It says the coach must have an active profile in the us soccer learning center - which I would assume is only necessary for coaches that recently got their license or have continuing education requirements. I have up to a National C and Y and neither show up, but I did my licensing a long time ago.

Licenses are expensive and burdensome and, in my limited experience, don’t provide much benefit compared to shadowing and learning from other more experienced coaches. They are a barometer for ambition and commitment, but don’t make someone a good person or coach. If you see other things that give you pause about a coach - regardless of their licenses - look into it and watch.

Anonymous wrote:Seconded on the name thing.
Also, I doubt someone certified 25 years ago might be in that database--the safe sport and licensing databases probably don't talke to each other. While you have to keep re-doing safesport or recertifying to referee, you don't have to keep recertifying to be a coach.

The search is not state limited and includes safe sports.
What is your thought on coaches needing to do continuing education to keep their license? (At least at a certain level? C and above? D?)

Seconded on the name thing.
Also, I doubt someone certified 25 years ago might be in that database--the safe sport and licensing databases probably don't talke to each other. While you have to keep re-doing safesport or recertifying to referee, you don't have to keep recertifying to be a coach.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to those who posted the safe sport and USSF licensing database a few weeks ago.

Should I be concerned my child head coach is not listed in the license database? They claim to have a USSF fairly high level license but I cannot find it which I assume is required to be an MLSN/ECNL/GA head coach. (I can find every other head coach in the organization)

It could be that you're using the name that they didn't use for the license. For example you know your coach as "Tom Smith" but in the database you have to put "Thomas Smith". Or there state of record in the database is MD, but they coach a team in VA.

Anonymous wrote:Clubs tend to over exaggerate their claims of high level coaches and training. It's good to check these things from time to time, just to keep them honest. If the club says they have a high license and they don't you have a breach of contract dispute.

Agree that lack of licenses has less to do with quality of coaching than evidence that clubs aren't necessarily offering what they sell.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks to those who posted the safe sport and USSF licensing database a few weeks ago.

Should I be concerned my child head coach is not listed in the license database? They claim to have a USSF fairly high level license but I cannot find it which I assume is required to be an MLSN/ECNL/GA head coach. (I can find every other head coach in the organization)

OP, new poster here. No, I would not be concerned.

You may need to research your understanding of what a coaching license teaches a coach to be more comfortable with your situation. For my child, a coaching license is far less relevant than other skills learned outside of the US coaching licenses courses.

If you have an icky feeling on the coach, by all means, you should explore. I feel that is different than a coaching license however and some of the best coaches are not licensed. The ambitious ones are licensed.

Clubs tend to over exaggerate their claims of high level coaches and training. It's good to check these things from time to time, just to keep them honest. If the club says they have a high license and they don't you have a breach of contract dispute.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, requiring your doctor to have a medical degree is the EXACT same thing as searching safesport and the license database for little 10 yr old Susie’s coach. It is soccer for children and you are over-obsessing. Plus, license does not equal good coach and vice versa. Some of my DC’s best coaches were younger people still trying to obtain a license and some of the worst had the highest licenses. Ask the parents if they are good coaches, observe ID sessions…. But most importantly, chill out and enjoy the journey rather than whatever it is you are doing. Or ask for a manager, you do you.

Susie is 15 and plays at the highest level possible. I want a safe and qualified coach around her.

If you pay $4k she’s not expected to go far.

Is your DD on the Washington Spirit academy? Do you have an option for high level free soccer for girls in this area we don’t know about??? Tell us what club your DD is on where you don’t pay fees?

Washington Spirit doesn’t have an academy anymore. They used to though and they were terrible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, requiring your doctor to have a medical degree is the EXACT same thing as searching safesport and the license database for little 10 yr old Susie’s coach. It is soccer for children and you are over-obsessing. Plus, license does not equal good coach and vice versa. Some of my DC’s best coaches were younger people still trying to obtain a license and some of the worst had the highest licenses. Ask the parents if they are good coaches, observe ID sessions…. But most importantly, chill out and enjoy the journey rather than whatever it is you are doing. Or ask for a manager, you do you.

Susie is 15 and plays at the highest level possible. I want a safe and qualified coach around her.

If you pay $4k she’s not expected to go far.

Is your DD on the Washington Spirit academy? Do you have an option for high level free soccer for girls in this area we don’t know about??? Tell us what club your DD is on where you don’t pay fees?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, requiring your doctor to have a medical degree is the EXACT same thing as searching safesport and the license database for little 10 yr old Susie’s coach. It is soccer for children and you are over-obsessing. Plus, license does not equal good coach and vice versa. Some of my DC’s best coaches were younger people still trying to obtain a license and some of the worst had the highest licenses. Ask the parents if they are good coaches, observe ID sessions…. But most importantly, chill out and enjoy the journey rather than whatever it is you are doing. Or ask for a manager, you do you.

Susie is 15 and plays at the highest level possible. I want a safe and qualified coach around her.

If you pay $4k she’s not expected to go far.

Anonymous wrote:Well, requiring your doctor to have a medical degree is the EXACT same thing as searching safesport and the license database for little 10 yr old Susie’s coach. It is soccer for children and you are over-obsessing. Plus, license does not equal good coach and vice versa. Some of my DC’s best coaches were younger people still trying to obtain a license and some of the worst had the highest licenses. Ask the parents if they are good coaches, observe ID sessions…. But most importantly, chill out and enjoy the journey rather than whatever it is you are doing. Or ask for a manager, you do you.

Susie is 15 and plays at the highest level possible. I want a safe and qualified coach around her.

Well, requiring your doctor to have a medical degree is the EXACT same thing as searching safesport and the license database for little 10 yr old Susie’s coach. It is soccer for children and you are over-obsessing. Plus, license does not equal good coach and vice versa. Some of my DC’s best coaches were younger people still trying to obtain a license and some of the worst had the highest licenses. Ask the parents if they are good coaches, observe ID sessions…. But most importantly, chill out and enjoy the journey rather than whatever it is you are doing. Or ask for a manager, you do you.

Explain to me why wanting my childs coach to have license is an unrealistic expectation. I pay 4k+ a year. I want my doctors to have a medical degree.

It is important to check both of those databases, and a couple more, before you helicopter in to your child’s first practice. Gotta be safe.

Thanks to those who posted the safe sport and USSF licensing database a few weeks ago.

Should I be concerned my child head coach is not listed in the license database? They claim to have a USSF fairly high level license but I cannot find it which I assume is required to be an MLSN/ECNL/GA head coach. (I can find every other head coach in the organization)