UEFA A Licence Part 1 for Senior Professional Players - Application Stage

Course Description

The UEFA A Licence is the highest practical coaching award available and builds on the technical and tactical content covered in the UEFA B Licence course or the other recognised equivalents. In addition the course will focus extensively on the effective application of the principles of play in the 11v11 game and the development of specialist individual roles within the team. 

The content exceeds the minimum requirements specified under UEFA guidelines (120 guided learning hours), as it is designed specifically to meet the needs of coaches working in England.

Course Pre-requisites for

UEFA A Licence Part 1 for Senior Professional Players - Application Stage

UEFA B Award 

Current or previous full International Players (including Women's Senior Team)

OR Full Professional Contract Players with a minimum of 5 years' experience (in a National League).

Who is it for?

For coaches who are or who intend to be working in 11v11 football within the International, professional, semi-professional and elite girls or youth programmes.

Candidates are strongly advised to ensure they will have access to sufficient players to practice 11v11 sessions between Part 1, Part 2 and final assessment.

Course Content

The following practical aspects will be included in the course curriculum:

Part 1 (13 day residential course):

• Attacking from set plays (Corner, Free Kick, Throw-in)
• Development of possession and effective movement: Possession, playing out in back 3
• Tactical use of possession
• Development of quick inter passing and quick attacking play
• Counter Attacking
• Coach wingers how, where and when to receive the ball
• Crossing and Finishing
• Defending Deep with a back three
• Defending Deep with a Back four
• Defending with a back three
• Pressing
• Transition
• Goalkeeping
• Fitness  

Part 2 (You will be required to complete an eight day residential course):

• The full back as an attacker
• No 4 as a quarter back
• Overcoming deep lying defences
• The role of the number 9
• The role of the number 10
• The Shadow Striker plus wrong sided wide men
• Flexible forwards
• Attacking with a sweeper
• Defending with a sweeper
• Game Management: ‘Coaching in the game’

Varied coaching styles and methods will be developed throughout the course, and the use of Functional Practices, Phases of Play, Small-Sided Games and 11v11 structures will be employed in the presentation of the practical content.

The following theoretical aspects will be included in the Course curriculum:

• Problem solving exercises
• Performance & Match Analysis
• Strategies and Tactics
• Principles and Systems of Play
• Communication Skills
• Player Development
• Psychology - How players learn, what motivates them
• Planning for performance

Pre-course task

Candidates will be given a series of questions to answer before the course and prepare a five minute presentation, which they may be required to deliver on the course.

Post-course task

Candidates will be issued a portfolio on the course. This will contain several theoretical tasks and a coaching log that must be completed and signed off before submitting for final practical assessment.

Course Assessment

All candidates will be finally assessed in the following aspects:

• Practical Coaching
• Project Assignments
• Recorded Coaching Sessions

Assessment would be a culmination of two topics (during a separate assessment weekend or clubsite assessment). 

Students conduct four practical coaching sessions as part of the UEFA A Licence Award:

• Part 1 - one observed coaching practice
• Part 2 - one observed coaching practice
• Final assessment - two assessed sessions (one 'squad' session and one '11v11' session)

There are three assessment areas:  

• Organisation & Session Management
• Observation & Diagnosis
• Communication 

• There are sub-criteria for each major criteria / assessment areas; 14 per assessed session.
• Candidates must demonstrate their competence for each sub-criterion in at least one of the assessed sessions.
• A final total will be awarded out of 28 marks, with candidates required to achieve a minimum of 21 marks in order to pass.

Additionally, candidates will be required to successfully complete both the Project Assignments outlined on completion of Part 1 of the Course and the Recorded coaching sessions, which will be assessed and verified during Part 2 of the Course.

Re-assessment

There is no limit to the number of re-assessment opportunities, though candidates must successfullycomplete a re-assessment within the five year registration period. Detailed, constructive feedbackwill be given at the end of the assessment, with an action plan regarding the next stage.

Before applying for re-assessment the candidate is advised to attend a regional/national support events, in order to gain further feedback as to their suitability for applying for re-assessment and the desired time scale for such an event.

Please Note: The re-assessment fees are not included in the above Course fees. Candidates may choose either of the following re-assessment methods:

a)     Undertake re-assessment as required at a National Re-assessment Weekend organised by The Football Association.

b)    Undertake re-assessment as required at a club site. (If a candidate chooses option ‘b’ they will be responsible for organising the facilities, equipment and players to coach who should be of a playing ability to the satisfaction of The FA Football Division)

Where to go next?

UEFA A Licence Part 2

Dress code

Standard dress code on the course is casual. For practically based courses, please bring sufficient outdoor kit/clothing for the duration of the course. The venue ask that candidates refrain from wearing muddy footwear inside the building.

Should the course require any alternative dress, this will be detailed in the course joining instructions.

Medical Information / Physical Requirements

If you have any medical conditions which limit/hinder your involvement or participation in coaching activities, you are obliged to declare any relevant, current or previous injuries/illnesses. If you are diagnosed as an asthmatic, diabetic or epileptic, or have any allergies that the course staff needs to be aware of, you must advise us accordingly. Please note, a declaration of injury or illness does not automatically preclude you from any course.

You should further be aware that if you are on a regular course of medication for any condition, you must have sufficient medication to cover you throughout the course. Although first aid cover is provided (where applicable) during courses, no doctor is available to replenish regular medication, nor is there any facility to deliver medical treatment for chronic (longstanding) medical conditions.

Please provide any relevant information regarding the above Medical Information during the application process.

If your application to enrol is successful candidates will be required to complete a Medical Form prior to commencing the course.

Practical Information

Please note that if a student has a disability that may prevent them participating actively in the practical sessions, then this should be made known to the course organiser at the point of registration. The course organiser will then take any necessary steps to cater for the students requirements which may include bringing in footballers to ensure there are sufficient numbers of players.

Equality

FA Learning will ensure that it treats people fairly and with respect and that it will provide access and opportunities for all members of the community to take part in, and enjoy, its activities in an atmosphere free from harassment, bullying, discrimination or abuse.  FA Learning will seek to provide a service which is appropriate to the needs of an individual and to make reasonable adjustments or provide support, where appropriate, to cater for those needs.

Football League Funding

Coaches working exclusively in Academies/Centres of Excellence at Football League clubs may be able to access funding through their club.

We will then verify this with your Academy/CoE Manager/Administrator before enrolling you on the course. Please ensure you have authorisation from the club before sending this email.

UEFA Education Transfers

Under UEFA guidelines, all applicants originating from other National Associations than the FA must complete a UEFA Cross Border form (annex 10) before being approved on a FA Learning course. Exceptions are made for candidates who live, work or were born in England.

Applications

To apply for this course, 

EMAIL BELOW

Your application will then be vetted by the course director, using the following criteria:

• Compliance with Level 3/UEFA B Action Plan
• Evidence of Coaching Practice and supporting testimony
• Evidence of current capacity (on a sufficiently regular basis) to work with an 11-a-side team for which UEFA A practice format and content are appropriate.

FA Learning will contact all applicants to notify them on the status of their application. We will endeavour to do so within 10 working days of application, though this may take longer, depending on the course director’s availability.

Successful applicants will receive a URL, directing them to make payment for the course. Places are not guaranteed until full payment has been made.

Unsuccessful applicants will receive feedback on their application.