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 a NEW AYSO coach, you must complete four easy steps;

1) fill out a volunteer form under the "Register Now" button (above)

2) fill out the background check.  After completing your volunteer form, you will be sent an email from American Youth Soccer Organization/Sterling Volunteers to complete your background check information.  Please fill out the information as prompted.  Hopkins AYSO will gladly pay the $25 Volunteer Fee, so please do not feel any obligation to "donate" to lower this fee.

3) take a short Safe Haven™ course online at aysou.org,
Note: Log in username and password for aysou.org are the same as the login information for your Sports Connect (formerly Blue Sombrero) account you created when you filled out your volunteer form in Step 1 (above).

4) while you’re there, take the mandatory Concussion Awareness Training and

Optional: attend a local age-specific coaching course. It’s only a few hours, it's FREE (Hopkins AYSO will cover any registration fees), and you’ll learn how easy it is to provide a great learning experience for our kids!  Available coaching courses can be found under "In Person Training" on the aysou.org website.  If you need help finding a course, please contact your Coach Administrator (Ashlee Lust - [email protected]).

For RETURNING Coaches:  Safe Haven Course and Concussion Awareness Training needs to only be completed ONCE.  If you are a returning coach (and have already completed them), you do NOT need to complete Safe Haven/Concussion Training again.  You'll just need to fill out the volunteer form in Sports Connect (formerly Blue Sombrero).  Also, please consider taking additional training courses as needed as you and your child move up through the divisions.

AYSO Coach Welcome Packet