Youth Soccer Course

The Youth Athletic Development in Soccer (LTAD) Certificate provides the latest training methods, research findings and detailed insights to help coaches prepare, train and maximise the development of youth soccer players

It’s vital that every youth coach understands the physical requirements and long-term athletic development of young players.

If the building blocks are not laid out in the right order and with the right balance, then young players can be fast-tracked too quickly, resulting in regular injuries and longer-term implications that prevent them from achieving their full potential.

This Youth Athletic Development in Soccer (LTAD) online course gives you the specific training principles and techniques that are applied at elite academies.

You will develop a strong understanding of the building blocks of youth development and the maturation stages of both male and female youth soccer players, while developing your knowledge of conditioning, nutrition, psychology & physiology of the young developing player.

This youth soccer course is suitable for:

 Individuals tasked with the responsibility for the coaching, training, & preparation aspects of youth soccer players.

 Individuals tasked with the responsibility for the training, preparation, development & coaching aspects across the youth development phases.

The course is comprised of the following:

 12 Lectures
 24 Hours study time
 Pre- & post-lecture reading references
 Multiple-choice tests
Tutor assessed assignment
 Certificate of Achievement

Practitioners & coaches can only benefit themselves & their youth soccer players further by a more in-depth knowledge of physical training & long-term athletic development.

The focus of the course is as follows:

  • Provides latest research findings, & contemporary training methods and detailed insights into youth soccer athletic development;
  • Provides a better understanding of how to maximise development & the long-term athletic stages across players pathway;
  • -Help maximise your decision making when working with pre-pubescent & adolescent age group.

Who is this course designed for?
This course has been designed for beginner to elite level youth coaches who want the latest research findings, most efficient training methods for preparation, development & coaching aspects across the youth development phases
How long is the course?
This is a 24-hour course providing a deep understanding and best practices that can be applied to your own youth team environment to improve the performance of your young players.

Is my progress logged through the course?
After each lecture there is a short multiple-choice test designed to cement your learning. You can access your test results at anytime through your course progress area.

Can I stop/pause a presentation part way through?
Yes, the course is completely flexible. You can go back to a module at anytime and continue from where you left off.

Can I take the modules in any order?
No. The course follows a set structure that must be studied in numerical order. You can only access the next module once you have completed the previous module test.

Is there a time limit on the course?
Yes. This course has a 6-month access limit. You can access the course 24/7 within this period.

Will I get a certificate to show that I have passed the course?
Yes, you will receive a pass certificate provided you have attained the minimum pass grade of 75%.

If you have any further questions, please Contact Us.

 

British Virgin Islands Football AssociationAccredited by British Virgin Islands Football Association

This online course is fully accredited by the BVIFA & ensures the study hours will contribute to the achievement of a formal accreditation & BVIFA continued professional development.

The course will also be accepted towards the revalidation for the BVIFA-CONCACAF Level D-B courses.

Browse Lesson Plan

1. Youth Testing in Soccer

Delivered by Professor Darren Paul

In this lecture we’ll be looking at the justifications and key considerations of testing in Youth Soccer. We will look at the role of testing before considering the advantages and disadvantages of testing in youth soccer and the impacts affecting the testing outcomes within these age categories. We will then look at how we can performance profile and we will identify the key considerations for youth testingin soccer.

2. Morphological & Physiological Soccer Profiles: Talent ID & LTAD
Delivered by Professor Hassane Zouhal

In this lecture we will explore soccer activity analysis and demands. We will look at the morphological profiles of soccer players from a range of countries and backgrounds. We will then look at elite youth profiling and professional successes. Finally, we will look at the physiological profiling of successful players.

3. Strength Development: Protection for Performance LTAD
Delivered by Hamish Munro

In this lecture we discuss the importance of strength development for junior and senior players, how we can plot the methodology across training cycles. How we structure the strength development phase across the athletic journey across the academy based player. We then discuss the Growth, maturation & the impact of youth player conditioning. Finally, we’ll discuss the application of strength training across the academy journey.

4. Long-Term Development in Youth Soccer Part 1

Delivered by Tsikakis Antonios

In this lecture, the first of a 2-part series, we start by looking at what long-term athletic development is from a soccer specific perspective. We’ll discuss growth & specific stages of maturation within an elite academy environment. Well discuss the windows of opportunity & age related effects of training. Finally, we’ll look at & bio-banding & maturity assessment within an elite soccer academy.

