MYSA offers coaching certificates, diplomas and licenses through the United States Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer and the National Soccer Coaches Association. The courses MYSA offer are conducted within the state and are non-residential. Many of these courses are necessary pre-requisites to residential national level courses that are hosted around the country.
Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA)
National “C” License
The National “C” License course is designed to introduce concepts that are targeted toward coaching players ages 11 and up. The course focus is on getting coaches to think about, discuss, and recognize the recurring concepts or themes that exist in soccer. Candidates will be challenged to find ways to offer constructive guidance to players while also allowing players to experience the game for themselves.
A primary emphasis in the National “C” License course is the close relationship between technique and tactics. In this course, technique and tactics will be addressed together. In practice field sessions and the final field exam, the candidate is required to address the impact that technique has on tactics.
National Youth License
The National Youth License, a U.S. Soccer course, focuses upon the nature of children and the adjustments adults must make to coach them. The course curriculum covers the ages of 4–12 years old. Each day of the course, the focus is upon one of the traditional soccer age groups of U6, U8, U10 or U12. Each day, children of the appropriate age group are brought to the course site for the candidates to work with them in a practice training session. The candidates are videotaped while coaching the kids and the video is reviewed with each candidate to aid in the education of the coach.
The course combines both classroom (theory) and field (practical) sessions. The course concludes with written, oral and practical examinations. The National Youth License course is six days in length, sometimes being held over two weekends rather than six days in a row. It is ideal for anyone hoping to become a better and more effective coach. Also, "A" license coaches can earn 8 CEUs by completing the National Youth License course.
‘D’ License - 36 hour course (‘E’ prerequisite)
Tuition: $300 (plus any facility charge) Register with MYSA
Consists of 30 hours of instruction and 6 hours of testing. The course is designed to prepare coaches for training players U-13 and above by expanding the player's tactical awareness and development of their technical ability. Course curriculum will build upon the basic principles covered at the 'E' course in addition to individual and team tactics. Applicants must be 18 years of age and have held an ‘E’ for at least one year. Minimum class size: 20.
License Upgrade (Fee: $40)
To upgrade the ‘D’ license from a State to a National licensure, please contact the Director of Coaching at the MYSA state office to make arrangements. A copy of the upgraded license will not be processed without payment.
‘E’ Certificate - 18 hour course (no prerequisite)
Tuition: $150 (plus any facility charge) Register with MYSA
Consists of 15 hours of instruction and 3 hours of testing. Course material will cover basic principles of coaching, proper technical execution and education in addition to an introduction to the tactical, physical and psychological aspects of the game. The course is also preparation for coaches seeking a 'D' license. Applicants must be 16 years of age. Minimum class size: 20.
Recommended Reading for National 'D' License and State 'E' Introductory Certificate
 All documents are in Adobe Acrobat PDF
U.S. Soccer Federation Coaching Education Manuals:
- U.S. Soccer "D" License Candidate Manual - English [166 pp - 1.4 MB] | Spanish [170 pp - 2 MB]
- U.S. Soccer "E" Certificate Candidate Manual - English [114 pp - 722 KB]
Note: Additional coaching-related resources can be found on ussoccer.com
Youth 'Y' Module - 4 hours per module (no prerequisite)
Tuition: (register with host club)
Three modules U6/U8, U8/U10 and U10/U12 designed primarily for that age group coach. This course is designed to introduce developmentally appropriate and age appropriate activities. Course content will include philosophy of coaching, characteristics of players, soccer injuries, team administration/risk management and modified laws.
‘G’ Certificate - 3 hour course (no prerequisite)
Tuition: (register with host club)
Course covers a wide range of topics largely through a question and answer format. Ideal for a first and second year coach with little to no playing or coaching background.
Replacement Certificate/License
Fee: $10
To request a replacement certificate/license, submit your request in writing along with the $10 replacement fee to the MYSA state office. Please include the year and location in which you completed your certificate/license. Replacement certificates/licenses will not be processed without payment. Please allow 7-10 business days for processing.
Minnesota Youth Soccer Association
c/o Coaching Department
11577 Encore Circle
Minnetonka, MN 55343
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Waivers
‘D’ License Waiver
To waive a 'D' license you must submit your request in writing to the Director of Coaching Education at US Soccer House in Chicago. The USSF Director of Coaching will make all decisions regarding 'D' waivers.
US Soccer House
1801-1811 S Prairie Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
‘E’ Certificate Waiver
Coaches who are interested in bypassing the ‘E’ Certificate course must submit the following E Course Test, a completed Lesson Plan to the State Director of Coaching for Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. Waiver applications must be accompanied by a $50 fee (make checks payable to MYSA). The waiver fee is non-refundable, and if the waiver is granted, it is non-transferable. The completed E course test and completed lesson plans must be mailed along with your payment at least 30 days prior to the start of a scheduled ‘D’ License course to: Minnesota Youth Soccer-SCS, 11577 Encore Circle, Minnetonka, MN 55343. Please email johncurtis@mnyouthsoccer.org with any questions.
A brief soccer resume must also be submitted, please include:
- Prior playing experience: minimum of four years of college or similar level (level subject to MYSA Director of Coaching)
- Prior coaching experience: four years of coaching U13-U19 players (please show age and level of players)
- References (Club Director of Coaching preferred)
Applicant can be waived having received the NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma, and held it for a minimum of 12 months.
