Thank you for your interest in becoming a coach in the Eden Prairie Soccer Association. You don't need to have a coaching or playing background to make a valuable contribution. The EPSA offers a variety of support - online and in-person, before and during the season - to help you and the players have a rich and rewarding season. Find all kinds of help on the Coaching Resources page. The Association’s philosophy is about having a great time in a positive environment, where kids can enjoy being active through playing soccer. To hit the ground running, you'll attend one or more of our preseason meetings and clinics. Go to the Meetings and Clinics page for info.
HOW TO SIGN UP
You can volunteer to be a Head or Assistant Coach when you register your child to play. If you have someone you want to coach with, you can request that at the same time. If you want to volunteer as a team manager, you also can do this when registering your child.
VOLUNTEERING TO COACH WITHOUT A CHILD IN THE PROGRAM
If you are a high school student or adult without a child in the program you can volunteer to be a head or assistant coach by clicking on the VOLUNTEER tab to register. You will also need to do a Background Check, Concussion Training and attend a preseason Coach Meeting.
SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
The EPSA provides coaches information on skill priorities, rules, practice plans, game management, and more on our Coaching Resources page. New coaches can request a Coach Mentor. This can take the form of early season on-field assistance or just an informal chat to build comfort and confidence.
TIME COMMITMENT
Meetings and Clinics: A preseason meeting is required of all coaches. See the Meetings and Clinics page for details.Practices and Games: You or your co-coach should be at every practice and game, and we pair up coaches so no one should be discouraged from coaching if you have to miss a session or two. Your team sessions are on the same two days each week, at the same time and location. Depending upon which division you are coaching, each session lasts 1-2 hours.
BACKGROUND CHECK
To facilitate a safe environment for players, every EPSA coach is required to complete a background check. Background checks are paid for by EPSA and completed by McDowell Agency, Inc., a background screening company based in St. Paul that is used by the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. Visit the Background Checks page for details.
CONCUSSION TRAINING
It's a law that all coaches in Minnesota complete a free concussion training course by the National Federation of High Schools and the Center for Disease Control. Concussion Training takes about 30 minutes to complete and is valid for three years. For more information, go to the Concussion page.- VIEW the online module.
- PASS the certification test.
- SAVE the Certificate of Completion to your PC/MAC.
- EMAIL the Certificate of Completion to [email protected].
If you have questions about coaching, please send an email to [email protected].