Overview:

Soccer for Life is an NCCP-approved Canada Soccer Grassroots Coach Education Workshop. The emphasis of this course is on technical and tactical development within the 11-a-side game environment.

Ontario Soccer is pleased to announce that the Grassroots Coach Education workshops are now available online.

To ensure that the Grassroots Coach Education workshops are more accessible and to allow greater flexibility on when these courses can be delivered, the coaches will be able to work at their own pace to complete the course material.

In addition to the online theory component of the course, there will also be a in-person, on-field practical session to conclude the workshop, which each Club or Academy will host. The duration of this session will be 6 hours.  

What do you learn?

• How to plan and deliver effective, enjoyable, age-appropriate practices and how to provide feedback to your players. This is a key time to train technical and tactical skills and understand your role in developing these skills. 
• How to be able to better understand the role of the coach, and the developmental stage of the players you are coaching.
• How to provide a safe practice/game environment for your players.

Who is this course for?

Soccer For Life is designed for those coaches who are interested in coaching players who are U13 and older.

What requirements do I need to complete to become "Soccer for Life Trained"?

Coaches must complete:

• Soccer for Life Theory & Practical Components
• NCCP Make Ethical Decision (MED) Workshop + Online Evaluation
• Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders (Soccer)
• NCCP Making Head Way in Sport (Soccer)
• NCCP Emergency Action Plan
• NCCP Understanding the Rule of Two

How to register?

Online Theory Component

To access the online theory component of the course, coaches can:

• purchase a key from the Canada Soccer Coach Education Store, or
• contact their Club / Academy / Organization to acquire a key

Once the key has been acquired, it can be redeemed at the Canada Soccer Academy webpage. Coaches will then have to complete the Coaching Soccer in Canada module, prior to being able to access the Soccer for Life-specific online content.

On-field Practical Component

To register for the in-person, on-field component of the course, coaches can:

• search and register on Coach Centre

Coaches must have completed the online theory component of the course in order to have their registration approved for the in-person, on-field component of the course.

What is the cost?

• The cost of the key is $30.
• The cost of the on-field practical session is set by the session host.

Quick Resource:

Ontario Soccer has created a series of brochures in the form of mini-pamphlets that walk coaches through four of the key physical literacy stages of Long-Term Player Development (LTPD). Each of these resources provide very basic but helpful information through Active Start, FUNdamentals, Learn to Train and Soccer for Life for volunteer coaches. Please click here for these resources.