IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR 2026!
Florida Statute 943.0438 requires Level 2 (fingerprint-based) background screenings for all volunteer youth athletic coaches with direct contact with minors. The deadline for compliance is July 1, 2026. Screenings are processed through the FDLE/FBI and Agency for Health Care Administration. This means that all PAL coaches will be required to have a fingerprint-based background check for the 2026 season. PAL is currently determining how this process will work.
Coaching Requirements, Education and Application
To be a PAL Soccer coach, the first - and most important - thing you need to do is to volunteer on this website!
a. Login into your account, click on the VOLUNTEER tab on the left, then click the blue FIND VOLUNTEER ROLES button
b. Follow the process for the division and position you're volunteering for.
Once you have volunteered to coach, you'll need to complete some training and a background check. There are three training courses to complete - SafeSport, concussion, and an intro to soccer course. The document linked below provides details on everything you need to accomplish. The sooner you start, the better; you are not officially accepted as a PAL coach until all training and background check requirements are completed. If you previously coached for PAL, you need to re-do all training on an annual basis.
» Click here (COMING IN MAY) to access the 2025 coach training and background check instructions
There is no cost to coaches for this training. If you choose to complete one of the optional advanced soccer courses such as 4v4 or 7v7, PAL will reimburse the $25 fee. If you encounter any request for payment while completing training, contact the PAL Coaching Administrator.
Mandatory Coaches’ Meetings - August 8th
There will be a mandatory coaches' meeting on Saturday, August 8th in the Niceville Community Center (not City Hall as it is not available this year). Head Coaches are highly recommended to attend, but an assistant coach can fill in when necessary. It is important that at least one coach per team attends because coaches will receive team rosters and practices (days, times, and locations) will be selected at the meeting based on a lottery. Teams without a coach present will end up selecting from remaining practice slots. The Niceville Community Center is located at 204 Partin Dr N (Hwy 285) next to the Library.
» U6 coaches at 8:00 a.m.
» U8 coaches at 9:00 a.m.
» U10 coaches at 10:00 a.m.
» U12, U14 and High School coaches at 11:00 a.m.
PAL 2026 Season Information
The following is important information for coaches regarding the 2026 season, including rules and the information handout. Coaches will need to go over this information with their players and parents.
» Click here (COMING SOON) for the 2026 PAL rules *** important
» Click here (COMING SOON) for the 2026 PAL Soccer League Coaches Guide and General Information
» Click here (COMING IN AUG) for the 2026 PAL sponsor list and uniform color chart
» Click here (COMING IN AUG) for the PAL field layouts and locations
» Click here (COMING IN AUG) for PAL uniform pickup procedures
» Click here (COMING SOON) for instructions about downloading and using the MOJO app
» Click here (COMING IN AUG) for notes from the Coaches' Clinic
» Pairing Request Form can be found on the 2026 SEASON page
Used to pair players of coaches and/or sponsors on the same team for all divisions except U6.
» U6 Pairing Request Form can be found on the 2026 SEASON page
Used to pair players on the same team for the U6 division.
Coaching Philosophy
» PAL Code of Ethics
PAL asks you to read and abide by this Code of Ethics while you coach for us.
» Philosophy and the Spirit of the Game
An excerpt from the Introduction to the Laws of the Game, 2018 version (but still relevant) Coaching Resources
» SAY Soccer Coaching Toolkit 2025
SAY Soccer strives to help educate all coaches that are part of SAY programs across the country. The more educational opportunities provided
to coaches the better the experience will be for all that are involved.
» Progressive Soccer Coaching - from Challenger Sports (PDF)
A guide to progressive coaching in youth soccer. Over 70 unopposed, opposed and game-related soccer practices.
» SafeSport Training
All PAL coaches must have current (annual) SafeSport training on-file in order to be a coach for the 2022 season.
SAY Soccer requires all administrative board members and coaches to complete the online Safesport training, which includes
sexual misconduct awareness, emotional and physical misconduct, and mandatory reporting.
The SafeSport includes initial training and annual refreshers. That means all coaches will complete some form of SafeSport each year.
This information from SAY Soccer includes the SafeSport training web address and key that allows the training to be accomplished for free.
SAY Soccer SafeSport Training 2022
» Concussion Training
All PAL coaches must complete annual concussion training. The SAY National Concussion policy iequires a FREE online training course.
ALL coaches and referees MUST complete this training course prior to participating in the any SAY activity whether it be a practice or a
game situation. There are two approved options for the FREE online training program consists of two approved options:
The FIRST APPROVED OPTION is provided by the National Federation of State High School Associations Concussion in Sports –
What You Need to Know, which can be found at http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=38000.
This online course will require you to click on the "order here” button to begin the training.
The SECOND APPROVED OPTION is through the Center for Disease Control and their Prevention Heads Up Concussion in Youth Sports
Online training program, which is at http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html.
Click on the online training course button to begin your training.
Be sure to print off your concussion certificate and submit it to the PAL Director of Coaching.