Coaches

In-Person Coach Training Dates 10U, 12U, Intermediate 14U

Area Hosted Coach Training Dates

8/7/2024: 10U, 12U, Intermediate (14U) In-person coach training

9/15/2024: 10U, 12U, Intermediate (14U) In-person coach training

Region Hosted Coach Training Dates

TBD

Volunteer Coach Requirements

Requirements for all Head and Assistant Coaches

First Step: Log into your 5 Cities AYSO account at www.5citiesayso.com and REGISTER as a volunteer! HOW TO REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER
Risk Status/Background check (access by clicking the box in your volunteer table and pushing renew & update)- When you registered your child/children, you may have already filled out the “volunteer form”, for the position you are volunteering for. This portion also has you complete a background check through STERLING volunteers. Please make sure to submit and follow the directions regarding the background check and complete ALL of the steps. (Check your email for an email from Sterling Volunteers. Please check your spam folder if you do not see it). BACKGROUND CHECK QUESTIONS
Fingerprinting -This is a 1-Time fingerprinting that you need to complete WITH AYSO. If you have fingerprinted for other volunteer roles (e.g., Lucia Mar, etc.), you need to complete this requirement for youth sports. NOTE: This is an AYSO specific fingerprint requirement (LINK) *GO TO: https://www.applicantservices.com/ayso/ (The cost is $25) Live Scan Fingerprinting is done only ONCE. Your AYSO Live Scan will be valid continuously unless there is a gap in volunteer service of five or more years.
SafeSport (access by clicking the box in your volunteer table and pushing renew & update)-All volunteers will need to take the full training course in the first year of volunteer work in a youth sport, which is 90 minutes, and repeat it every three years, followed by annual updates in the in-between years, which are 30 minutes. -When you are due to do the 30 minute update, you will be sent an email from SafeSport. -They can log into their account and take the update at any time. (need before roster handed to them) -IF you have taken SafeSport for another youth sports league, please email your certificate to your division coordinator. You will be able to access the SafeSport training by following these instructions:
1. Login to your Sports Connect account where you registered as a volunteer.
2. Click on the volunteer tab on the left-hand side of the screen
3. Click on SafeSport box
4. Click on Renew and Update
5. A screen will pop up where you will click on the “click HERE” link or copy and paste the URL into your browser to begin training.
(AYSOU) Concussion Awareness -ALL VOLUNTEERS: Must complete and renew every year! (Click VIEW COURSES > Enroll for the CDC Concussion Awareness - Online) HOW TO ACCESS YOUR AYSOU TRAINING ACCOUNT
(AYSOU)Sudden Cardiac Arrest (AYSOU) -If you are a new volunteer, you must take this course. Returning AYSO volunteer: If you have completed this course in the past, you do not need to renew it. (Click VIEW COURSES > Enroll for the Sudden Cardiac Arrest - Online)
(AYSOU) AYSO Safe Haven-If you are a new volunteer, you must take this course. Returning AYSO volunteer: If you have completed this course in the past, (after 2011) you do not need to renew it. If your certification was done before 2011, please renew. (Click VIEW COURSES > Enroll for the AYSO's Safe Haven - Online)

10U, 12U, 14U Intermediate, 16U/19U Advanced Coach Training Info

The coach training pre-course is ONLINE in AYSOU.
To get certified in 10U, 12U, 14U, or 16U you must take the pre-course ONLINE before you register to attend an in-person course.
You must be 18 or OVER to be a Head Coach

–IF you have already coached the division you are volunteering for THIS year before, you do not need to take a new online training course (for example: if you are a certified 12U coach from last season, and you are coaching the same division again THIS season, you do not need to retake the course).

–IF you are coaching a NEW division this season please sign up to take the online coaching course for the division you are coaching. The online training is in the AYSOU (AYSO University) See link for how to access your AYSOU). Then you will need to register for an in-person coaching course to complete your certification in 10U, 12U, 14U, and 16U.

(Click on TRAINING LIBRARY > Look for the “coaching picture” > Click VIEW COURSES > Enroll for the ONLINE Course for the division you are coaching

6U and 8U Coach Training Info

The coach training course for 6U and 8U are ONLINE ONLY.

There is no in-person course requirement for 6U and 8U Coaches.

You must be 18 or OVER to be a Head Coach

–IF you have already coached the division you are volunteering for THIS year before, you do not need to take a new online training course (for example: if you are a certified 6U or 8U coach from last season, and you are coaching the same division again THIS season, you do not need to retake the course).

(Click on TRAINING LIBRARY > Look for the “coaching picture” > Click VIEW COURSES > Enroll for the ONLINE Course for the division you are coaching

Supervision Policy

AYSO- Child Supervision Policy

AYSO’s Child and Volunteer Protection Guidelines are designed to facilitate:

Appropriate Boundaries
Transparent Interactions
Protection of minors’ identities and privacy

AYSO recommends the follow supervision protocols:

At least two registered adults present at all times.
One registered adult for every eight or fewer children.
At least one registered adult of the same gender as the players.
No adult should ever be alone with a child other than their own, including transporting a child. When it is necessary to speak privately with a child, select a spot out of earshot but within sight of others for transparency.
Team Coaches are responsible for all players until they are picked up or leave the area as authorized by parents.
Parents must not “drop” players off at fields or AYSO activity without establishing contact with coaches.
No child shall be left unsupervised after a practice or game. AYSO does not recommend that children walk or ride a bicycle home alone. However, when allowed, the Coach should secure a General Release form from the parent/guardian to ensure their approval. This includes allowing a child to car pool with another parent.
The AYSO “Buddy” system must have at least 3 players to minimize opportunity for player-on-player abuse.

In order to prevent misunderstandings, physical contact with children should be:

In response to the need of the child only; intervene only as necessary for the health and safety of the child.
With the child’s permission, respectful of hesitation or discomfort.
Careful to avoid private or bathing suit areas.
Age and developmentally appropriate.
Always in the open; never in private.
Brief as in a hug from the side, “high five” or fist taps to signal a good job or support.