My way to an elite youth license: Part 1

As a coach, even if only in an honorary capacity, training and further education are an essential part of being a coach for me. And so I will start my next license course on 04.05.2020. Goal: The elite youth license of the DFB!

It is now the 3rd license course within 5 years that I have completed, if we count the team leader course, which has no license as a result, then the 4th course. Before that, I obtained the C license and then the B license.

Since I was looking for information about the what and how, especially before the B license course, I plan to take you with me on my journey that will hopefully end in the license.

Briefly about me

Note: All data is as of 30.04.2020! I am a volunteer coach at TSV 1860 Stralsund. This is a large multi-discipline club for the region that offers both grassroots and competitive sport. It is not a performance center but for talented players who want to play at a higher level, it is the club in the region where this is possible and I am currently head coach of the D2 in the Landesliga. Age: 44.

Why am I taking this license course?

Curiosity! I aim to provide the best possible training for the players (I currently only work with all-boys teams, so no gender bias here) who come to me for training. For me, the best possible means making them individually better, offering them a footballing education that is fun but also goal-oriented.

This license is not necessary for me professionally or a prerequisite for being allowed to train in a certain higher league. So much for my background and my motivation for this license.

How does the license course work?

This course will be the first course to take place in the new training format. This means that there will no longer be long attendance phases at a sports school (previously 2x 1 week + 2 days exam) but will now be taught via blended learning (digitalization is also at the top of the DFB's agenda). So it's part-time. You receive your tasks for the weeks of independent work in the online campus and these are supplemented with video chats in the group.

The current plan is that the course will start on May 4th with a 12-week online phase. This will then be followed by a 2.5-day attendance phase. This will be followed by another 6 weeks of online learning and another 2.5 days at a sports school. And then the 2 exam days follow, so far the plan. Let's see to what extent COVID-19 allows the joint learning units at the sports school.

Over the next few days, I'll be sharing a few insights and impressions and perhaps also a few emotions from and about the course. I am excited and full of anticipation.

And here is some more information about the license:

DFB Elite Youth License: What is it?

The elite youth license is the first license level, which is acquired directly through the DFB; the licenses below that (C-license and B-license) are trained and awarded by the regional associations.

According to the DFB, the elite youth license is the link between the B license and the A license and focuses on training in the youth sector and the targeted promotion of young talent.

What requirements must I meet for the elite youth license?

To be able to take part in a course for the elite youth license, you must have a valid B license and have passed the examination for this B license with at least 10 points. In addition, you must have been active as a coach with the B license for at least 1 year and have actively worked at a DFB base for at least 20 teaching units or have worked as a base coach.

In addition, of course, you must have a clean police clearance certificate and confirmation from your family doctor that you are physically able to take part in the course. You must also prove that you are a member of a DFB club and that you have actively played soccer in a club, and at the end you sign some documents, among others, that you recognize the statutes and regulations of the DFB, etc.

A lot of paper and a bit of effort, but oh well.

Can you take a shortcut and go straight into the elite youth license?

Yes, a shortcut is probably possible. The prerequisite is that you have played active soccer in the 1st or 2nd Bundesliga for at least 7 years. Then you can apply to start your coaching career directly with this license level. For all others, the only option is to pass the B license exam and score at least 10 points.