To kick off your soccer coaching career, the first important step is to complete the FA Level 1 Course.
It’s the initial course in the Football Association’s coaching pathway, tailored to meet the demands of the contemporary game. While various factors may motivate you to pursue coaching, beginning with the FA Level 1 Course is a prerequisite.
What Is FA Level 1 Course?
The FA Level 1 Course is the first step in soccer coaching and teaches the basics of delivering coaching sessions, including practical development-focused drills suitable for coaching young players.
Comprised of eight workshops, the course requires 33 contact hours with FA tutors and additional written tasks.
Resources are also available to support students during and after the course.
To obtain an FA Level 1 coaching certificate, you must be at least 16 years old and hold an FA Emergency Aid Certificate. The FA Safeguarding Children Workshop is included in the course.
To qualify, you’ll need to complete log book tasks and deliver a 20-minute practical coaching session. Resources available with the course include:
- Intro to coaching booklet
- Intro to player development booklet
- Grassroots, club & manager booklet
- Intro to Coaching DVD
- Coaching players DVD
- Learner resources CD-Rom
- Interactive CD for coaches & referees
- Learner pack
What Are The FA Level 1 Course Objectives?
The FA Level 1 Coaching Course offers an introductory insight into football coaching and development, equipping coaches to work at a grassroots level.
The course covers both practical and theoretical aspects of coaching and provides a foundation for further coaching knowledge.
Key points include:
- Coaching, playing, and supporting development
- The FA 4 Corner Player Development Model: Focused on players’ long-term development
- The FA Plan, Do, Review Model: Guiding the creation of training sessions
- Practical coaching ideas: Establishing fundamentals of a fun, safe, and engaging session
- Practical coaching opportunities
Specifically, the course covers:
- Player and coach development
- The FA’s Respect Programme
- Laws of the Game
- An Introduction to The FA’s Long-Term Player Development Model
- An Introduction to Football for All
- FA Emergency Aid (separate workshop)
- FA Safeguarding Children in Football (separate workshop)
The course aims to provide coaches with the skills and knowledge to deliver effective coaching sessions and create a positive experience for players.
How Much Does the FA Level 1 Coaching Course Cost?
The cost of the FA Level 1 Course varies based on location and venue fees. However, it normally ranges from £150 to £235.
The course includes all resources, live webinars, and tutor support, as well as safeguarding and first aid qualifications valid for two years.
Also, participants get access to an exclusive social community group for peer interaction during and after the course, along with extra resources and session plans for 11 months after the course.
Some county FAs offer funding to reduce the cost of the course.
Why Study FA Level 1 Coaching Course?
The Course offers a comprehensive introduction to soccer coaching, covering both practical and theoretical aspects.
With this qualification, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to create safe, fun, and engaging coaching sessions for future players. You will learn how to plan, deliver, and review individual coaching sessions, and develop a series of linked practices to support player development.
How Many FA Coaching Badges Are There?
There are 5 levels in the football coaching pathway, including the core coaching courses and youth coaching courses. These courses include:
Core Coaching Courses:
- FA Level 1 in Coaching
- The FA Level 2 in Coaching
- FA Level 3 (UEFA B) in Coaching
- The FA Level 4 (UEFA A) in Coaching
- FA Level 5 (UEFA Pro) in Coaching
Youth Coaching Courses:
- The FA Youth Award Module 3
- FA Youth Award Assessment
- The FA Advanced Youth Award
The FA announced changes to modernize the first steps of the coaching pathway in 2016, which mainly apply to the FA Level 1 and Level 2 courses.
Recently, The FA revised all their coach education programs to integrate the traditional coaching pathway (Levels 1,2, 3, etc.) and the relatively new youth coaching pathway (Youth Modules 1, 2 & 3).
How Much Do The FA Coaching Badges Cost?
The cost of FA coaching badges varies depending on the level and the County FA. On average, the cost for each level is:
- Level 1: £150
- Level 2: £320
- UEFA B: £720
- UEFA A: £3000
While the cost of obtaining all badges can be significant, aspiring coaches can seek financial support from their clubs and benefit from discounts offered by County FAs.
