How to pass the BMF through apprenticeship (work-study)?

Do you dream of becoming a soccer coach and want to pursue your BMF through an apprenticeship? You're in the right place!

Starting a career as a young coach is not an easy task, especially when you are in an apprenticeship. The good news? Nearly 10% of those enrolled in the BMF each year are apprenticeship candidates!

What are the steps to obtain this certificate through an apprenticeship? How much does it cost, and what professional benefits can be expected? Here is a comprehensive article on the subject to provide you with all the elements you need to achieve your goal: to become a professional soccer coach.

1. What does the BMF through apprenticeship entail?
2. How to pursue the BMF through apprenticeship?
3. What are the prerequisites for pursuing the BMF through apprenticeship?
4. How much does the BMF through apprenticeship cost?
5. The advantages and disadvantages of the BMF through apprenticeship
6. What is your tactic?

1. What does the BMF through apprenticeship entail?

The Brevet de Moniteur de Football (BMF) through apprenticeship is an essential training program for anyone aged 16 to 29 who wishes to become a paid soccer coach. This program aims to develop the necessary skills to coach youth and senior teams at the regional level.

The training is structured around several key modules, including the creation and management of training sessions, the development of projects for clubs, as well as important aspects of health, safety, and refereeing. The apprenticeship combines periods of theoretical training and practical sessions, where learners acquire skills by directly coaching teams under the supervision of experienced trainers.

Each module is designed to provide a deep and practical understanding of the different aspects of soccer coaching, with a focus on the practical application of knowledge in a professional context. This training offers not only theoretical knowledge but also the essential practical experience to effectively manage a soccer team. Here is a list of some tasks completed during your BMF:

• Participation in the management and organization of member reception: play an active role in managing and organizing the reception of club members.
• Coaching teams at the departmental or regional level: take charge of coaching the club's various teams, whether at the departmental or regional level.
• Animating and developing the club's project in the sports, educational, and associative spheres: actively contribute to the dynamism and evolution of the club's project, focusing on sports, educational, and associative aspects.
• Engagement in promotional and management actions of the structure: get involved in initiatives aimed at promoting the club and participate in its management or development.

Finally, regarding the training hours, there are 400 hours of training spread over a 12-month period, as well as 346 hours where the apprentice will work directly in the club.

2. How to pursue the BMF through apprenticeship?

To pursue the BMF (Brevet de Moniteur de Football) through apprenticeship and proceed with your registration, several steps are necessary. Among them:

• Build your registration file: it is necessary to complete and send your registration file before a specific deadline given by the FFF.
• Pass the selection tests: candidates must pass the entrance tests, which include a 45-minute written test and a 20-minute motivation interview. These tests are generally scheduled once your registration file is validated.
• Find an apprenticeship contract: as an apprentice, you will then need to find an employer club affiliated with the French Football Federation (FFF) and sign an apprenticeship contract before a given deadline.

It is important to inquire about the application deadlines and specific eligibility criteria. Successfully completing the training leads to the BMF certification, paving the way for a professional career as a soccer coach.

The FFF has also published the latest statistics on the success rates of the BMF through apprenticeship:

• 1241 enrolled, 71% admission rate following the selection tests
• 868 apprentices, 81% success rate following the final certification

3. What are the prerequisites for pursuing the BMF through apprenticeship?

Before pursuing the BMF through apprenticeship, some prerequisites must be met beforehand. Make sure to meet them to ensure your eligibility. Here are the main ones:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Be licensed with the French Football Federation for the current season.
• Hold a First Aid Training Certificate (AFPS) or the Civic Prevention and Rescue level 1 (PSC1)

In addition to this and mainly during your tests, many prerequisites more specific to your personality and motivation will be considered. Among them:

• Your proof of motivation for the coaching profession: it is necessary to show a strong commitment and enthusiasm for the soccer coaching profession during your oral interviews with recruiters.
• Your engagement in the club's community: actively participate in the club's associative, educational, and sports activities to demonstrate your commitment and willingness to get involved in the club's daily life.
• Your communication and teaching skills: you must be able to clearly communicate instructions, provide advice, and teach technical skills, values, and effective working methods to your future players.

4. How much does the BMF through apprenticeship cost?

The cost of the BMF, which amounts to €1,894, is often an essential element to consider before pursuing it. The particularity of the apprenticeship is that this sum, which includes many fees such as training hours, registration fees, and final certification, the accompaniment fees for the practical modules 1.b, 2.b, and 3.b (see complete article on the specifics of the BMF), as well as those of module 4, will be fully covered by the employer, i.e., the club. You will only have to spend €50 if you are called for the selection tests.

5. The advantages and disadvantages of the BMF through apprenticeship

Pursuing your BMF through apprenticeship offers significant advantages for becoming a soccer coach, both for the apprentice and the employer, i.e., the club.

The advantages for the apprentice:

• Obtaining a qualifying diploma: apprentices obtain a recognized professional diploma, essential for a career as a soccer coach.
• Benefit from free training fees: as mentioned earlier, the cost of training is covered by the club, which offers a significant advantage.
• Being paid during your training: apprentices receive a salary during their training, which is a significant financial advantage.
• Numerous professional opportunities: pursuing your BMF through apprenticeship opens the door to career opportunities in the field of soccer that are otherwise less accessible.
• Building a network in the soccer world: finally, it will allow you to build a professional network in the soccer industry.

As for the employer, it allows training a potential future employee, integrating them, and transmitting the club's culture to foster their loyalty to the club in the long term, but also to benefit from certain financial advantages thanks to the apprenticeship status.

The disadvantages:

• Balancing professional life / training: the main disadvantage of pursuing the BMF through apprenticeship is mainly having good time and energy management to balance studies and practical work within the club.
• A high workload: along with the previous point, alternating between training sessions and work at the club can be demanding in terms of workload. However, if you are passionate about soccer and training, you will have no trouble seeing it through!
• A true commitment: finally, pursuing your BMF represents a true commitment to the club where you will be trained and will require significant efforts, both in terms of time and effort (integration, activities, mobilization with young players…)

Pursuing your BMF through apprenticeship is therefore an excellent way to enter the world of soccer and maximize your chances of becoming a coach. Beyond the coverage of the BMF cost, the work environment combining theory and practice is ideal for progressing and developing skills as a future coach.