What is expected of a Head Coach?
Head coaches are expected to follow the six tasks of a coach outlined by US Soccer.
Coaching training session - AYSO United provides all coaches with a 12-week series of practice plans.
New coaches are required to follow this 12-week program to ensure consistency and quality training for our players.
As coaches gain experience, they’re encouraged to create their own practice sessions with support and guidance from their Mentor Director.
Coaching games -Our goal is to model the highest standards of respect and sportsmanship.
Coaches are expected to lead by example — encouraging players positively, showing respect to referees and officials, and avoiding yelling during games.
Leadership - AYSO United coaches are leaders both on and off the field. They help players grow as athletes and as individuals, fostering teamwork, discipline, and confidence.
Leading the team - Coaches are encouraged to create team goals and shared values that guide players and parents throughout the season. These goals help build unity, focus, and a strong team culture.
Leading the individual - Great coaches understand that every player develops differently. Coaches should recognize the stages of growth for their players’ age group and build meaningful connections with each player to motivate and support their development.
Managing the environment - Coaches are the captains of their teams. They’re responsible for:
Communicating with families and managing all team information
Scheduling practices and games
Establishing a clear seasonal plan and sharing it with parents
TeamSnap is the club’s official communication platform. Coaches are expected to use it to keep families informed and organized.
Directors will oversee and support coaches, providing help and guidance whenever needed.
What is the time commitment?
A: Coach will commit to being head coach for the entire seasonal year. June (tryouts) - June (End of season) of following year. Fall commitment is Mid August - End of October and Spring commitment is Mid March - Beginning of June. Winter is optional and arrangements can be made for your team if they wish to continue. During the season the commitment is practices two days a week and 8 games per season. The team is required to attend one tournament, this can be local or tournament out of town.
Do I need to coach in the winter?
A: The short answer is no. As a coach you are not required to coach in the winter. Although most of our coaches like to keep their team active and together over the winter. They might sign them up for indoor season or rent space at a local gym to run a few practices. As a club we do not make any winter activity a requirement. We do offer club wide winter training for individual players to sign up for if they wish to get extra touches.
If a head coach is unable to coach during the winter season, their assistant coach will quite often step in to run training sessions or coach the team in the indoor league. Please note, this is not a paid or compensated position through the club
Who do I contact if I have a question?
A: General Club questions: Kellie McPherson, Coaching questions: Mirza Causevic, Administration/Registration: Kristen Neuman
Do I need any education or licensing?
A: Yes. All of the leagues we participate in require USSF (United States Football Federation) licensing. You will need to obtain your USSF Grassroots certification within the first year of being head coach. Please contact Kellie McPherson with any education or licensing questions:
I have my AYSO coaching certification, will that count towards the USSF course?
A: Unfortunately no. USSF and AYSO courses are two different entities. Our leagues require USSF certifications.
Context: You are a new head coach and have been assigned a team.
What do I need to prepare for tryouts?
A: Attend our new coaches meeting and tryout meeting. You will be provided with a list of kids who have signed up. You will need to contact kids who will not be at tryouts to set up alternative plans. Please contact Mirza with questions.
What do I do after tryouts?
A: Call all players who attended tryouts to let them know if they have made the team or not. Then submit your roster of kids who have accepted spots to admin. Contact your team to introduce yourself and set up a team meeting.
What admin paperworks do I need to do?
A: There are a few items including a background check, concussion awareness and safesport certificate required for the league. You will be contacted by our admin team with links to the required items. All items can be completed via phone/computer in an evening. Needs to be completed by August 1st.
What is the role of team manager?
A: You are required to have a Team Manager. The team manager serves as the main point of contact between the coaching staff, players, and families, and assists with team administration.
Before the season begins, team managers will receive a binder containing all necessary game-day information, game sheets, player cards, referee payments ($ home games only). They are responsible for bringing this binder to every game, ensuring game-day paperwork is completed and signed and confirming that scores are entered correctly.
Any additional involvement—such as registering for tournaments, organizing team bonding activities, arranging winter leagues, or other extras is appreciated but not required.
What leagues do our teams play in?
A: We play in Grand Valley Soccer Association (GVSA) they are a local league with travel throughout greater Grand Rapids. With some potential travel 90min away. Our higher level U13 and older teams play in Michigan State Premier Soccer Program (MSPSP)
Our more advanced premier teams have the option to play in State Cup, which is a state wide tournament.
You can find league information, standings and schedules by following these links
GVSA
MSPSP
State Cup
Who schedules games and practices?
A: The head coach is responsible for scheduling all games. If there are any that need to be rescheduled, coaches are required to handle those as well. Practices are also scheduled by the head coach. The club director will reach out with practice requests and will try to accommodate everyone's schedule but it is not guaranteed.
Who do I contact if I have a coaching question?
A: Reach out to our Director of Coaching, Mirza, or your immediate site director to see if they can answer your question.