Coach Overview

Getting Started

How do I sign up to be an AYSO Coach Log into YOUR OWN ayso177.org account and submit a volunteer Coach application. Visit our How to Become a Coach page for detailed instructions and step-by-step assistance. ↑ Back to top
I've submitted my application. What do I do next? The Coach Admin team will reach out with a welcome email that explains your next steps. In order to be certified as an AYSO Coach, all of the required items in your volunteer profile must be verified (have a checkmark). This includes completing the necessary modules in AYSOU that are required of all AYSO volunteers as well as attending the specific training required to coach your particular age group. ↑ Back to top
What is the minimum age to be an AYSO Coach? You must be 18 years old or older to be an AYSO coach. Though AYSO appreciates and encourages young people to participate in all aspects of soccer including coaching, an individual under 18 years of age may not be listed as the head coach or assistant coach on the official roster due to liability issues. They can certainly assist in training and even make decisions regarding the team, but can’t ever be left alone with players and can’t be listed on the official roster. ↑ Back to top

Logistics & Expectations

When do I receive my roster? We start building teams in July, so you should typically receive your roster sometime in late July or early August. ↑ Back to top
Can I request players on my roster? As Head Coach, you automatically have your own player assigned to your team. Additionally, you may select an Assistant Coach to partner with and their child will automatically be placed on your team.

In order to ensure balanced teams, however, we do not allow coaches to request other players on their roster. ↑ Back to top
When do I practice? Whenever you want, pending field availability. Head Coaches decide the practice schedule. Find a time that works best for you, but be mindful of other families' work/school schedules. ↑ Back to top
Where do I practice? Practice location varies depending on age group and field availability. Please contact the Coach Admin to find your age group's specific list of practice locations. ↑ Back to top
How often do I practice? U6, U7 and U8 practice once per week for about an hour.

U10 and up practice twice per week. The length of time depends on the age group-- typically between one hour and 90 minutes, at the coach's discretion. ↑ Back to top
When are games? Games in the Fall season occur once per week, September through November with most games occurring on Saturdays. ↑ Back to top

Training, Certifications & Account

What are the requirements to be a Coach? All Coaches must submit a volunteer Coach (Head or Assistant) application for each team they want to coach which must be done every season.
All Coaches must complete the same requirements for every AYSO volunteer which includes a one-time Live Scan fingerprinting, completion of AYSOU Safe Haven modules, an annual online background check, and yearly completion of the SafeSport course (initial or refresher).
All Coaches must obtain an AYSO Coach License. You only need to do this once for each age group you coach. ↑ Back to top
By when must the Coach requirements be completed? Every requirement shown in your volunteer profile needs to be completed, but they have different due dates:

Before you can receive a roster with contact information of minors, you must complete your Online Background Check ("Risk Status") and your Live Scan fingerprinting. Those each can take up to two weeks, so you should complete them before the end of June. We give out rosters in July only to coaches who have passed their background check.
Before you can lead a practice, you need to have all of your online safety courses completed. Practices begin in August, so complete them before August.
Before you can coach a game, you need to obtain your Coach License at an in-person coach training. Games start in September, so you should enroll in a Coach License class before September. ↑ Back to top
Do I have to attend the coach certification training every year? Once you are Licensed at the age level you are coaching, you do not need to do it again. (When you move up to coaching new levels, you'll need a new certification for the new level.) Nothing in your volunteer profile is optional --the coach licensing is required. ↑ Back to top
Where do I find coaching certification courses? Coaching certification courses are listed on AYSOU. You may sign up for a coaching course through region 177 or through another region. Most Coaching courses are in the late Summer, and are not posted on AYSOU until early July. Keep checking AYSOU. During other times of the year, it is hard to find nearby coach training events. ↑ Back to top
How can I tell which certifications I have, or which safety courses I need to take? Your volunteer profile in Sports Connect shows you the status of all of your certifications and safety courses. ↑ Back to top
I coached in a different AYSO region before. Will my existing certifications transfer to region 177? Yes, as long as you use the same login information. If it does not, please contact our Region 177 CVPA at [email protected]. ↑ Back to top

Post-Season Coaching

How does post-season play work? Regardless of win-loss records, all U10 and U12 teams that have accrued the requisite number of volunteer points are eligible to play in Region 177 Belmont Cup.

All other age groups will continue to have regular season games during the weekend of Belmont Cup.

The top teams from each Core U10 and above division advance on to Area E Tournament to compete against other Area E region winners. The winner of Area goes on to Section 11 Tournament. The winner of Section advances to Western States Championships. ↑ Back to top
What other options are there for post-season coaching? Coaches can apply to become All-Star Coaches, where they can coach a team of some of the most highly skilled players from the Core season in both Area and Section competitions as well as other competitive AYSO tournaments. Some coaches also elect to form a Spring Select team which participates in Spring season play and tournaments. ↑ Back to top

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