GSSA COACHING SCHOOL PROGRAM
Under the auspices of the United States Soccer Federation, the Georgia State Soccer Association conducts the State Coaching School Program in order to educate and certify soccer coaches in accordance with the national coaching scheme.
Regardless of previous coaching or playing experience, the GSSA State Coaching School Program is designed to help each coach develop a sound theoretical and practical knowledge of coaching soccer. By offering licensing courses at five different levels, the school is able to expose the beginning as well as the more experienced coach to the internationally recognized modern methods of coaching.
Most Courses are held in pre-spring (January & February) and pre-fall (July & August) period of each year. Course schedules are posted in mid December and Mid June respectively. To register for our currently available classes, please click here. For more information, please contact Tara Daniel at .
Course fees depend on membership status. Members are defined as Players, Coaches, and parents belonging to Georgia Soccer affiliated clubs, as well as league officers of affiliated clubs.
State ‘G’ Certificate Coaching Course - Course is FREE for Georgia Soccer Members and $50 for Non-Members
Aimed at coaches and parents of U-6 and U-8 players. The course is four hours long and provides fun activities that enhance players’ skill development. Attendance is required to receive the ‘G’ certificate.
State ‘F’ Certificate Coaching Course - Course is FREE for Georgia Soccer Members and $90 for Non-Members
The ‘F’ course is tailored for the coach who is working with U-10 and U-12 Recreational players. The emphasis is on teaching young players through a variety of fun games and practices. The course consists of7 hours of instruction and practice. Attendance is required to receive the ‘F’ certificate. There is no pre-requisite for this course. However, U-6 & U-8coaches must start with the ‘G’ course.
State ‘Recreational ‘E’ Certificate Coaching Course - Course is FREE for Georgia Soccer Members and $90 for Non-Members
The ‘Rec E’ is aimed at coaches of recreational players U-14 and older. The course consists of7 hrs. of instruction and practices. Attendance is required to receive the ‘Rec E’ certificate. There is no pre-requisite for this course as long as attendees are coaching U-14 or older. The ‘Rec E’ certificate cannot be used as a pre-requisite for the ‘D’ course.
State ‘E’ Certificate Coaching Course - Course Fee is $75 for Georgia Soccer Members and $200 for Non-Members
The ‘E’ course is an intermediate course geared towards providing a foundation for coaching players in the U-10 Academy/Select and older age groups. The course consists of 16 hours of instruction in the theory and practice of soccer coaching methods. Successful completion is based on attendance. The ‘F’ certificate is required for attendance. ‘F’ certification may be waived for coaches who are coaching Academy/Select teams or U-14 and older recreational teams.
National ‘D’ License Coaching Course - Course Fee is $125for Georgia Soccer Members and $500 Non-members
The ‘D’ course provides a detailed analysis of the modern methods of coaching advanced players of all ages. It involves 32 hours of instruction and testing. Successful completion is based on attendance and passing both a written and a practical coaching test. The ‘E’ certificate is required for attendance (the ‘Rec E’ certificate is not acceptable). ‘E’ certification may be waived for coaches who have College Varsity playing experience or professional playing experience. Request for waivers must be directed to the state office in writing and must be accompanied with documents that prove playing experience. Documents can be in the form of a roster, an article or a letter.
REGISTERING FOR A COACHING COURSE
Pre-registration is required. To register for our currently available classes, pleaseclick here. You must pre-register at least 14 days prior to the start of the course. Do not wait for the last moment to register for a course because courses which do not reach minimum numbers get canceled. Registration will be accepted at the course site with an additional $10.00 late fee.
YOU WILL NOT BE CONTACTED BY THE GSSA OFFICE UNLESS THE COURSE
FOR WHICH YOU HAVE REGISTERED IS CANCELED OR RESCHEDULED
COURSE SELECTION AND WAIVER CRITERIA
Please use the following rules to determine which course is applicable for you:
- If you are coaching U-6, you must start at the ‘G’ course. Previous playing or coaching experience cannot be used to waive the ‘G’ if you are coaching U-6. No exceptions.
- If you are coaching U-8, you can start at either the ‘G’ or the ‘F’ course. Previous playing or coaching experience cannot be used to waive the ‘F’ if you are coaching U-8. No exceptions.
- If you are coaching Recreational U-10, you can start at the ‘F’ course. The ‘G’ course is not a pre-requisite. Previous playing or coaching experience cannot be used to waive the ‘F’ course if you coach U-10 Rec. No exceptions.
- If you are coaching at the Recreational level U-12 or older, you can start at the ‘Rec E’ course or the ‘E’ course. The ‘F’ course is not a pre-requisite. Previous playing or coaching experience cannot be used to waive the ‘E’ course if you are coaching U-12 Recreational or older. No exceptions.
- If you are coaching Academy level U-10 or older, Classic level, you can start at the ‘E’ course. The ‘F’ course is not a pre-requisite.
- The ‘E’ Certificate is a pre-requisite for the ‘D’ course. The ‘Rec E’ certificate is NOT acceptable as a pre-requisite for the ‘D’ course. The ‘E’ Certificate may be waived for coaches who have college varsity playing experience or professional playing experience and who are coaching at the select club level. Request for a waiver of the ‘E’ Certificate in order to go straight to the ‘D’ course must be made in writing to the State Director of coaching and include proof of playing experience.
Please note that all our courses are age and level specific. For this reason, we have a very strict and clear waiver criteria. For example, none of the activities and tactics taught at the ‘E’ course can be used with U-10 Recreational players or younger, so there is absolutely no reason for a coach to skip the ‘F’ and go straight to the ‘E’ if he/she is coaching U-10 Rec. If you have any questions regarding the coaching course selection or waiver criteria, please contact Tara Daniel at .
COURSE FEES
Members Non-Members
"G" Course - FREE $50.00 FEE INCLUDES
"F" Course -FREE $90.00 Professional Instruction
“REC E” Course (See Note 3)-FREE $90.00 Course Textbook and/or Handouts
"E" Course - $75.00 $200.00
"D" Course (See Note 3)- $125.00 $500.00
MEMBERS INCLUDE: Coaches and assistant coaches of affiliated leagues, players registered with GYSA or GASA, parents of above players, referees, league officers, members of the Georgia Soccer Coaches Association (GSCA), members of the Support Division.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- It is recommended that a candidate coach at the level (G, F, E, or D) attained for one season before advancing to the next level course. However, those who wish to complete more than one level at a time can do so.
2.Coaches that attend a course should come prepared to participate in the field sessions, wearing appropriate gear. However, participation in the field sessions is NOT mandatory.
3.Note: The “REC E” certificate is not an acceptable pre-requisite for attending the ‘D’ Course.