A coach can be the most influential person in a child’s life.

In AYSO, Positive Coaching is a fundamental philosophy because of the crucial role that a coach has. Coaching in AYSO is a chance to spend quality time with your own child but you’ll also provide an important role model for all the children on your team. In fact, the joy of coaching is so meaningful, that many AYSO coaches continue coaching long after their own children have moved on from AYSO. Soccer knowledge is a plus, but AYSO provides training and materials so that even a soccer novice can coach effectively by starting in the younger age divisions.

Being a coach involves skills you probably already have in addition to specific soccer knowledge. If you are uncertain, try being an assistant coach. Our region's Coach Administrator will be happy to try to match you up with somebody with a little more experience.

Volunteer Application and Background Check
Every volunteer (coach, referee, board member, team parent, etc.) must submit a Volunteer Application and Background Check each membership year. A background check screens volunteers’ suitability to work with our participants.

How to Register as a Volunteer

Safe Haven training
All volunteers in Region 88 must attend the Safe Haven course in person. All volunteers are required to complete this prior to receiving team contact information and prior to holding team practice, so please complete the course at your earliest convenience. Please check our Calendar for the next clinic or click on the AYSOU (tab above) to find classes offered at other regions nearby.

Concussion Awareness class (online)
All coaches/referees are required to complete this short webinar. Please submit a Volunteer Application before accessing the short webinar. This is also recommended (not required) for Team Parents.

1. Log into your Region 88 account here at www.ayso88.org
2. Click the Home tab (left)
3. Click the AYSOU tab (top navigation) and click Login (no password should be required)
4. Click My Courses and choose CDC Concussion Course

	Coach		Referee		Coaches and Referees
Division	Clinic	Hours	Clinic	Hours	Clinic (Hours)
5U	6U*	4			Safe Haven (3) In House Concussion Awareness training (1) Online All volunteers must submit a Volunteer application during the registration process.
6U
8U	8U	6	8U Official	3
10U	10U	6	Basic Referee	8
12U	12U	6
14U	Intermediate	15	Intermediate	12
16U/19U	Advanced	18

*6U is recommended but not required to coach in the 5U division.