USA FIELD HOCKEY COACHING PROGRAMS

Updated on July 1, 2008

USA Field Hockey Coaching Mission

The mission of USA Field Hockey Coaching is to identify and approve coaches, provide education to field hockey coaches at all levels (youth through Elite levels) and assure a baseline criteria at each coaching level.

USA Field Hockey Coaching is implemented through the direction of the USA Field Hockey Coaching Committee.

The responsibilities of the Coaching Committee include the following:

• To develop a certification Program: Currently, USA Field Hockey offers a Level One and Level Two Coach Education Courses.
  
• To identify potential coaches for the delivery of the Coaching Education Programs.
  
• To revise and update Selection Criteria into all levels of coaching within USA Field Hockey.
  
• To assist in the identification and approval of candidates for the Under 16, Under 18, Under 21, and the National Teams.
  
• To recommend and approve coaches for the Developmental Programs and the Elite Programs.
  
• To review and endorse the educational curriculums of our elite and developmental program.
  
• To mentor coaches throughout their coaching careers.

Programs and Coaching Opportunities

• Coaching Courses: Each year USA Field Hockey releases a coach education schedule. The course dates for the current year become available in early January. Check the USA Field Hockey website for additional information on courses and special clinics.
  
  
• Coaching in USA Field Hockey programs: Each September the Coaching Committee mails coaching applications (3,000) to every Head Coach (both college and high school) in the country plus every USA Field Hockey member listed under a coaching membership. The coaching opportunities staffed each year included all National Teams (National Teams, Junior Teams  for both men and women), elite and developmental camps (A camp, B camp, Super Camp), and the Futures Program (USA Field Hockey Olympic Development program).
  Applicants are asked to return the application along with a current resume. A selection team meets to review and select coaches for the various staffing needs. Coaches wishing to become involved in the Futures Program applications are sent onto the Futures Regional Coaching Director to fill the staffing needs in the Futures Regions.
  
  
• High School Open Camp: As part of its three-pronged developmental program, the annual High School Open Camp includes USA Field Hockey Level I (and in some years Level II) Coaching Education programs in addition to player camps and umpire clinics. The five-day program is staffed with members of the U.S. National Team, National Coaching Staff and the USA Field Hockey Developmental Coaching staff to provide an exciting and educational curriculum.

Futures Certification Course

In efforts to educate the Futures Coaches on the techniques and tactics behind the Futures Program, U.S. Field Hockey  conducts annual Futures Coaching Certification Courses (FCCC) in each region. The course is free to all Futures Coaches and open to any coach for $45.00.

The course is for coaches who coach in the Futures Program or are interested in learning the curriculum of the Futures Program.   Futures Coaches must attend the course once every two years and must re-certify every two years.