Q: Do I need to be certified in order to coach soccer in Montana?
A: According to Montana Youth Soccer Policy 6-500, coaches must hold minimum licenses to coach Classic, Select and Premier teams. Both head coaches and assistant coaches are required to have certain licenses.
Q: At what level course should I start?
A: All courses offered by Montana Youth Soccer are age and level specific. Coaches are best to start by taking the course relevant to the team they plan to coach. Some courses have prerequisites and/or pre-course assignments. Please refer to U.S. Soccer’s Learning Center.
Q: Do I have to attend the entire duration of an in-person course I am registered for?
A: Yes, each course must be attended in its entirety. Any candidate who misses any portion will get an “Incomplete” grade will have to make up the missed portion at another scheduled class. Candidates will have up to a year to complete the missed portion of the course.
Q: How do I get a replacement certificate?
A: If you’ve previously earned a coaching license from a course hosted by Montana Youth Soccer, please contact MYSA Executive Director of Jill Marlow. In your email please include:
- Full name as it appeared on your original license
- Type of license
- Date(s) of the course you attended
- Location of the course you attended
- Name of course instructor
Q: How long is my coaching license valid for?
A: Coaching licenses do not expire. This decision is made by U.S. Soccer and is subject to change.
Q: How old does a candidate have to be to attend a coaching education course?
A: Candidates must be at least 16 years of age to attend a state-level Grassroots course and 18 years of age to attend a D-License course.
Q: What do I need to bring and wear to a course in which I am registered?
All candidates should come prepared for weather conditions and wear coaching/athletic gear for field activities.
Q: How do I decide what division a team should be registered in?
There are 3 designated team divisions in Montana Youth Soccer to try and create the best Fair and Equitable Play environment for all teams competing across the state: Classic, Select, and Premier. It is the coaches/clubs discretion of what division to register a team with the intent of Fair and Equitable Play. The below division guidelines are simply that, guidelines that may assist a coach/club in determining the best division to register their team(s). Divisions are not applicable to Club hosted Tournaments, on State Hosted tournaments in which divisions are enacted in the League (i.e. Spring League).
Classic: A team might fit best in the Classic Division if the team is/has:
Largely co-ed,
Many players new to the game of soccer,
Many players are considered beginning players in regards to skills development,
Players span a large age range (more than 2 age groups),
Wide range of skills across the team (beginner/advanced),
Team is small in quantity, with a high number of games potentially played with no subs or under max players on field (reduce to equate rule in effect as classic division team),
Often built on registrations and not tryouts,
Limited soccer opportunities for year-round play (i.e. no school program, no club fall program, etc.).
Select: A team might fit best in the Select Division if the team is/has:
Mostly single gender,
Most players are not new to the game of soccer,
Most players have skills ranging from intermediate to advanced,
Mostly a single age group,
Most players are in a similar developmental stage in regards to skills and knowledge,
A full/near full team/game roster (if roster numbers are low, understand Select does not implement the reduce to equate rule),
Many times, built on tryouts,
Multiple soccer opportunities for year-round play (i.e. school soccer, fall club soccer, summer camps, etc.).
Premier: A team might fit best in the Premier Division if the team is/has:
The best players in the club, and comparatively among other clubs’ select teams,
Advanced skill level,
Meets all higher requirements by USYS, USSF, etc. for premier level teams,
Attends the President’s Cup or Regionals based on standings from the State Cup.