Q) I want to coach. Are there any administrative issues I need to resolve?
A) First thing you will want to do is let the Regional Coach Administrator (David Niebuhr) know that you would like to coach and in which division. DO NOT ASSUME YOU ARE A COACH FOR THIS SEASON UNTIL YOU HAVE GOTTEN SPECIFIC CONFIRMATION FROM YOUR DIVISION COORDINATOR–no matter how many seasons you have coached in the past!! We have had unfortunate miscommunications on this in the past–be safe and get confirmation that you are on our list.
Before the season starts, you will need to complete three requirements:
1) Complete and submit a 2023 Volunteer Form (Blue Sombrero).
2) Respond to Verified/Sterling Volunteer e-mail and complete background check (Verified/Sterling Volunteers).
3) Complete annual Safe Haven Certification by selecting the AYSOU tab in the Volunteer Page (Blue Sombrero).
4) Complete annual CA mandated Concussion Awareness Training by selecting the AYSOU tab in the Volunteer Page (Blue Sombrero).
5) Complete annual US Soccer mandated SafeSport by selecting the AYSOU tab in the Volunteer Page (Blue Sombrero).
6) Complete CA mandated fingerprinting through LiveScan (you will be notified of date and time of fingerprinting event).
7) Be Coach Trained in your division. Please contact your Division Coordinator for additional information.
Q) What is Safe Haven and why is it required? How often do I need to be Safe Haven Certified?
A) Safe Haven certification is required for all volunteers who will, in any way, be involved with and in contact with players in the AYSO program. The Safe Haven course changes every year as the issues impacting our children's welfare and safety change. All coaches in our Region, new and returning, must take Safe Haven annually.
Q) I volunteered last year to coach. Didn’t I already submit a Volunteer Application or do I need to do it again?
A) Volunteer Forms need to be completed each year you volunteer for any position (including coaches, assistants, team parents, referees, anyone involved with and in contact with players). We submit those volunteer forms to AYSO National who now have Verified/Sterling Volunteers run background checks on every application submitted. Since backgrounds potentially change from year to year, background checks are necessary every year.
Q) I am coaching in a division lower than my highest level of coach training. For example, I am coaching in the 10U division. I do not have 10U coach training but I do have 12U or above coach training. Do I really need to attend 10U coach training?
A) The short answer is yes. Since the AYSO coach training is comprehensive and specific to a particular age group, you will need to either have already completed or attend coach training in the division you will be coaching this season. This requirement applies to the head coach and any official assistant coach. This is particularly important in the competitive age groups (10U and above) where the head coach and assistant coach must be age appropriately trained to advance beyond our End of Season Tournament. Please contact your division coordinator for additional clarification.
Q) Do Coaches check-in Every Week?
No, just at the beginning of the season, and again during the End of Season Tournament. There are still several coaches who need to have PLAYER FORMS checked at the ref tent. Please finish this first check by Saturday!
Q) Can I switch my picture time or day?
This is a complicated and carefully calibrated schedule to match game times as closely as possible for each team. We cannot reschedule, and apologize for any missed-players or coaches this might cause for picture day.
Q) Am I Fully Certified for Coaching?
A user can check coach certifications in "My Account" after logging into Blue Sombrero. Coach certifications for each division level are good for life. As for Safe Haven and Concussion Awareness - these are annual training's. Unfortunately, there isn't a year assigned on this record of these certifications so rely on your Division Coordinator or Coach Admin to confirm you are Safe Haven AND Concussion Awareness certified for THIS YEAR as these are annual requirements.
Q) Can I order a coach shirt if I missed the signing up for one?
We did not order extra shirts, and we will not place another order this season. However, we may have duplicates for coaches with two teams and have asked that each coach take one to start. When we confirm all coaches who requested a shirt have had the chance to pick it up, we will release the remaining shirts to other coaches, first come first served. If you'd like one - add your name and size to the list on Saturday at the check-in tent.
Q) How do I track down a lost game ball?
Connect with other coaches and let them know you are missing a ball. Keep an eye out on soccer Saturday. Consider asking a parent from your team to collect game balls immediately following the game to help you out. Also, write your name on the ball(s) to avoid confusion as most balls look alike.
Q) How can I replace a player with whom I still haven't made contact?
If you have worked with your Division Coordinator, and the player's school, and tried e-mail and phone, then you may request another player be added but we still can't drop the player who you can't contact in case he or she shows up in week 8 because the phone wasn't in service or email not checked regularly. Thanks for understanding. We do have wait-lists for each division.
Q) Where can I get a coach manual with drill ideas and practice plans? I didn't get one at the training I attended.
Stop by the Administrative tent on the field at Damon Garcia and pick one up. If we don't have your division copy we will order one for you so at least 1 coach per team has a manual for reference
.