Fundy Soccer has the aim to assist all our volunteer coaches in enhancing their abilities to bring soccer to our players. To do so, we have composed a list of all the coaching courses offered in our region and what each course is geared towards in regards to our Wellness to World Cup model.

However, we recognize that some coaches to not have the time to commit to courses right away and that is okay! In that regards, we have placed links in the left panel to the Canadian Soccer Association's Pathway Development. These are broken down into the three categories: Active Start (U3-U6), FUNdementals (U6-U10) and Learning to Train (U8-U12). These links will provide you with physical characteristic developments that one should expect with the age range, as well as provide an abundance of drills to develop a player in the main categories of dribbling, passing, shooting, general movements and technique. 

Please visit the soccer Nova Scotia webpage for dates and locations of the courses offered each summer.

Active Start (U4-U6) – 4 hours

Stage 1 of Long Term Player Development, Wellness to World Cup, is called Active Start and it is designed for U4 to U6 Female and Male players. It has also been called “First Kicks”.

Soccer contributes to the well-being of children by engaging them in the sport while teaching them basic movements. At this introductory level, the objective is to get them moving and to keep active.

Coaches working with young players in this stage should enroll in an Active Start coaching course. The Active Start module can be held on a weekend or week night/s all year-round.

The course will provide information on the following:

• Information on Canadian Soccer Association’s Long Term Player Development model
• Develop a basic understanding of Physical Literacy
• Information to help coaches understand the development stage of the children they are working with
• How to plan coaching sessions considering the development stage of the children coaches are working with
• Consider the safety factors involved in running a coaching session
• How to manage coaching sessions using appropriate content and methodology
• Provide coaches with an online resource that they can use to plan their sessions
• Provide coaches with advice they can use to work with players and parents in this stage
• Coaches will receive a coaches workbook and a Certificate of Achievement

FUNdamentals (U8) – 7 hours

Stage 2 of Long Term Player Development, Wellness to World Cup, is called FUNdamentals (FUN). FUN is designed for U6 to U8 Female and U6 to U9 Male players. It has also been called “Fun with the ball”.

At this stage, individual player development is paramount. Coaches and teachers should create a stimulating learning environment where the atmosphere is “Freedom and Fun.”

Coaches working with young players in this stage are strongly encouraged to take a Fundamentals course. Typically FUN courses have been hosted over a single weekend with some exceptions.

The course will provide information on the following:

• Information on Canadian Soccer Association’s Long Term Player Development model
• Develop a basic understanding of Physical Literacy
• Information to help coaches understand the development stage of the children they are working with
• How to plan coaching sessions considering the development stage of the children coaches are working with
• Consider the safety factors involved in running a coaching session
• How to manage coaching sessions using appropriate content and methodology
• Provide coaches with an online resource that they can use to plan their sessions
• Provide coaches with advice they can use to work with players and parents
• In this stage Coaches will receive a coach’s workbook and a Certificate of Achievement

 

Learning to Train (U10-U12) – 14 hour

Stage 3 of Long Term Player Development, Wellness to World Cup, is called Learning to Train (L2T). L2T is designed for U8 to U11 Female and U9 to U12 Male players. It has also been called “The Golden Age of Learning. Children begin to identify with famous players and successful teams, and they want to learn imaginative skills. Skill demonstration is very important, and the players learn best by “doing.” Players move from self-centered to self-critical, and they have a high stimulation level during basic skills training. This is also an important time to teach basic principles of play and to establish a training ethic and discipline. Repetitions are important to develop technical excellence, but creating a fun and challenging environment is still essential for stimulating learning.

Coaches working with young players in this stage are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Learning to Train course. Typically L2T courses have been hosted over a single weekend with some exceptions. Options enabling hosts flexibility to meet the needs of their coaches exist.

The course will provide information on the following:

 

• Information on Canadian Soccer Association’s Long Term Player Development model
• What is the game of Soccer?
• Laws of the Game
• Information to help coaches understand the development stage of the players they are working with
• How to plan coaching sessions considering the development stage of the players
• Consider the safety factors involved in running a coaching session
• How to manage & plan coaching sessions using appropriate content and methodology
• Provide coaches with an online resource that they can use to plan their sessions
• Provide coaches with advice they can use to work with players and parents in this stage
• Coaches will receive a coach’s workbook and a Certificate of Achievement

Soccer For Life – 14 hours

Stage 7 of Long Term Player Development, Wellness to World Cup, is called Soccer for Life it is designed for any age female and male players. It has also been called “Soccer for health and grass roots growth”.

At any stage in the LTPD model, regardless of their level of ability, players may decide to play soccer as a purely recreational sport so they can continue to enjoy the game and maintain lifelong wellness. They might be youth players who decide not to pursue high performance, or they might be top players from senior clubs, colleges, universities, and semi-professional teams who enjoy competition but do not intend to play at the international level. They might also be complete newcomers to the game who discover an interest in soccer in late adolescence or adult life. Players at all levels should have opportunities to become active in soccer coaching, officiating and administration. The recruitment and retention of players, coaches, referees and administrators is vital to the ongoing development of both grassroots and elite soccer in Canada.

Coaches working with players in this stage are strongly encouraged to take the Soccer for Life coaching course. Typically S4L courses have been hosted over a single weekend with some exceptions. Options enabling hosts flexibility to meet the needs of their coaches exist.

The course will provide information on the following:

• Information on Canadian Soccer Association’s Long Term Player Development model
• What is the game of Soccer?
• Information to help coaches understand the development stage of the players they are working with
• How to plan coaching sessions considering the development stage of the players
• FIFA Laws of the Game
• Technical/Tactical development
• Consider the safety factors involved in running a coaching session
• How to manage coaching sessions using appropriate content and methodology
• Provide coaches with an online resource that they can use to plan their sessions
• Provide coaches with advice they can use to work with players and parents in this stage
• Coaches will receive a coach’s workbook and a Certificate of Achievement

Making Ethical Decisions Competition Introduction

Soccer coaches must complete Make Ethical Decisions Competition Introduction (MED) module in order to complete the Soccer for Life program & gain “Trained” status in the NCCP database. Coaches are only required to complete MED once. Click here for more information about completing MED.

These courses are the base coaching courses that one can acquire, however there are more advanced CSA courses that are available. The information for these courses can be found at the Soccer Nova Scotia website.

 

 

Fundy Youth Soccer follows the Canada Soccer's Wellness to World Cup Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) model. It is designed to optimize Canadian excellence and lifelong wellness through soccer.

By ensuring fun playing experiences for children, a suitable player development pathway for youth, and opportunities for lifelong participation for all players regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, LTPD provides a framework for the growth and success of the beautiful game in Canada.

Long-Term Player Development (LTPD)

 

 

LTPD is a program for soccer development, training, competition and recovery based on biological age (physical maturity) rather than chronological age. It is player-centered, coach-driven and supported by administration, sport science and sponsors alike.

Click here to read more on the LTPD Program