FA Coaching Badges

Although next on the FA Coaching Pathway after Level 1, most new coaches say that getting their Level 2 badge feels like a big step up both in terms of the content of the course and what they can bring to their clubs after completing it. Whilst it's still an open entry course with no need for specific qualifications or experience, it's generally accepted that unless a candidate has a large amount of good standard playing experience or has done lots of prior practical coaching, it just makes sense to take Level 1 first.

In any event you will still need the FA Safeguarding Children and Emergency First Aid from the Level 1 course, along with the Internet based FA Online Laws of the Game. However if you would like to do Level 2 without first completing Level 1, these three modules are often included in as part of Level 2 but you'll need to check with the County FA offering the course.

Level 2 is a 75 hour course and the structure varies but a typical pattern is that the initial learning period runs over 5 or 6 consecutive all day sessions, with two follow up weekends for practice and evaluation and ending with a weekend where the final assessment takes place.

As with Level 1, you are provided with extensive learning materials (usually a 120 page workbook) and during the initial coaching course you will spend time working through this mixed with practical sessions to put the theory to work. You will also need to keep a log of your coaching activities back at your club so you can show a minimum of 12 hours coaching time between the initial training and the assessment. The final assessment itself is based on the delivery of a 35 minute practical coaching session and you are assigned your topic in advance so you have time to prepare.

Whilst it's generally agreed it's pretty difficult to fail Level 1, people do fail Level 2 because the assessment standards are quite high. However, County FA's offer re-assessment opportunities and these can be taken at any time within 2 years of initial training/assessment. However, whether you pass first time or not, you'll go back to your club with a wealth of knowledge and insight and this, much more than the actual coaching badge, makes Level 2 an extremely worthwhile investment.