SC Coaching

[ShelfSide18]

I was wondering if anyone here on SC is a Fa (or similar) qualified coach, or just does any youth coaching in their spare time?

I did the Fa Level 1 course when I was 18 and got my badge and whilst Uni and such things prevented me from going into coaching I'm considering getting back into it now, and want to go on to level 2 and maybe even beyond that.

Just thought that some of you may have some experiences of coaching football and could discuss it here, could be an interesting discussion and as I said I'd like to get into it myself and make use of the qualification rather than it just being 'something that looks good on the CV'.

Anyone?

 

[wizgell]

I'm an FA Level 1 (although still haven't received my certificate- thanks for reminding me to send an email). I'm also at Uni studying Sports Coaching and Development, I want to go as far up the ladder as possible and maybe coach in the States at some point. Would also love to go to Holland and study how they do it.

 

[ShelfSide18]

I'm an FA Level 1 (although still haven't received my certificate- thanks for reminding me to send an email). I'm also at Uni studying Sports Coaching and Development, I want to go as far up the ladder as possible and maybe coach in the States at some point. Would also love to go to Holland and study how they do it.

How did you find the level 1 course?

 

[wizgell]

Far too easy! It certainly needs to be changed. In spain grass roots football is still coached by highly qualified coaches, over here Level 1 has a 98% pass rate and you can only fail if they deem you unsuitable to coach children.

 

[ShelfSide18]

Far too easy! It certainly needs to be changed. In spain grass roots football is still coached by highly qualified coaches, over here Level 1 has a 98% pass rate and you can only fail if they deem you unsuitable to coach children.

True it was very easy, although I wouldn't know about how the game is coached in other countries other than from deducing that the generally superior technical level of foreign players means they are coached better from an early age.

I do want to get on the level 2 course though, despite my general opposition to the way we coach our youngsters from an early age, where technical skills are often shunned in favour of being able to be fast, strong and win at all costs - although I saw enough green shoots during the course to think that slowly we are changing our attitude towards youth coaching, but there is a long way to go.

 

[wizgell]

Yeah I totally agree with what you say about the style of coaching here. I've always tended to do technique based work as the main focus, and have always managed to produce decent young players, one of whom is currently banging in the goals for the Southend Academy.

I only know about the Spanish set up because it was in a Uni lecture a few weeks ago.

 

[ShelfSide18]

Good to hear, I remember my coaches when I was playing youth football would simply tell us to knock it over the top where we had the fastest kid on planet earth who used to bang them in like Pele, and made my assist count better than Leo Messi.

I think In Holland they play 7 a side football until they are 14 which in turn means they touch the ball so much more than our kids and hence are technically superior. At a young age I think it should be all about learning to be comfortable on the ball, and not to pigeonhole them into set positions. Unfortunately it seems English kids can master the offside trap before they master the football. Hopefully that is slowly changing.

 

[punky]

Can I ask what is included in the level 1 and 2 courses? I'd guess they would include nutrition, muscle biology and laws of the game? Do they teach tactics and stuff?

 

[Joycer]

I'm a FA level 2 coach, spend the last 2 summers / winters coaching in america. Hawaii being a highlight :beer:

 

[ShelfSide18]

Can I ask what is included in the level 1 and 2 courses? I'd guess they would include nutrition, muscle biology and laws of the game? Do they teach tactics and stuff?

Drawing from my sketchy memory, it was very basic stuff. There were a few evenings of first aid and the laws of the game for which there was an exam (which I missed because of Bolton away but still got the badge).

Then there was the practical stuff where you had to take a very short session with the other 'students', mine was called traffic lights I think, just very basic football/fitness based games designed for young kids up to about 10 I think.

Perhaps Wigzell will remember more, or correct me, but he's right when he says you can't fail it. No idea about level 2, which is what I want to know!

 

[ShelfSide18]

I'm a FA level 2 coach, spend the last 2 summers / winters coaching in america. Hawaii being a highlight :beer:

How did you get into that mate? Is it voluntary? Worth it?

And how was level 2?

Loads of questions.

 

[Joycer]

Can I ask what is included in the level 1 and 2 courses? I'd guess they would include nutrition, muscle biology and laws of the game? Do they teach tactics and stuff?

Level 2 is spread over 6 months, a week long course then a few weekends.

After the week you have to go away and spend like 12 hours coaching with different aged teams (planning different sessions)

After you've completed the 12 hours you get a 35 minute assessment, in which you have to coach in a 4 vs 4 game as well.

The pass rate is like 80%, think 8 people out of my group of 22 failed.

 

[Joycer]

How did you get into that mate? Is it voluntary? Worth it?

And how was level 2?

Loads of questions.

Level 2 is very interesting, obv go more into details about plays ect.

I go with a company you have to pay for your visa and flights and then you get paid when your out there.

Any questions feel free to ask :grin:

 

[Adam]

Level 2 is very interesting, obv go more into details about plays ect.

I go with a company you have to pay for your visa and flights and then you get paid when your out there.

Any questions feel free to ask :grin:

Is that Challenger Sports you were with? I was there two and three summers ago-best summers of my life.

Got my Level 1 when I was 18-coached my Uni 3rd team for a couple of years and do a bit of youth work now that I've finished at Nottingham-really love the coaching but I can imagine its a very tough job to make a good career/living out of

 

[Joycer]

No I go with UKISC but know some people who have been with challenger.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I'm looking to do level 1 or 2 early next year. It's ridiculous the amount of uefa qualified coaches there are in Spain/Germany maybe even Holland compared to UK. The way football is played at youth Sunday level and even adult Sunday level really annoys me. With the youths I see kids u9 and u10 playing on a full size pitch! What's the point? Parents on the sides shouting and swearing, very counter-productive.

I'm just looking to take it up on the side really and see how far I can go, got a full-time job/wife/kids/mortgage so won't be quitting my job to take it up any time soon but it it's just something i'd like to do.

I've also heard the level 1 is very basic though and you can go straight onto level 2 if you want. Not sure what's the best route though? I also want to do the futsal coaching course, mainly because I love playing it and you get to play futsal for about 4 of the 6 hours of the course. I also think that if kids played futsal more often from a young age over here it would greatly improve technique. Facilities are a problem though.