National "D" License

Offered through the State office only

The National "D" license is a 36 to 40-hour course designed for the experienced coach who has already earned a National "E" license. The focus of this course is to improve a coach’s ability to positively influence individual players and teams.

What are the key components of the "D" License course?

• Develop the core coaching competencies necessary to effectively teach the 13-14 year old athlete and team.
• Understand the characteristics and needs of an athlete in the Intermediate Stage of U.S. Soccer's Athlete Development Model.
• Build on the foundation of knowledge and experience in order to proceed through the sequence of coaching development courses.
  

What are the specific target outcomes of the "D" License course?

• Teach the Principles of Play in a training environment. (7v7 to 9v9).
• Apply the Principles of Play to functional group roles in a full team system.
• Plan a sequence of training and weekly cycles to complete a season plan.
  

There are two parts to the "D" License course - Instructional and Performance. Candidates must complete both parts.

INSTRUCTIONAL:

I. Preparation Phase

• Candidates are required to complete five (5) assigned training sessions (see session topics below).
  

II. Instructional Phase (14 to 18 hrs.)

• Candidates meet face-to-face with instructors at a course.

PERFORMANCE:

III. Deliberate Practice Phase

• Candidates are required to complete five (5) assigned training sessions over a minimum of 10 weeks. It is expected that the sessions be evenly distributed through the 10 week period.
• Candidates will be assigned the training sessions during the Instructional phase.
  

IV. Performance Review Phase (14 to 18 hrs.)

• Final on-field exam.
• Candidates have one full year following the completion of the deliberate practice phase to attend any performance review phase to complete the “D” course.
  

You must complete the following reading PRIOR to the course:

National "D" License Course Manual
Manual de la Licencia "D" Nacional
National "D" License Guidelines for Evaluating Soccer
National "D" License 4v4 to 11v11 Progression
Best Practices Booklet
"D" Course Goalkeeping Component
"D" Course Methods I - Athlete Development
"D" Course Methods II - Planning
"D" License Self Evaluation
"D" License Blank Lesson Plan
U.S. Soccer - Changes Made to "D" License

Instructional Phase Price: $300.00
Instructional Phase Length: 18 hours

Typical Course Schedule

First Weekend - Instructional Phase
Friday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

*The candidate must wait a minimum of 10 weeks between the first and second weekends.

Second Weekend - Performance Phase
Friday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

*Course schedules will vary due to specific facility availability – Each specific course schedule will be emailed to each candidate prior to the course.