BECOMING A COACH

Coaches are at the heart of Mt. Diablo Soccer because as a coach you have the most contact with the kids during the season. We appreciate your time, and will provide the training, advice, and assistance you need to make your coaching experience a positive one.

Coaching children is a very rewarding experience! Coaches are pivotal to having children get the AYSO experience.

If we don’t have enough coaches, registration is scaled back and kids who want to play in AYSO are turned away.

Do you have little or no experience with soccer? No problem! AYSO will teach you, based on the age level you are coaching. We offer unique age-appropriate coach training.

If you plan to be at your child’s soccer practices and games, you’ll also have time to be your child’s coach.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL COACHES

As with all AYSO Volunteers, becoming a coach involves 4 steps:

  1. Registration
  2. One-Time Fingerprinting
  3. Training
  4. Certification

Step 1 – Register as a Volunteer with AYSO

  • Complete the Parent Registration in inLeague, selecting the appropriate Volunteer Role. Ensure you use your full legal name (for example David not Dave).
  • Once the Volunteer Application is received by MDSA, it will be submitted to Sterling Volunteers to complete the AYSO National Background Check
  • CHECK YOUR EMAILS FOR AN UPDATE FROM STERLING VOLUNTEERS. Follow the steps in this email to submit your Background Check.
  • You will receive an updated email from Sterling Volunteers when your Background Check is complete.
  • The Background Check must be completed annually.
  • If you are interested in coaching your child’s team for the upcoming season, please email Coach Admin.

Step 2 – Fingerprinting

STARTING JANUARY 1, 2022, California AB 506 requires all regular volunteers who have direct contact with children in California to have a one-time background check as approved by the California Department of Justice to exclude individuals with a history of child abuse. This form of background check requires live scan fingerprinting.

Step 3 – Safe Haven, Concussion Training and Sudden Cardiac Arrest and SafeSport Training Online

  • Sign in to ETrainU via your inLeague account. (Graduation Cap icon)
  • Under the Training Library > Safe Haven Courses, complete AYSO’s Safe Haven course online (must be completed after 2013).
  • Under the Training Library > Safe Haven Courses, complete CDC: Concussion Course online.
  • Under the Training Library > Safe Haven Courses, complete Sudden Cardiac Arrest Online Course.
  • From inLeague’s ETrainU page, use this link to access SafeSport online training, or CLICK HERE.

Step 4 – Complete Age-Appropriate AYSO Coach Certification

  • 5U/6U Coaches: the 6U Coaching Course can be completed online at EtrainU.
  • 7U/8U Coaches: the 8U Coaching Course can be completed online at EtrainU.
  • 10U Coaches: the 10U Certification is an Online Course and Field Session.
    • The 10U Online Coaching Course can be completed online at EtrainU.
    • Details on upcoming Field Sessions can be obtained from Coach Admin and you can register for the session under Live Courses at EtrainU.
  • 12U-19U Coaches – no-charge classroom training sessions are also offered locally (contact Coach Admin for details on upcoming sessions) which you can sign up for using EtrainU. Select the applicable age certification under Live Sessions.
  • Not sure if you have taken the courses previously? You can view all your certifications under your account at MDSoccer.

Step 5: Team Paperwork

  • Download your roster and contact families. For full contact details, in inleague, go to Teams > Team Rosters > select roster function Team Information/Contact Info.
  • Collect printed Player Registration Forms from parents. They are e-signed onlines.
  • Download the Zero Tolerance Form. This form needs to be signed by each coach and parent on your team. It is your agreement to respect the referees and not dissent or question their calls. Referees are volunteers too and without them we cannot play.
  • Both of these forms for all players need to be with you at every practice and game (we will do spot checks of these forms at practices and games).
  • FALL ONLY: Team Volunteer Form: Enter your volunteers’ names alongside your team number in the spreadsheet for your age group to register your volunteer points totals.
  • How to get Uniforms? Once you have obtained your Volunteer Points (32 for 7U/8U and 40 for 10U – 19U) send an e-mail to uniforms@mdsoccer.org.
COACHING DUTIES
  • Attend pre-season coach meeting.
  • Attend pre-season coach training.
  • Complete Safe Haven Training prior to working with players at EtrainU.
  • Complete Concussion Training and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training prior to working with players at EtrainU. (This is a one-time, mandatory obligation required by California state law.)
  • Complete SafeSport Training (Full course every 3 years; refresher course in years 2 and 3)
  • Hold a pre-season meeting with families. (Introduction, roster and schedule distribution. Discuss expectations.)
  • Recruit volunteers, especially assistant coach, team referees, and team manager.
  • Conduct practices.
  • Complete player evaluations. (U8-U14 divisions only.)
  • Ensure the kids all have fun!

WHY COACH?

  • It’s fun

  • It’s a great break from work!

  • It makes you feel good

  • It’s a great way to put something back into the community.

  • Without coaches, our children don’t play!

COACH HELP