5. Nutritional Support for the Youth Soccer Player
Delivered by Jack Christopher

In the lecture, we look at how to build a nutritional support structure. We’ll look at nutritional support across the development phases and how it can have a positive impact. We’ll look at understanding core principles & the basis of sporting nutrition. Then we’ll move on to how we ca support the growth & maturation through nutrition principles. Finally, we’ll discuss nutrition for life so that you have a better understanding of key nutritional strategies.

6. Building up a Model for a Soccer Academy (LTAD)
Delivered by Alex Segovia Vilchez

This lecture looks at the physical qualities of youth soccer and understanding the whole picture, the physical integration & coordinative development. Then we’ll look at skill acquisition – the learning process. Finally, we’ll look at the training components – piece by piece.

7. Long-Term Development in Youth Soccer Part 2

Delivered by Tsikakis Antonios

This lecture is part 2 of the long-term athletic development strategy. We’ll look at long-term development planning, the physiological components of the LTAD model. Then we’ll move on to developmental training, focusing on endurance, strength and speed. We’ll move on to coordination development & principles before looking at the developmental stages & guidelines for progression.

8. Training Design & Application in Youth Development (LTAD)
Delivered by Alex Segovia Vilchez

In this lecture, we’ll look at understanding a new physical qualities approach and the importance of functional training. Then we’ll look at the application of conditioning drills within an applied skill acquisition framework. Finally we’ll look at coaching development processes.

9. Velocity Based Training in an Elite Soccer Academy
Delivered by Jack Christopher

This lecture starts off by defining Velocity Based Training & its practical use. Then we’ll look at using VBT to improve training and performance outcomes. The benefits of Velocity Based Training in developmental soccer. Then we’ll look at the practical application of VBT across long-term athletic development academy stages.

10. Integrating Physical & Tactical Periodisation in Youth Soccer
Delivered by Hamish Munro

In this lecture, we’ll look at a tactical periodisation overview within youth and senior applications. The development & alignment of training processes. We’ll look at integrating physical & tactical periodisation in youth development and finally we’ll discuss the considerations of tactical periodisation in youth soccer.

11. Youth Physical Development
Delivered by Alejandro Romero-Caballero

In this lecture, we start by looking at the youth physical development model. The we’ll look at the effects of early specialisation vs. diversification. Then we’ll look at soccer training in prepubescent players and we’ll look at developing a game model in youth development stages. Finally we’ll be looking at developing the athletic qualities of youth players by bringing all of these development processes together.

12. Youth to 1st Team Link: Overcoming the Bridge
Delivered by Tanja Ecken

In this lecture we’ll look at understanding the academy to the 1st team transition phase. Then we’ll look at the psychological demands of making the step-up to the 1st team. We’ll discuss coping strategies associated with the bridge between the academy and the 1st team. Then we’ll look at how we can support the demands and pressure moving forwards. Finally, we’ll discuss the perception of the transition, coaching style & self-reflection.

Learn with these leading coaches

The Youth Athletic Development in Soccer (LTAD) Certificate has been developed with some of the most respected coaches, sports scientists, physical specialists and practitioners working within elite youth soccer

Prof. Darren Paul

Professor Darren Paul is a Sports Scientist and Physical Performance Coach who studied at the University of Copenhagen. Professor Paul specialises in coaching principles, physiology and strength and conditioning.

Prof. Hassane Zouhal

Professor Hassane Zouhal Ph.D., is the Dean of Sport Sciences at the University of Rennes 2, France and a scientific expert for several professional soccer clubs and federations. Hassane is also a former international athlete (middle-distances) and holder of two French master records (1000m and 1500m). He has the highest diploma as athletics coach in France.

Hamish Munro

Hamish Munro is a Strength & Conditioning Coach, Sport Scientist and Lecturer with a broad range of experience leading the physical performance at elite-level clubs worldwide, from youth level to senior teams.

Antonis Tsikakis

Antonis Tsikakis is the Sports Science Strength & Conditioning U-17 Coach at Olympiacos FC Academy

Jack Christopher

Jack Christopher is Head of Academy Sport Science and Physical Fitness at Chelsea Football Club. Jack specialises in strength training, efficiency and modern periodization methods, velocity based training and on field training methodology in football.

Alejandro Segovia Vilchez

Alejandro Segovia Vilchez is a Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach and holds an Msc in Football Conditioning & Rehabilitation and a Bsc in Sport Science. Alex is responsible for designing and implement the long term player development plan and strength methodology of Aspire Academy (U13 to U18) in football performance & science department.

Dr. Alejandro Romero-Caballero

Dr. Alejandro Romero-Caballero is a Higher Sports Technician in Soccer and specialises in soccer methodology, fitness training and rehabilitation.

