AYSO’s Safe Haven
Course Credit
Please sign the Course Roster
Use your legal name,
Home address & phone,
And Date of Birth
Introduction
Every child participating in an AYSO soccer
program has a right to a safe, fun, fair and
positive environment for experiencing the
benefits of youth sports.
What is Safe Haven?
• AYSO’s program to address the growing need for
Child and Volunteer Protection in youth sports.
• Components help create a safe, fun, fair and positive
environment - “safe haven” - for all participants.
Creating a Safe Haven
The Safe Haven program supports the creation of a
“safe haven” for all participants by:
Registering and Screening all Volunteers
Requiring Training and Certification
Providing Child and Volunteer Protection
Guidelines
Promoting Safety and Injury Prevention
Course Overview
• Vision of AYSO
• Creating a Safe Haven
–
–
–
–
Volunteer Requirements
Training and Certification
Child and Volunteer Protection
Safety and Injury Prevention
• Volunteering in AYSO
Why AYSO?
The Vision of AYSO is to provide
world class youth soccer programs
that enrich children’s lives.
What makes AYSO unique?
The philosophy of the organization is to educate and
develop young people by encouraging their interest and
participation in soccer through our six philosophies:
Everyone Plays®
Our goal is for kids to play soccer – so we mandate
that every player on every team must play at least
half of every game.
Everyone Plays®
This includes our VIP -Very Important Players
Balanced Teams
Each year we form new teams as evenly as possible –
because it is fair and more fun when teams of equal
ability play.
Open Registration
Our program is open to all children between 4 and
19 years of age who want to register and play
soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only
criteria for playing.
Positive Coaching
Encouragement of player effort provides for greater
enjoyment by the players and ultimately leads to
better-skilled and better-motivated players.
Good Sportsmanship
We strive to create a safe, fair, fun and positive
environment based on mutual respect, rather than a
win-at-all-costs attitude, and our program is designed
to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.
Good Sportsmanship
AYSO’s Kids Zone program
is one of the first of its kind to promote good
sportsmanship and appropriate sideline behavior.
Every AYSO venue is a Kids Zone!
Player Development
We believe that all players should be able to develop
their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their
abilities, both individually and as a member of a team,
in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.
Player Development
AYSO provides a number of programs that support
player development including EXTRA and AYSO
Soccer Camps.
Volunteer Philosophies?
AYSO’s philosophies apply to volunteers too!
About AYSO
AYSO’s governing documents support the vision and
philosophies and are found in the AYSO Reference Book:
– National Bylaws
• Organizational structure & governance
– Rules and Regulations
• Conduct of AYSO Games
– National Policy Statements
• AYSO Policy
– Standard Regional Guidelines
• Regional Responsibilities
About AYSO
The rules or “laws” of soccer are
governed by FIFA –
Federation Internationale de Football
Association.
AYSO games are conducted in
accordance with the current edition
of the FIFA Laws of the Game – with
approved AYSO exceptions.
Quiz
• Which of the following is NOT one of the core AYSO
philosophies?
a) Balanced Teams
b) Open Registration
c) Paid Coaching
d) Everyone Plays
e) Player Development
Volunteer Protection
Congress passed the Volunteer Protection Act in 1997
to promote volunteerism and grant immunity from
certain liabilities for volunteers who meet its
requirements.
Volunteer Requirements
For protection under the Volunteer Protection Act and
applicable laws, AYSO requires all volunteers to:
– Sign and submit a Volunteer Application every year,
– Be authorized to do their job,
– Act within the scope of their Job Descriptions and
AYSO’s policies, procedures and guidelines,
– Complete Safe Haven Training and
– Be properly trained in their jobs.
Volunteer Screening
AYSO, like many youth organizations today, asks adult
volunteers to submit character references and agree to
background checks in order to protect players,
volunteers and Region resources.
