Registration Info

How to become a volunteer AYSO Coach

1.	Each year, submit a Volunteer Coach Application. Log into ayso397.org under your own account and click on Volunteer to submit an application.
2.	Each year, complete an online background check. This must be done before you can receive your roster in August. After submitting your volunteer application, look for an email [email protected]. You must follow the link in the email to initiate the background check.
3.	Complete the required online safety videos. These must be done before you can hold practices in August. After you submit a volunteer application, you will see a list of required courses on your volunteer profile. Most of these courses can be accessed through AYSOU. (Look for the AYSOU button next to your volunteer application.)
4.	Attend an in-person Coach Certification class. This must be done before you can coach your team's game, in September. You can take this course through Region 397, or ANY AYSO Region. To find courses, go to your volunteer profile and follow the "AYSOU" link. This is a one-time certification.

>> STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP

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Coach Training Classes

Coach Certification Courses

All AYSO assistant and head coaches must obtain certification in each age group they coach. The Coach Certification Courses must be completed in-person.

Note: The In-person certification class is not the same thing as the annual Coach meeting.

Coach Certification Required For Each Age Division

Division	Minimum Required Certification	Additional Required Certifications
Playground	Playground Coach
6U	6U Coach
8U	8U Coach	8U Referee
10U	10U Coach	Regional Referee and Laws of the game
12U	12U Coach	Regional Referee and Laws of the game
14U	Intermediate Coach 12U Certification prerequisite	Regional Referee and Laws of the game
16U/19U	Advanced Coach Intermediate Certification prerequisite	Regional Referee and Laws of the game

How To Find Certification Courses

All Trainings offered by all regions can be found in the Training Event page on AYSOU.

How do I get to AYSOU? Great question. Step one is to submit a volunteer Coach application. Once you do, next to your application you'll find a button labeled, AYSOU. (Note: if you are a new volunteer, sometimes it takes about 30 minutes before you can access AYSOU.)

Once you are at the AYSOU Training website, you can take your online safety courses and sign up for a Coach Class through ANY AYSO region.

Upcoming Region 397 Coach Certification Courses

Below are the AYSO Coach Certification courses currently hosted by Region 397. If you are a Region 397 coach and the below dates do not work for you, remember that you may attend a Certification course through ANY AYSO Region.

Questions?

Email [email protected]

Coach Certification for Fall 2025
Friday August 15th evening for in person U10 and August 16th afternoon for U10 field portion.

Saturday, August 16th morning for in person U12 and afternoon for field portion. Lunch will be provided.

U10- U12 coaches must complete the online U12 class before AYSOU will allow you to register
Part of this is powerpoint class presentation. And part is on field. Dress appropriately for outside skill work.
Times and location of each class listed on AYSOU Event Training page.
Must register for class at AYSOU before attending.
IF THESE DATES DO NOT WORK FOR YOU, YOU MAY ATTEND THE CLASS AT ANY AYSO REGION. ALL REGIONS LIST THEIR CLASSES ON AYSOU.

Intermediate Coach Certification (Two Day Course) 2025
DATES TBD

Classroom session and field sessions each evening.

Part of this is powerpoint class presentation. And part is on field. Dress appropriately for outside skill work.

Location at a Region 397 field/facility. More info and times on AYSOU Event Training page.

Must register for class at AYSOU before attending.

QUICK HELP FOR VOLUNTEER PROFILE ISSUES

Below are answers to the most common questions. This may not solve every issue, but it might solve yours.

How do I complete Risk Status in my volunteer profile?

That is the online background check. You must complete it by clicking the link in the email sent to you, after you submit your volunteer application. Check your spam for an email from [email protected].

If you don't see it, AYSO National provides these steps for you to follow on the AYSO WIKI.

I completed the online background check. It still shows pending.

It can take a couple weeks, especially if you didn't use your full legal name, or your other information doesn't quite match. AYSO National provides these steps to check your Sterling background check status on the AYSO Wiki.

I don't see the AYSOU button in my volunteer profile

Did you submit a volunteer application?

Are you logged into a spouse's account, but not really your own?

Are you missing a volunteer ID? if it is not showing, then you may need to click the Pencil icon next to your volunteer application and re-save it. (Sometimes it takes up to three tries), before a volunteer ID shows.

If you've tried all those steps, email [email protected] and [email protected] and we can try to assist.