Purpose

The AYSO volunteer position of coach is intended to develop in players a positive image of themselves their teammates, coaches, game officials, and opponents and provide a good role model for players. Additionally, the coach will develop in his/her players the appropriate soccer skills as recommended in the AYSO coaching manuals.

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Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The coach is expected to:

1. Attend team organization night with the assistant coach before the season begins;

2. Attend the age appropriate coaching course for training on how to coach or as a refresher on AYSO philosophy;

3. Attend uniform/equipment distribution night prior to a season to receive team uniforms, equipment, and a playing schedule;

4. Run one to two practices per week, develop team line-ups for games, and attend regular and tournament games;

5. Promote the AYSO philosophy;

6. Support the Regional Commissioner;

7. Cooperate with the regional coach administrator on all coaching matters;

8. Support the age group coordinator;

9. Distribute practice and game schedules to parents;

10. Conduct a parent meeting;

11. Teach age appropriate skills;

12. Refrain from the use of insulting, embarrassing, foul or abusive language;

13. Provide player evaluations to the age group coordinators at the end of the season;

14. Carry out other team tasks as necessary; and

15. Have FUN!

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Qualifications and Desired Skills

To be considered for the position of coach, the applicant should:

1. Have reliable qualities;

2. Attend training classes before the season begins; and

3. Be screened.

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Supervision Protocols

While performing as the coach, the volunteer is:

1. Subject to the bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines of AYSO;

2. Under the overall authority of and directly supervised by the regional coach administrator, and supervised indirectly by the regional commissioner; and

3. To maintain the recommended supervision ratio of 1:8 or less; that is one adult for every eight or fewer children and two adults (one of whom may be the coach and one of whom should be of the same gender as the group) present at all times. For the protection of both the children and the volunteer, no volunteer should permit himself or herself to be alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.

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Orientation, Training, Certification, and Continued Education Provided

To prepare a volunteer for the position of coach, AYSO will offer the following educational opportunities. It is the duty of the volunteer to attend these sessions.

1. Orientation by the regional coach administrator;

2. AYSO Coach Certification Level 1;

3. Continuing Education;

4. Training classes;

5. Coach clinics;

6. Referee clinics; and

7. AYSO Safe Haven Program

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Activity Locations

While performing the duties of coach, the volunteer is limited to the following locations, unless expressly authorized in writing by the regional commissioner to hold activities in another location.

1. Assigned field locations;

2. Assigned classroom locations;

3. Regional meetings;

4. The annual section meeting;

5. Region sponsored events; and

6. Independent work at home alone, in committees of adults, or in a properly supervised situation with children.

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