For Coaches

As of 1/1/2001, by Federal Law (Volunteer Protection Act), coaches and assistant coaches who are not certified (Safe Haven Course and Age Appropriate Coaching Course) are not allowed to coach an AYSO team, and do not have AYSO liability coverage.  

AYSO provides the coaches with continuing education (free of any cost): Safe Haven, age appropriate training, soccer balls, first aid kit, whistle, ball pump, goalkeeper vest, coach planner and other training materials.

Coaches designated as the home team for the first game on an assigned field need to set up the goals, while coaches designated as the home team for the last game on an assigned field need to take down the goals. Click here to review the details on Goal Goals Duty Responsibilities.

Click here for upcoming Regional Coaching Clinics/Training Courses

Click here to download The Ossining Parents Handbook.  This handbook is a very useful document for parents and new coaches as it provides essential information and answers many frequently asked questions.

Coaches are responsile for the health and welfare of their players. If a player should be injured during a game or practice the coach must complete and forward an injury report to the Safety Director for the Ossining region, Gus Steadman (gus_steadman@nymc.edu; 914-708-7624). Click here to access a copy of the injury report.

For any questions about coaching, or if you’d like to become a coach please contact our Coach Administrator Robert Squirrel by phone at 914-8749 or by e-mail at bobsquirrell@optonline.net.

The AYSO Coach Pledge

In my words and action, I pledge to:

• Enthusiastically support and practice the AYSO Philosophies of: Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, and Open Registration.
• Stay informed about sound principles of coaching and child development.
• Respect the game and know the Laws of the Game.
• Emphasize to my players that they must abide by the Laws of the Game at all times.
• Develop a true respect for the judgment of all referees.
• Develop a team respect for the ability of our opponents.
• Ensure a safe environment for my players.
• Never yell at or ridicule a player.
• Always set a good example.
• Remember that soccer is a game and all games should be fun.

Useful Links

Westchester Field Directions
Laws of the game
Rules of Soccer for Parents
National Soccer Coach Association of America (NSCAA)
Eteamz.com Soccer
FUNdamental Soccer
Soccer ROM
World of Soccer
World Class Coaching
Soccer Clinics
Positive Coaching Alliance
Positive Coaching
Tips for Soccer Moms and Dads
i Soccer Mom
Coaching Cards
Soccer Dictionary
SOCCER-COACH-L Basic Coaching Manual
National Alliance for Youth sports

Goals Duty Responsibility

Ossining AYSO requires coaches designated as the home team for the first game on an assigned field to set up the goals.  This means the coach and his team must transport the goals to the field before the game and have the goals set up before the assigned game time.

Ossining AYSO requires coaches designated as the home team for the last game on an assigned field to take down the goals.  This means the coach and his team must take down the goals and corner flags, place them in the goal bags and transport the goals to the storage place.

Should a game be stopped in event of bad weather, it is the responsibility of BOTH teams to take the goals down quickly and transport them to the designated storage area.  Do not leave the goals up and assume coaches from a later scheduled game will take down the goals. 

Corner Flags-A set of corner flags is in the goal bags.  The flags should be put out when the goals are erected and the flags should be collected and returned to the goal bags when the goals are taken down.

Some goals are stored in locked goal boxes. If you need a key, please call the coach administrator, Robert Squirrel at 914-8749.

Safety Notices:

1. Goal boxes must be kept closed and locked at all times! 
2. If you notice any broken or missing parts, please notify Jose Ferrao at 941-8759.

The goals are stored at following sites for our various fields:

Roosevelt School Field
Go to Ossining Historical Society parking lot on Bradshaw Court.  The goals are behind the wooden tool shed at the far end of the parking lot.

Snowden Park (Fall Games)
There is a goal box at the far end of the park.  Make sure the goal box remains locked at all times after removing the goals. 

Ryder Park
There is a goal box by the baseball fence over the stream.  Make sure the goal box remains locked all times after removing the goals.

Veterans Park
There is a goal box on the hill above Vet Middle Field.  Goals for both Vet Middle and Vet Upper (if no permanent goals are at Vet Upper) are stored in the box.  Make sure the goal box remains locked after removing the goals.  

Brookside School
The goals are stored at the Kleinman residence- 26 Ryder Road.  Look down the far end of the driveway.  26 Ryder is the white house with red roof tiles two houses BEFORE Brookside School.

Nelson Park
There is a large rectangular goal box on the Washington Ave.(north) side of the park near the large tree. Goals for U12 and U8 are in the goal box.  Make sure the goal box remains locked after removing the goals.

Claremont School
The goals are stored at 78 Havell Street-the Nunes home.  Park on Havell Street-put on your flashers!  The goals are on the left side of the upper area of the driveway. Bring a SUV or pickup truck to get the goals.  Goal bags are marked for Claremont School. Only take the goals marked for Claremont.

AMD –All Fields
The goals are stored at 78 Havell Street-the Nunes home.  Park on Havell Street-put on your flashers! The goals are on the left side for the upper area of the driveway.  Bring an SUV or a pickup truck to get the goals. Goals are marked for each AMD field. Only take the set for your game.

Maryknoll Seminary
Maryknoll supplies permanent goals.

Ossining High School
Once the permanent goals are removed in late season (spring and fall), there will be an extra set in the Nelson Park goal box. Take the LARGE set of goals, not the U12 goals. You will need an SUV or pickup truck to get the goals.  Make sure the goal box is locked after taking the goals.

Gerlach Park
The goals are stored at 41 Waterview Dr. - the Squirrell residence. From Gerlach park continue north on Old Albany Post Rd. When the road forks bear right onto Quaker Ridge Rd. The first right is Waterview. Follow Waterview around until you come to # 41. Goals are stored in their bags at the end of the driveway. Goals are large and require a minivan, SUV or pick-up truck for transport to and from the field.