A "D" License is a good beginning to becoming a travel coach. More and more the clubs and players/parents expect a coach to be licensed.
My opinion is the "D" license is geared to the U7 level and it is stated as for U13 and over. There is no strategy, tactics, etc. taught in the "D" license. For that I was very disappointed. I was allowed to take the "D" without taking the "F" and "E" because I have been involved in soccer since 1958 as a player and coach. This is a good thing to have in your resume but do NOT expect this course to teach you what you need to know to be effective as a coach of youth players. I took the course last winter. I was 58 years old and can tell you the 1st day is an overkill day to test what condition you are in. I was very sore the next day but did better physically than lots of 25 to 35 years olds at the course. The course reviews rules of soccer and that is always good too. Try becoming a level 8 referee so you have an appreciation of the referee interpretations.
Being an assistant to an already qualified coach may be more important than your license as far as helping the kids. This depends on how good a coach/trainer you have as a mentor.
Determine what your team needs in skills and tactics and use FineSoccer as a very good source to help you there. FineSoccer has excellent drills, coaching advice, etc.
You may want to read a post I made 12/31/01 on GotSoccer.com concerning what to look for in a good coach/trainer titled "Pick a coach not by country or credentials".
Lastly, expect to have hard times as a coach that will make you want to quit coaching. Always ask yourself at those times if you feel you are offering something of value to the kids, do the kids appreciate it, and is that more important than your hurt feelings?
