Certifications for Coaches are Now Mandated by AYSO National

Coaches, please note that AYSO National has mandated that you be certified for the age level at which you are coaching. San Marcos AYSO offers many coaches clinics throughout the season to get your certificates. Please see our Coaches Clinics page for a list of dates, times and locations of the training that you're looking for, or send an email to our Coach Instructor.

The following table shows the current divisions that San Marcos AYSO has and the required certificate for those divisions.

Division	AYSO Certificate
U6 B/G	U6 Certificate
U7 B/G	U8 Certificate
U8 B/G	U8 Certificate
U10 B/G	U10 Certificate
U12 B/G	U12 Certificate
U14 B/G	Intermediate
U16 B/G	Intermediate
U19 B/G	Advanced

Game Cards

Game cards are required to be filled out by every coach in the upper divisions (U10 and  up). A game card form is available by clicking here. Fill this in and print it out. For best results print using Portrait layout on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.

Coaches Handbook for 2014 Now Available - Pre-Season Coaches Meeting August 5th

Area R League Invitational Tournament Application

Player Evaluations

Click here for Team Player Evaluation Form. The player evaluation form is due at the end of each season. We use the previous season's evaluations to make sure that the next season has balanced teams. So it's very important that you spend some time to fill out the form and let us know how each player should be rated. We can keep our league competitive for everyone this way.

Coach Orientation Meetings

Coach Orientation meetings will be the first hour of the U6 - U12 clinics listed above. It is very important that you attend an orientation meeting each year since this is our chance to give you details about the season, the division that you're coaching in, any changes to game formats or other information you'll need during the season. Even if you're not planning on attending a clinic, please make time to come to an orientation.

Player Orientation Days

Roster handouts and player orientation happens on July 20th for U6-U8 divisions and July 27th for U10-U14 divisions. this is a great time to get to know your players and parents, to establish what days and times you'll be holding training sessions, to get other parents to volunteer to help out with the team, and to meet your divisional manager. 

Concussion Information for Coaches

These short fliers are very informative and can be freely distributed to parents and members of your team. Please read through these pamphlets before starting your season, and consider taking the CDC Online Concussion Training for a printable certificate.
CDC Concussion "Heads Up" Action Plan
AYSO/CDC Parent/Athlete Concussion Information Sheet
CDC "Heads Up" Online Concussion Training Course

Region 127 Coaches Mission Statement

San Marcos AYSO Region 127 aspires to be an outstanding educational and athletic organization that provides a high quality experience, in which every athlete:

• Is coached using the principles of the AYSO
• Has fun playing the game
• Feels like an important part of the team regardless of performance
• Learns “life lessons” that have value beyond the soccer field
• Learns skills, tactics and strategies of the game and improves as a player

We recognize coaches must directly make this possible, so we provide all the coaches with the tools to succeed as AYSO coaches. We are committed to creating a culture in which coaches, parents, fans, referees and athletes work together to achieve our mission.

Enthusiastically support and practice the "Everyone Plays", "Good Sportsmanship" and "Positive Coaching" philosophies of AYSO.

• Be reasonable in your demands on a young player's time, energy, enthusiasm and performance on the soccer field.
• Impress on your players that they must abide by the Laws of the Game at all times.
• Develop team respect for the ability of opponents, and for the judgment of referees and opposing coaches.
• Ensure that your players' soccer experience is one of fun and enjoyment (winning is only part of it). Players should never be yelled at or ridiculed for making mistakes or losing a game.
• Set a good example and be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Children need a coach they can respect.
• Keep informed of sound principles of coaching, growth and child development.
• Check your equipment and playing facilities. The should meet safety standards and be appropriate for the age and ability of your players.
• Follow the advice of a physician when determining when an injured child is ready to play again.

If you have questions or concerns, or just have general questions, please contact your Divisional Manager, Coach Administrator, or Coach Director. 

Field Permits

Coaches please see below for field permits for schools and parks available for practices.

Practice Schedules for Fall 2014 - Winter 2015

Park Name	Practice Days	Available Times	Field Permit	Map
Alvin Dunn Elementary	Tuesday-Thursday	5PM - Sunset	Field Permit	Map
Knob Hill Elementary	Tuesday-Thursday	5PM - Sunset	Field Permit	Map
Woodland Park Middle	Tuesday-Thursday	5PM - Sunset	Field Permit	Map
Paloma Elementary	Tuesday-Thursday	5PM - Sunset	Field Permit	Map
Twin Oaks Elementary	Tuesday-Thursday	5PM - Sunset	Field Permit	Map
San Marcos Middle - Fields 1 & 2	Tuesday-Thursday	5PM - 9PM	Field Permit	Map
Joli Ann Elementary	Tuesday-Thursday	5PM - Sunset	Field Permit	Map
Walnut Grove Park - North Fields	Monday-Wednesday	4PM - Sunset	Not Required	Map
Walnut Grove Park - South Fields	Monday-Wednesday-Friday	4PM - Sunset	Not Required	Map
Hollandia Park MP Field	Monday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday	4PM - Sunset	Not Required	Map
Palomar College - Minkoff Field	Tuesday	5:30PM - 9PM	Matrix Practices Only	Map
Las Posas Park - Stadium	Monday-Wednesday-Friday	4PM - 9PM	Not Required	Map
Las Posas Park - Upper Fields	Monday-Wednesday-Friday	4PM - Sunset	Not Required	Map

Coaches, please leave the fields in a neat condition. Please pick up any empty water bottles, soda cans, snack wrappers, etc. and put them in the trash. The schools and school district are kind enough to make these fields available for our use, so let’s leave them neat and clean.

NOTE: Note that the days that a specific field are available may change based on sharing proposals handled through the City of San Marcos' Youth Sports Council. The Youth Sports Council is an advisory committee to the City of San Marcos' Parks and Recreation Department. Questions regarding the field allocations for Fall Season of 2013 should be directed to our Commissioner. Contact your City Council representative for more information about the Youth Sports Council.

SAFE HAVEN CLASS REQUIRED FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS

Safe Haven is a program instituted by AYSO to comply with the Child Protection Act of 1993.  Each team must have a certified coach that has taken this class. AYSO requires all volunteers are certified through the Safe Haven Program. The class goes over Child Protection, safety rules and volunteer liability protection. The Safe Haven Class is available online. San Marcos AYSO also hosts several Safe Haven courses throughout the year. Contact our Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA) to find out when courses are being held and to sign up.

Click here to take the Safe Haven course online.

All Volunteers must register with AYSO National before taking the Safe Haven class. Click here for online registration or download the Volunteer Registration and mail two copies to San Marcos AYSO.  There may be a short delay while your AYSO National registration is completed before you can take the course.