Volunteer Screening
“Youth sports treasurer accused of embezzlement;
Corona man has been charged with embezzling
$100,000 from a youth sports program that receives
“Montgomery County police arrested a longtime
money from the city.”
soccer coach on Thursday and charged him with
inappropriate contact with a juvenile six months
ago.”
“South Dakota (Soccer) — A 42 year-old adult man
strikes the soccer referee, who happened to also be
the town’s mayor, during a match between 11-yearold girls. The coach was sentenced to one year in jail,
Volunteer Screening
• The Volunteer Application contains consent agreement
for background investigations.
• AYSO’s National Background Check Policy is
used to determine whether or not an adult volunteer is
eligible to hold certain AYSO positions.
• Safe Haven procedures and eAYSO technologies
protect volunteer personal identification information,
privacy and confidentiality. Details on www.ayso.org
Youth Volunteers
• Under the age of 18, must complete a Youth
Volunteer Application every year.
• Should abide by the same protection
guidelines when in the company of
younger players or VIP participants.
• Should be protected by the same
protection policies as players.
Youth Volunteers
• May hold: Youth Referee, Youth Team
Assistant, Youth VIP Buddy or other
Youth Volunteer positions which are
supervised by adults.
• May not be a Team Coach, Assistant Coach or
Regional Board Member and may never be in a
position of supervising players or managing a game
from the coach’s area.
Training and Certification
Training and Certification is the only way to ensure the
fulfillment of the AYSO vision and the protection of
Volunteers and Players.
Training and Certification
Training provides job position and standard specific
training such as U-6 Coach, Intermediate Referee or
Registrar training.
Certification requires competency in the assigned
position (job training), Child and Volunteer Protection
(Safe Haven training) and AYSO Policies and Guidelines.
Continuing Education includes training to improve
skills like Principles of Play, Dispute Resolution and
Problems Outside the Touchline.
Training and Certification
• All Coaches, Referees and Board Members are required
to be trained and certified.
• Practices and Games are NOT permitted without an
AYSO trained and certified Team Coach.
• Official games are NOT permitted without an AYSO
trained and certified Referee for the U-8 division and
above.
Training and Certification
Regions must have the 7 required Board Positions and
the volunteers serving in these positions, must be
trained and certified:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Regional Commissioner,
Coach Administrator,
Referee Administrator,
Treasurer,
Registrar,
Safety Director and
Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA).
Quiz….
•
Which of the following is not a requirement of
AYSO volunteers?
a) Completing and signing a Volunteer Application
every year.
b) Fulfilling a continuing education requirement.
c) Consenting to background investigations.
d) Completing job training.
Child Protection
The Child Protection Acts (1993,1997) enabled
screening of volunteers who work with children and
mandated reporting of suspected child abuse.
Child Abuse is Against the Law
• AYSO is a mandated reporter of suspected abuse in
many states – there are legal reporting standards.
• In almost all states, legislation asks any adult who
suspects abuse to file a claim.
• In order to promote a safe haven, AYSO prohibits
abusive behaviors beyond the legal reporting standards.
Reporting Abuse
Reporting is generally required when a child is:
• physically injured by other than accidental means,
subjected to willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment,
or sexually abused or exploited.
• neglected by a parent or caretaker who fails to
provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care
or supervision.
Many states have penalties for failing to report.
Types of Abuse
• Psychologists, legislators, educators and AYSO
recognize five types of abuse.
• It is important to understand the types of abusive
behaviors in order to ensure their prevention.
• Child abuse crosses all socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural,
occupational, religious and age groups.
• Recognize that abuses can occur between players.
Emotional Abuse
The most common: attacking the emotional well
being and stability of an individual.
Emotional Abuse
• Legally required to report suspected abuses visibly
affecting the emotional stability of the child.
• Abusive behaviors not allowed in AYSO include
making comments about the size, inability or
appearance of a player in front of others. Jokes,
even in fun, can be emotionally abusive.
• Social bullying, derogatory comments and racial,
ethnic or gender slurs must not be tolerated.
Physical Abuse
The most obvious: harming the physical well being of
an individual.
