If you have a passion for football and feel as though you have something to offer the game, you have probably already looked into coaching.

The question that a lot of people ask is, where do they start?

Over the last ten years in England, the coaching pathway has evolved tremendously with the major focus put on the development of junior and youth football. All FA Chartered Standard clubs must be seen to following set out guidelines in terms of coaching standards and facilities, ensuring a safe environment where players can develop within The FA’s England DNA, which focuses on tactical, technical, physical and mental attributes.

Coaching Badges

When players look towards getting into coaching, you will often hear them speaking about doing their badges. In order to be recognised as a coach in England, you must as a minimum hold at least a Level One certificate.

While anyone can sign up for a course, it is recommended that you begin by volunteering at a local club in the area – very rarely will they turn you away as non-league clubs are reliant on volunteers. The chance to shadow another coach with a group of players is one that you should never turn down, as you will learn far more on the training pitch as you will inside of a classroom.

As another plus, most clubs will help to pay for your coaching courses, meaning that you will not have to pay full price. The most basic of requirement needed is The FA Level One in Coaching Football, accompanied with a Safeguarding and First Aid qualification. With the two subsidiary qualifications, your Level One qualification will not be recognised and you cannot join The FA Licensed Coaches Club.

Equipment

As well as a group of players and badges, you will also need equipment. Without the basic such as footballs and cones, no session can take place. Most clubs will help towards the purchasing of equipment for coaches, and will understandably ask for some level of commitment (the same can be said when funding coaching courses) in order to do so.

The basic equipment that any coach should have includes, but is not limited to:

· Balls

· Cones

· Manager’s Bag

· Bibs

· First Aid Kit

Other equipment such as goals and nets are supplied by clubs, so coaches do not have to worry about supplying such equipment. If you visit this website, you will find some of the equipment that clubs and coaches use.

Coaching Seminars

As well as organising various courses, local FA’s also frequently hold coaching seminars which coaches of local clubs are encouraged to attend. At these events, new ideas are presented to the group and discussed, as well as touching on other non-football related issues such as safeguarding and first aid.

At these events, you may only take away one or two points that you feel are relevant, but even just the small things can help to make you a better coach, helping you to deliver better sessions for your players. The worst thing that you can do as a new coach is not to listen to your peers, believing that because you have your initial qualification you don’t need to go any further – these are often referred to as ‘Level One Mourinho’s’ within the game.

Be Keen and Approachable

In order to get into coaching, you need to show that you are serious. A football club needs to know that they can rely on you not to disappear off the face of the planet, leaving a group of players without a coach.

Also, as a coach you must be approachable. Players and parents should feel that they can come to you with any issues. Communication is important both on and off the training pitch, and without this you simply won’t last very long.

There are an estimated 400,000 volunteers helping to keep more than 37,000 clubs in England in existence, and there are many ways to get involved. As a coach, you are dedicating your time to helping your local club, developing the players of tomorrow and bettering yourself.

Posted on October 31st, 2017 by scott
Filed under: Article