- Give guidance on nutrition, and injury recognition and prevention, when working with competitive teams
A professional football coach must have a vast knowledge of the correct diet and muscle exercises to maximise their potential ability and prevent them damaging themselves during training and matches.
- Plan activities, sessions and programmes, and research current good practice and innovative examples
A professional football coach must be completely up to date on all the latest training technologies and training techniques. He/she must be creative, organised and imaginative to come up with there own game realistic microcycles, mesocycles and macrocycles.
- Advise players on how to maintain a positive mental attitude and self-discipline.
A professional football coach must have a good knowledge on the psychological aspect of the game, and the anxiety and arousal of the players both on and off the field.
Levels of Progression
I will now explain the necessary steps you would need to take to make it as a professional football coach.
FA Level 1 in Football Coaching:-
Theory
- Emergency first aid
- Children ensuring safety in football
Practical
- Understanding defence
- Goalkeeping
- Heading
- Mini soccer
- Understanding attack
- Turning
- Pass and control
- Shooting
- Combination plan - 2 v 1 and 2 v 2
FA Level 2 in Football Coaching:-
Theory
- The learning and coaching process (part 1 - including communication and coaching skills)
- Planning, preparing and evaluating coaching sessions
- Football fitness (part one)
- Football food (part one)
- Emergency aid
- Health and safety
- Overuse injuries
- Growing up - youngsters in football
- Laws of the game
- Attitudes and ethics
Practical
- Basic techniques: Passing, ball control, running with the ball, turning, dribbling, shooting, heading, goalkeeping
- Attacking and defending (1v1; 2v2)
- Principles of attack and defence - small-sided games (3 v 3, 4 v 4, 5 v 5, 6 v 6)
- Warm-up/cool down
- Group work and discussion
Observed coaching practice
- Three sessions techniques, skills and principles of play in attacking or defending
- Group review of coaching
Feedback
Candidates are required to keep a log-book, recording the development of their individual action plan and details of planning, preparing and evaluating 10 training sessions.
Candidates should also undertake a minimum of 16 hours' coaching using recognised techniques and principles, and provide evidence of coaching both adults and children.
Final training and assessment
Candidates can choose to be assessed on a national or local course, by the following:
- Laws of the game examination
- Review of the study tasks
- Review of log-book
- Oral interview
- Practical coaching assessment - adults and children
FA Level 3 in Football Coaching (UEFA B Licence):-
Theory
- The learning and coaching process (part two)
- Match and player analysis
- Team organisation: Strategies and tactics
- Psychological factors
- Football fitness (part two)
- Injury identification
- Aspects of first aid
- Drug awareness and education
- Youngsters in football - child
- Development (part two - including working with teenagers)
- Preparing, planning and evaluating coaching sessions in conjunction with competitive match programmes
- Attitudes and ethics
Practical
- Development of possession
- Movement to create space
- Counter-attacking play
- Play in the attacking third
- Regaining possession
- Defending in the thirds of the field
- Goalkeeping
Assessment
Candidates can choose to be assessed on a national or local course, by the following:
- Written Examination - Multiple Choice in: football fitness, injury identification and recognition, aspects of first aid and nutrition
- Oral Interview regarding Recorded Coaching
- Practical Coaching Sessions
UEFA Pro/A Licence in Football Coaching
Candidates are required to:-
Obtain a FA Level 3 in Football Coaching/UEFA B licence certificate
Hold The F.A. Emergency Aid Certificate or equivalent/recognised First Aid Certificate
Prior to certification, candidates are required to present evidence of attendance on:
The F.A. Workshop -
Knowledge and Skills Required:-
The following practical aspects must be learned:-
• Goalkeeping
• Attacking at Set Plays
• Defending at Set Plays
• Build up Play
• Direct Play
• Switching Play
• Counter-attacking
• Attacking Centrally
• Attacking Down the Flanks
• Attacking from the Different Thirds of the field
• Team Defending Strategies
• Pressurising as a Team
• Defending with a front sweeper
• Defending with a Back Sweeper
• Systems of Play
Varied coaching styles and methods will be utilised through the use of Functional Practices, Phases of Play, Small-Sided Games and 11 v 11 activities.
The following theoretical aspects must be learned:-
• Preparing for the Management Role
• Self Management
• Managing Coaches
• Team Preparation and Organisation
• Laws of the Game/Implications for Coaches
How is the award assessed:-
Candidates will be assessed via knowledge tests, projects, assignments of their practical coaching during the course. A final external assessment at which the candidate must demonstrate their coaching ability, through the coaching of at least two sessions from the technical syllabus at this level.
What is the duration of the qualification?
This qualification may be delivered and assessed on a part time or full time. It can take between 60 to 120 hours to complete.
Opportunities
Football in the Community:-
There are many football in the community opportunities for young coaches that can bring experience in coaching for them to move on to bigger and better job opportunities. Football in the community is a set up mostly ran by professional clubs so there may be advancement opportunities. For example if you are a long serving coach in the set up with good qualifications you could be offered coaching position within the club, either as an apprentice or a care-taker coach.
Semi-Professional Club:-
If you are an aspiring coach with a FA level 2 badge you could apply for a job at a semi-professional football club. This is a good idea because it is excellent experience in all aspects of coaching, just on a part-time basis.
Youth Football
A good opportunity if you are aspiring to become a professional football coach a great place to start is youth football, and it is available in any localised community. An U16s side or an U18s side are perfect for aspiring coach to develop his skills and experience. Once you are experienced enough to move on to the next level you may be offered to take control of the senior side at the particular club you are at.
Coaching in America (National Opportunity)
Many aspiring coaches apply to coach in America; it is a great opportunity to develop your skills and experience in coaching. It is widely available to any coach with a FA level 1 qualification and higher. It is only available for over 18s. You can apply with a number of different companies on a number of different websites.