1st 4 Sport Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football

Awarded in partnership with the F.A., the new Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football is the first step towards becoming a recognised football coach. This Level 1 vocationally related qualification, which replaces the old Junior Team Managers Award, provides you with an opportunity to study and be assessed in both practical and theoretical aspects of coaching football.

This very popular course is appropriate for candidates (minimum of 16 years of age) wishing to gain a basic appreciation of organising football for young players.

The course is suitable for:

• Managers and coaches of club teams aged 6 – 16 years of age
• Prospective candidates for the 1st 4 Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football
• Youth Leaders and prospective Youth Leaders
• Students of F.E. Colleges

Candidates will also attend both the F.A. Emergency Aid and F.A. Child Protection workshops as part of the Level 1 course, and will be given a certificate of attendance for each, which are valid for three years.

Course Objectives;

On completion of the course the candidate should be able to:

• Promote and establish working relationships and high standards of behaviour with
players, coaches, parents and officials in the overall development of Association Football
• Develop an understanding of the game of football
• Develop an awareness and understanding of child protection issues and procedures
• Achieve an awareness of related aspects regarding children’s football including how
they learn, growth and development, and fitness and overuse injuries
• Display competence in emergency aid
• Organise and supervise football game like activities including mini-soccer, small sided
and conditioned games

On successful completion of all aspects of the course candidates will receive the Level 1 Coaching Certificate (Club Coach), plus certificates for Child Protection and Emergency Aid.

1st 4 Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football

Awarded in partnership with the F.A., the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football is the next step towards becoming a recognised football coach. The course offers candidates a combination of practical experience and class based theory, to develop an understanding of the planning, conducting and evaluation of ethical football coaching sessions.

This qualification is matched to the Level 2 National Occupational Standards for Coaching, Teaching and Instructing and sits at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. The qualification is recognised to contribute to the achievements of Part One of the U.E.F.A. ‘B’ Coaching Award.

• The course is suitable for applicants who have had experience of regular football
participation at any level who wish to become more committed to coaching players
from 7 to 14 years of age
• Applicants must be 17 years of age or older
• Applicants must be holders of the old F.A. Junior Team Managers Award or the
Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football (Club Coach)
• Applicants must hold the F.A. Child Protection and Emergency Aid certificates
• Applicants must have access to coaching young players on a regular basis

On completion of the course the candidate should be able to:

• Develop greater responsibility for their own learning and development
• Coach the basic skills and techniques and demonstrate an understanding of the
principles of attack and defence through the use of practices and small sided games
• Develop an appreciation of the coaching process, the needs of the player and related
issues in sports science
• Plan, conduct and evaluate a series of sessions in a systematic and progressive manner
• Ensure the health and safety of players and others within the coaching environment
and be able to respond to an emergency
• Promote and establish positive working relationships and high standards of behaviour
with players, officials and other coaches

To be eligible for the Final Assessment candidates must attend all aspects of the course.

Candidates will be assessed via knowledge tests, projects, assignments and assessments of their practical coaching during the training. Following a period of practice after the course, there is a further assessment of practical coaching, ability and oral questions on performance, knowledge and understanding.

This qualification may be delivered and assessed on a part-time or full-time basis. It can take between 60 to 120 hours to complete.

This qualification provides an exciting opportunity for candidates to advance their practical team coaching skills. On successful completion of the certificate, candidates are qualified to coach the skills and techniques of football to both adults and children. Each candidate is fully supported in developing his/her knowledge and skills during the qualification.

F.A. Emergency Aid Course (Level 1)

• Whilst the highest percentage of football injuries are thankfully only minor, the minority
are major of which some are classified as ‘life threatening’
• It is the recommendation of the Football Association that every team of every club
throughout the county association should have a trained person in attendance at
every game
• The course is three hours in duration and a mixture of practical and theory, but there
is no examination
• Candidates will receive tuition in the following aspects; resuscitation of an unconscious
person, major bleeding, choking

1st 4 Sport Level 2 Certificate in the Treatment and Management of Injury (F.A.)

The Level 2 Certificate (formerly known as the Basic Award), provides a basic foundation and is aimed at personnel acting as a manager, coach, trainer or therapist for junior and adult teams and for teachers responsible for school teams.

The course provides candidates with the basis knowledge and skills to manage and treat injuries sustained in football. Through a combination of practical and theoretical assessment, candidates will learn the fundamentals and gain invaluable ‘hands-on’ experience.

Applicants should be 17 years of age or older, and must hold the F.A. Child Protection and Emergency Aid certificates

Course Content;

• Basic anatomy and physiology
• Injury effects and recognition
• Common football injuries to groin, knee and ankle
• Compression and supporting bandages

The certificate is awarded on the successful completion of written and practical assessment