Ohio South Youth Soccer Association (OSYSA) has a tradition of certifying soccer coaches with numerous licenses scheduled at various locations around Ohio South.  Thousands of coaches have completed OSYSA CEP Licenses since the ever-changing curriculum was developed many years ago.

Designed to meet the changing needs of today’s game, the Coaching Education Program (CEP) offers licenses for coaches of all abilities and skill levels.  The objective is to provide all soccer coaches, from the beginner to the most advanced, with up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge, so coaches across Ohio South can ensure that players develop to their fullest potential.

Courses are taught by a faculty of knowledgeable coaches, many of who have coached at the highest levels in the United States.

The courses offered are conducted at four levels (D, E, F and YM) with emphasis on field instruction in the areas of technique, tactics, and fitness. The courses also include instruction in coaching methodology, team management, care and prevention and sport psychology.  In addition to the "D”, “E” and F” courses OSYSA have the Youth Module “YM” License.  The mission of the “”YM” Course is to provide the most current age appropriate information on the development of the youth soccer player aged between the ages of 6 and 10.

For coaches to successfully complete licensing courses (certificate or license) sponsored by Ohio South Youth Soccer Association, coaches must:

• Attend all sessions of the course, classroom and field
• In the case of licenses “E” & “D”, written exams must be passed with a score of no less than 70%.  Those who fail the written segment of the testing will be given the opportunity to retest within 90 days of notification of the course results. 
• On field, practical coaching and teaching will be evaluated (D license) as either pass or fail.  Those who fail the on field practical coaching & teaching must attend another D license and pass their field testing to obtain their license.
• Participants must attend all the scheduled classroom and field sessions and obtain passing grades in the written test and the practical testing for those courses requiring testing.

Non-English speaking candidates will be permitted to use an interpreter with written notification to the Director of Coaching.

• A proven curriculum, which improves a coach’s knowledge of the game. 
• Valuable information on current coaching trends and international developments in the game.
• Certification Process
• All state licenses are non-expiring.
• “D” courses consist of 36 hours of instruction usually held over 2 weekends including Friday nights consisting of oral, written, and practical examinations.
• “E” courses consist of 18 hours of instruction usually held over weekend including Friday night consisting of written examinations.  There are no field examinations with the “E”.
• “F” courses consist of 9 hours of instruction usually held on one day; there are no field examinations with the “F”.
• “YM” courses consist of 6 hours of instruction usually held on one day; there are no field examinations with the “YM”.  The instruction for the course is age-specific and is devoted to the physical, psychological and social characteristics displayed by children of specific age, i.e. Under-6, Under-8, and Under-10.

• Youth Module “YM”
  Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.
• “D” License
  Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and have earned an “E” License certification held for a minimum of 6 months (attach a copy to application). “E” License certification may be waived (See waiver policy).
• “E” License
  Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and “F” License held for a minimum of 6 months (attach a copy to application).  “F” License certification may be waived (See waiver policy).
• “F” License
  Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

• Candidates taking the “D” License undergo a challenging series of written, oral and practical examinations on a variety of subjects.  If an applicant misses any of the course sessions, he/she must return to a future school to participate in that session or lecture, even if the candidate has passed all of the testing areas.  License will be withheld until this requirement is fulfilled.
• Each candidate will receive his or her results from the OSYSA State Office within 4 weeks following the conclusion of the course.  Successful candidates will receive a license certificate at that time.
• Documentation for Waivers
• Many leagues and associations throughout the state have begun to develop standards and requirements for coaching at different levels.  The following is an explanation of the waiver policy and how to obtain consideration for a waiver: 
• What is a waiver?

Depending upon the level of practical experience of playing and coaching it is possible to enroll in the state coaching education program (licenses) beyond the entry level. A waiver determines at what point in the coaching education programs that an individual may begin.  Obtaining a waiver does not grant an individual a license; it merely determines where the individual coach will begin in the coaching education programs. 
• What is evaluated in obtaining a waiver?

• Prior formal playing experience includes: playing at the club as a youth player, State ODP, Regional ODP or U.S. National Team, Varsity Collegiate participation, USISL, A-League or Major League Soccer (MLS).  Individuals who have played professionally in other countries or have been selected for and played for another national team will also be granted the same consideration. Copies of professional contractual agreements, photographs, or letters from national federations will be required to substantiate and prove claims.
• Prior coaching experience
• The age group of players that the coach is working with
• If an individual has earned a coaching certificate or license from a foreign national association, (for example, Scottish FA, Dutch FA, etc.) it may be equivocated in order to determine where a coach will enter the coaching programs.  Equivocating a foreign certificate/license does not award a state or national license.  It is recommended that coaches who have received certificates from foreign associations attend a state or national coaching course in the U.S. within one year. 
• Waivers should be written requests and submitted to the State Director of Coaching.

Brett Thompson, OSYSA Director of Coaching
25 Whitney Drive, Suite #104
Milford, OH  45150

The Youth Module “YM” courses consist of 6 hours of instruction usually held on one day; there are no field examinations with the “YM”.  The instruction for the course is age-specific and is devoted to the physical, psychological and social characteristics displayed by children of specific age, i.e. Under-6, Under-8, and Under-10.

The mission of the State YM courses is to provide the most current and advanced information on growth and development of the youth soccer player.  The youth soccer player is defined as any child from pre-school through adolescence. The course takes the approach that the GAME WITHIN EACH CHILD is at the center of all belief, decisions and actions taken by the child, coach and organization.  It is the ultimate goal of youth soccer development within the United States to unlock the game within children to reach their full soccer potential.

