Thank you for volunteering to coach with AYSO Mira Mesa. This page gives you the key information you need to get started, communicate with your team, run practices, and prepare for game day.
Our league runs on volunteers like you: parents, neighbors, and community members who step up to give kids a great place to play.
Coaching is one of the most rewarding roles in youth sports. You help kids learn the game, grow as teammates, and build confidence that lasts long after the final whistle.
No fancy resume required. A positive attitude, consistency, and a little time each week go a long way.
Complete your required volunteer and age-appropriate coach training before stepping on the field.
Once you receive your roster, contact families within a few days using GameChanger and email.
Recruit an assistant coach, team parent, banner helper, and referees for U10 and older teams.
Keep practices fun, active, age-appropriate, and focused on learning through play.
AYSO provides coaches with the basics through age-appropriate online training and in-person coaching clinics. These trainings are designed to help you run practices that are fun, simple, safe, and development-focused.
If you have never coached before, do not worry. You will get resources, training, and support. AYSO coaching is built around age-appropriate games, simple drills, and positive encouragement.
Coaches must complete required volunteer safety training and the age-appropriate coach course for their division. Rosters cannot be released until safety requirements are complete.
Once you receive your roster, reach out to families within a few days using GameChanger and email. Players are excited to meet their coach, and parents appreciate knowing what is happening.
GameChanger is the preferred communication tool for Mira Mesa Soccer once teams are formed.
Share practice day, time, field location, and what families should bring.
Remind families to bring a ball, shin guards, cleats or athletic shoes, and water.
Ask for an assistant coach, team parent, banner volunteer, and referee volunteers if applicable.
Share who you are and why you are coaching, even if the reason is simply that someone needed to step up.
Let families know the focus is fun, learning, teamwork, effort, and development, not wins and losses.
Keep it simple: be kind, try your best, listen, and respect teammates, referees, opponents, and coaches.
Assistant coaches, team parents, referees, banner helpers, and sideline support are always needed.
Ask families to download GameChanger and check it regularly for schedules, field notes, and updates.
Remind families about important events such as picture day, the Mira Mesa Soccer Picnic, and region updates.
Share these optional development opportunities with your team when available.
Free Play Fridays are available for U8 through U14 and are led by our United coaches. This is pickup soccer before the weekend starts. For U8 teams with one scheduled practice, it can be a great optional second touch on the ball.
For U10 and older teams, keeper training is offered on Tuesdays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM when available.
AYSO is powered by volunteers. Coaches should help recruit parents to support the team, especially in U10 and older divisions where referee points matter for postseason eligibility.
U10 and older teams need trained referees. Teams must provide referees during the season and earn 15 referee points to compete in end-of-season playoffs.
A team parent can help with snacks, reminders, banners, events, picture day, and team communication.
Many teams create a handmade team banner for games, picture day, and the Fall Picnic banner competition.
Coaches receive a starter kit to help run practices and games. Please take care of region equipment and return items when you are done coaching or no longer using them.
Each player should bring their own age-appropriate ball, shin guards, cleats or athletic shoes, and water. Shin guards are required.
You do not need to be a soccer expert to run a great practice. Come prepared with a few drills or activities, keep things moving, and make sure players are active as much as possible.
Avoid long lines and long lectures. More touches, more movement, better practice.
Younger teams need shorter activities, simple instructions, and more frequent breaks.
Wrap up by highlighting a new skill, a good effort, or a positive team moment.
Your job is to create a space where kids feel included, encouraged, and excited to keep playing.
AYSO is built on six core philosophies that set us apart from competitive clubs. Coaches help bring these values to life every week.
Every player gets to play at least half of every game. No tryouts. No cuts.
Teams are built to be fair and fun, not stacked for competition.
Anyone can join, regardless of ability or experience, subject to space and volunteer capacity.
Coaches build players up, not tear them down.
Winning is fine. Respecting teammates, referees, and opponents matters more.
We focus on the whole player: skills, teamwork, confidence, and love for the game.
Line-up cards are required at every match. They help referees confirm players, track quarters played, and record the official game report.
This is the fastest option because your roster auto-fills from Sports Connect.
Log in to Sports Connect, click the solid person icon, select the team you are linked to, click the person outline icon, then choose Print Team Line Up.
Cards only appear after your team is posted in the system. If you do not see the print option, contact your Division Coordinator or Registrar.
A clean, legible card with team and coach info, jersey numbers, full player names, and space to mark quarters played and goals.
You may print the card without jersey numbers and write the numbers in before the game, but player names must be printed from the roster. Coaches are not allowed to write player names onto the line-up card.
Your job is to create a space where kids feel encouraged, included, and excited to keep playing. Let’s make this a season to remember for the players, and for you too.
Need a line-up card? Use the form below to enter your player names, print it, and bring it to your game.
PO Box 26507 San Diego, California 92126