La Costa AYSO Region 1282

Spring Turbo Soccer:  Coaches Needed!  Training available.  
Contact click here for more information.

 2012 Regional Policy Statements

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2012 Coaches presentation
2012 Field Practice Schedule

AYSO is the FIRST Coaching Education Program to be re-accredited!  The American Youth Soccer Organization is the first coaching education program to be re-accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE).  AYSO's coaching program is now accredited through 2016.  "Accreditation by NCACE is critically important to AYSO.  Our AYSO Vision Statement challenges our coaching program to deliver a 'world class youth soccer program that enriches children's lives'", said AYSO National Coach Instructor John Ouellette. "The NCACE accreditation confirms the program's quality, brings it nationwide recognition and instills a sense of pride in our coaches and program administrators.

To receive this accreditation, AYSO's coaching program had to educate coaches in the following eight national standards:

• Injuries:  Prevention, Care and Management
• Risk Management
• Growth, Development and Learning
• Training, Conditioning and Nutrition
• Social/Psychological Aspects of Coaching
• Skills, Tactics and Strategies
• Teaching and Administrative Aspects
• Professional Preparation and Development

2012 Training Schedule

Coaches can sign up at eayso.org.  A current Volunteer Form needs to be submitted prior to signing up for any courses.

Why Short-Sided Soccer?

AYSO recommends that all children under the age of 12 play short-sided (less than 11 players per team) soccer.

Young soccer players need special consideration.

• They are children playing a child's game.
• They must be regarded as young children, not mini adults.
• They are essentially self-oriented and relate naturally to one or two others, not to large groups.
• Fun and activity factors must be a central part of a child-centered program.
• Educators agree early learning experiences are the most important and produce the most retention.
• Most children cannot sustain prolonged activity.
• They function best in suitable starts and stops (rest periods).
• Concentration span is limited, so frequent changes of pace and activity are essential.

• They learn a great deal more when the ratio of teacher (coach) to student (player) is reduced.
• With small numbers and the simple nature of the game, the best teacher is the game itself.
• With fewer players on the field, each player gets more touches of the ball and has greater opportunity to change location in a fast-flowing, fluid game.
• Playing short-sided allows players to make simpler decisions and develop an earlier, better understanding of organization of play.
• Smaller fields mean more players are directly involved in play, creating increased levels of both concentration and interst.
• The reduced field size encourages more shots on goal by all players, therefore more goals scored.

• Parents are introduced to the game in smaller, more understandable doses.
• Short-sided soccer is a great place to train new referees.
• The rest of the world is playing short-sided, and we are part of the soccer world.

Intermediate Coach Training: 

Coaches

Making a difference in children's lives

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.

Basic First Aid for Soccer Presentation

Click here for directions on how to submit your Volunteer Form.  It is required before you can coach.


All coaches must attend certified training in order to participate in all star and area play at the end of the season. If you cannot find a class offered by AYSO La Costa, try looking in www.eayso.org for classes taught in other regions.


Q: Why should I coach in AYSO? 
It's a chance to spend quality time with your child and it's fun. It's a great break from work. It makes you feel good. It's a great way to give back to the community. 
The rewards come in the form of helping kids have fun at a game or practice, and contributing to their individual skills and teamwork. There is also a great sense of accomplishment when you reach the end of a season, look back and see how far the team has come.

Q: What if there aren't enough coaches?
Coaching children is a very rewarding experience. And coaching your own child's team can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all! Coaches are pivotal to having children get the AYSO experience.
If Regions don't have enough coaches, registration is scaled back, and kids who want to play in AYSO are turned away.

Q: I don't know anything about soccer. Can I still help coach? 
Yes! AYSO provides training and materials. Being a coach involves skills you probably already have in addition to specific soccer knowledge. If you are uncertain, try being an assistant coach. Your Region's Coach Administrator will be happy to try to match you up with somebody with a little more experience.

Q: What is the time commitment to being an AYSO coach? Assistant coach? 
Coaches run two weekday practices and a game on Saturday or Sunday. Coaching in AYSO is all about teaching and encouraging kids, and having a lot of fun. Parents help with team organization tasks. 

Q: How old do I have to be to 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 may not ever be left alone with players and may not be listed on the official roster.

Q:  How do I become a coach? 
You sign up to coach at registration time when you register your kids to play. If you need more information, you can contact Tom Dodson, Regional Coach Administrator.  If you have a child that is already on a team that has a coach, just let the coach know that you are interested in coaching and would like to help. Most of our coaches will be delighted to use you.

Q:  Does an AYSO coach have to have a child on the team? 
No. Anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer to be a coach in AYSO. Generally speaking, most coaches are the parents of a child on the team; however, AYSO welcomes and encourages anyone who wants to volunteer to come out and coach!

Q:   What training is provided for coaches? 
There are two parts to coach training. One is an online course which covers team management, safety, volunteer protection and AYSO's principles. This course is known as Safe Haven™. There is also age-specific training which covers soccer techniques, strategies, and teaching ideas appropriate to the age group. These clinics are held on weekends, and vary from a half day to two days. You must attend coach training to be covered by the Volunteer Protection Act. Contact Scott Deal, Regional Coach Administrator for more information.

Q:  What is Safe Haven™? 
AYSO makes a commitment to provide a safe place for children to play and compete. The coach has a responsibility to help make the environment safe, as well as fun. To ensure the safety of both children and volunteers, each volunteer is required to take a short in-person or online training session called Safe Haven™. It focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children as well as first aid and other on-field issues. Agreeing to a background check is also required for each volunteer.

Q:  What are the various levels of coach certification?
AYSO offers coach training for every age group. The various levels are as follows and each one has its own course: U-6, U-8, U-10, U-12, Intermediate, Advanced and National.

Q:  What are the requirements and time involved with the various coach certifications?

Course times are as follows: