Parent, Coach, and Referee Resources
Resources for Parents
How To Buy Cleats
If you are buying new cleats, we recommend buying them one size too large. Remember they cannot have metal studs. AIYSA also often has donated cleats that we can offer, just contact us at andersonyouthsoccer@gmail.com.
What Size of Ball You Need
Lil’ Kicks: Size 3
U6: Size 3
U8: Size 4
U10: Size 4
U12: Size 4
Placement is by birth Year.
For Spring 2024:
U12 is 2012-2013
U10 is 2014-2015
U8 is 2016-2017
U6 is 2018-2019
LKs is 2020-2021
How Picture Day Works
Every season, AIYSA hires a photographer to come to the fields to take team and individual photos. This event typically takes place early in the season within the first few weeks. Parents can choose if they would like to purchase the photos and will be given packets or instructions from their coaches. Coaches are asked to provide parents with all the relevant details about where and when to meet on picture day. Pictures are then processed and you should receive them by the season’s end.
How Teams are Constructed
Teams are determined by age. Our leagues are Under 4 (Lil’ Kicks), Under 6 (U6), Under 8 (U8), Under 10 (U10) and Under 12 (U12) and you can read about how that works here. We balance the teams between boys and girls as evenly as the player pool allows. The teams are generated through random selection by non-coaching board members. Once constructed, teams are kept together as much as possible throughout their time at AIYSA as they move up from age group to age group. So once a child is on a team they will remain on that team season after season and new players are evenly spread across teams. Coaches do not select specific players. Parents can request a coaching change but cannot request a specific coach or team except for familial reasons (a brother is on a different team, for instance, or an aunt is the coach). We are currently working to publish the details of our team construction protocol, please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Tips for Practicing at Home
Oftentimes, when you ask a child to do a drill at home, they’ll do it for five minutes and stop. Turn that same drill into a game, however, and they’ll play for hours! Kickball can be an excellent opportunity to improve coordination. Consider adopting a soccer version of Tag where kids must dribble the ball and tag others with it to improve ball handling and awareness. Set up obstacle courses and challenges. Just remember that for almost any game they love, a soccer ball can be added!
What if I Have an Issue with a Coach, Parent, or Other Child?
If you ever have a concern, complaint, or grievance that you would like to bring to the attention of AIYSA, you can contact us here or look for one of the board members listed on our About Page. You can also pass along your issue to your child’s coach and they will pass the issue along to our coach liaison. We take all concerns, complaints, and grievances seriously, but especially when they concern the safety and well-being of children. We strive above all else to create a fun, safe, educational environment for kids to learn the game of soccer. Please never hesitate to let us know how we can improve!
Support AIYSA
Want to help out but don’t have the time to volunteer? Chip in a few bucks and we’ll keep soccer in Anderson County going and growing!
Resources for Coaches
Some Basic Coaching Equipment
You don’t need much to coach, but here are a few things that might come in handy. Remember to keep all receipts - any expenses that you incur volunteering for AIYSA are tax deducatable!
First Aid Kit
Extra Balls
Pinnies
Goalie Gloves
Cones
Pugg Goals
Extra Water Bottles
Clipboard
Whistle
How is My Team Constructed?
Teams are determined by age. Our leagues are Under 4 (Lil’ Kicks), Under 6 (U6), Under 8 (U8), Under 10 (U10) and Under 12 (U12) and you can read about how that works here. We balance the teams between boys and girls as evenly as the player pool allows. The teams are generated through random selection by non-coaching board members. Once constructed, teams are kept together as much as possible throughout their time at AIYSA as they move up from age group to age group. So once a child is on a team they will remain on that team season after season and new players are evenly spread across teams. Coaches do not select specific players. Parents can request a coaching change but cannot request a specific coach or team except for familial reasons (a brother is on a different team, for instance, or an aunt is the coach). We are currently working to publish the details of our team construction protocol, please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Guidance for First-Time Coaches
If you ae interested in coaching, please reach out to us at andersonyouthsoccer@gmail.com. If you have already volunteered, thank you! AIYSA does our best to integrate new coaches into the league. As a new coach, please feel free to ask the AIYSA coaching liaison (who will contact you before the season begins) any questions you might have––don’t be shy! That’s what they’re here for. If you need any advice on how to run a practice or how games work or anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out to that liaison or to other coaches. If you’re not getting the answers you need, please eamil us. We will always do what we can to help. There are also some great resources online for first-time coaches. We recommend taking the free “Intro to Grassroots Coaching” course available through US Soccer as a good starting point. Be sure to engage with your parents regularly. Schedule snacks (signup.com is a good source for this) before the season. Be clear and consistent about schedules, schedule changes, expectations, practices, and games to avoid issues of miscommunication.
What is SAFESPORT™ Certification?
