How to become a football coach

You’ll be responsible for planning training sessions. This could include practicing the tactics for your next match. You may identify weak areas and plan drills to improve these skills. You may also identify players that need one-to-one coaching.

You’ll make sure all your players understand the rules and regulations of football. You’ll also make sure that they know the different positions and what their responsibilities are. This is more important for children's football.

You could focus on specific skills, especially in children’s football. For example, you could practice dribbling, free kicks or taking corners.

Depending on the size of the team, you will make tactical decisions on your own or with the manager. You will need to know your team’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the other team's. You will need to communicate this strategy to your players.

You’ll be watching the players week-in, week-out. This puts you in a good position to identify any standout players. You could pass this on to scouts and help players progress in their career.

You don't need any formal qualifications to coach children's grassroots football, but they can help.

You could consider the FA Level 1 Introduction to Coaching Football. This is a four-week online course. It will cover how to create a positive and safe football environment. You'll learn from coach developers and have the opportunity to share your experience with other people on your course.

You may also like to complete the Introduction to First Aid in Football and Safeguarding Children courses. These can help you keep children safe. A lot of parents will look for a children's team that has a first aider.

Coaching older children's football will require more formal qualifications. This is because they already know the basics, so you need more skills and more knowledge.

You could consider a UEFA C Licence. To get on this course, you will need to have completed the Introduction to Coaching Football, Introduction to First Aid in Football and Safeguarding Children courses. You will also need to be actively coaching a team.

The UEFA C Licence is both in-person and online. You'll work with your coach developers help players understand the game, learn at practice and love matchdays. You'll have one-to-one sessions with your coach developer to see where you can improve and create a plan to do this.

Once you get to Sunday League and semi-professional level, you'll be coaching adults. That means you will need more qualifications to meet the skill level. If you are coaching a semi-professional team, you will also be getting paid.

You could consider a UEFA B Licence. During this course, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the tactical and technical principles of the game. You'll improve your coaching and learn how to engage with players in match-like training sessions.

Professional football coaches will coach as a full-time job. That again means there is another step up in football knowledge and skills. You'll probably be part of a wider team of coaches and manager. Your role will be to coach and develop players according to the manager's tactical vision.

You could consider completing a degree in Football Studies BSc (Hons) at the University of Central Lancashire. You'll explore football from a wide range of angles, including sport, business and culture. You can cater the course to suit your interests, whether that's coaching or performance analysis. Some modules have real-world experience built into them. You can also undertake a year-long professional placement at a professional football club. This will equip you with the knowledge and experience you need to get into professional football.

You could also consider a degree in Sports Coaching & Performance BSc (Hons). This will focus on athlete development at all levels. You'll learn coaching and sport science principles to improve performance. You'll also learn about development pathways, including in schools and science. Some modules will include real-world experience and you'll have the option to complete a professional placement.

The UEFA A Licence is also available for professional football coaches. This is focused on the 11-a-side game. It will instil the latest football trends, tactics and techniques into your coaching. You'll also learn about position-specific coaching, allowing you to develop players to the best of their ability. You'll need to attend in-person sessions at St George's Park.