Team & Game Roles

Team Manager Orientation 2021

Team and Game volunteers are the heart of AYSO soccer. Each team has on-the-field roles (i.e. Coach, Manager, Referee, Assistant Referee, Chaperone) that are necessary for the weekly success of that team. Each team is required to provide a minimum of three (3) parent referees (“strive for five”) to the SM AYSO referee pool, so we can ensure that our games are safe, fair, and fun for the players. The more referees a team can recruit from their parents, the easier it will be to cover games and meet the referee pool requirements. Referees earn Volunteer Points for their child’s team, which are used to qualify the team for advancement in the playoffs (10U and older). Read through these descriptions of all the game-related volunteer roles to see what appeals to you. There are lots of choices! 

No previous soccer knowledge is required for any role.  We provide all required training/certification for Team Volunteer Roles.

COACH:
Sets up and runs training and practices for the team. Is responsible for the conduct of players, parents and others associated with the team at all practices and games. Should also help the Team Manager in the recruitment of parent volunteer referees. (Age appropriate training & certification—provided by AYSO—will be required.)

ASSISTANT COACH:
Gives assistance to, and can substitute for, the head coach as needed.  (Age appropriate training & certification—provided by AYSO—will be required).

TEAM MANAGER:
As the coach’s administrative partner, oversees team organizational needs, including having Game Cards (see link) filled out and printed before every game (on good paper stock). Coordinates parent volunteer assignments, recruits referees and keeps track of “referee points,” handles communications with players’ families, prepares team rosters, coordinates refreshment schedules, collects & maintains player medical release forms, etc.  (Safe Haven online training & certification will be required.)
More on Team Manager Role  |  Team Manager Resources page

REFEREE (CR):
The referee’s #1 job is to keep the game safe, fair, and fun for the players.  (Age appropriate training & certification—provided by AYSO—will be required).

ASSISTANT REFEREE (AR)
The assistant referees signal when the ball has gone out of bounds, signal the direction of restart and in 10U & above, recognize and signal offside violations.   Assistant Refs also document the playing time of each player on the game card.  (Age appropriate training & certification—provided by AYSO—will be required).

PRACTICE CHAPERONE/SAFE HAVEN ADVOCATE (7U & ABOVE):
Person must be the same gender as the players.  Promotes AYSO’s Kids Zone & Safe Haven policies at the team level.  Attends all practices and accompanies players to the restroom as necessary.  (Safe Haven online training & certification will be required.)

All AYSO volunteers are required to register with AYSO National annually. This is done through your InLeague account.

This is separate from player registration.   Click here to complete adult volunteer registration.