Coaching children is a very rewarding experience. And coaching your own child’s team can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all! Coaches are pivotal to having children get the AYSO experience. If Regions don’t have enough coaches, registration is scaled back, and kids who want to play in AYSO are turned away.

Do you have little or no experience with soccer? No problem! AYSO will teach you based on the age level you are coaching. Unique age-appropriate coach training is one of AYSO’s specialties. If you plan to be at your child’s soccer practices and games, you’ll also have time to be your child’s coach.

Coaches are essential to the game. They teach children soccer skills and help develop a healthy, positive attitude, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Coaching is a rewarding experience because you have the opportunity to build a child’s self-esteem, help them learn new skills and just have a lot of fun.

To be an AYSO coach, you must complete four easy steps:

1) fill out a volunteer form under the register now button

2) attend a brief age-specific coaching course. It’s only a few hours and you’ll learn how easy it is to provide a great learning experience for our kids!

3) complete a few online courses; and

4) be fingerprinted

If you need instructions on how to begin your journey as a AYSO Region 108 Coach, go to the Volunteer as a Coach page.

Go to the Coach Training and Certification page to learn more about our training and certification program.  See training and information meeting details for all coaches under Important Dates on this page.


PRACTICE FIELDS

Practice slots are allocated to teams in all age divisions at the Mandatory Coaches meetings. Generally, fields are assigned based on the division.

If inclement weather is present or in the forecast or we have had recent rain, please check the Field page for field closure details and our general policy.

At all locations, please avoid worn areas to limit damage to the fields, and use good judgment. If the players are getting muddy, it may be time to shift the practice to a less exposed area of the field. Note that many of our fields show bare areas after repeated use, particularly in front of the goals, which are easily torn up by cleats. Please practice away from these areas, and DO NOT USE THE GOAL AREAS FOR PRACTICES. Use cones to mark off practice areas which avoid the worn spots.

ACCIDENT AND INCIDENT REPORTING

If a player or registered adult volunteer (such as a Coach or Assistant Coach) becomes injured during practice or a game, the injury must be reported.  Please contact our Regional Safety Director at [email protected].

The AYSO Incident Report Form is available here.  Incident Report Forms should be completed by any Coach, Referee or Regional Board Member witnessing any serious incident involving, but not limited to:

• Injuries
• Threats of bodily harm
•  Fighting whether or not a serious injury occurs
•  Property damage
•  Hospitalization of a participant
•  Law enforcement summoned
  
•  Service or notification of a pending lawsuit

Regional Board Members, Coaches, and Referees should submit Incident Report Forms to the Regional Safety Director, who in turn, should call the AYSO National Office Risk Management/Insurance Department at 800-872-2976.  The Regional Safety Director must also send a copy of each Incident Report to the AYSO National Office.

QUESTIONS

As a coach you have to tend to many details. If you have any questions, please contact your division coordinator or regional coach administrator.