The Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) have announced an agreement that will provide a tool to improve coaching at MSYSA’s grassroots level through the NSCAA Online Academy, a basic coaching education program offered via the Internet.

“The NSCAA is pleased to collaborate with MSYSA to improve youth coaching through its distance learning program,” said NSCAA President Steve Malone. “Quite often the first coach an American soccer player has is a parent who has volunteered his or her time and may not have a formal background in coaching. This partnership will provide another resource to help MSYSA’s coaches grasp the fundamentals of running a practice session for young players.”

“It is important that coaches understand the fundamentals of the game before passing them on to younger players,” said NSCAA Director of Coaching Development Jeff Tipping. “While the NSCAA educational philosophy is best when experienced in a live setting, distance learning is another excellent way to obtain the knowledge necessary to become a better coach. It is especially important for the coaches of younger players and those coaching at the recreational level. We are pleased to be able to offer this resource to MSYSA.”

“It has long been MSYSA’s commitment to provide the most comprehensive coaching education program possible for its coaches, at all levels,” said MSYSA President Ben Neil. “We are excited about this relationship with the NSCAA and its Distance Learning program, as it furthers the commitment and adds an additional means to reach the beginning coach and parent who are new to the game.”

The NSCAA’s Distance Learning program is accessible through the association’s website, www.NSCAA.com. The program is accessed through the “Online Learning” link on the NSCAA homepage. It is designed to give coaches a grasp of the fundamentals of soccer coaching, from a review of Laws of the Game to an explanation of the 5 v. 5 teaching model. Photos, diagrams, animations and video clips accentuate the information available throughout the course.

MSYSA is the recognized governing body for youth soccer in the State of Maryland and is affiliated with US Youth Soccer and US Soccer. Its membership includes more than 120 leagues and clubs, 60,000 players and more than 6,000 coaches. Its commitment to coaching education includes a full range of state level coaching license courses (G,F,E,D), hosting an annual National C course, the National Youth License, its unique International Soccer Weeks and now the NSCAA Distance Learning program.

Based in Mission, Kan, the NSCAA is the largest coaches’ organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1941, it has grown to more than 20,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high school, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. It fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 4,000 soccer coaches each year.

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