This resource page provides lots of helpful links for coaches and refs. If there are any additional links that you think would be helpful please contact our webmaster.
Signing Up to Be An Evanston AYSO Coach
At Evanston AYSO, we take coaching seriously. It begins with a registration process the includes an ID and reference check, to ensure that our kids our safe. It continues with mandatory Safe Haven Training, a nationally-recognized 30 minute on-line course (or live if you prefer), that provides you with basic, important information about proper conduct and safety. It also includes training at every level of coaching, taught by experienced players and coaches. that will help you hone your skills, understand age-appropriate skills, techniques and game-day strategies, give you valuable tips on running a successful practice, explain what we mean by our core philosophy of Positive Coaching.
For new coaches, to begin this process of signing up to be an AYSO coach, please click here.
For returning coaches, please remember that even though you do not need to retake Safe Haven, you still need to submit a current volunteer registration form, which you can obtain via www.eayso.org. Just update the form, print it, sign it, and bring it with you when you sign your kid up at one of our registration sessions.
Coaching the AYSO Way
Click here for a quick refresher on what we mean by Positive Coaching.
Click here for a must-read piece entitled Teaching the Game to Kids.
Laws of the Game, Short Sided Games, Guidance AYSO strongly encourages not just the refs, but all coaches too, to become very familiar with the laws of the game and the short-sided rules. There are not that many rules, and it is important to make sure, before we that we are all playing by the same ones. Here are the official rules. Evanston AYSO varies in only one significant respect, re U6 short-side rules. For U6, we have the time that is defending on goal kicks stand behind the midfield line. This is to give the kicking team the opportunity to kick it away from their goal area.
Click here for some great drills to use at practice for the U06, U08 and U10 Divisions, in an easy-to-read and download format. These drills were put together by AYSO's National Trainers and represent some of the easiest-to-use, effective and fun soccer drills for our kids. Although the drills included in this link are only designated for U-6 thru U-10, many of the drills (especially for U-10) are entirely appropriate for our older divisions too.
If you have any other drills that you think would be worth posting, please pass them our way and we will post right here.
For folks who just want a reminder of the names of some of the drills that we have gone over at our coach training sessions, these include:
Dribbling Drills Snake
Red light, green light
Coach says
Monster in the middle
Bank Robbers
Races (remember to use races to help them stop and turn)
Dribble, score
Passing Drills Hit the coach
Moving target
Mosquito
shooting gallery
soccer bowling
soccer golf
Pass and score (2 lines, one passing, one shooting, rotate)
General Drills and Games 2 on 1, with goalie (calling offsides)
3 on 1, with goalie (play until score)
1 on 1 (for all ages)
2 on 2 (for all ages)
Man-in-the-middle (3 in a triangle keep ball from one in the middle)
Frequently asked Questions About the Rules of Soccer at AYSO
Click here for and excellent AYSO page that has compiled lots of great questions and answers about the laws of the game and AYSO policies concerning games and refs. This page is updated periodically as new good questions arise.
Referees -- AYSO Support Page
Click here for the AYSO resource page for referees. This is the first place to go with any questions about reffing at AYSO. Check out the "Ref Info" links on the left column, as well as the
Training Opportunities
AYSO coach and ref training is required for all AYSO coaches and refs.
Coach and Ref training opportunities being offered by Evanston AYSO have been posted on the homepage of this website. Click [refs] or [coaches] for a compilation of additional training opportunities in our Area (which includes Rogers Park, Skokie, Morton Grove, Deerfield, Glencoe, Winnetka, Glenview and one or two other towns). As you can see, there are many training opportunities throughout the year offered for our coaches and referees. These trainings are important not only for teaching skills and knowledge, but also for instilling a greater appreciation for the game of soccer and for AYSO's core philosophies. Remember, you can train at any AYSO region in our area.
Click here to access the AYSO coaches training matrix. This shows what trainings you should have received, based on your division.
OTHER GREAT SITES FOR COACHES, REFEREES and PLAYERS:
Kids in Sports
Kids First Soccer—This site promotes a child centered approach to the organization and instruction of youth soccer.
Better Soccer More Fun—Activities that teach soccer in a fun way. Coaches might want to check this out.
FUNdamental Soccer—What to teach kids about soccer and how. Another good site for coaches.