Tanja Simone Ecken

Tanja Simone Ecken is a Sports Psychology expert who provides sport psychological Support to elite soccer academy players. Tanja specialises in performance improvement, self-efficiency and EMD & imagery.

Start Your Youth Athletic Development in Soccer (LTAD) Certificate Today!

Start Your Youth Athletic Development in Soccer (LTAD) Certificate Today!

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12 lectures (24 learning hours)
Tutor Assessed Assignments
Certificate of Achievement
14 day money-back guarantee
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Academic & Club Partners

Amazulu FC
Finland Football Association
BVI FA

Reviews From Professional Coaches:

Steve McClaren

Manchester Utd, Middlesborough, FC Twente, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Derby County, England

"This is by far the most innovative style of learning that I’ve seen in this digital era. The breadth of topics covered, combined with the level of detail and insights makes this a must learning environment for any coach who is working or wants to get into the game and progress to the highest levels."

Claudio Donatelli

(MSc)

Performance & Fitness Coach
Italian National Team

“ISSPF have been able to seamlessly provide all individuals with an interest in team sports and specifically soccer with the chance to learn from some of the best people in their key research areas. Developing throughout my career as a fitness & conditioning expert and applying the scientific principles of training at the elite level of the soccer, I feel being able to use the e-learning strategy within ISSPF challenges and adds further credibility to my working practices. I highly recommend individuals from all learning levels to tap into the fantastic resource available here. ”

Tony Merola

(UEFA A License)

Boys ECNL Director - Tulsa Soccer Club, USA

“Never before have I seen a unique set of soccer specific performance & coaching specialists under one banner and available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to learn within the comfort of my own home. Being part of the educational partnership program with ISSPF has opened up a new & time efficient way for both myself as Technical Director, and my club coaching and fitness staff to up skill and develop as coaches.” 

Ringo Wu

(AFC ‘B’ Coaching Certificate)

Head of Physical Education & Sport, Nanwai Kings College Soccer Team, Jinkai District, Jiangsu, China

“ISSPF have managed to provide our soccer coaching staff within our college team with a 1st class opportunity to learn & apply some key performance coaching aspects. The opportunity to personally develop & track the staff’s progress through their assisted e-learning process is very impressive. I highly recommend the content as a must for all individuals tasked with the development of soccer players across all levels of the game.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

Aberdeen, Manchester United

“Sports science, without question is the biggest, most important change in my lifetime. It has moved the game onto another level that maybe we never dreamt of all those years ago. Sports science has brought a whole new dimension to the game.”

Kari Ukkonen

(UEFA Professional License)

Head of Coach Education, Football Association of Finland, UEFA, Helsinki, Finland

“Working with ISSPF as an educational partner has allowed us here at the Football Association the chance to provide CPD and continue to educate our coaches across a wide range of learning levels from our UEFA foundation levels through our UEFA Professional Licence. Offering our candidates, the chance to use both the ISSPF platform & specific soccer courses, is a huge advantage to us as an education provided within the game” 

Vin Blaine

(CONCACAF) Director of Football & Coach Education, US Virgin Islands Soccer Association, FIFA Coach Educator, US Virgin Islands

“An experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the soccer industry & having developed across a range of sports psychology, match analysis, player development, and sports management - I feel the opportunity to integrate the e-learning facility available from ISSPF into as a federation, club or individual self-development level is of huge benefit. As a FIFA & CONCACAF Instructor & Director of Football I have rarely seen an educational tool as good as this to positively influence individuals across a range of key soccer topics.” 

Leo Lucas da Silva

(Level-2 License)

Youth Academy Coach, Botafogo de Futebol, Brazil

“Using the ISSPF learning facility has opened my eyes to the detail and incredible knowledge provided from an elite faculty of elite coach developers and soccer science educators. As an individual who continually wants to progress my coaching pathway, I think this might be the best solution to increase my awareness of all elements of the game. The large amount of content and lectures available has already, and will continue to improve me. Gaining the Foundation Certificate in Soccer Science & Performance was extremely to me.”

Mario Cantaluppi

(UEFA A License)

Youth Academy Head Coach, FC Basel, Switzerland

“I am always looking for ways to combine coach education and professional coaching development with my full-time job within professional soccer. The time constraints are very difficult generally, but ISSPF have provided a fantastic platform to bring coach education to my own home during busy schedules. The range of topics on offer gives a broad & unique continued professional development” 

Oriol Gonzales

(UEFA Professional License)

Head Coach & Technical Director, Angkor Tigers FC, Asian Champions League, Cambodian Superleague, Cambodia

“Living abroad to work as a soccer coach has its difficulties in terms of coach education provision due to travel and time commitments. Being able to access the ISSPF platform has allowed me not only to maximise my spare time from a self-development perspective, but we have also been able to gain certifications & qualifications as a club across all elements of the game. From our senior squad staff to the academy staff, ISSPF is a fundamental education tool for our club development strategy.”

