Coaching

Coaching Requirements Descriptions

All individuals who coach in the MYAA Program must meet the following requirements.


Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Certification - This is a three-hour course which is conducted by a Rutgers Certified Trainer. It teaches player safety and coaching liability. It is highly recommended that a coach completes this course prior to stepping on the field to coach at any level. The Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. Clinic (Sports Awareness for Educating Today's Youth ™) is a three-hour program that meets the "Minimum Standards for Volunteer Coaches Safety Orientation and Training Skills Programs" (N.J.A.C. 5:52) and provides partial civil immunity protection to volunteer coaches under the "Little League Law" (2A:62A-6 et. seq.). More information is available by clicking this link.


Positive Coaching Alliance - Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit developing “Better Athletes, Better People” by working with coaches to provide all youth athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience. Learn more in this short video. MYAA Requires every coach to be certified in the one Double-Goal Coach class offered each year.

  1. Double-Goal Coach®: Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons (Current offer course for the 2023-24 Sports Year – Aug-July – see website for next class offer or ask your sports commissioner)
  2. Double-Goal Coach®: Culture, Practices and Games (Coming Soon)
  3. Double-Goal Coach®: Coaching the Mental Game (Coming Soon)


We, MYAA, have been a partner with PCA for many years and these courses have become part of our coach training as well as a coaching discipline program. Each class offered annually needs to be completed by all person who wish to coach any of our teams.   Additional information about PCA can be found by clicking on this link.


All classes will be offered on-line. Notification of open classes will be posted 30 days prior. 2 sessions will be offered prior to each sports season. 


Questions email – vp_sportsmanship@myaa.net


Background Checks - MYAA has partnered with Sports Engine to conduct Criminal Background Checks on coaches and volunteers. Sports Engine’s screening platform is “Gold Standard” and in compliance with the National Center for Safety Initiatives.


Commissioners will communicate how to complete the background check online prior to a season starting. The system automatically re-screens these individuals annually and then every two years if the individual continues to coach within MYAA.

Disqualification Criteria for MYAA Background Check Screenings


Reportable convictions, pending dispositions or registrations, for any of the following criminal offenses or registrations will prompt a determination that a registrant ‘does not meet’ the End-User’s initial criminal background screening criteria and a Review notation will be indicated as a result of the Screen.


  1. All sexual offenses, regardless of the amount of time since the offense. Examples include, but are not limited to: Child molestation, rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sodomy, prostitution, solicitation, indecent exposure.
  2. All felonies that constitute offenses against the person, regardless of the amount of time since the offense. Examples include, but are not limited to: Murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery, and aggravated burglary.
  3. Any crimes involving children, regardless of the amount of time since the offense.
  4. All felony offenses other than those against the person or sexual within the past 7 years. Examples include, but are not limited to: Drug offenses, theft, embezzlement, fraud.
  5. All misdemeanors that constitute offenses against the person within the past 7 years. Examples include, but are not limited to: Simple assault, battery, domestic violence, hit & run, reckless endangerment, harassment, and menacing. Includes domestic “issues” such as order of protection violations, restraining orders, etc.
  6. All misdemeanor drug and alcohol offenses within the past 5 years or multiple of such offenses in the past 7 years. Examples include, but are not limited to: Driving under the influence, simple drug possession, drunk and disorderly, public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, and providing alcohol to underage persons.
  7. A current sex offender registrant


Abuse Awareness Training – Coaches and volunteers will be required to take a 45-minute Abuse Awareness Training concluding with a quiz that must be passed through Sports Engine. This training is to make coaches and volunteers aware of what to look for and protocols on what to do if an incident is reported.


Code of Conduct – Coaches are required to read and agree to MYAA’s Code of Conduct Agreement. Reviewing this agreement makes coaches and volunteers aware of what behavior will and will not be tolerated, as well as the consequences for bad behavior.

Coach Schedule Information

Rutgers Safety Courses

The next class is scheduled for Sept 24 at 6:30 pm. 

Here is the Zoom link to the class for your coaches:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86468599118


Overview

The SAFETY (Sports Awareness For Educating Today’s Youth) Clinic is a three-hour program that informs coaches on the psychological, legal, medical/first aid aspects of coaching as well as general coaching concepts and training/conditioning youth athletes. 


