The FA · free preview
Introduction to Coaching Disabled Footballers
Football for everyone: impairment groups and the disability pathway, and how to adapt any session so every player plays.
Free · about 1 hour · online
Free lesson · Disability football and inclusion
The course, and what it qualifies you for
Introduction to Coaching Disabled Footballers is The FA’s current standard introductory qualification for coaching disabled players. It is a free online e-learning course of about 60 minutes, done at your own pace on England Football Learning.
| The real course | |
|---|---|
| Entry | None — you just need your FA Number (FAN) |
| Cost and time | Free; about 60 minutes, self-paced online |
| Assessment | Knowledge checks; the certificate is recorded on your FA Number (FAN) |
| Validity | No expiry |
| Covers | Communication; adapting sessions; impairment groups; integrating disabled and non-disabled players; signposting to disability clubs and talent |
It suits grassroots inclusive-club coaches, school and community coaches, people who deliver disability sessions, and coaches on the main pathway as CPD. A free companion module, Disability Football Introduction, maps the wider landscape. If you coach an adult disability team, the free Safeguarding Adults in Football module is recommended alongside.
You may still see an older 6-hour practical county course (about £40–£60) in job adverts. The free e-learning has replaced it.
Source: Specialist & support roles reference · Introduction to Coaching Disabled Footballers
The syllabus: 2 modules, 8 lessons
- 1
Disability football and inclusion
- The course, and what it qualifies you for free preview
- Player first: impairment groups and the language you use
- The formats of disability football
- The para pathway and classification
- 2
Adapting your coaching
- The Inclusion Spectrum: adapt, don’t exclude
- STEPS: five dials for adapting any practice
- Communication strategies for every player
- Integrating disabled and non-disabled players, and signposting