Jingze Quan

(AFC ‘B’ Coaching Certificate)

Director of Youth Development Coaching, Eagles River FC, Yanbian, Jilin, China

“Being able to develop the coaching staff throughout the club here in Eagles River FC is a large part of my role within the club. Having come across ISSPF and now using the e-learning platform for our English-speaking Chinese coaching, and medical staff we have been able to improve our focus and upgrade some key elements within the organisation. As a large grassroots club here within the province, we feel using ISSPF as an educational partnership is of huge benefit” 

Woody Jacobs

(SAFA Level 1 Diploma)

Assistant Manager & Coach Developer, Namibian National Soccer Association, Namibia

“Working as both Assistant Manager with elite players of our national team, I have been able to directly take a lot of content and thought provoking ideas from the content on view within ISSPF and use them to the benefit of our national players. Furthermore, I am delighted to say that we are now integrating the ISSPF online courses into our coach development program to uplift the whole coaching education aspects of our nation.”

Susan Lockyear

(FFA Advanced Coaching License)

Head Coach & Technical Director, Canberra State County FA, Australia

“As the game develops within the professional women’s game & also filters down within the girl’s academy programs across the world, we are proud to be at the forefront of driving the developmental aspects of the game in this area. To be able to link as an educational partnership with ISSPF is a huge part of our federation soccer development strategy, and as we can now offer a range of online content, certification qualifications and courses from a range of leading professionals – we have already seen a direct enhancement across our coaching content and performance department delivery.”

Lorenzo Francini

(MSc)

Head of Performance, AC Milan, Women’s Division, Italy

“As a fitness coach and sport scientist working at the elite level of the female game, I feel that ISSPF and their integration of both applied and academic quality is something that will be of huge importance for people within our industry. ISSPF have manage to accumulate a faculty of leaders across soccer science, medical & coaching science that will enable them to educate people from a very insightful and practitioning way.”

Peter McDonnell

(UEFA A License)

Assistant Soccer Coach - The University of Maine
Director of Coaching - Seacoast United Maine

“The layers of content within ISSPF is in a league of it's on when considering CPD options for coaches of all levels. Having explored many avenues through my own coaching journey, the detail embedded in the courses really lends itself to closing the gap between the integrated knowledge across the fields of Sports Science and the actual application of the skills on the field. Being able to learn from many experts, across a global faculty, affords me the ability to step into their professional world and soak in the abundant knowledge they have, all in my own time. ”

Steve McClaren

Manchester Utd, Middlesborough, FC Twente, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest, Derby County, England

"This is by far the most innovative style of learning that I’ve seen in this digital era. The breadth of topics covered, combined with the level of detail and insights makes this a must learning environment for any coach who is working or wants to get into the game and progress to the highest levels."

Claudio Donatelli

(MSc)

Performance & Fitness Coach
Italian National Team

“ISSPF have been able to seamlessly provide all individuals with an interest in team sports and specifically soccer with the chance to learn from some of the best people in their key research areas. Developing throughout my career as a fitness & conditioning expert and applying the scientific principles of training at the elite level of the soccer, I feel being able to use the e-learning strategy within ISSPF challenges and adds further credibility to my working practices. I highly recommend individuals from all learning levels to tap into the fantastic resource available here. ”

Tony Merola

(UEFA A License)

Boys ECNL Director - Tulsa Soccer Club, USA

“Never before have I seen a unique set of soccer specific performance & coaching specialists under one banner and available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to learn within the comfort of my own home. Being part of the educational partnership program with ISSPF has opened up a new & time efficient way for both myself as Technical Director, and my club coaching and fitness staff to up skill and develop as coaches.” 

Ringo Wu

(AFC ‘B’ Coaching Certificate)

Head of Physical Education & Sport, Nanwai Kings College Soccer Team, Jinkai District, Jiangsu, China

“ISSPF have managed to provide our soccer coaching staff within our college team with a 1st class opportunity to learn & apply some key performance coaching aspects. The opportunity to personally develop & track the staff’s progress through their assisted e-learning process is very impressive. I highly recommend the content as a must for all individuals tasked with the development of soccer players across all levels of the game.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

Aberdeen, Manchester United

“Sports science, without question is the biggest, most important change in my lifetime. It has moved the game onto another level that maybe we never dreamt of all those years ago. Sports science has brought a whole new dimension to the game.”