License: YM Under 6-8 players (6 hours)
Cost: $20 ($30 for non-affiliated coaches) per participant
Prerequisites: 16 years of age
Materials supplied: OSYSA YM workbook, USYS coaching primer, U6 - U8 Activities book
Candidate supply: Soccer ball, dress for physical activity, writing material / notebook
Topics covered:
Introduction to coaching Under 6 and Under 8 players
Philosophy of coaching Under 6 and Under 8 players
Characteristics of Under 6 and Under 8 players
Appropriate activities for Under 6 and Under 8 players
Team administration and risk management
Prevention and care of soccer injuries
Organizing a training session for Under 6 and Under 8 players
Laws of the Game: modified for Under 6 and Under 8 players

License: YM Under 8-10 players (6 hours)
Cost: $20 ($30 for non-affiliated coaches) per participant
Prerequisites: 16 years of age
Materials supplied: OSYSA YM workbook, USYS coaching primer, U8 - U10 Activities book
Candidate supply: Soccer ball, dress for physical activity, writing material / notebook
Topics covered:
Introduction to coaching Under 8 and Under 10 players
Philosophy of coaching Under 8 and Under 10 players
Characteristics of Under 8 and Under 10 players
Appropriate activities for Under 8 and Under 10 players
Team administration and risk management
Prevention and care of soccer injuries
Organizing a training session for Under 8 and Under 10 players
Laws of the Game: modified for Under 8 and Under 10 players


F License (9 hours) Coaching the Under 12 player:

The “F” course consist of 9 hours of instruction usually held on one day; there are no field examinations with the “F”.  The “F” License is an entry level course designed to prepare coaches for training players U12 and lower by expanding the players technical abilities, to provide the framework and understanding of practical coaching tools for the preparation of players and team, and to prepare coaches to enter and successfully complete the State ‘E’ Course.  This course combines classroom/theory and practical/field sessions.

License: "F" Certification Under 12 players (9 hours)
Cost: $50 per participant ($25 for OSYSA affiliated coaches)
Prerequisites: 16 years of age
Materials supplied:
OSYSA Coaching the U12 Player workbook
Coaching 9, 10 and 11 year olds (Author Tony Waiters)
USYS Assistant Coach Series U10
Ohio South coaching cards
Candidate supply: Soccer ball, dress for physical activity, writing material / notebook
Topics covered:
Methods of coaching
Developing a Teaching Philosophy
Running an Effective Training Session
The Elements of Teaching Soccer
Designing a Training Session
Team Management Lecture
The Role of the Coach
Safety and Ethical Aspects
Care and Prevention
Laws of the Game
Coach / Parent Meetings
Technical Skills
Possession and Warm-up Games
Dribbling
Passing
Receiving
Shooting
Heading


“E” License (18 hours) Coaching the Under 13 player:

The “E” courses consist of 18 hours of instruction usually held over weekend including Friday night consisting of written examinations.  There are no field examinations with the “E”.  The “E” License is to prepare coaches for training players aged between 10 and 13 and above by expanding the players’ knowledge, understanding of the technical, tactical demands of the game and the developmental process necessary for players of this age.  It is designed to provide a proper framework and understanding of practical coaching tools for the preparation of players and the team, to prepare coaches to enter and successfully complete the National ’D’ Course and for those who this is their final course the framework by which they can continue to teach the game.  Take home test in Methods of Coaching, Care and prevention and Team Management.

License: "E" License Coaching the U-13 player (18 hours)
Cost: $100 per participant ($75 for OSYSA affiliated coaches)
Prerequisites: 16 years of age, F license held for 6 months
Materials supplied: OSYSA E license work book, Coaching the team (Author Tony Waiters)
Candidate supply: Soccer ball, dress for physical activity, writing material / notebook
Topics covered:
Methods of Coaching
Team Management
Tactics
Principles of Play
Care and Prevention
Laws of the Game
Field Sessions
Dribbling
Passing
Receiving
Shooting
Heading
Goalkeeping
Attacking Principles
Defending Principles
Small-sided games
Economical training


“D” License (36 hours) Coaching the U-15 player and above:

“D” courses consist of 36 hours of instruction usually held over 2 weekends including Friday nights consisting of oral, written and practical field examinations lasting for a total of 36 hours of instruction.  This course is designed for the experienced coach who has already received an E license and held it for a minimum of 6 months. There is no requirement of proficient playing experience.  The focus of this course is to improve the individuals or team’s ability; individual, group and team tactics are used to teach the roles of 1st, 2nd and 3rd attacker or defender.  Small-sided games are used to develop an understanding of team shape and positional play as well as how to play in the different thirds of the field.  Participants must successfully complete both written and practical coaching examinations to receive the State ‘D’ License.  Upon passing the National “D” license, coaches may apply to the U.S. National coaching program to participate in the “C” license.  It is highly recommended coaches who coach players in the select level that you obtain your C license and above.
Testing will include:  Practical field test, Coaching methods, Team tactics, Laws of the Game and Team management. 

License: "D" License Coaching the Under 15 player (36 hours)
Cost: $150 per participant ($125 for OSYSA affiliated coaches)
Prerequisites: 18 years of age, E license held for 6 months
Materials supplied:
OSYSA D license work book
The Manual of Soccer Coaching 
Coaching Soccer Successfully
Candidate supply: Soccer ball, dress for physical activity, writing material / notebook
Topics covered:
Methods of Coaching
Game analysis
Team Management
Tactics
Principles of Play
Care and Prevention
Laws of the Game
Field Sessions
Dribbling
Passing
Receiving
Shooting
Heading
Goalkeeping
Fitness with the ball
Attacking Principles, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Attacker roles
Defending Principles, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Defender roles
Team Shape, Attacking & Defending
Technical-Functional Training
Small-sided games
Economical training

All fees should be sent to the course coordinator at least ten days before the scheduled event. Decisions whether to hold the course will be determined by the number registered at that time.