Association Football Qualifications

1st 4 Sport Level 1 in Coaching Football

If you have little experience or knowledge of coaching, the ideal introduction is the First 4 sport level 1 in coaching football. The course is open entry and you do not need any experience to take part, just an interest in coaching and the motivation to improve your skills and understanding.

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

Assessment

Candidates must deliver a 20-minute session against a given topic demonstrating the following:

• Safe practice
• Organisation
• Enjoyment and fun
• With progression

The assessment will be followed by an oral interview.

Level 2

NVQ in Coaching, Teaching & Instruction – Association Football

1st 4 Sport Level 2 in coaching Football

If you are a coach with a few seasons' coaching experience, you may wish to start your training at level 2. This is still an open entry course, although the FA do recommend that you have relevant coaching experience if you do not have the Level 1 qualification. The course comprises a theory and practical element.

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

• Laws of the game examination
• Review of the study tasks
• Review of log-book
• Oral interview
• Practical coaching assessment - adults and children

FRAMEWORK AWARENESS

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