AYSO is child-first and child focused
We are a soccer organization with happy, healthy kids as our passion. Every decision, every rule and every program has "what's good for kids" as its basis. Every girl and boy stepping on a soccer field for the first time can have fun. AYSO's child-first approach also makes it one of the finest player development programs. Everybody likes to win, but developing successful players and people is what's fundamental in AYSO.
With children's natural joy in running and kicking, soccer builds on these two skills and adds in techniques to control the ball and work as a team. It also encourages creative decision making and strategic thinking. And it's a fast game that keeps each player moving the entire time. In AYSO there's no spending the game on the bench!
AYSO has age appropriate small-sided games. A full size soccer team has 11 players on the field. But smaller-sided teams for younger children allow more touches on the ball and a more successful soccer learning environment.
AYSO small-sided games emulate classic "street soccer" where children of many skill levels choose up teams and play together for a fun neighborhood game. This is a similar environment to where many of the greatest soccer players in the world developed their skills. Small-sided games continue as excellent development
Child and Volunteer Protection
Volunteers are the lifeblood of AYSO. To ensure the safety of both children and volunteers, each volunteer is required to take a short in-person or online training session called Safe Haven®. It focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children as well as other on-field issues. Agreeing to a background check is also required for each volunteer.
Safe Haven® is both a child and volunteer protection program. It was the first of its kind in youth sports.
Unique age-appropriate coach training is one of AYSO's specialties.
Because "Positive Coaching" is one of AYSO's guiding philosophies, coach training is one of our highest priorities.
The AYSO National Coaching Program is the only soccer coach training program in America accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE).
U.S. Soccer, the NSCAA and the English FA have all adopted key elements of the pioneering AYSO National Coaching Program. It is more validation of what AYSO has been doing well for almost 50 years … training coaches!
AYSO has been recognized for developing training programs that help coaches quickly gain the age-appropriate knowledge and skills needed to be effective coaches.
- Our volunteer coaches receive complete training right from the beginning!
- Training and certification for all coaches.
- Age- specific coaching courses provide training for coaches of every level of experience.
- Complete with manuals, handouts and outlines that are continually reviewed and updated.
- Supplemental local instruction programs, camps and clinics.
AYSO also has unique administrative and management training. This ensures that Region 605:
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Abides by the AYSO philosophies
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Offers a great AYSO experience
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Continues to grow, offering the AYSO opportunity to more children