Injury Prevention and Awareness
ACL Injury Prevention - illustration of the Santa Monica PEP training program. Particularly important for adolescent girl soccer players who have a higher ACL injury rate. Read more. ABC video about increased incidence of ACL injury in young athletes. FIFA has also released their own set of ACL prevention activities. Here is a link to them with demonstration videos.
Concussion Awareness course from the CDC - online course with completion certificate awarded. Essential material for all coaches.
US Soccer Grassroots course - This is the introductory course in the new US Soccer grassroots sequence. It is free to take and can be accessed from the US Soccer Digital Coaching Center. Following this course you can take in person coach training in the format that you coach : 4v4, 7v7, 9v9/11/11 prior to taking the D license course. We also highly recommend courses offerred by the United Soccer Coaches. We will reimburse up to the D license through US Soccer or any of the Development courses offered by United Soccer Coaches.
Concussion Awareness course from the CDC - online course with completion certificate awarded. Essential material for all coaches.
US Soccer Grassroots course - This is the introductory course in the new US Soccer grassroots sequence. It is free to take and can be accessed from the US Soccer Digital Coaching Center. Following this course you can take in person coach training in the format that you coach : 4v4, 7v7, 9v9/11/11 prior to taking the D license course. We also highly recommend courses offerred by the United Soccer Coaches. We will reimburse up to the D license through US Soccer or any of the Development courses offered by United Soccer Coaches.
Coach Training Courses
Greenbelt Soccer Alliance will reimburse the cost of coach training up to the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association "D" License or the National Soccer Coaches Association Level 6 Diploma. Either the "E" License or the Level 6 diploma satisfies the minimum training for a travel team coach. Here are the appropriate links to see what is currently offered. The MSYSA courses, in particular, fill fast so if you see a course you would like to take don't hesitate, just sign up.
MSYSA Coach Education Link - Primarily offers the "E" and "D" License courses. Occasionally, youth modules, the National Youth License and the "C" license are also offered.
VYSA Coach Education Link - Virginia Youth Soccer offers similar courses as Maryland and some are nearby. We will reimburse for these courses as well. VYSA typically offers many more youth module courses than MSYSA.
NSCAA Coach Education Link - Offers courses at all levels but new coaches should consider the Beginning and Intermediate options. Course sites are throughout the country but there are frequently courses at all levels in our general area.
MSYSA Coach Education Link - Primarily offers the "E" and "D" License courses. Occasionally, youth modules, the National Youth License and the "C" license are also offered.
VYSA Coach Education Link - Virginia Youth Soccer offers similar courses as Maryland and some are nearby. We will reimburse for these courses as well. VYSA typically offers many more youth module courses than MSYSA.
NSCAA Coach Education Link - Offers courses at all levels but new coaches should consider the Beginning and Intermediate options. Course sites are throughout the country but there are frequently courses at all levels in our general area.
On Line Courses
US Youth Soccer offers online courses many of which are free. In particular the course called Constructive Soccer - Principles of Play is excellent for beginning coaches who want to learn to recognize when their players do something consistent with the Principles of Play (Attack and Defense) as defined in the US Soccer National Curriculum. Go to the US Youth Soccer Education site, set up your free account and search for courses under the state of Maryland.
US Youth Soccer offers online courses many of which are free. In particular the course called Constructive Soccer - Principles of Play is excellent for beginning coaches who want to learn to recognize when their players do something consistent with the Principles of Play (Attack and Defense) as defined in the US Soccer National Curriculum. Go to the US Youth Soccer Education site, set up your free account and search for courses under the state of Maryland.
Coaching Resources
From USSF
USSF Soccer Coaching Best Practices - Provides, age level by age level, the USSF guidelines for coaching youth soccer with the dual goal of maximizing fun as well as developing the most skilled players in developmentally appropriate ways. This is excellent reading for all coaches and parents! You can read more about the developmental coaching model advocated in this document here.
Overview of US Soccer Coaching Curriculum - These are the general principles emphasized in US Soccer Federation Coach Education courses.
From US Youth Soccer
USYSA Official Coaching Manual - The official coaching manual of the US Youth Soccer Association, one of the parent organization of Greenbelt Soccer Alliance.
USYSA Player Development Model - Provides a player-centered curriculum for youth soccer clubs.
USYSA Small sided soccer resource page
USYSA Skill School Manual - Step by step directions for coaching various soccer skills
USYSA Skills videos - Sequence of videos demonstrating various soccer skills
Other Sources
FIFA Laws of the Game (2014) Here! - Information law by law including "interpretations" that provide visual examples of each law. For Law 11, the offside rule, there is an animated guide that is excellent.
Referee Signals Tutorial - Flash cards with quiz capability for learning referee signals.
Soccer Association for Youth - Complete season plans for ages 4-7, 8-11, 12+.
Soccerplans.com - Great collection USYSA compliant sessions for all youth age levels.
On Line Soccer Academy - Great set of videos showing technique and other resources.
MSYSA Coaching Resource Page - Compendium of coach information from Maryland State Youth Soccer Association
VYSA Coaching Resource Page - Compendium of coach information from Virginia Youth Soccer Association - excellent website
Takoma Soccer Coaching tips and drills
FIFA Laws of the Game (2014) Here! - Information law by law including "interpretations" that provide visual examples of each law. For Law 11, the offside rule, there is an animated guide that is excellent.
Referee Signals Tutorial - Flash cards with quiz capability for learning referee signals.
Soccer Association for Youth - Complete season plans for ages 4-7, 8-11, 12+.
Soccerplans.com - Great collection USYSA compliant sessions for all youth age levels.
On Line Soccer Academy - Great set of videos showing technique and other resources.
MSYSA Coaching Resource Page - Compendium of coach information from Maryland State Youth Soccer Association
VYSA Coaching Resource Page - Compendium of coach information from Virginia Youth Soccer Association - excellent website
Takoma Soccer Coaching tips and drills