✅ Coaching Certification Process
1. Register with Mass Youth Soccer (if not already registered)
Create your account or log in:
Mass Youth Soccer Registration
2. Complete Required Trainings
🛡️ Training 1: SafeSport Course
- Log into your Mass Youth Soccer “My Account” via U.S. Soccer Connect
- Click the Certificates tab (located under your photo)
- Click the SafeSport training link with the Enrollment Key
- Complete all necessary fields
- Agree to terms
- Click the blue "Sign Up" button
- Enroll in “SafeSport Trained – U.S. Soccer Federation” (90 minutes)
🛡️ Training 2: Concussion Course
- Log into your U.S. Soccer Connect account, click “My Account”
- Go to Certificates tab in “My Account”
- Use CDC TRAIN Help Guide to take the Coaches version
- Upload your certificate under Concussion Certificate
- Log into your account again
- Select the “Certificates” tab
- Click “Concussion Certificate” and upload your completion file
🏅 Coaching Expectations
- Lead by example on and off the field
- Foster a love of the game through positivity and passion
- Promote respect, sportsmanship, and fair treatment for all players
- Support team development through equal play time and skill-building
- Teach how to win and lose with grace and perspective
- Evaluate players fairly and place them based on ability and growth
- Respect and support referees consistently
- Communicate clearly and regularly with parents and families
- Provide every child a chance to start and contribute
- Emphasize playing all positions for well-rounded development
- Be a proud ambassador for Holbrook and Avon
- Maintain a safe, welcoming, and encouraging environment
⚽ Key Principles on the Field
| Principle |
What It Means |
| Play out from the back |
Pass from goalkeeper/defense with intention |
| Keep possession |
Use ground passes, avoid blind kicks |
| Be creative |
Encourage players to 'try things' on the field, such as dribbling past opponents using skills/tricks, mimicking skills performed by soccer professionals, and taking shots on goal from outside the penalty box. |
| Use width |
Stretch the field with wide attacking play - trying to move the ball into wide-areas to 'stretch' the opposition and open spaces on the field to attack. |
| Find space |
Move intelligently, not just stick to positions |
| Press as a team |
When you lose possession, win the ball back with collective pressure, working together |
🎯 Coaching Best Practices & Reminders
- Ask players what they learned after each practice. It reinforces lessons and helps you gauge how well your message landed.
- Show, don’t just tell. Ask a player to demonstrate the right way — if they can’t, you show them.
- Praise effort over outcome. Encourage players who try hard, even when the play doesn’t succeed.
- Keep promises. Kids remember — follow through every time.
- Never leave until every child is picked up by a family member.
- Team-first mindset: Make sure players and parents understand the team’s needs may come before individual goals.
- Respectful titles: Have players address coaches as “Coach,” “Coach [Name],” or “Coach [Last Name].”
- Kneel to eye level when speaking with younger players. It builds trust and connection.
- Safety sweep: Inspect the field before every session and remove all hazards.
- Treat every player equally. Be fair in your actions, regardless of personal preferences.
- Celebrate each child: Before they leave, point out something they did well.
- Welcome input: Occasionally ask players what the team should work on — it builds ownership.
- End with unity: Lead the team cheer: 🗣️ “One, two, three... TEAM!”
- Lead with enthusiasm. Your energy drives effort and earns respect from players and parents alike.
- Soak it in. Coaching is a rare privilege — enjoy every moment!
📜 Beyond Basic Coaching: Grassroots Training
HAYSA will reimburse coaches for completing a Grassroots course with U.S. Soccer.
Get Certified with U.S. Soccer