DC Stoddert’s USSF D Course Attracts 30 Coaches
Nigerian Coaches Add to Numbers
Course Background
The USSF D License Course, composed of 36 hours of instruction over two weekends, attracted 30 area coaches to the Jelleff Club site over the weekends of August 21-23 and 28-30. The coaches represented 12 countries, from South/Central America (Columbia, Peru, Panama, Guatemala, Haiti), from Europe (Romania, Italy, England, Bulgaria), from Africa (Somalia, Mali), and for the first time, from the Near East (Pakistan). Len Oliver has now trained 4,200 coaches at the Jelleff site, coaches who came from 81 countries. That’s Washington, DC!
Coaches from All Over the World
VYSA, through sponsoring club DC Stoddert, offered the polyglot coaches’ group, supplemented by 12 US State Department-sponsored Nigerian coaches the first weekend, the opportunity to obtain the State’s highest license. Among the Nigerians were six women coaches, all from low-income areas in Nigeria interested in using sports, especially the nationally-popular soccer (“football”) as the springboard for change.
The coaches were put through the first weekend with instruction from Len Oliver and Kate Samsot on methods of coaching, the “four pillars of modern soccer” (technical, tactical, psychological, and fitness), teaching from the game, using videos to illustrate game tactics, teaching technical topics within the game, attacking and defending in small groups defending in small groups, goalkeeping, tactical use of the Laws, and practice coaching. Paul Shaw, VYSA’s Director of Coaching Education, participated in the coaching practice, adding many useful insights for the coaches. Coaches were also offered take-home exams on the Laws and Care and Prevention of Injuries.
As a course highlight for the Nigerians, DC United invited the coaches to view the August 22 match between D.C. United and the Los Angeles Galaxy featuring Landon Donovan and David Beckham.
Several of the Nigerian coaches wrote blogs about their experience, available by E-mailing Len Oliver, claiming that the USSF D Course was one of the highlights of their soccer careers. The US coaches readily accepted the Nigerians, showing the worldwide, cross-cultural nature of our sport.
Most gratifying to Len were the 10 coaches from DC taking this high-level course, including coaches from DC Stoddert, DC SCORES, and City FC, both the latter affiliated with DC Stoddert.
The Second Weekend: Finishing the Course
Joined by Chip Rohr of the VYSA State Staff for the second weekend, Len led the candidates through a challenging field session on the “Tactical Use of Restarts,” followed by “Match Analysis” where the coaches watch a game video and critique the play as coaches, making the appropriate corrections.
After morning sessions on Saturday on transition play and team tactics, Chip and Len conducted all-day coaching practice sessions, with each coach participating in coaching their peers in a 20-minute practice session. Oral exams on methods and tactics followed.
Sunday brought out some 50 players, needed for the final coaching practicals. The judged practicals are critical to evaluating each coach’s ability to teach youngsters from the game, the make-or-break aspect of the D Course.
Final Grades
Coaches are informed approximately four weeks after the course ends on their final grades, receiving a “National Pass”—eligible in one year to move on to the USSF C, a “State Pass”—requiring a retake of the field exam, or a “Not Ready”—requiring a course re-take. The USSF schools are recognized around the world for their approach to coaching soccer. With this D course, Len has now trained 4,151 coaches form 81 countries, adding Somali and Romania to the impressive list.
Brett Loehmann, US Army Captain and soccer coach, had this to say about the course:
“I am loving this course and no matter the outcome, I am a better person and coach after this course. This is the way to the core of soccer -- through your school. I am having a ball. You still are very hyper….”
Papa Dia, native of Mali and area coach, offered some comments:
“How are you Len. It has been great pleasure and learning experience to take my "F," "E" and "D" course under you and your staff. I learned so much and will share them with all the players and coaches I work with.”
Roy Kelly, City FC attended the D course with several other City FC coaches:
“Thanks again for great couple of weekends, I learned A LOT!”
posted 9.9.09 by MCL