Physical Abuse
• Legally required to report acts resulting in “any nonaccidental physical injury to the child” or
circumstances that create a substantial risk of harm.
• Abusive behaviors not allowed in AYSO include
corporal punishment, punishing players by making
them run laps or denying water, bullying or fighting.
• AYSO has a zero tolerance policy for violence.
Neglect
Not always easy to identify: harming an individual by
abandoning, ignoring, or rejecting basic needs.
Neglect
• Legally required to report the failure of a parent or
guardian to provide needed food, clothing, shelter,
medical care, or supervision.
• AYSO does not allow neglectful behavior including
never playing a below average player more than half
of every game or consistently excluding a player
from practice drills.
• Players should not be allowed to exclude a single
player or a few players from team activities.
Sexual Abuse
Frequently hidden: harming an individual through
inappropriate sexual contact, lewd behavior, or exploitation.
Sexual Abuse
• Legally required to report any form of sexual abuse
or exploitation.
• AYSO prohibits making lewd comments, sexual
harassment or any type of inappropriate physical
contact.
• Minors must be supervised to prevent minor-onminor abuse. 20% of reported cases involve minors.
• Please contact Safe Haven immediately with
any concern. 1-800-USA-AYSO.
Ethical Abuse
The newest identified form of abuse: harming an
individual by convincing him/her to commit an act that
is against his/her physical, moral, or ethical interests.
Ethical Abuse
• Abusive behaviors not allowed include asking a
player to “take down” an opposing player or faking
an injury.
• Adults should refrain from asking children to keep
“secrets” from parents.
Suspecting Abuse
• If abuse is suspected, notify your CVPA and the
National Safe Haven Office. 1-800-USA-AYSO.
• If the abuse is considered life threatening, contact
local law enforcement immediately.
• Remember reporting is a means of helping; let
professional agencies investigate. Do not confront
alleged abuser.
• Youth volunteers should be encouraged to inform
an adult if told a “secret” about abuse.
Preventing Abuse
• Screening who volunteers in the AYSO program is
just the first step.
• Training volunteers to recognize abuse and abusive
behavior is necessary to report and stop abuse.
• It would all be meaningless unless we implement
policies and guidelines to prevent opportunities for
abuse to occur.
• Experts agree that is also important to foster
positive self-images, a safe environment and the
courage in our players to speak up.
What if?
• A player confides to a coach that someone is abusing
him/her.
• A parent is screaming at his/her child on the field and
strikes the child.
• Players are bullying one of their teammates.
• At the end of practice, players scatter around the
field while waiting for their parents, some out of
sight.
Protection Guidelines
Safe Haven’s Child and Volunteer Protection Guidelines
are designed to protect children from abuse and
volunteers from misunderstandings and false accusations.
Supervision Protocols
AYSO requires the following Supervision:
• One adult for every eight or fewer children.
• At least two adults present at ALL times.
• At least one adult of the same gender as players.
• Adults should never be alone with a child.
Supervision Protocols
Team Coaches are responsible for all
players until they are picked up or leave
the area as authorized.
Parents must not “drop” players off at
fields without contact with coaches.
No child shall be left unsupervised
after a game or practice.
The AYSO “Buddy” system must have at least 3 players.
Supervision Protocols
AYSO does not recommend that children walk or
ride a bicycle home alone. However, when allowed,
the Coach should secure a release form from the
parent/guardian to ensure their approval.
Protection Guidelines
In order to prevent misunderstandings, physical
contact with children should be:
– In response to the need of the child only
– With the child’s permission
– Respectful of any hesitation
– Careful to avoid private parts
– In the open, never in private
– Brief in duration
– Age and developmentally appropriate
Protection Guidelines
• Adults should avoid being alone with a child including
transporting a child in a car.
• When it is necessary to speak privately with a child,
select a spot out of earshot but within sight of others.
• Set boundaries.
• Maintain adult privacy.
• Respect the privacy of children.
• Hug from the side.
• No sexual jokes, comments.
