The AYSO Coach: Is a volunteer who teaches children soccer skills and helps them develop a positive attitude, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Coaching is a rewarding experience, as you have the opportunity to build a child's self-esteem, help them learn new skills, and have fun while doing it. Prior experience is not necessary.  AYSO will teach you to use age-appropriate training through its Certification Classes and coach clinics throughout the season.

"Winning is not everything, at AYSO we focus on player development". 

All Coaches require the following regardless of the division or age of the players they want to coach. 

• Safe Haven Training Certification (1-time)
• Concussion Training Certification (1-time)    
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training Certification (1-time) 
• Safe Sport Training Certification (Every 3 years)
• Background Check (annually) 
• Live Scan (1-time) 
• Regional Referee Certification (1-time)
• Coach Certification for the specific division (1-time)

Most of these certification courses can be found on-line by clicking the Volunteer tab, followed by the AYSOU tab on your AYSO account page. In-person courses are available at locally designated areas throughout the year. A schedule of offered classes can be found under "Training Event" by clicking on the volunteer tab & AYSOU tab on your AYSO account page.

Safe Haven and Concussion Certification
The Safe Haven and Concussion certification ensures the well-being of the child is placed first, the philosophies of AYSO are understood, and teaches the coaches risk management to avoid positions unsafe to themselves and the children. It is also part of the requirements to be covered under the Volunteer Protection Act.

Age-Specific Training – Schoolyard / 6U / 8U / 10U / 12U etc.
AYSO provides coaching courses that focus on working with player in age-specific divisions to create a fun learning environment. Coaches must have an age-specific coach certification for the division they are coaching.  Higher level courses will not satisfy the requirement to be certified in a younger division. These courses have no pre-requisite and may be taken individually or in any order.

Intermediate, Advanced and National Coach Certifications
Upper level courses build upon each other.  Thus a coach with the Advanced Coach certification may also coach teams needing only the Intermediate Coach certification. However, these do not grant the age-specific certification needed to coach 6U-12U. A coach who holds an Intermediate Coach or above certification and wishes to coach in 10U, must also hold a 10U Coach certification. 14U coaches must have at least the Intermediate Coach certification. 16U and 19U coaches must have the Advanced Coach certification. The National Coach certification is for coaches who desire to further advance their skills and offer a greater level of support to their region.

Cross certification from USSF
For coaches who hold a USSF license cross-certification is available. Unfortunately, we do not offer cross-certification from NSCAA diplomas, FA levels, or other organizations at this time. Coaches with the USSF Youth Modules may apply for U6-U12 certification. Those holding a USSF 'E' license may apply for the Intermediate certificate, and those holding a USSF 'D' license or higher may apply for the Advanced certificate. Applicants must be recommended by the Regional Commissioner and the area and section coach administrators before the application packet is sent to the AYSO National office to be approved by the AYSO National Coach. Please contact your Regional Coach Administrator for more information. 

We are now recruiting volunteer coaches. Here is AYSO’s Coach Job Description:
Coach Job Description

Please see the steps below to become a coach.