Submitting an AYSO Volunteer Coach Application
All Head and Assistant coaches must submit an application for each team they plan to coach. If you are coaching two teams, even if in the same division, you must submit two applications. (So we can assign one application to each team.)
As part of the application process, you will be sent a link / directed to Sterling Volunteers, which is the background check. It gives you the opportunity to choose who pays for the background check. Select the Region! (Of course you're welcome to pay for it if you really want to.)
Visit our Region 114 Volunteer Sign-Up FAQ if you need assistance submitting the application or navigation the background check.
When do I submit my application?
Once registration opens for the season in which you want to coach. (For example, March 1st for the Fall season.) Doing so beforehand means you will need to submit it again!
Completing Concussion Awareness and Safe Haven courses
All volunteers — referees, team parents, board members — must complete these courses online at aysoU.org.
The courses must be completed within the past three years. If it has been longer, you must get to take them again!
Completing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Course
The state of California requires AYSO Coaches and Volunteers to complete Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) compliance training.
Visit the AYSO Sudden Cardiac Arrest page for California volunteers.
Obtaining Coaching Certifications
All AYSO Head and Assistant Coaches must be certified at the age level they wish to coach. This certification can only be achieved by attending an in-person Certification Course. Taking an online-only Coach Certification Course does not satisfy this certification.
Register for AYSO Coach Certification courses through AYSO University (aysoU.org).
IMPORTANT! You can take this course through any AYSO Region you want. All Regions offering Coach Certifications class post them on aysoU.org. You can find many dates and options from which to choose.
See Nearby Coach Certification Classes below.
Coaching multiple teams
When we identify coaches who are coaching multiple teams, we strive to make sure your teams never play at the same time. (Another benefit to coaching is never having to decide which child's game you will watch!) If you sign up to coach multiple teams, please send an email to the Region 114 Coach Administrator and let us know the names of each player you plan to coach. This allows us to identify you to our Region 114 Schedule to avoid game conflicts.
Important Reminder: All Head and Assistant coaches must submit separate volunteer applications for each Age Group they wish to coach. (In other words, if you plan to coach 12U and 8U, then you should submit two coaching applications, 12U and 8U.)
Do I have to be certified at each age group I coach?
To be covered under the Volunteer Protection Act you must be certified with age-specific training (and also complete Safe Haven Certification). Certification in an upper age group does not confer all lower age-specific certifications. For example, a coach who holds a U12 or intermediate certificate and wishes to coach U10 must then get a U10 certificate.
Ensuring your own player is on your team
Some coaches sign-up using a different AYSO logins than their player. (For example, the player was registered under a spouse, but the coach submitted a Volunteer application under their own account.) Our Region 114 Registrars do their best to try and identify your child and place them on your team, but to safe, please send an email to the Region 114 Coach Administrator and let us know your name, plus the name of your child, once you both have signed-up.
Questions?
Still have questions? Contact Coach Administrator, Thomas Tyler if you are are interested in becoming a volunteer coach, or have more questions.