• No corporal punishment.
Protection Guidelines
Social Media & Electronic Communications
• Volunteers should maintain transparency and not
engage in private electronic messages or conversations
with minors.
• Messages should be conveyed through parents or in
the case of older players, copied to parents. This
includes emails, text messages, instant messaging and
postings on social networking sites.
• Protect the identity and privacy of children at all times.
Do not post names of players with pictures or rosters
on public pages.
Protection Guidelines
• It is illegal for minors to possess, control or use
alcohol, tobacco products or prescription-only drugs
without authority and may subject them to
prosecution.
• Any adult who knowingly provides such substances to
a minor is subject to criminal prosecution.
• The Volunteer Protection Act does not protect adults
who violate alcohol, tobacco and drug laws.
Quiz….
Which of the following is not true?
a) AYSO is a mandated reporter of abuse in most
states.
b) Adults should set and maintain appropriate
boundaries with children.
c) AYSO recommends that adults “friend” minors on
Facebook.
d) Social bullying is an example of abusive behavior
not tolerated in AYSO.
Play it Safe
It is the responsibility of all participants to work
together to minimize the risk of injuries and to create
a safe environment.
Emergency Medical Conditions
• The primary role of all volunteers is one of injury
prevention and first aid, not diagnosis or treatment
of injuries.
• It is important for everyone to recognize the
symptoms of potentially serious medical emergencies
and to know when to summon emergency medical
professionals.
Emergency Medical Conditions
The following are a some of the most critical
emergency medical conditions:
• Bleeding
• Difficulty Breathing
• Choking
• Loss of Consciousness
• Heat-Related Illness
• Hypothermia
• Concussions
***Consult First Aid training for specific instructions.***
Emergency Medical Conditions
Bleeding
• Can’t be stopped; call for medical assistance asap.
• Apply pressure directly to bandage over the wound
with gloved hand. If bandages becomes soaked,
continue to add clean bandages on top.
• For extremities, apply pressure to brachial artery inside
upper arm between armpit and elbow or to femoral
artery located on crease between leg and torso.
• Cover victim to prevent shock.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Bleeding
• Any player or official who is bleeding must leave the
field immediately and may not return until the
bleeding is stopped, the wound is cleaned and
covered.
• If there is blood on the uniform or clothing, the
individual may not return until that portion of
uniform is replaced or the blood is neutralized with
an antiseptic solution.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Bleeding
• Clean up a blood spill with absorbent paper towels
and flood spot with a solution of ¼ cup bleach to a
gallon of water.
• Dispose of any blood stained materials in a biohazard
container or tightly sealed plastic bags, using gloves
and disinfecting solutions.
• See appropriate local authority for disposal of
biohazards.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Difficulty Breathing
• If due to an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately.
• Try to calm individual, help to position of comfort.
• If a person is down from an injury to chest or
airway, do not move unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not place a pillow under head if lying down.
• If necessary, begin rescue breathing (CPR).
Emergency Medical Conditions
Loss of Consciousness or fainting
• For fainting, help person to lying down position.
Summon medical help if they do not regain
consciousness within a minute.
• If unconscious due to head, neck or spine injury, do
not move.
• Check airway, breathing, circulation. Start CPR if
necessary.
• Stay calm and wait for emergency help to arrive.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Heat-Related Illness
• There are 3 main types of HRI: heat cramps, heat
exhaustion and heatstroke.
• When the body cannot cool itself, the body
temperature can rise rapidly risking damage to the
brain and other vital organs.
• Anyone can experience HRI and untreated, HRI can
cause death.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Heat Cramps
• Several factors can make someone susceptible to
HRI in hot weather: previous HRI, high humidity,
sunburn, dehydration, poor circulation, illness, drugs
and medications.
• Heat cramps are muscle pain or spasms in the
abdomen, arms or legs after strenuous activity.
• Sweating depletes the body of salt and moisture.
