Becoming a Coach

Coaching kids is incredibly rewarding — and coaching your own child’s team can be one of the best experiences of all! Coaches are the heart of American Youth Soccer Organization. When Regions don’t have enough volunteers, registration is limited and kids who want to play may be turned away.

No soccer experience? No problem! AYSO provides fun, age-appropriate training for every level. If you’re already planning to be at practices and games, you have everything you need to step in as a coach.

How to Become an AYSO Coach

Certification is simple and completed in three easy steps:

Fill out a volunteer application
Complete a short Safe Haven course (online or in person)
Attend a brief, age-specific coaching course (Online options for U6-U8)

That’s it — just a few hours total! You’ll also receive coaching manuals packed with practice plans and activities tailored to your team’s age group.

Step up, make a difference, and help give kids the full AYSO experience! ⚽

DRILLS AND PRACTICES

⚽ AYSO Coach FAQ

What happens if a coach can’t make it?
→ Try to recruit a team parent or assistant coach. If that’s not possible, inform parents that the opposing team’s coach may help lead the game. This often encourages parents to step up and volunteer!

It’s raining — are games cancelled?
→ Games will go on. We only cancel if there’s lightning or if the park closes the fields.

It’s too hot, what happens?
→ We add more water breaks, encourage canopies & cooling towels, and follow area heat guidelines. Games will go on. Parents always have the final choice about whether to bring their child.

I don’t have enough kids to play, do I cancel?
→ No. Games are never cancelled. Options:

Play with fewer players on each side
Borrow players from the other team (wear pinnies)

Can players with casts or splints play?
→ No. For safety, players with casts or splints are not allowed to participate until fully cleared.

My player misses too many practices/games, can I drop them?
→ No. AYSO’s philosophy is Everyone Plays. Remember, the goal is fun and development.

A player on my team wants to drop, can we get a replacement?
→ Yes. Have the parent complete the Drop Form on the Linktree, then notify me. We’ll check the waitlist to see if a replacement is available.

Do we have to pay for Picture Day?
→ No. A basic package is already included. Families can purchase more if they’d like.

These are links that will provide information to AYSO coaches to improve their ability to deliver quality training sessions and practices. These are links that will provide information to AYSO coaches to improve their ability to deliver quality training sessions and practices....

U-6 Training Games

U-8 Training Games

U-10 Training Games

CATZ Coach - AYSO-approved coaching tool