Steps to Become a Coach
All Coaches
1) Submit your volunteer application and complete the Sterling Volunteers Background Check.
Returning volunteers must submit an application every season, Fall & Spring
- Go to the region website (you should already be on it) www.ayso65.org.
- Click the Login or Register Now button in the upper right of the homepage. If you already have an account please do not create a new account.
- Once you are logged in, you will be on the My Account page. On the left, click Volunteer, then click Find Volunteer Roles
- Select the current season (e.g. - Spring 2024 Core), then click on view roles.
- Find your age group and click on Head Coach or Assistant Coach
Important! When you are asked Who would you like to sign up for this role?, only select yourself (the first option). Please DO NOT select Sign up a new user (the second option) - this creates many problems within the system.
- Follow the steps to completion and that will enter you into the coaches queue.
- You will receive a confirmation email after you submit your volunteer application. Please read it completely
- You will receive an email from Sterling Volunteers to complete the process, click the link in the email to submit your Background Check.
Refer to the Volunteer Help page for tips and information on any specific problems you might encounter
2) Complete Safe Haven Training in AYSO University (AYSOU)
- Login to your account as above, click the Volunteer menu on the left, and click the AYSOU button under your name on the Volunteer page.
- On the left, click Training Library
- Under Safe Haven click View Courses
- Click Enroll and complete each of the following online courses. If you were enrolled in a course, you will find it in AYSOU under My Training
AYSO's Safe Haven
CDC Concussion Awareness
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
You do not need to take any other courses under the Safe Haven category.
Note: DO NOT select the course Access your Safe Sport Course Here, this is NOT a course. Skip to Step 3 for SafeSport
- When you have completed each course, please download your course certificate (pdf). In the event there is a system problem, you can send us a copy of the pdf and we will fwd to AYSO to show you completed a course.
3.) Complete or renew the SafeSport certification. Minors or 8U Officials are exempt
Refer to this page, Volunteer Help - SafeSport
4.) All Adult volunteers must register for a Live Scan. Minors or 8U Officials are exempt
Refer to this page, Volunteer Help - CA Mandated Fingerprinting / Live Scan
Reminder: You must be 18 to be a Head or Assistant coach, Coach Licenses do not expire.
Coach Training Lower Divisions
6U, 8U, 10U & 12U* Coaches
Each Division requires an online and In-Person course
5) Complete Age Appropriate Online Coaching Course
- Login to AYSOU (as described above, the AYSOU button is under your name on your Volunteer page)
- On the left, click Training Library
- Under Coaching click View Courses
- Then click Enroll and complete the online course for the division you are coaching
6U Coach - Online (good for 5U Sparks if you are a volunteer assisting the program and 6U)
8U Coach - Online
10U Coach - Online + In Person Field Session
12U Coach Training Pre-Course (Part 1) - Online course
6) Enroll in the Field Session for your Division and attend the In-Person Training
- Login to AYSOU (as described above, the AYSOU button is under your name on your Volunteer page)
- On the left, click Training Event and find your course. You will Enroll in the desired Field Session
6U Field Session
8U Field Session
10U Field Session
*12U Coach 2-Day (Part 2), Class & Field In-Person course, This course is comprised of sessions split over two days. A Class session (7-9pm, usually Wed, Thur or Friday) AND a Field Session (6-9pm, Friday or 8-11am, Saturday morning).
You MUST attend BOTH sessions to complete the 12U Coach License.
Note: Double Head Coaches must enroll in each Field Session they are coaching but only have to attend the higher session. This will ensure you receive credit for each Coach License.
Coach Training Upper Divisions
14U or 16/19U Coaches, Intermediate & Advanced
Prerequisites:
For 14U, you must have completed:
- AYSO's Summary of the Laws of the Game
- 12U Coach License and one season in-grade experience as a 12U Head or Assistant Coach
For 16/19U, you must have completed:
- AYSO's Summary of the Laws of the Game
- Intermediate Coach License and one season in-grade experience as a 14U Head or Assistant Coach
7) Complete the desired online course
- Login to AYSOU (as described above, the AYSOU button is under your name on your Volunteer page)
- On the left, click Training Library
- Under Coaching click View Courses
- Then click Enroll and complete the online course for the division you are coaching
Intermediate 14U Pre-Course (Part 1) - Online
Advanced Coach Pre-Course - Online
Note: Each online course has a deliverable that you must provide to the instructor of the In-Person course (see below).
8) Enroll in the desired (Part 2) course and attend the In-Person Training
- Login to AYSOU (as described above, the AYSOU button is under your name on your Volunteer page)
- On the left, click Training Event and find your course. You will Enroll in the desired Part 2 course
Intermediate 14U Coach (Part 2) - Full In-Person Course,
this course requires you to complete a Training Plan
Advanced (16U-19U) Coach (Part 2) - In-Person Course,
this course may require a Match Analysis, Training Plan and/or Self Reflection
Note: Make sure to review the course details as each Region / Instructor may have different requirements.
Please refer to the Coach Training page for dates and times when Coach courses will be offered.
If you have any questions, please contact: Coach Staff at: [email protected]