Low salt levels in muscles can cause the cramps.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Heat Exhaustion
• Symptoms may include headache, feeling faint or dizzy,
nausea, fatigue, heat cramps. Individual feels cool,
clammy and damp to touch.
• Move to cool area and shield from sun or heat. If alert,
give small sips of cool liquids.
• Loosen restrictive clothing, apply cool cloth to skin or
spray with cool water/mist. Immerse in cool/ice water
or apply ice to neck, armpit & groin areas.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Heat Stroke
• Individual feels hot and dry to touch, may no longer
perspire.
• If body temperature rises above102 degrees, fainting,
confusion or seizures can occur.
• Summon professional medical help immediately and
follow procedures to cool the person rapidly.
• A medical clearance should be required before
returning to any type of exercise after HRI.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Hypothermia
• Does not require sub-zero temperatures.
• Can occur with high winds, rain, snowfall or underdressing for weather.
• Early signs include: shivering, bluish tinge to lips.
• Advanced symptoms include uncontrollable
shivering, weakness, loss of coordination, slowed
breathing or heart rate, and pale, blue, cold skin.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Hypothermia
• Call 911 for advanced symptoms.
• Prevent further heat loss; seek shelter from wind
and cold.
• Gently change wet clothing and provide warmth with
blankets, cover head.
• Do not rub extremities. Apply warmth to core body.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Concussions
• Concussions are serious brain injuries that can
cause death.
• Coaches and parents should watch for two things
among athletes:
– A forceful blow to the head or body that results
in rapid movement of the head
– Any change in the athlete’s behavior, thinking or
physical functioning.
Emergency Medical Conditions
Concussions
• Every parent and player should
review the Information Sheet.
• Every Coach should have the
Action Plan.
• Every Coach, Referee, Board
Member should take the online
concussion awareness training at:
http://www.aysotraining.org
Emergency Medical Conditions
Concussions
Signs
•Forgets sports plays
•Unsure of game, score, etc.
•Moves clumsily
•Answers questions slowly
•Loses consciousness
•Shows behavior or personality
changes
•Can’t recall events
Symptoms
• Headache or pressure
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, or
groggy
• Concentration/memory
problems
• Confusion, doesn’t feel right
Emergency Medical Conditions
Concussions
• Any player observed to have a sign or symptom of
a concussion by the coach, referee or parent, must
be removed from participation for at least the
remainder of the day.
• Inform parents of events, symptoms and encourage
seeking professional medical care and a medical
clearance before returning to play.
Emergency Medical Conditions
All players must have a signed
Participation Release Form after
any illness or injury requiring medical
treatment and a Medical Release
(when required by state law for
concussions) in order to return to
play.
First Aid Kits
A basic first-aid kit should be available
to each team during all practices and
games and should include:
• Adhesive bandage strips (10 each)
• Adhesive bandage (3 large and 3 medium)
• Antiseptic wipes (5 each)
• Cotton balls or 2X2 gauze (10 each)
• Elastic wrap (2 each)
• First-aid cream
• Non-latex gloves (2 pair)
• Mouth rescue breather (1 each)
• Ice (lots of it) / Ice pack
Emergency Authorizations
• Coaches must have hand-signed Player Registration
Forms and any other required emergency
authorization form on hand at all practices and games.
• Youth Volunteers must carry a signed copy of their
Youth Volunteer Application and any additional
required emergency authorization form with them
while conducting their AYSO volunteer duties.
Quiz….
A player suspected of having a concussion:
a) Must be removed from play and evaluated for
symptoms.
b) Should not be allowed to return to play if any
symptom(s) are present.
c) Should be encouraged to seek professional medical
care and medical release before returning to play.
d) All of the above.
Environmental Hazards
AYSO officials have the responsibility to be aware of
environmental conditions that may pose hazards to
its participants. These conditions include:
Hot Days
Cold Days
Lightning
Tornados
Wildfires
Hurricanes
Local public announcements and recommendations
for these conditions should take precedence over
published general safety guidelines.
Cancel activities if necessary for safety.
