Coach Compliance Policy

Beginning in the fall of 2004 and going forward, a team must be coached by an individual who is appropriately licensed for the age group being coached. If the coach is not appropriately licensed for the age group being coached, that individual is not eligible to stand with that team during sanctioned league games and tournaments.

New coaches will be expected to make reasonable efforts to obtain the proper certification/license level in a reasonable time frame. An up to date list of scheduled coaching courses is available on the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association web site at http://ssl.hammerhead.net/wisconsin/CoachingCourses.asp. 

League administrators will be asked to check applications for league play against the coaching licensure database prior to the start of each playing season. Proper planning by both club administrators and coaches will minimize last minute panic.

Once the fall 2004 season starts referees will be required to verify that a coach has a pass card and that the license level is appropriate for the age group. The referee will note on the game report what license level is indicated on the coach’s pass card. (Referees must allow the game to proceed if the coach has a coach pass card, even if the license level does not meet the minimum standards established by the WI Youth Soccer Association.)

Leagues will be asked to track game reports on a weekly basis. If it is determined that a coach is not properly licensed, the league will be asked to submit an email to the state office with verification. The state office will track all notices.

If a pattern of non-compliance is verified, the state office will coordinate with the respective club president and the coach concerned to ascertain the reason for non-compliance. The Secretary of the State Association will direct the club and the coach concerned to gain the necessary license/certification level within a reasonable time frame.

In addition, the Director of Leagues or designee will conduct random reviews of game day reports and cross check them with the database of currently registered coaches and their license status. Should a coach continue to be non compliant and show little effort at corrective action that coach may receive a letter of reprimand, be placed on probation or suspended.

A club may be sanctioned in some form ranging from a letter of reprimand to more serious sanctions, subject to the number of coaches not in compliance. If the coach has enrolled in a coaching course that is taking place during or at the end of the season, that individual will be allowed to coach. Should the coach not complete course work the coach will be subject to disciplinary action that could include probation or suspension. Assistant coaches are required to be appropriately licensed for the age group being coached.

The WI Youth Soccer Association has made every effort to centrally locate coaching courses in many regions and soccer districts throughout the state. There is very little leeway for a competitive level coach in either licensing age group category to not be appropriately licensed. If a coaching course is held within 2 hours or 100 miles of an applicant, those standards will be deemed an appropriate amount of time or distance to travel.

Effective August 2003

All coaches working with U15 and older PREMIER level teams are required to have, at minimum, a ‘D’ level coaching license.

All coaches working with U11 and older CLASSIC and COMPETITIVE level teams are required to have, at minimum, an ‘E’ level coaching certificate.

All coaches working with U10 and younger teams are required to have, at minimum, a ‘Y1’ level coaching certificate.

The Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association recognizes that the NSCAA National Diploma, Advanced National Diploma and Premier Diploma (held for at least 12 months) satisfies the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association's coaching credential requirements needed to obtain a coaching pass.

FIRST: A coach possessing the NSCAA National Diploma or higher does not receive a license from the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association but only fulfills the coaching credential requirements.

SECOND: Holders of the NSCAA National Diploma or above working with U6, U8 and U10 players are strongly encouraged to obtain a 'Y1' certificate.

The Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association’s Coaching Department neither recognizes waivers nor waives any coaches from obtaining the coaching credentials needed to obtain a coach’s pass as per the guidelines established by the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association's Board of Directors, effective August 1, 2003. However, effective October 1, 2003, Wisconsin Youth Soccer's Coaching Department does release certain coaches from the ‘E’ Certificate prerequisite for acceptance into the ‘D’ License course if they meet specific requirements. Coaches will be accepted directly into the ‘D’ License course and the ‘E’ Certificate prerequisite released, if they possess one of the following qualifications:

1. Four years of collegiate playing experience (proof required).
2. Two years of professional playing experience (proof required).
3. Two years of high school coaching or U15+ club coaching experience together with a teaching certification (proof required).

Note: Coaches with foreign coaching credentials should contact the United States Soccer Federation directly for equivalency validation or acceptance into USSF National License Coaching courses.

Coaches wishing to be released from the 'E' Certificate prerequisite should submit their request in writing and include a resume of their playing and coaching experience along with references (plus any supporting documentation) to Melissa Vukovic at mvukovic@wiyouthsoccer.com.