You Don’t Have to Be an Expert

to Make a Difference

​

​

​

Why Volunteer as a Coach?

Coaches are the heart of our league. By volunteering, you help create a positive and supportive environment where young players can build confidence, learn teamwork, and develop a lifelong love of the game.

 

What to Expect

• The season runs August through October

• Teams typically practice once or twice per week

• Games are held on weekends

• CYSL provides equipment and support

 

California Requirements for Volunteer Coaches

California requires a few safety trainings for youth sports volunteers. These are simple to complete and help ensure a safe environment for all players.

​

Live Scan Fingerprinting

This quick electronic fingerprint process must be completed before you can be on the field with players. If you completed a Live Scan for coaching CYSL last season, you do not need to repeat it this year.

​

Location: Fort Bragg Police Department
Bring: Completed Live Scan form and a valid photo ID
Time required: About 10–15 minutes

Walk-in hours:

• Mondays & Wednesdays: 1:30–3:00 PM

• Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:00–11:00 AM

​

 

Mandated Reporter Training (Free – about 2 hours)

This course helps volunteers recognize and properly report signs of abuse. If you have completed a similar course recently for another sport or job, you may submit that certificate instead. Please email your completion certificate after finishing the course.

 

Register here: https://mandatedreporterca.com/training/volunteers (choose Volunteer Training)

​

 

CDC Concussion Training (Free – about 30 minutes)
This short training helps coaches recognize concussion symptoms and respond appropriately. If you have taken this training recently for another sport, you may submit that certificate instead. Please email your certificate once completed.

​

Complete the training here: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html

 

 

Practice Fields

Before the season begins, coaches will receive a Google Form to select preferred practice times. CYSL will do our best to accommodate requests. Coaches should plan to share half a field with another team during practices. This often creates a fun opportunity to scrimmage toward the end of practice.

​

Pre-Season Coach Meeting

We will hold a pre-season coach meeting (date TBD) where we will cover:

• Division rules

• Practice field locations

• Practice schedules

• Suggested drills

• Equipment distribution

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is a great opportunity to connect with other coaches and ask questions.​

​

​

​

Thank you for helping make youth soccer possible in our community—we truly couldn’t do it without our volunteers.