What Is a Licensed Coach Training Course?

JFA offers a range of coach education courses designed to meet the diverse needs of coaches and support their continued development. Those who successfully complete a JFA Licensed Coach Training Course are awarded the relevant JFA coaching licence.

Within the JFA coaching licence system, the C Licence is positioned as “Foundation I” and the B Licence as “Foundation II.” The C and B Licence courses enable coaches to acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills required to coach the essential elements of football. Coaches who have completed the B Licence course are expected to have a sound understanding of the fundamentals of coaching and to be capable of coaching in a wide range of settings. They may therefore be regarded as having achieved a recognised standard of coaching competence.

Coaches who wish to continue developing their knowledge and expertise are encouraged to pursue more specialised qualifications, including the A General Licence, Elite Youth A Licence, Youth B Licence, Goalkeeper Licences, Physical Fitness Licences, and Futsal Licences.

JFA Coaching Licence System

Football Coaching Licences

［Core Licences］
JFA Pro Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality coaching at the professional level. ― Professional Level ―
JFA A General Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality coaching tailored to different age groups. ― Top Amateur Level ―
JFA B Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality football coaching. ― Amateur Level: Children to Adults ―
JFA C Licence	Provides an understanding of the fundamentals of football coaching. ― Amateur Level: Children to Adults ―
JFA D Licence	Provides an introduction to the fundamentals of football coaching. ― Amateur Level: Primarily Children ―
JFA Kids’ Leader Licence	Enables coaches to help children enjoy being physically active. ― Amateur Level: Primarily Children Aged 10 and Under ―

　　　 　　　 　 　

［Specialist Licences］
JFA Elite Youth A Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality coaching specifically for players in the U-18 development age group. ※Introduced in 2024.
JFA Youth B Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality coaching specifically for players in the U-15 and U-12 development age groups.
JFA Goalkeeper A Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality goalkeeper coaching at the professional level. ― Professional Level ―
JFA Goalkeeper Level 3 Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality goalkeeper coaching tailored to different age groups. ― Top Amateur Level: Primarily University-Age and Senior Players ―
JFA Goalkeeper Level 2 Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality goalkeeper coaching. ― Amateur Level: Primarily U-18 Players ―
JFA Goalkeeper Level 1 Licence	Provides an understanding of the fundamentals of goalkeeper coaching. ― Amateur Level: Primarily U-12 Players ―
JFA Physical Fitness A Licence	※Planned for future introduction.(Launch date TBD)
JFA Physical Fitness B Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality physical fitness coaching. 　―Elite Level: Children to Adults ―
JFA Physical Fitness C Licence	Provides an understanding of the fundamentals of physical fitness coaching. 　― Amateur Level: Children to Adults ―

Futsal Coaching Licences

［Core Licences］
JFA Futsal S Licence	※Planned for future introduction.(Launch date TBD)
JFA Futsal A Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality coaching appropriate to the circumstances and needs of their team. ― Top Amateur Level ―
JFA Futsal B Licence	Enables coaches to provide high-quality futsal coaching. ― Elite Level: Children to Adults ―
JFA Futsal C Licence	Provides an understanding of the fundamentals of futsal coaching. ― Amateur Level: Children to Adults ―

［Specialist Licences］
JFA Futsal Goalkeeper A Licence	※Scheduled for introduction in 2032.
JFA Futsal Goalkeeper B Licence	※Scheduled for introduction in 2028.
JFA Futsal Goalkeeper C Licence	Provides an understanding of the fundamentals of futsal goalkeeper coaching. ― Amateur Level: Children to Adults ―

Quick Reference Guide to Minimum Age and Licence Eligibility