Kari Ukkonen

(UEFA Professional License)

Head of Coach Education, Football Association of Finland, UEFA, Helsinki, Finland

“Working with ISSPF as an educational partner has allowed us here at the Football Association the chance to provide CPD and continue to educate our coaches across a wide range of learning levels from our UEFA foundation levels through our UEFA Professional Licence. Offering our candidates, the chance to use both the ISSPF platform & specific soccer courses, is a huge advantage to us as an education provided within the game” 

Vin Blaine

(CONCACAF) Director of Football & Coach Education, US Virgin Islands Soccer Association, FIFA Coach Educator, US Virgin Islands

“An experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the soccer industry & having developed across a range of sports psychology, match analysis, player development, and sports management - I feel the opportunity to integrate the e-learning facility available from ISSPF into as a federation, club or individual self-development level is of huge benefit. As a FIFA & CONCACAF Instructor & Director of Football I have rarely seen an educational tool as good as this to positively influence individuals across a range of key soccer topics.” 

Leo Lucas da Silva

(Level-2 License)

Youth Academy Coach, Botafogo de Futebol, Brazil

“Using the ISSPF learning facility has opened my eyes to the detail and incredible knowledge provided from an elite faculty of elite coach developers and soccer science educators. As an individual who continually wants to progress my coaching pathway, I think this might be the best solution to increase my awareness of all elements of the game. The large amount of content and lectures available has already, and will continue to improve me. Gaining the Foundation Certificate in Soccer Science & Performance was extremely to me.”

Mario Cantaluppi

(UEFA A License)

Youth Academy Head Coach, FC Basel, Switzerland

“I am always looking for ways to combine coach education and professional coaching development with my full-time job within professional soccer. The time constraints are very difficult generally, but ISSPF have provided a fantastic platform to bring coach education to my own home during busy schedules. The range of topics on offer gives a broad & unique continued professional development” 

Oriol Gonzales

(UEFA Professional License)

Head Coach & Technical Director, Angkor Tigers FC, Asian Champions League, Cambodian Superleague, Cambodia

“Living abroad to work as a soccer coach has its difficulties in terms of coach education provision due to travel and time commitments. Being able to access the ISSPF platform has allowed me not only to maximise my spare time from a self-development perspective, but we have also been able to gain certifications & qualifications as a club across all elements of the game. From our senior squad staff to the academy staff, ISSPF is a fundamental education tool for our club development strategy.”

Jingze Quan

(AFC ‘B’ Coaching Certificate)

Director of Youth Development Coaching, Eagles River FC, Yanbian, Jilin, China

“Being able to develop the coaching staff throughout the club here in Eagles River FC is a large part of my role within the club. Having come across ISSPF and now using the e-learning platform for our English-speaking Chinese coaching, and medical staff we have been able to improve our focus and upgrade some key elements within the organisation. As a large grassroots club here within the province, we feel using ISSPF as an educational partnership is of huge benefit” 

Woody Jacobs

(SAFA Level 1 Diploma)

Assistant Manager & Coach Developer, Namibian National Soccer Association, Namibia

“Working as both Assistant Manager with elite players of our national team, I have been able to directly take a lot of content and thought provoking ideas from the content on view within ISSPF and use them to the benefit of our national players. Furthermore, I am delighted to say that we are now integrating the ISSPF online courses into our coach development program to uplift the whole coaching education aspects of our nation.”

Susan Lockyear

(FFA Advanced Coaching License)

Head Coach & Technical Director, Canberra State County FA, Australia

“As the game develops within the professional women’s game & also filters down within the girl’s academy programs across the world, we are proud to be at the forefront of driving the developmental aspects of the game in this area. To be able to link as an educational partnership with ISSPF is a huge part of our federation soccer development strategy, and as we can now offer a range of online content, certification qualifications and courses from a range of leading professionals – we have already seen a direct enhancement across our coaching content and performance department delivery.”

Lorenzo Francini

(MSc)

Head of Performance, AC Milan, Women’s Division, Italy

“As a fitness coach and sport scientist working at the elite level of the female game, I feel that ISSPF and their integration of both applied and academic quality is something that will be of huge importance for people within our industry. ISSPF have manage to accumulate a faculty of leaders across soccer science, medical & coaching science that will enable them to educate people from a very insightful and practitioning way.”