SAYSO awards 5 coaching certifications. Coaches generally attend one day of training for each. Each course consists of a number of hours of classroom training plus accompanying on-field instruction, demonstrations, and role-playing. All SAYSO certifications are based on SAYSO's pre-established curriculum.

Copper Coaching Certification: Concepts and philosophies of being a SAYSO coach; team administration; psychology of coaching; practice and game administration; communications with SAYSO and parents; behavioral expectations; using SAYSO's support services.

Bronze Coaching Certification: Training players in individuals skills and footwork; specific goals by player age; age-appropriate methods of instruction.
 
Silver Coaching Certification: Training players in individual strategies; specific goals by player age; age-appropriate methods of instruction.

Gold Coaching Certification: Training teams in team strategies and combination plays; communication of the field; specific goals by player age; age-appropriate methods of instruction.

Platinum Coaching Certification: Training teams in set plays; specific goals by player age; age-appropriate methods of instruction.
 

National licenses are awarded by the USSF National School. All new candidates must have a national "D" license and must show proof of it when applying for the "C" national course. Coaches must hold the national "D" license 1 year before they can attend the national "C" course. More information is available from US Soccer National Coaching Program, 1811 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616 (312) 808-1300.

"A" (USSF) License. Training period: 9 Day Residential Course. Needed for: Professional (MLS, A-League, WUSA), College coaches, US National Team coaches, US National staff, ODP Head Regional coaches, USYS State Director of Coaching, ODP State Team head coaches.; educational and private organizations may establish this license as their minimum requirement.

"B" (USSF) License. Training period: 9 Day Residential Course. Needed for: Educational and private organizations may establish this license as their minimum requirement.

"C" (USSF) License. Training period: 9 Day Residential Course. Needed for: CYSA-N ODP head coaches; educational and private organizations may establish this license as their minimum requirement.

(USSF "Youth" License. Training period: 5 Day Residential Course. Note - This course is not in the "F"-to-"A" sequence.

State licenses are received by attending courses in the CYSA-N licensing program. The State and National D licenses course is offered through the CYSA-N state office. All lower courses are offered through CYSA-N districts. For a complete listing of courses offered throughout CYSA-N, click here.

D (National) License.  Requirements: State "D" license plus on-field evaluation. Needed for: Taking the National "C" license course.

D (State) License.   Training period: 4-5 Day Residential Course Needed for: CYSA coaching staff and Olympic Development Program. Minimum requirement for U16 class-1 head coaches in CYSA-N District 2.

E/D License, also known as the "District D License". Training period:  6 hours classroom; 26 hours field (typically held over two consecutive weekends): Needed for: Minimum requirement for class-1 (up through U15) and all class-3 head coaches in CYSA-N District 2 .

E License. Training period:  6 hours classroom; 12 hours field. Needed for: Progression to E/D license.

F License.  Training period:  3 hours classroom; 6 hours field. Needed for: Minimum requirement for class-1 and class-3 assistant coaches in CYSA-N District 2.

Pre-F License. Training period: 2 hours classroom; 1 hour field

G License. Training period: 3 hours classroom; 6 hours field. Note - This course is not in the "F"-to-"A" sequence.

For more information on other licenses (not specifically used by SAYSO), click here.