FAQs on AYSO's Required Coach Training Policy
Coaching AYSO soccer can be one of the most rewarding experiences, especially if you are able to have the opportunity to coach your own child. AYSO prides itself on taking parents and volunteers with little or no soccer background and giving them the tools to coach and develop youth players. And the key to being a successful coach is simple: Training.
"Why do I have to be trained?"
AYSO's National Coaching Program training will help you have the most successful experience for both you and your players. If you're a soccer novice, you'll be trained on how to introduce soccer to young children - learning alongside them as you develop your coaching skills.
If you have played soccer, the training will complement the soccer knowledge you have with AYSO's tools and techniques for working with children and helping them learn. As many professional players have discovered, playing and coaching are very different skills!
If you've coached soccer elsewhere, it will help you understand what is unique about AYSO's training methodology, so you can coach the AYSO way. The most important thing a coach can learn is how to create the best environment for the kid to learn and compete.
"How do I find training in my local Region?"
Check your local Region website for upcoming coach training -- most Regions schedule U-6 through U-12 coach training each season. You can also contact your Regional Coach Administrator or Division Coordinator for more information on available training.
"Does AYSO offer online training?"
AYSO currently offers U-6, U-8 and U-10 coaching courses online at AYSOTraining.org. You must be a registered AYSO volunteer and have your AYSO ID number to access the training site. Once you have taken the course and passed the exam, your record in eAYSO will automatically show the training. However, make sure you print out the certificate for your records.
"Do both the head coach and assistant coaches need to be trained?"
Yes. This year, all U-6, U-8 and U-10 coaches must be age-appropriately trained whether you are the head coach or assistant coach.
"If I am a U-12 trained coach and will be coaching U-8 this coming season, do I have to go back and take the U-8 course?"
Yes, all coaches must be age-appropriately trained.