Course details: The UEFA Youth B Diploma

Youth development is a vital part of UEFA's overall strategy, ensuring a bright future for the game. Two specially focused diplomas provide coach education programmes geared towards developing young talent.

The first of these is the UEFA Youth B diploma. The course provides a clear understanding of how to develop and coach potentially talented young players transitioning from grassroots or amateur level to elite level, just before and during their period of biological growth and maturation.

UEFA Youth B Diploma requirements

- A valid UEFA B licence

Course length

The UEFA Youth B Diploma focuses on working with players during a maturation period©BFF

The UEFA Youth B Diploma requires a total minimum 60 hours of education. A minimum 50 hours will be spent studying guided interactive content, with a minimum 10 hours made up of work experience in a club environment. The course is delivered approximately 50/50 between on- and off-pitch activity.

Study visits in the elite youth football environment are recommended if the course is not already delivered in such an environment or the students are not working in this sector. The number of study visit hours are in addition to the minimum 60 hours of education.

Four pillars of the UEFA Youth B Diploma

The development coach

- Working with players in the period of maturation, especially during peak height velocity (major growth spurt), when training programmes should often be adjusted to reduce the likelihood of growth-related issues
- Working with players of different cultural backgrounds, different ages, and different levels of ability
- Working closely with support staff to develop player potential
- Encouraging involvement of and interaction with parents

The player

- Knowing how to periodise and plan for the right development of players on weekly and monthly schedules
- Playing a key role in developing individuals by providing sufficient playing opportunity for each member of the team
- Knowing how to devise personal development plans for individual players

The Youth B course provides a clear understanding of how to develop and coach potentially talented young players©FA of Finland

The training environment

- Improving and focusing particularly on players rather than the team as a whole
- Understanding how to manage differences within the group
- Understanding and managing players through their individual physical developmental changes
- Conducting training sessions appropriate to the needs and ages of the players
- Working on the individuals and the team by having a clear understanding of training session design and how it can affect performance
- Understanding technical and tactical development and issues relating to age, growth and maturity
- Understanding how to plan, deliver and review training sessions

The match

- Transitioning from training to matches in a constructive and positive way
- Focusing on the principle of development rather than a winning team mentality
- Ensuring equal playing time
- Considering the match as a tool for evaluation and learning
- Understanding and dealing with each player’s support networks

How do I enrol for a UEFA Youth B Diploma?

Contact your national football association for the latest course information, availability and eligibility.