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This week I wanted to talk about my experience on the Premier diploma that I took in July 2017. I was one of the last coaches to receive a NSCAA premier diploma before the changed to the United Soccer Coaches and am now a proud recipient of the trilogy of diplomas. National, Advanced National & Premier diploma.

I was looking to take the next step in my coaching education journey with an advanced coaching course. I was especially looking for a course on a university/college campus that provided meals, accommodation and was easily accessible by public transport. I decided to take the course in a suburb of Chicago at Elmhurst College, IL. Doing the course in Chicago was a daunting decision at first but one I would recommend to other coaches and has helped me further my career as a Director of Coaching and professional soccer coach. I flew to O’Hare from JFK and took a cab from the airport to the campus. The campus was also close to the train that would take you into downtown Chicago.

Now I was trying something out of my comfort zone. I had traveled alone to an unfamiliar out of state location. I was also teamed up with a roommate who I had to share a dorm room with. Although this might seem uneasy at first it’s a great way to get to know someone and don’t forget. Everyone is here because they love soccer and coaching. I was roomed with an Athletic Director from Detroit (Who now happens to be a College Head Coach in Nashville). This was a great way to interact with coaches. The time spent in the dorm common areas, talking to coaches about recruitment, player development and previous coaching experiences is a part of an United Soccer coaches diploma that doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

The course was made up of mainly college coaches from the mid-west, but there were also club coaches/DOC’s representing many U.S states, Canada, Europe & central/south America. The amount of friendships, contacts and resources you can gain from this type of course is truly remarkable. It was also a humbling feeling to be surrounded by so many top coaches but most importantly genuine human beings.

When you are a 3-5 minute walk to the lecture theater, training field, cafeteria & library you save a lot of time. On previous courses so much time was wasted travelling from hotels, going to get food or finding a wifi connection with printing facilities etc. Being able to experience an advanced coaching course you need to be efficient with your time. It also helped that you could have conversation at the dining table. The cafeteria was also the hub to chat with instructors and coaches taking other courses at the campus. While I was taking the premier diploma they were also running a National diploma.

The premier diploma was mostly made up of studying and analyzing several systems of play for the 11v11 game and how you would apply the principles of attack and defense in coaching in certain systems or how you would coach against certain systems.

We were also given a on field practice topic and assessment topic in relation to a certain system of play and principles of the game. All instructors and coaches taking the course were accessible, friendly and will to share their knowledge and experience to help everyone through the course.

Another interesting part of the course was match analysis. We watched a live televised U.S men’s game as a group in a local bar. This also acted as the diplomas social and gave all coaches chance to mingle and get to know the other coaches. There was no pressure to join in this activity. I actually left at half time to go back to the campus and watch in the comfort of my dorm so I could concentrate on the assignment. Something that was perfectly fine and acceptable and no one was judgmental.

One of my favorite parts of the course was a leadership lecture that involved break off groups. It was a light hatred part of the course but got everyone thinking. Standing up in front of peers to present is also a great learning experience and builder of confidence.

On the final day of the premier diploma after we had all undergone our on field practice assessment we were subject to and oral examination. Coaches had no idea what we would be asked. We entered the classroom in groups and were asked several questions. We also had to draw diagrams of session plans on the board. This was a real test of character for me and other coaches. It had a real exam feel. It does take some balls to be able to stand up in front of college head coaches, DOC’s and seasoned soccer trainers, not to mention a coaching educator. Putting yourself in different environments as a coach is a great way to learn and build confidence.

Conclusion:

If you are thinking about what you can do this summer to progress as a coach I would highly recommend an advance United Soccer Coaches Diploma. You will not regret spending a week with high level instructors and like-minded coaches. I have personally taken USSF, NSCCAA and English FA coaching courses, diplomas and licenses. It’s always a good idea to get different perspectives and learn from different people. This is something the U.S.C and big advocates for. When you attend a residential curse it’s not just the hours in the classroom or on the pitch. It’s the time spent talking to a coach in the cafeteria, over a beer in a local bar in the library or campus common areas. The NSCAA and now U.S.C has helped me develop as a coach and improved my career. Since taking the Premier diploma several of the coaches on the course I keep in contact with have gained new employment or moved op the coaching ladder. The U.S.C also encourages you to be yourself and stick to your own beliefs and philosophy as a coach. I haven’t just gained diplomas from the NSCAA. I’ve made friends and contacts who I still share ideas with via social media.

Investing in you is always time and money well spent.