The Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football (L1CCF) is awarded by 1st4sport Qualifications and has been developed in partnership with The Football Association (FA) and FA Learning.
The L1CCF is accredited at Level 1 on the National Qualifications Framework. For further information on the accredited status of the L1CCF, please log on to the QCA-accredited qualifications website at www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk.
Is the L1CCF for me?
If you are over 16 years of age and looking for an introduction to working with grass-roots football teams or a parent of a child in a junior team and want to get more involved, then the L1CCF is ideal for you. Students in further or higher education studying sports-related qualifications might also choose this vocational qualification as a first rung on the coaching ladder.
To access the qualification, you must have evidence of having attended The FA’s workshop ‘Child Protection and Best Practice’ and hold the FA Emergency Aid Certificate (or equivalent). The majority of recognised centres will offer these components as part of a learning programme for the qualification. Please contact your recognised centre for details.
Why should I study the L1CCF?
- To help young people develop their football skills correctly at an early age.
- As the first rung on The FA's football coaching ladder.
- The qualification is used as part of the requirements for amateur football clubs and schools to achieve the appropriate FA Charter Standard accreditation.
Achievement of the qualification will give you access to full membership and benefits of the FA Coaches Association (FACA).
What can I use the L1CCF for?
- As preparation for working with a junior football team.
- To progress on to the Level 1 NVQ in Sport and Recreation or the 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football (L2CCF).
- As part of the development of a credible CV for employment in the sport and recreation industry.
- To help your football club gain FA Charter Standard accreditation.
- To access membership of FACA.
For further information on FACA, please log on to the FA website at www.thefa.com.
What will I learn?
Your learning programme will develop your understanding of:
- football coaching safety and ethics
- the basics of football technique and the key coaching points
- how to deliver effective football coaching sessions to young people
- how to review your performance as a coach and seek further development opportunities.
How will my learning programme be structured?
Learning programmes are usually designed by the approved centre that delivers the qualification. They may, therefore, vary in length and format. Depending on your needs, centres can offer intensive courses or a series of learning events over a number of days or weekends. Whatever the timescale, all learning programmes should include the following phases:
- An induction to the qualification and your programme of learning and assessment.
- A learning programme that meets your needs, including the completion of online learning modules.
- A programme of assessment spread across the course, including an observation of your coaching by an appropriately qualified assessor.
At the end of the programme, you will be provided with formal feedback on your performance and an action plan for your further development.
What will my assessment involve?
The L1CCF assessment will require you to:
- demonstrate your understanding of the principles and ethics of your role, and your understanding of the principles and practice of coaching basic football skills to children between the ages of 7 and 16
- deliver a short pre-prepared practical coaching session, during which you will be observed by a qualified assessor
- answer written and oral questions on any aspect of the outcomes of the qualification.
Where can I access the qualification?
The qualification is delivered by 1st4sport Qualifications’ recognised centres, not all of whom offer open courses to members of the public. Your first port of call to access a course should be to contact your County Football Association or the FA Learning Hotline. Contact details are provided below.
How much will the qualification cost me?
Recognised centres offering this qualification determine their own fees and they will vary from centre to centre. The fees charged should entitle you to a programme of learning and assessment, registration and certification for the qualification, a 1st4sport Candidate Pack and appropriate learning resource. For further information on the costs of courses, please contact a recognised centre.
Contact details
For information on where to access a learning programme for the L1CCF or further information on the sport, please contact your local County Football Association, contact details via the FA website at www.thefa.com or by calling the FA Learning hotline on 0870-8500 424.
Other 1st4sport Qualifications you may be interested in:
Many of the qualifications below have been developed in partnership with FA Learning:
- 1st4sport Certificate in Event and Match Day Stewarding (CEMS)
- 1st4sport Certificate in First Aid for Sport (FAS)
- 1st4sport Level 2 Award in Coaching Studies (L2ACS)
- 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football (L2CCF)
- 1st4sport Level 1 Certificate for Match Officials in Football (L1CMOF)
- 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate for Sports Officials in Football (L2CSOF)
- 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in the Treatment and Management of Injury in Sport (L2TMI)