Receiving the E Waiver:
- Allows you to bypass the ‘E’ Certificate course
- Does not award you the ‘E’ Certificate
- Is only good in Minnesota
- Is only good for 12 months (expiring waiver must reapply).
The MYSA Director of Coaching will make all decisions regarding ‘E’ waivers.
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NSCAA Course Information
Requirements
To host a State, Regional or Advanced Regional Diploma course, the host club must have one full-size field (75 x 120 yards), a classroom for lecture sessions and an indoor facility which can be used during inclement weather.
State Diploma
The State Diploma is a five-hour course directed toward the person newly involved in coaching soccer. It is designed to help coaches working with players in the 5- to 10-year age range. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the physiological and psychological differences of coaching children.
The course is designed to emphasize that the game itself essentially is the teacher and the focus of the coach at this level clearly is as facilitator. The curriculum focuses on the organization of a practice session, using small-sided games to enhance knowledge and fun, basic understanding of the Laws of the Game and information about the care and prevention of injuries. There is no testing in the State course.
Course Fee: $50/person, 15-person minimum.
Regional Diploma
The Regional Diploma is a 13-hour course designed for the coach working a player in the 11- to 18-year age range. An emphasis is placed on learning to work with the developing player within both an individual and team concept.
The curriculum outlines how technical and tactical concepts can be applied in the development of players. The focus is placed on the basic methods of coaching, teaching proper technique, the theory and application of offensive and defensive tactics and understanding team management. There is no testing in the Regional course.
Course Fee: $100/person, 15-person minimum.
Advanced Regional Diploma
The Advanced Regional Diploma is a 21-hour course designed as a supplement to the Regional Diploma, adding eight hours devoted to the study of systems of play and a practice teaching component. Participants are given an opportunity to conduct a training session on an assigned topic and are assessed by the course instructor.
Course Fee: $155/person, 15-person minimum.
Advanced Regional Supplement
The Advanced Regional Supplement is an 8-hour course and is available for those who have taken the Regional Diploma and are interested in the additional hours provided. The course is an excellent preparatory course for the National Diploma.
Supplement Fee: $55/person, 15-person minimum.
Special Topic Courses and Clinics
The Academy Committee will conduct special topic courses periodically in different parts of the country, as well as special clinics at various events, including the annual NSCAA Convention. For further information, contact the NSCAA National Office.
Course Fee: $75/person, 30-person minimum.
National Youth Diploma Course
The National Youth Diploma Course is designed for the youth coach working with players age 5-12. The overall objective of the course is to help coaches create the optimal learning environment for players at this developmental age. Emphasis is placed on the basic methods of coaching youth and understanding the physiological and psychological differences of coaching children. The course emphasizes the game of soccer as the teacher and the coach as the facilitator. The curriculum focuses on the organization of a practice session, teaching proper technique, team management, basic concepts of attack and defense, small-sided games and understanding the Laws of the Game. Information about safety, prevention and care of injuries also is provided.
The National Youth Diploma is a 21-hour course held over three days, featuring both classroom lectures (theory) and on field instruction (practical). The course utilizes appropriate age group demonstrators for most field sessions. There is no testing involved in the course, although coaches are allowed an opportunity to conduct a training session with feedback from the staff. Each person completing the course is awarded the National Youth Diploma certificate.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Previous coaching certification, such as the NSCAA State or Regional Diploma, and/or the USSF "E" or "F" license, is strongly suggested. A waiver of previous coaching certifications will be considered on an individual basis if the applicant has been coaching for a number of years.
Course Fee: $180/candidate (NSCAA member); $230*/candidate (nonmember); 15 person minimum.*Includes one-year NSCAA youth coach membership.
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Goalkeeping Institute
The Academy launched its Goalkeeping Institute in 1998 to focus attention on the education of coaches working with goalkeepers as a special and unique position to train. Currently, State (six hours), Regional (eight hours) and National level courses are offered.
State Goalkeeping Diploma
The overall objective of the State Goalkeeping Diploma course is to explore some of the myths and mystiques surrounding the goalkeeping function. The six-hour course is directed towards the team coach—not the specialist goalkeeper coach. The object is to empower the coach with knowledge and practice methods that will enable the coach to evaluate a goalkeeper in game situations and then design an appropriate practice program for goalkeepers in and outside of team practices. The course includes lecture (theory) and field (practical) sessions.
Course Fee: $50/person, 15-person minimum
Regional Goalkeeping Diploma
The overall objective of the Regional Goalkeeping Diploma course is to create an optimal learning environment for this specialized position. The eight-hour course is geared towards the specialist goalkeeping coach and the team coach looking for in-depth information surrounding the coaching of goalkeepers. The course includes both lecture (theory) and field (practical) sessions. All candidates wishing to take the Regional Goalkeeping Diploma must have the State Diploma or equivalent.
Course Fee: $75/person, 15-person minimum.
National Goalkeeping Diploma
The overall objective of the National Goalkeeping Diploma course is to explore the tactical components of goalkeeping and the specifics of training and developing goalkeepers. The emphasis of the course is on the tactical role of the goalkeeper within the team framework. Each candidate is tested through field, classroom and video analysis. Completion of a take-home test is also required. All candidates wishing to take the National Goalkeeping Diploma must have the State and Regional Goalkeeping Diplomas or equivalent.
Course Fee: TBD, 15-person minimum.
For more information on USSF and NSCAA courses, please contact the MYSA office at 952-933-2384 (800-366-6972).
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