AIYSA requires that all coaches and assistant coaches be SAFESPORT™ certified. This certification helps coaches be prepared for emergencies and create a safe environment for the children. You can find information about how to sign up and complete that online course here by creating a profile at US Soccer and following the link that says “Safeguarding”.
Practices and Schedules
A coaches meeting will be held at the fields before practices begin. This is where coaches will receive rosters, choose practice times and, depending on their league, get schedules. U8, U6 and Lil’ Kicks will have their games scheduled by AIYSA before the season. For u10 and u12 coaches, a separate meeting will be held where coaches will schedule their games with the other coaches in the league and from other counties. U10, U12, and U8 will get 2 practices per week and play 10-12 games per season. U6 and Lil Kicks will have 1 practice per week and 8 games per season. Practice will start 3 weeks before the first game. Spring season games start in early April and go 8 weeks. Fall season games start in Early September and go 8 weeks.
Expectations for Coaches
AIYSA is thankful to have you and wants you to feel comfortable bringing your own coaching style to your team. We only ask you to treat all players fairly, regardless of gender, race, religion, or skill level. Be kind and encouraging. Follow the guidance of SAFESPORT™ to keep kids safe. Please be respectful of our referees and staff. If you have an issue with a coach, parent, referee, or anyone else, please bring it to your coaching liaison or another board member. Parents expect that the coach be consistent and not cancel more games or practices than absolutely necessary. If your schedule will not allow you to make all of your games or practices, seek out an assistant coach who can coach the team when you are unavailable. If circumstances change and you are unable to fulfill your coaching duties for the season, let us know ASAP so we can find a coach to fill out the remainder of your team’s schedule.
Resources for Referees
How Much Our Refs Get Paid
Referees must be certified to referee for AIYSA. They get paid by the game, and the amount varies based on the age group of the game and the position of the referee (ie. Center or AR). Referees can retrieve their pay after each match at the concessions area.
Where to Start
To become a certified referee, click this link which will take you to the US Soccer Learning Center. You will need to sign up and follow the links that say “Referee Program” -> “Register for Course” -> “Go to Course List”. If there are courses available in the area they will pop up. If not and you need to certify quickly, you may need to look in other nearby states. The cost is currently around $95 per person. This does not include gear (ref jerseys, cards, notebooks, etc). Once you are certified you can referee anywhere in the state.
Qualifications for Soccer Referees
We require referees to be at least 13 years of age. For the certification itself, you will have to complete all of the following at the US Soccer Learning Center (the site will guide you through these):
SAFESPORT™ (if 18 years or older)- 1 hr.
Online Grassroots Referee Course Module – 4.5 hr.
First Time Grassroots Referee Quiz - 45 mins.
U.S. Soccer Federation Gold Standard NCSI Background Check (if 18 years or older)
Additional State Assignments as required
Once you have registered for a course there are several hours of “Grassroots Referee Course Modules” online that must be done before your field session (in person). There is a substantial amount of reading involved in the online curriculum, so account for extra time if you are not a fast reader. Do not wait until the last minute to begin the online session. They recommend 4.5 hours but prepare for 4.5 to 6 hours to complete the online modules. That is the fastest the pre-course work can be completed and it must be completed before your field session.
What to Expect at the Field Session
Once you have completed the online coursework and qualifications, you will have a 4 hour field session with experienced referees who will teach you to properly use the whistle, the flags, and how to position yourself. Soccer refereeing is a technical job and does require a reasonable amount of fitness depending on the level of competition. Come to the field session prepared to run and move. Come prepared for the weather.
How to Get Assigned
AIYSA has a designated referee and scheduling coordinator who will work with you to schedule your games. We view our refs as an essential part of creating a safe environment for the kids as well as teaching them the game. We are very thankful to have you!
Referees are expected to come on time and be prepared for the games they accept. If you need to cancel for any reason, please let us know as soon as you possibly can so we can find a replacement. Frequent absences will result in a loss of your scheduled games.
Beyond refereeing the games, referees will be responsible for:
retrieving the game ball from the concessions area and then replacing the game ball after the match.
placing the flags or checking that they are properly placed from previous games. Flags should be returned after the final match of the game.
making sure nets are properly secured before games.
checking players’ jerseys and equipment prior to match.
keeping the score during the match.
communicating any issues, send-offs, or other concerns to the AIYSA board and/or referee liaison prior to the match.
Referee Uniform
AIYSA requires that referees wear official USSF referee uniforms. There are various places to find these uniforms or partial uniforms online or you can purchase kits here which include an official shirt, shorts, socks, red and yellow cards, data wallet, scorepad, velcro disc for badge, whistle, lanyard, and roll bag. A watch or some way to monitor matchtime is also required (preferably not a phone).
We also recommend, if you have the means, to purchase two colors of referee shirts in case one of the teams playing has a similar color to your shirt. Referee shirt colors should be in contrast to the competing teams.