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What do all the numbers and letters mean? The ones in red are mandatory for the State of Mississippi (age specific), the ones in green are recommended for coaches U-12 and up and the ones in yellow are recommended for those that want to coach more competitive soccer. As a side note you cannot skip over any of the "letter" licenses and must wait one year after passing one to take the next level.

USSF
NSCAA
Description
Length
Fee
Youth Level 1
State Diploma
Under 6 Age Specific
3 Hours Class/3 Hours Field
$25.00
Youth Level 2
State Diploma
Under 8 Age Specific
3 Hours Class/3 Hours Field
$25.00
Youth Level 3
State Diploma
Under 10/12 Age Specific
3 Hours Class/3 Hours Field
$25.00
USSF E
Regional Diploma
Basics of 11 v. 11 (U-12)
3 Hours Class/15 Hours Field
Free (Tennessee)
USSF D
Advanced Regional Diploma
Technical/Tactical/Systems of Play
6 Hours Class/30 Hours Field
Free (Tennessee)
USSF C
National Diploma
Based on 6 v. 6 model
50 Hours - Resident Course
$750.00 (est)
USSF B
Advanced National Diploma
Based on 8 v. 8 model
50 Hours - Resident Course
$850.00 (est)
USSF A
Premier Course
11 v. 11 model
40 Hours - Resident Course
$850.00 (est)
NYCL
National Youth Diploma Course
U6 through U12
50 Hours Resident
$650.00 (est)
Goalkeeper 1
Goalkeeper 1
Basic Goalkeeping
3 Hours Class/3 Hours Field
$75.00
Goalkeeper 2
Goalkeeper 2
Intermediate Goalkeeping
3 Hours Class/5 Hours Field
$90.00

The Youth level 1, 2, and 3 are mandatory for Mississippi for District Play. In Mississippi you can coach Division 1 U-18 with a level 3 if necessary. By comparison Tennessee requires no license for Div 4, a level E for Div 3, a D for Div 2, and a C for Div 1. These are minimum requirements. Each of these levels are aimed at the mental, physical, and psychological needs of these age specific players.

The E license is a basic 11 v. 11 license and is great for coaching recreational U-12 and U-14. As the players are able to do and understand more naturally the coaching needs to be better. The D license defines the differences in a technical and a tactical practice and gives an introduction into systems of play. The D fits into needs of the U-14 to U-19 player. The E and D do supercede the Level 1, 2, and 3 license but is not a replacement for these licenses. With Micro Soccer putting smaller numbers in the ages from U-6 through U-12 the youth modules are much more beneficial to the younger age coach than the E and D.

Starting with the D and going through the A the licenses the courses start with the small model (3 v. 3 and 4 v. 4) and work to the full side model. Coaches must pass both practical and written exams to earn their license and participation is mandatory in most cases. Unless you can catch one locally they require usually a week's residence at a training facility. The NYCL is more for association's Director Of Coaching, the individuals who work with their coaches to build a stronger program.

DCSA can schedule any of the youth modules as long as we have 12 coaches per license who will commit. We also put on "local" clinics through the year. These clinics do not offer state level licenses but are informative and free. For more information on any courses contact Tracy Scott or Johnny Pummill.

Upcoming Courses


Youth Modules
Level 2

Southaven February 2003