The National Soccer Coaches Association
of America

"General Introduction:  On January 11, 1941, the organization known at the National Soccer Coaches Association had its first meeting.  From a small group of college coaches who met at that time, the NSCAA has grown to include all levels of men's and women's soccer, including youth, high school, junior college and professional coaches, as well as referees, administrators and other individuals interested in the growth of soccer in the United States.

The nature and purpose of the Association is to educate, provide services and promote and stimulate interest in the game of soccer.  With this in mind, the NSCAA Coaching Academy Program was established to further these ideas and to meet the growing needs of our membership to learn more about the game of soccer.  The philosophical foundation for all levels is to improve the development of soccer by creating a learning environment which will enhance the individual's experience and enjoyment of the game.

The Coaching Academy Program is an evolutionary six level program.  By offering six levels we hope to reach all participants from the parent, who is about to undertake his/her first youth coaching assignment, to the advanced coach in need of in-depth insight and analysis.  We hope that throughout our existence the different programs we offer will evolve as the needs of coaches change and evolve.

Any individual completing a diploma course throught the NSCAA Coaching Academy will become a more effective coach by understanding the need to organize appropriate material and information for the various ability, experience and age levels of the individuals they coach."  (NSCAA Coaching Committee)

The State Diploma course is a five-hour course designed for newly involved coaches with players 5-10 years of age.  Emphasis is placed on the basic methods of coaching youth and understanding the physiological and psychological differences of coaching children.  The course is designed to emphasize that the game of soccer is essentially the teacher and the focus of the coach at this age level is clearly as the facilitator.  The curriculum will focus 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 concerning the care and prevention of injuries.  There is no testing.

The Regional Diploma course is a thirteen-hour course for coaches involved with players 11-18 years of age.  An emphasis is placed on learning to work with the developing player within both an individual and team concept.  The curriculum outlines how technical concepts can be applied in the development of players.  A focus is placed on the basic methods of coaching, teaching proper technique, the threory and application of offensive and defensive tactics and understanding team management.  There is no Testing.

Advanced Regional Diploma  is the same as the Regional Diploma but adds 8 hours and includes a component on systems of play and three hours of practice coaching.  (3 tests)

National Youth Diploma is designed for the youth coach working with players from 5 - 12 years of age.  The overall course objective is to help coaches create the optimal learning environment for teaching the developing player.  Emphasis is placed on basic youth coaching methods and understanding the physiological and psychological differences of coaching children.

The course emphasizes the game of soccer as the teacher and the coach as a facilitator.   The curriculum focuses on the organization of a training session, teaching proper technique, team management, basic concepts of attack and defense through small-sided games and understanding the Laws of the Game.  Valuable information about safety and care and prevention of injuries also is provided.

The National Youth Diploma is a 30-hour course held over four days, with theoretical instruction in a classroom setting and practical instruction on the field.  Age group demonstrators appropriate for the course content are used so candidates can observe and coach the youth players in trainng sessions.  There is no testing involved with this course - each participant who completes the course is awarded a diploma.


For more information, please contact Alan Merrick's Soccer Academies