Environmental Hazards
Hot Weather
• Temperatures/humidity rising above normal increases
risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Allow more frequent water breaks and substitutions;
Notify players/volunteers 24 hours in advance about the
importance of hydration.
• Remind participants of the importance of sunscreen and
consider adding shade via tents.
• Whenever possible, schedule games outside the hottest
part of the day. Allow for at least two hours between
games and only two games per day for players.
Environmental Hazards
Wildfires
– Follow recommendations of local officials
regarding safety and proximity to fire.
– Monitor air quality restrictions.
– Ash and particles in the air can cause significant
health and respiratory problems.
Environmental Hazards
Cold Weather
– Cold temperatures increase risk of hypothermia,
frostbite, and injury from numbness.
– Freezing rain, hail, snow, sleet or heavy rain can
also cause field conditions to deteriorate rapidly,
increasing risk of injury.
– Players should be permitted to wear appropriate
and safe clothing (extra garments under the
jersey/shorts, knit hats and gloves, etc.).
– Cancel games if the weather is cold enough to
adversely affect participants.
Environmental Hazards
Tornados/Hurricanes
– Upon notification of a tornado/hurricane/tsunami
warning, all activities should be cancelled until
weather and field conditions are safe.
– Look out for dark, often greenish skies(tornados),
and a wall cloud, large hail and loud roar similar to
a freight train.
– Seek shelter immediately.
– Hurricanes are usually tracked days in advance.
Cancel activities when hurricanes are imminent.
Environmental Hazards
Lightning
Every AYSO event should have a lightning safety plan.
Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from where it is
raining.
When thunder is heard it is within striking distance –
seek shelter immediately.
Restart games after no thunder has been heard for 30
minutes or the ALL CLEAR SIREN has been sounded.
Environmental Hazards
Lightning – Seeking Shelter
• Safer Areas
– Inside a substantial building (roof and four walls)
– Inside a fully enclosed metal vehicle with windows up
• Unsafe Areas
– Open areas like playing fields or parking lots.
– Picnic shelters, near concession stands, under trees.
– Near flagpoles, goals, metal bleachers, electric equipment.
• Open Area without shelter
– Avoid standing in groups; spread out to reduce risk.
– Avoid being the tallest object; Avoid lying on the ground.
– Crouch on feet, keep head low.
Environmental Hazards
Take a moment at the beginning of activities to
assess potential physical hazards which may include:
Goalposts,
Crossbars, nets.
Foreign Objects:
Broken glass, rocks, trash.
Walls, fences,
buildings near
practice/game fields
Sprinklers, Drainage
grates.
Seating Areas.
Gopher holes, divots
and bumps.
Goalpost Safety
• Goalpost accidents kill at least one
child and injure hundreds annually.
• Goals must be anchored and staked
when in use.
• Without counter-weights, the sturdiest of goalposts
can be blown over by a gust of wind.
• Children should never be allowed to climb or play
on goalposts.
• When not in use, goalpost should be dismantled
and/or stored securely.
Quiz…
When seeking shelter from lightning which statement
is not true:
a) It is safest inside a building with a roof and four
walls.
b) It is safer inside a metal vehicle with windows up.
c) Avoid being the tallest object and seek shelter
under the tree.
d) When thunder is heard, lightning may strike.
AYSO Volunteers
What does it mean to be an AYSO Volunteer?
You are entrusted with the AYSO Vision
AYSO Role Models
The messages we send by our behavior to
impressionable young players are so important.
Players emulate the behavior of
adults at sporting events and
develop long lasting attitudes and
values based on what they see.
2010
Willing or not, we are role models
and we must do our best to set
proper
examples.
BASIC
93
Help make every game a kids zone!
Kids Zone guidelines encourage
appropriate sideline behavior –
key to promoting a fun, safe,
family-friendly environment.
Parents and Spectators pledge to
respect the tenets of Kids Zone.
Coaches, Referees, Parents and
Players abide by a Code of
Conduct.
