rab smith, 2007.

So... you want to sit a UEFA PRO coaching licence,
here's what its all about

The qualification takes a year to complete and consists of a minimum of 240 hours, of which 90 hours are practical,
and is aimed at dealing with situations familiar to fans of the Premiership.

Modules such as handling top-class players, using the latest technology, analysing opponents' strengths and weaknesses and dealing with player's problems on and off the pitch are all covered in the course.

To pass the coach has to prove that he or she is competent in the following areas:

How to plan and evaluate your team's strategic season programme
How to succeed in one key fixture during the season
Improving the performance of one key player
Improving your own interpersonal skills
Building upon your existing coaching skills with specific emphasis
While there are residential weeks, a lot of the work is done by the coaches within their clubs.

The bonus for the coaches is that they will be coaching nearly every day anyway so in effect they will complete many more hours than the 240 required.

HOW IS IT STRUCTURED?

As well as covering a wide range of topics, there are three meaty projects to be completed:
handling professional players,
match-related training methods,
and analysis of a key fixture.

It all begins in June at Warwick University with a 10-day residential where there are guest speakers,
workshops and practical tasks.

Practical topics are specific to the extent where a coach might be put in a situation where he or she is in charge of Tottenham Hotspur facing the second leg of a Uefa Cup tie against Russian opposition.

Alongside two colleagues, the coach would then prepare for the fixture and deal with different scenarios
within the game such as sendings off or injuries.

The reality for most coaches is that from August to December they are based at their clubs and while the course is tailored to fit in with their day-to-day duties, the modules actually complement the challenges they face.

Some of the modules are completed via conference call tutorials and, with more football-related areas, the coaches will use the players at their club.

PRO LICENCE MODULES

Handling professional players
Styles of play
Key game analysis
Mental preparation
Sports medicine
Specialist training
Game related training
Fitness and conditioning
The media and technology
Ethics and code of conduct
Business management
Club structure
Contracts and agents
Planning including rest and recovery
Study visits
Practical work and problem solving

In January there is another two-day residential which has in the past had guest speakers
such as Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello.
Past and present England managers also attend this gathering.

Later in the year, the coaches will again gather over the phone to cover topics on sports medicine,
goalkeeping, fitness and conditioning, and business management.

The last project is for a key fixture and takes place in the second half of the season featuring a
particularly tough match such as a top of the table clash or an FA Cup tie.

For this, the coach will have to create a file using scouting reports, opposition video analysis and training methods used in preparation for the fixture. Afterwards, the coach will review the preparation and the match with FA technical staff.

Also incorporated into the course is a study visit which consists of a trip to a European club,
such as Real Madrid, Hibernian, or Inter Milan, to get a technical and structural overview of the club.

At the final residential in June the coaches will provide a debrief of the study visit and finish with
modules on pre-season and fitness testing ready for the new season.

While the course takes a year to complete, it is fully flexible to allow coaches to pick up modules the following year.

England head coach Steve McClaren is one of the candidates who chose this option and he took 18 months
to complete the course.