Coaches are influential figures in children’s lives. We train coaches to serve as mentors and create positive connections with youth. The result? A safe and inclusive youth sports experience for everyone.

Two young players wearing U.S. Soccer Foundation shirts smile while listening to a coach kneeling in front of them holding a soccer ball. The scene is set against a colorful graphic background with flower shapes.

“What’s great about the training is that it teaches coaches how to interact with their players with empathy and understanding.”
Charnon
Youth sports recreation admin manager

Free, Online Training

For individuals serving as coaches in any sport
Certificate of completion
Designed with intentional social-emotional learning components in partnership with National University’s Inspire program
Access to the Coach-Mentor Training Resource Hub that includes supplemental resources that work with the training module

In-Person, Interactive Training

For youth-serving organizations to train up to 40 coaches at once
Highly interactive and engaging two-hour training in a classroom setting
Certificate of completion for all coaches
Access to the Coach-Mentor Training Resource Hub that includes additional resources to support your mentorship skills in coaching
The U.S. Soccer Foundation Coach-Mentor team can work with you to customize the training as needed
Training valued at $5,000 – grant in-kind opportunities available

Inquire about an in-person training

Organizations We've Worked With

Jameer's Story

After experiencing a personal loss, Jameer found an outlet for grief through soccer. Seven years later, he's still learning and growing through the game with the help of Coach-Mentor Jason.

Play on YouTube

Wide angle shot of Jameer, left of the photo standing in front of a soccer pitch, wearing his U.S. Soccer Foundation jersey.

The Blueprint

Coach-Mentor Training: The Blueprint introduces a proven framework for integrating mentorship into coaching. Designed for coaches and staff working with youth, it provides step-by-step strategies to build lasting connections and create welcoming team environments, while emphasizing approaches that increase access and impact.

Expanding Your Blueprint

Coach Mentor Training: Expanding Your Blueprint helps coaches and adults in a mentorship role deepen their skills to build meaningful connections with youth. Through this training, participants strengthen skills in empathy, self-awareness, and life skills development, which are essential for creating safe, supportive environments that extend well beyond sport.

Addressing Challenging Behaviors with Empathy

Coach-Mentor Training: Addressing Challenging Behaviors with Empathy gives coaches practical tools to turn challenging behaviors into opportunities for growth. Through real-world scenarios and hands-on practice, they’ll learn to respond with empathy, mentor through conflict, and build a team culture where athletes feel safe, supported, and ready to thrive.

Count Her In

Coach-Mentor Training: Count Her In equips coaches and program administrators with strategies to increase girls’ participation and retention in sport. Based on the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s United for Girls initiative, it teaches six proven strategies to identify barriers unique to girls and develop actionable steps to create belonging.

Online training

Start your free, online coach-mentor training journey today.

In-person training

Inquire about hosting an in-person group training.

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FAQs

Is Coach-Mentor Training only for soccer coaches?

No! Coach-Mentor Training is open to coaches of all different types of youth sports and levels (e.g. recreational, competitive, etc.).
Will I have to play soccer at this training?

You will not have to play soccer at training unless your organization specifically requests this add on. Coach-Mentor Training is highly interactive and engaging but does not require any physical activity.
How much does the in-person Coach-Mentor Training cost?

The in-person Coach-Mentor Training is valued at $5,000 for up to 50 coaches. We have a limited number of grant in-kind opportunities available for organizations reaching underrepresented and underserved populations of coaches and youth. If you are interested in receiving an in-kind grant to host a Coach-Mentor Training, please fill out the request form here.
Do I have to run Soccer for Success to participate in Coach-Mentor Training?

No! Coach-Mentor Training is for all coaches, especially those who are not part of Soccer for Success.
How is Coach-Mentor Training different from Soccer for Success training?

Coach-Mentor Training is a professional development opportunity for coaches of all sports to instill mentorship into their coaching practice. At the U.S. Soccer Foundation, we call all coaches we train ‘coach-mentors.’ The Coach-Mentor Training offerings are designed for coaches working in any type of soccer or other sport program. The Soccer for Success training is specific to that program.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation is an affiliate of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and an official Technical Assistance Provider of the National Mentoring Resource Center, a project of MENTOR and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Coach-Mentor Training