Welcome to the 181st issue of The Technical Area, the NSCAA’s biweekly electronic publication that offers the latest news and information from the NSCAA and its partners.
We welcome your feedback. If you have any ideas or suggestions for The Technical Area or have any coaching tips that you would like to share, please send them to feedback@nscaa.com.
CEUs Now Available Through USSA for NSCAA Residential Courses
Deadline Approaching for Team Academic Award Nomination Forms
Take the Fundamentals of Coaching Soccer Course
2010 NSCAA Foundation Grants Available
Refresh Your On-Field Thinking with NSCAA’s Quizzies
Coaches Corner: Developing Players in the Attacking Phase (Part 3)
From the Director’s Desk: Schellas Hyndman Interview (Part 3)
NSCAA Membership Fees Increase for 2009-10
The fees for NSCAA membership have increased $15 at all levels, effective with the beginning of the 2009-10 membership cycle on Sept. 1.
The standard membership fee, most commonly associated with high school and collegiate coaches, will be $95 for the coming year. Youth coaches will see their fee increase to $75.
The fee increase is only the second by the NSCAA since 2001. The Board of Directors weighed all options before choosing to approve the increase, realizing that it was necessary to keep pace with rising operational costs and maintain the current level of member service.
Current members who have valid email addresses on file with the NSCAA have received an electronic billing for the 2009-10 membership year. A paper billing will be distributed later this month. Renewals are being accepted online at this time. Go to http://www.nscaa.com/join.php and follow the Renew Online link to begin the process.
CEUs Now Available Through USSA for NSCAA Residential Courses
The NSCAA has developed a partnership with the United States Sports Academy (USSA) to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for candidates who have successfully completed an NSCAA Residential Course.
![]()
Special Topics Course Highlights Big 3 Enshrinement Weekend July 31 – Aug. 2
NSCAA President and Academy Staff Coach Randy Waldrum will present a Special Topics Course as a part of Big 3 Weekend festivities at the National Soccer Hall of Fame July 31-Aug. 2 in Oneonta, N.Y.
Gene Chyzowych and Cliff McCrath, the two newest members of the NSCAA Hall of Fame, will be enshrined in the NSCAA display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame during the weekend.
![]()
Score Reporting Partnership Available with NSCAA College Scoreboard
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America and GoCollegeSoccer.com have entered into a partnership designed to provide the most current and up-to-date scores for intercollegiate soccer in the United States.
Deadline Approaching for Team Academic Award Nomination Forms
High School and College coaches—take a moment to fill out a form to nominate deserving high school and college teams for the NSCAA Team Academic Award. The deadline for submission is October 1.
To be eligible for the High School Team Academic Award, the varsity squad must have a minimum 3.25 GPA for the 2008-09 academic year. For the College Team Academic Award, the squad must carry a minimum 3.0 GPA for the year. PLEASE NOTE: You must have grades from the entire academic year (two semesters or three quarters) to complete the nomination.
The forms are set up as editable PDFs, so you will be able to use your computer to type the information into the appropriate blanks; however, you will not be able to save the completed form. Please print the form out, get the necessary signatures and mail the hard copy to the address on the form. We recommend that you retain a copy for your records. College forms are available in both a semester and quarter format.
Download a College Team Academic Award form for schools on the semester system.
Download a College Team Academic Award form for schools on the quarter system.
Download a High School Team Academic Award form.
2009 NSCAA College Services Forms Reminder
As the days before the start of the 2009 college season dwindle, take a second to double check that your teams are enrolled in the NSCAA College Service program. A reminder that beginning with this year, your team must be a member of College Services to be eligible for NSCAA recognition through the national rankings, All-America and Scholar All-America programs, Coach of the Year and Team Academic and Team Ethics awards.
NSCAA.com Offers Community Page to High School Coaches
High school coaches searching for a central point of information and services of interest to the high school coach now have a Community page on NSCAA.com.
From a link to current seasonal rankings to records to awards to the Coaches Forum, you’ll want to bookmark the High School Coaches Community page as you’ll want to check back frequently for items of interest to high school coaches.
2010 Master Coach Diploma Applications Available
Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 cohort of the Master Coach Diploma. Part of a growing trend in coaching education of continual self-improvement, the Master Coach diploma extends the 150 hours of field instruction currently offered through NSCAA Academy courses with an 18-month, self-paced curriculum of study that is tailored to the unique issues that soccer coaches in America must address on a daily basis.
![]()
Take the Fundamentals of Soccer Coaching Course Online
The NSCAA and the National Federation of High School Associations have teamed up to create an online course titled the Fundamentals of Coaching Soccer. This introductory course is perfect for high school and youth coaches who want to establish a solid foundation for their coaching knowledge.
The interactive course features an engaging multimedia interface that incorporates audio, video and text to teach essential soccer coaching techniques and methods.
To learn more or to enroll in the course, go to NFHSLearn.com.
2010 NSCAA Foundation Grants Available
The NSCAA Foundation annually conducts a grant application process to reward grants to underserved programs and clubs. Grant applications are due to the NSCAA by November 30, 2009. All recipients will be notified following the NSCAA Convention in January 2010.
Refresh Your On-Field Thinking with NSCAA’s Quizzies
The time to be thinking ahead to and making preparations for fall seasons is now in the heat of summer. Although the physical aspects of training are likely not to be overlooked, the mental part of the game may be neglected. Help your players sharpen their minds and their decision-making skills on the pitch by encouraging them to take the NSCAA’s Tactical Situations Tests (“Quizzies”) on NSCAA.com. These interactive web-based tests encourage quick thinking skills that potentially translate into positive game management habits. Why not have your team try all 16 sessions? It could pay off next season!
.
