles)
  • Early simple instructions (set the scene) clearly to one and all
  • Demonstration
  • Give the player/s a go. Rehearsal
  • Play (you control it). Live
  • Progress in practice stages and logically through your key points
  • Talk to the players not the assessor
  • Give lots of praise for good performance
  • Show enthusiasm
  • Don't settle for average performances
  • Demand high standards (if its a poor performance deal with it)

If you fail first time it's not the end of your coaching career. Ask the assessor for feedback on what you did well and on what you need to improve. Practice more with your club and apply for reassessment when you are ready.