Southern Indiana FC recently welcomed a dozen local coaches to the YMCA of Harrison County in Corydon, IN, for U.S. Soccer’s 9v9 and 11v11 Grassroots License courses, a key step in advancing coach education and player development across Southern Indiana.
The day featured two dynamic learning tracks:
- 9v9 Course: 9:00–10:30 AM and 1:00–3:00 PM
- 11v11 Course: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–3:00 PM
These sessions provided a mix of classroom instruction and on-field application, allowing coaches to put theory into practice in real time.
Leading the event was Indiana Soccer’s Director of Coaching Education, Steve Franklin, whose leadership continues to drive Indiana Soccer’s vision of “Empowering Lives Through Soccer.” Franklin stressed the importance of giving grassroots coaches the tools and confidence to positively influence their players’ growth both on and off the field.
The course also benefited from the involvement of Indiana Soccer legend Dutch Vigor, DOC for Southern Indiana FC, who brought energy, expertise, and plenty of encouragement to the group. His presence made the day not only informative but also memorable and fun for all involved.
Local coaches embraced the opportunity to grow, collaborate, and refine their coaching approaches, leaving the YMCA with renewed excitement and practical strategies to enhance the player experience.
“I was given a great opportunity to travel down to Corydon to provide coaches in the southeastern part of Indiana with some vital US Soccer Grassroots coaching education. Dutch has always been a leader in promoting coaching education for his coaches. He assisted in creating an energetic learning environment for the coaches, the players, and even a little sideline parent education.” Steve Franklin – Director of Coaching Education
Southern Indiana FC extended its thanks to Indiana Soccer, Dutch Vigor, the YMCA of Harrison County, and the dedicated coaches who made the day a success. Together, they reinforced the idea that soccer is more than a sport—it’s a platform for empowering lives.
About the course
Course Details: The 11v11 In-Person Course is a four-hour course that builds on the principles covered in U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Module. Specifically, coaches will learn more about U.S. Soccer’s Grassroots Coaching Education Philosophy, Play-Practice-Play Methodology, the Tasks of a Coach, and the characteristics of players aged 13+. The course will also ask each coach to reflect on their experiences to develop action steps for personal growth. Coaches who take this course can expect two (2) hours of classroom-based learning with the facilitation of a licensed instructor, followed by two (2) hours of on-field coaching/observation. Coaches must attend both components (classroom & field) of this specific course. Coaches will be asked to participate in discussions, so each person should have access to a web camera or live video capabilities for the virtual classroom session. Coaches should bring a notepad and pen for the In-Person classroom and field sessions. Coaches may be asked to participate in the field component as either coaches or players, so please come prepared to learn actively.
Eligibility Requirements: To register for the 11v11 Blended Course, coaches must be at least 16 years old and have completed U.S. Soccer’s Introduction to Grassroots Coaching module. This module can be accessed here.