Kids Zone Sidelines
Spectators agree to respect the following rules:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Kids are # 1
Fun, not winning is everything
Fans only cheer, only coaches coach
No yelling in anger
Respect the volunteer referees
No swearing
No alcohol, tobacco products or other controlled substances
No weapons
Leave no trash behind
Set a proper example of Good Sportsmanship
AYSO Role Models
AYSO asks Volunteers to support the following
principles designed to provide children with the
maximum benefit from participating in youth sports.
2010
BASIC
96
AYSO Principles of Sport
Create an environment that enriches children’s
lives:
– Athletics should develop the whole child.
– Treat children as individuals and in an
age-appropriate manner.
– Help develop positive feelings of self-worth.
– Provide honest, positive encouragement.
– Support the AYSO Team of officials, coaches,
referees, and spectators.
– Remember enjoyment is critical to learning and while the
objective of the game is to win,
the goal is ENJOYMENT!
2010
BAS
97
AYSO Principles of Sport
Promote the benefits of soccer and sport
because soccer:
– Contributes to physical well-being and
physical fitness.
– Builds confidence and self-esteem.
– Promotes teamwork and cooperation.
– Encourages friendships.
2010
BASIC
98
AYSO Principles of Sport
While performing volunteer duties, remember
the reasons kids play sports:
–
–
–
–
–
To have fun!
To improve skills and to learn new skills.
To be with friends and make new friends.
For the excitement of competition.
To enjoy the success and recognition
associated with sport.
2010
BASIC
99
AYSO Principles of Sport
Model and promote good sportsmanship:
– Demonstrate that winning is not the most important thing in
sport. Character is just as important.
– Model how to win and lose graciously.
– Stress playing hard to win - rather
than winning itself.
– Instill respect for teammates, opposing teams,
coaches and referees.
– Encourage good behavior on and off the field.
– Stress that foul or abusive language will not be tolerated.
2010
BASIC
100
AYSO Principles of Sport
Model ethical conduct:
– Maintain self-control, self-discipline at all times.
– Demonstrate respect for athletes, officials,
coaches and others.
– Recognize the effect your behavior has on
others and be positive, courteous and considerate.
– Understand the Laws of the Game to minimize conflicts and
maximize enjoyment.
– Recognize that mutual respect for others is essential for a
quality sports experience.
2010
BASIC
101
AYSO Principles of Sport
Foster a “safe” learning environment:
– Show acceptance, react positively to mistakes
and give encouragement.
– Encourage self-confidence and self-esteem.
– Model appropriate interactions with others.
– Use positive instructional methods including
specific feedback, encouragement and constructive criticism.
– Emphasize the importance of enjoying practice and games.
– Coaches should set achievable player and team goals at
practices and games.
2010
102
AYSO Principles of Sport
Participate in continuing education:
– Stay updated on the following:
• Rule changes – AYSO, Laws in FIFA.
• Equipment improvements.
• Philosophical changes.
• Improved techniques to enhance health,
safety and success of players and participants.
– Attend Regional meetings and training courses.
– Maintain records of completed training.
2010
103
AYSO Role Models
Do not tolerate abusive behavior.
– Document and report any misconduct.
– Regional Boards should address any abuses,
provide training and awareness, and if necessary
take additional actions under the guidelines of
Dispute Resolution and Due Process. Consult
Area and Section for additional support.
– If bad conduct becomes threatening or violent,
contact the AYSO National Office immediately.
2010
BASIC
104
AYSO Incident Report
An Incident Report is required whenever there is a
serious incident involving AYSO participants,
activities, facilities, or property including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Injuries
Threats of bodily harm
Fighting
Property damage
Hospitalizations
Law Enforcement
Lawsuits
Remember, it’s for the Kids
and Great Soccer Starts Here!
Thank you for volunteering to bring a quality
youth soccer program to your community
and for supporting the AYSO philosophies.
Everyone Plays® Balanced Teams Open Registration
Positive Coaching Good Sportsmanship
Player Development