Coach Clinics Policy
Regional Policy on
Attendance at Coach Clinics
1. Introduction. Region 76 has always encouraged coaches, whether head coaches or assistant coaches, to attend clinics to improve their skills as coaches. Our goal is for every coach to have received training appropriate to the division in which they coach and also certain universal training applicable to all coaches. The training requirements are mandatory, as is compliance with AYSO's Safe Haven program. The requirements apply to both head and assistant coaches.
2. AYSO National just republished its national coaching certification and training policy. The policy, which was adopted some years ago but which was deferred until this year, will be fully in effect on August 1. The National policy technically applies only to AYSO coaches and assistant coaches who wish to coach in the National Games, concurrent secondary play competitions or nationally sanctioned AYSO tournaments.
3. However, our region is implementing the policy for all coaches, as modified below. Division directors may request waivers from Robin Corbett or Michael Karlin but our intention is not to grant them except in rare or unusual circumstances, as explained below.
Basic requirements:
All coaches without exception must have taken Safe Haven. We WILL NOT ACCEPT the online version of Safe Haven or other courses taken after today without special permission, which will require a clear demonstration that attendance at an in-person course was not possible.
- U6 - Head coaches and assistant coaches must have taken and passed either the U6 or U8 courses.
- U8 - Head coaches and assistant coaches must have taken and passed the U8 course
- U10 - Head coaches and assistant coaches must have taken and passed either the U10 or U12 course.
- U12 - Head coaches and assistant coaches must have taken and passed the U12 course.
- U14 - Head coaches and assistant coaches must have taken the intermediate course.
- U16 - (In 2009 and subject to the National policy requiring the advanced course as above) Head coaches and assistant coaches must have taken and passed the intermediate course. Next year, head coaches will be required to have taken and passed the advanced course and assistant coaches will be strongly encouraged to take the advanced course and must have taken and passed the intermediate course. In 2011, all coaches will be required to have taken and passed the advanced course.
- U19 - (In 2009 and subject to the National policy requiring the advanced course as above) Head coaches must have taken and passed the advanced course and assistant coaches must have taken and passed the intermediate course. In 2010, all coaches must have taken and passed the advanced course
4. Criteria for exceptions
U6 through U10: Absolutely no exceptions will be made, except for assistant coaches who take online courses with our permission.
U12: We will consider exceptions for walk-on assistant coaches who volunteer after U12 courses are no longer available if they take the U10 online course and have significant experience as a player.
U14: We will consider allowing U14 assistant coaches to have taken the U12 course only if (a) the assistant has significant experience as a player (experience as a coach will not count) and (b) is unable to take the intermediate course this year and commits to taking it in 2010.
Generally, we will consider making other exceptions in rare and unusual cases, such as where a coach has high levels of USSF coaching certifications or experience as a player at a professional level or as a physical education or sports teacher. What we are very, very unlikely to do is to give a pass to coaches who have coached for many years without taking courses and we will be especially resistant to pleas concerning shortages of coaches, especially head coaches.
We hope you understand the reasons for this policy and will support it. The quality of our program as offered to parents and children depends to a significant degree on having coaches who are trained. We like mandates as little as the next person, but we think that a strong policy with limited and hard to get exceptions interpreted firmly with a dash of flexibility is the way to go.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Michael Karlin and Robin Corbett
Coach Administrators
August 2009
5. Information about coaching courses are posted on this site.
Last updated February 12, 2010 at 09:34 AM