Purpose

The AYSO volunteer position of head or co-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.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The head coach is expected to:

1. Attend coaches' meetings 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. Run one mandatory practice per week, develop team line-ups for games, and attend regular and tournament games

4. Promote the AYSO philosophy and teach age appropriate skills

5. Support the regional commissioner, division director and the regional coach administrator and referee administrator

6. Conduct a parent meeting and distribute practice and game schedules

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

8. Provide player evaluations to the division directors at the end of the season

9. Have FUN!

POSITION DESCRIPTION - ASSISTANT COACH

Purpose

The AYSO volunteer position of assistant coach is intended to help the head coach with all coaching responsibilities.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The assistant coach is expected to:

1. Attend pre-season and other coaches meetings with the head coach

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

3. Represent the head coach whenever the head coach is unable to attend

4. Help run practices, develop team line-ups for games, and attend regular and tournament games

5. Assist the head coach in providing player evaluations to the division coordinators at the end of the season

6. Carry out other team tasks as necessary upon request of the head coach.

7. Have FUN!

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

1. Be reliable and of good character

2. Be interested in helping children and promoting youth soccer

3. Attend training classes in coaching before the season begins

4. Complete a volunteer application form.

Orientation, Training, Certification, and Continued Education Provided

To prepare a volunteer for the position of assistant coach, AYSO will offer the following educational opportunities. The volunteer must attend these sessions.

1. AYSO coach clinics and Level 1 certification

2. Coach-referee clinic (U10 and above) and other training required by the region

3. Annual coach update

Time Commitment

A coach or assistant coach shall be appointed for a season beginning with preparations in late summer and continuing until the end of the regular season and any post-season activities

Activity Locations

While performing the duties of assistant 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 and classroom 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 zupervised situation with children.

Supervision Protocols

While performing as a coach or assistant coach, the volunteer is:

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

2. Under the overall authority of the division director and the regional coach administrator

3. To strive 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, a volunteer should avoid being alone with any child or group of children (except his or her own) during AYSO-sponsored activities.