Greetings Coaches!
If you are reading this it is because you have volunteered to coach or assistant coach for the upcoming AYSO season. Let me be the first to say Thank You! However, before we get you out on the field we need to take care of a little administrative overhead. Don't worry, it won't take that much of your time. By completing this process you are ensuring the safety of our players and the continued success of our program.
STEP 1 - REGISTER
AYSO is a national organization that requires all volunteers register annually with their national database regardless of what position or role they are filling. This is very important for two reasons. First, all registered volunteers are background checked by AYSO to ensure regions aren't putting player safety at risk. Second, only registered volunteers are protected under AYSO liability insurance. This means that you cannot be held personally liable if a player is injured during the normal course of play. If you do not register you cannot coach. There are no exceptions.
Registering is a straightforward process that you can do online in 5-10 minutes. Just visit https://ayso.bluesombrero.com/region612 (the same site you registered your kids on assuming you have kids playing) and login using the email address and password you registered your kid(s) with. Then click the appropriate registration link. There are separate options for new and returning coaches so be sure to click the right option. If you are under the age of 18 you should use the appropriate link under the youth registration heading:
When you get to the end of the registration form you will be asked to provide an e-signature. This is very important so please make sure you e-sign before you close out of your eAYSO session. The system walks you through it so just take your time and you will be fine. Also, you will be assigned an AYSO ID number at the end of registration so be sure to write this down as you will need it to complete the online coach training.
NOTE: As long as you e-sign your registration you do not need to print out a copy of your volunteer application unless you want it for your personal records.
STEP 2 - COACH TRAINING
We know what you're thinking....ugh...training. Never fear. Almost all of the required training can be completed online at your own pace in less than an hour. Plus, you don't have to do it all at once. As long as you get it done before practices start you are good to go. AYSO provides a fantastic set of basic online courses to help you easily and conveniently get the training you need.
There are Three training sessions all AYSO coach volunteers MUST complete:
AYSO Safe Haven...this online training session focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children as well as other on- and off-field issues. It includes proactive steps that promote a positive, healthy environment for children. AYSO Safe Haven training is required for all AYSO volunteers.
Age-Appropriate Coach Training...for U6 and U8 AYSO provides complete coach training online in about an hour. For U10/U12 there is a U10 online course that will teach you the basics and a two hour companion "field work" course that will need to be completed in-person to cover the offside rule and other topics introduced at these divisions. We usually schedule the field work course on one or two weeknights so you can crank it out. Age-appropriate coach training is required for all coaches and assistant coaches.
AYSO CDC Concussion Awareness training course. It is online, self-paced. Everything you ever wanted to know and then some about Concussions. Required by the state of Tennessee that all coaches complete this training.
All online training mentioned above can be completed by visiting
www.aysotraining.org. You will need your AYSO ID in order to login to this site but once logged in the courses are easily identifiable.Once you complete a course your eAYSO record will be immediately and automatically updated to reflect your course credit. You can check your training status anytime by logging on to eAYSO and then selecting 'View certification':
Safety Director Message:
The new soccer season is upon us and I know all the kids as well as the coaches and parents are excited for the season to begin. Please observe the safety tips below to ensure a more enjoyable and safe soccer season.
- Check all equipment to ensure it is in good condition.
- Shin guards must always be worn.
- Ensure all goal posts are securely anchored and never climb on a goal post or net.
- Eat right; proper nutrition is essential.
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
- Make warming up and cooling down part of your practice routine. Stretching can reduce injuries.
- Don't play if you are hurt. If you get injured, sit out the next game. You may aggravate the injury if you play.
- Know the rules of the game.
- Remove all jewelry and piercings when at practice or in a game.
- Always throw out your trash; unkept fields can be dangerous.
- Show respect to all players, coaches and official
Coach Notes
Please remember to put your coaches, team players and spectators on the proper side of the field. Home team is on the North/West side and visitors are on the South/East side.
Beads in the hair. Beads are like any other hard object in the hair and they are not permitted, even if buried in the hair. They represent a hazard to that player (imagine a hard driven ball hitting a bead) and a danger to other players (the bead is on a strand of hair and the strand of hair can whip around to hurt another player's face). Players may not practice or play with the beads in the hair.
Taped ears. Putting a piece of tape over newly pierced ears is not acceptable. The studs must be removed during practice and games. Coaches, please help enforce this. You don't want to try to explain to an upset parent why their child has to have stitches to repair an studded ear injured when a hard driven ball smacked it. Players may not practice or play with the earrings or studs in the ears.
Slide tackles are legal, even in U8. A slide tackle must be carried out in a carefully prescribed manner. The defender must play the ball only, not the other player. The defender must contact the ball before any contact is made with the other player. The defender must not put himself or the other player in any significant danger by his actions. A defender may execute a slide tackle correctly, cleanly stop the ball, the other player may fall over the ball, and no foul has occurred -- PROVIDED that, in the opinion of the referee, the defender did not endanger himself or the other player.
Thank You for Coaching!!!