Benefits

  1. Protects volunteer coaches with partial civil immunity (NJAC 5:52)
  2. Protects leagues, sponsors, & municipalities who certify their coaches with partial civil immunity (2A:62A-6 et. seq.)
  3. Gives coaches ease of mind to focus on athlete development instead of liability issues.


Objectives 

Help volunteer youth sport coaches to 

  1. Minimize the risk of injuries to young athletes by promoting safe play 
  2. Understand basic coaching techniques 
  3. Encourage good sporting behavior and teamwork 
  4. Communicate effectively with parents, guardians & youth athletes 

 

Volunteer coaches receive 

  • The Coaches’ Reference Manual 6th Ed (PDF) 
  • The Rutgers SAFETY Clinic Certification Card 
  • Permanent registration with the Rutgers Youth Sports Research Council. 


Positive Coaching Alliance - Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit developing “Better Athletes, Better People” by working with coaches to provide all youth athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience. Learn more in this short video. MYAA Requires every new coach to be certified in the Developing Competitors through Positive Coaching. All new & returning coaches must take the new curriculum course offered each sports year (Aug-July) within the sports calendar year (will be offered Fall/Winter/Spring).


NEW COACHES CLASS = Developing Competitors through Positive Coaching

NEW & RETURNING COACHES CLASS = Culture, Practices, and Games (new for 2024-25)


We, MYAA, have been a partner with PCA for many years and these courses have become part of our coach training as well as a coaching sportsmanship program. Additional information about PCA can be found by clicking on this link.


All classes will be offered on-line. 2 new coach sessions and 1 returning coach session will be offered prior to each sports season (fall, winter, spring). 

Questions email – vp_sportsmanship@myaa.net


MYAA has been a partner with PCA for many years and these courses have become part of our coach training as well as a coaching discipline program. Each class offered annually needs to be completed by all people who wish to coach any of our teams.   Additional information about PCA can be found by clicking on this link.


All classes will be offered on-line. Notification of open classes will be posted 30 days prior. 2 sessions will be offered prior to each sports season. 

Questions email – vp_sportsmanship@myaa.net



For all of you who have agreed to coach for MYAA, we thank you. This is a commitment that comes with some training and safety requirements. Coaches are required to attend the noted classes below. As a reminder 1st time coaches are required to take the new coach class as well as the returning coach class during the sports year (Aug-Jun). Classes are available prior to each sports season. Please note that PCA tracks the amount of time you are in the Zoom and need 90% participation for it to count.


Workshop: NEW COACHES (1 time requirement in addition to the returning coaches class)

Workshop Type/Name: Developing Competitors through Positive Coaching- YSO (COACH) - Zoom Video

Workshop date/time: Tuesday, December 03 7:00 PM

Workshop Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcOioqD8iEtHRJ-rnd_j-0o71ViXZMKFe


Workshop: RETURNING COACHES (1 time a sports year requirement)

Workshop Type/Name: Culture, Practices, Games - Zoom Video

Workshop date/time: Tuesday, December 10 7:00 PM

Workshop Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kf-ysrDMqGt0a7UVNcps1TvR71RrjLh6k



MYAA has been a partner with PCA for many years and these courses have become part of our coach training as well as a coaching discipline program. Each class offered annually needs to be completed by all people who wish to coach any of our teams.   Additional information about PCA can be found by clicking on this link.


All classes will be offered on-line. 2 new coach sessions and 1 returning coach session will be offered prior to each sports season (fall, winter, spring). 

Questions email – vp_sportsmanship@myaa.net


Background Checks & Abuse Awareness Training

MYAA has partnered with Sports Engine to conduct Criminal Background Checks, provide Abuse Awareness Training and Code of Conduct expectations for our coaches and volunteers. Screenings will take place right before a new coach/volunteer starts a season for the first time and then their criminal background check will be rescreened annually automatically if the individual continues to coach/volunteer with MYAA. Abuse Awareness Training will have to be retaken every two years. Commissioners will communicate how to complete these training courses prior to the season.  These MYAA required training modules will need to be completed by all Rec and Travel Coaches and are “In Addition” to any coaching licensing requirements set by USYS, USCLUB, USA Lacrosse, etc.


Concussion Awareness

On-Line Only - Click on the following link. Heads Up On-Line Training Course When done, email certificate to HeadsUp@myaa.net.