Welcome, LNYSA Coaches — Thank You for Volunteering!

Your time, energy, and commitment make LNYSA possible. This page outlines the required steps to get you ready for the season.

Please Read This Page Fully

Some items apply to new coaches only, while others apply to all coaches. The items below should be completed before the start of the season, unless otherwise noted.

Step 1: Register as a Coach

If you have not already registered as a coach, please complete coach registration first.

Required Coach Items

The following items should be completed before the season starts.

Important Note for New Coaches

If you are new to coaching at LNYSA, your U.S. Soccer Grassroots license for 7v7, 9v9, or 11v11 is required. It also includes the safety modules that cover both Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest requirements.

Quick Coach Checklist

• Register as a coach
• Complete your Grassroots license if you are a new coach
• Complete SafeSport training and annual refresher
• Attend field training if you are a new coach
• Complete Live Scan if you have not already done it
• Complete Mandated Reporter training

Thank You for Coaching with LNYSA

Your leadership helps create a positive, safe, and memorable season for every player. Thank you for giving your time to the kids and families of LNYSA.

Coach Licensing Requirement

All LNYSA coaches are required to complete a U.S. Soccer Grassroots License. This page walks you through the steps in a simple, clear way.

Start with the U.S. Soccer Learning Center

“Learn the value of the Play / Practice / Play coaching method.”

Step 1: Create Your U.S. Soccer Learning Center Account

Start by creating an account, or logging in if you already have one. This is where you will complete the required intro course and later register for your license.

Step 2: Complete the Required Intro Course

Once your account is ready, complete the course: Introduction to Grassroots Coaching

Step 3: Request Your Free Course Code

After completing the intro course, request a free code from LNYSA for the Grassroots Licensing Course that fits your team:

• 7v7
• 9v9
• 11v11

✅ Email the LNYSA Coach Admin to request your code.

Included at No Cost

Your Grassroots course code also includes the required safety education modules for concussion and sudden cardiac arrest.

Quick Checklist

1. Log in to the U.S. Soccer Learning Center
2. Create an account if needed
3. Complete Introduction to Grassroots Coaching (about 20 minutes)
4. Email LNYSA to receive your free course code for 7v7, 9v9, or 11v11

Need Your Free Course Code?

Email the LNYSA Coach Admin and we’ll help you get the right code for your coaching license.

Take Your Online Grassroots License

Choose the U.S. Soccer Grassroots course that matches your team format and continue building your coaching confidence this season.

Why This Matters

The U.S. Soccer Grassroots pathway gives coaches practical, age-appropriate guidance that helps make practices more organized, game day more manageable, and the player experience more positive. These courses are designed for real volunteer coaches working with real youth teams.

U.S. Soccer Grassroots Coaching Pathway

Which Course Should You Take?

Choose the course that matches the format your team plays:

• 7v7 Course — best for younger small-sided teams
• 9v9 Course — best for intermediate age groups
• 11v11 Course — best for full-sided older teams

Start Your Online Course

Click the link below for the course you need:

Quick Tips for Coaches

• Use the course that matches your team’s game format whenever possible
• These courses are designed to be practical, not overwhelming
• You can apply what you learn right away in practices and on game day
• If you are unsure which course is right for you, contact LNYSA Coach Support

Need Help Choosing the Right Course?

Reach out to the LNYSA coaching team if you have questions about which course matches your age group or team format.

SafeSport Online Training & Certificate

All coaches must complete SafeSport training and keep their certificate current each year.

What SafeSport Is

SafeSport is the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement’s initiative to help recognize, prevent, and respond to misconduct in sport. This training is required for all LNYSA coaches and must remain current each year.

Training Time & Renewal

• Required SafeSport Training: about 90 minutes
• Certificate Validity: 11 months
• Annual Refresher: about 20 minutes

Important: Please download and save a copy of your completion certificate for your records.

Returning Coaches

SafeSport has moved to a new platform. If you completed SafeSport training in the past, you should use your existing account and transfer your previous training history.

Please do not create a new or duplicate profile.

1. Click Login in the top right
2. Click Forgot Password
3. Check your email and use the password reset link
4. After logging in, go to My Courses and find your refresher training

New Coaches

If this is your first SafeSport training, create a SafeSport account and enroll using the U.S. Soccer Federation course.

1. Click Enrollment Key
2. Enter the key below
3. Complete the information on the Sign Up page
4. Select Catalog
5. Start SafeSport Trained – US Soccer Federation
6. After completion, upload your certificate to your profile — or email it to us and we can upload it for you

Send Us Your Certificate

If you would like help uploading your SafeSport certificate, email it to:

What the SafeSport Screen Should Look Like

After you log in, your SafeSport dashboard should look similar to the image below.

Quick Checklist

• Returning coaches: log in to your existing account and complete the refresher
• New coaches: create an account and use the enrollment key
• Complete the SafeSport training
• Download and save your certificate
• Upload your certificate or email it to LNYSA

Need Help?

If you have questions about your SafeSport account, training status, or certificate, reach out and we’ll help you through it.

Step 5: Participate in Field Training

Hands-on training to help you feel confident running practices, managing games, and leading your team.

Who Should Attend?

All new LNYSA coaches are required to attend a Field Training session. Returning coaches are welcome and encouraged to attend for a refresher and new ideas.

What to Expect

• A 2-hour, on-field training session led by experienced coaches
• Simple, practical drills you can use immediately in practice
• Guidance on running fun, organized, and effective sessions
• Tips for managing players and game day situations

When & Where

Field Training sessions are scheduled each season.

👉 Check the LNYSA Events page or calendar for the exact date, time, and location.

Live Scan Available at Training

Live Scan (Step 6) will be available during the Field Training session, making it easy to complete both requirements at the same time.

Quick Checklist

• Confirm your Field Training session date
• Plan to attend the full 2-hour session
• Bring comfortable athletic clothing and water
• Complete Live Scan during the session if needed

Get Ready for the Season

This session is one of the best ways to feel prepared and confident as a coach. We look forward to seeing you on the field.

Step 6: Complete Live Scan

Fingerprinting is required for all LNYSA volunteers and only needs to be completed once.

Who Needs Live Scan?

All LNYSA volunteers must complete the Live Scan application and fingerprinting process, including:

• Coaches
• Referees
• Board members

✅ Good news: Live Scan is a one-time requirement. Once completed, your coach record will be updated in the Cal South membership platform.

How to Complete Live Scan

1. Complete the Cal South Live Scan application
   👉 Open the Live Scan application
2. Print two copies of the completed application.
3. Bring the forms to a Live Scan session, if one is scheduled, or visit the processing office listed below.

Live Scan Options

LNYSA often invites the Live Scan team to coach meetings or training events for added convenience.

Before driving to the office, email us to see if an on-site Live Scan session is coming up soon:

📧 [email protected]

Live Scan Processing Location

Secure LiveScan
Suite 270
6 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Open in Google Maps

Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

What to Bring

• Your completed Cal South Live Scan application (two printed copies)
• A government-issued photo ID

Quick Checklist

• Download and complete the Live Scan application
• Print two copies
• Bring your photo ID
• Check with LNYSA first to see if an on-site session is available
• Complete fingerprinting and confirm your record is updated

Questions About Live Scan?

Reach out before you go — we may be able to save you a trip if an on-site Live Scan session is coming up soon.