Coaching Information and Resources
Welcome to the Amesbury Soccer Association Coaching & Education Center.
ASA's objective is to provide the youth of Amesbury with a positive soccer experience that focuses on individual skills, teamwork, and fun. This page will host resources for ASA coaches, players, and parents.
For additional information contact ASA's Director of Education Paul Dombrowski.
ASA Coaching Requirements
ASA is a non-profit, volunteer organization, which depends on coaches and volunteers to bring the beautiful game to the youth of Amesbury.
For the benefit of our players, there are several requirements that need to be fulfilled before your participation in ASA programs.
ASA Coach Registration and Mandatory Trainings:
1. Sign up on an ASA Volunteer - Click Here
2. Create a Massachusetts Youth Soccer profile. This step includes applying for a CORI background check - Click Here
3. CDC Heads Up Concussion Training (online training)
4. SafeSport Training on abuse awareness and prevention (online training)
Please make sure that you use the access code provided on the Massachusetts Youth Soccer website.
Link to MYSA “SportsConnect” page which has both the SafeSport and CDC Concussion trainings
This will take you to a log in page that looks like this
After completing the online training, please email PDF certificates to ASA Director of Compliance - click here to email
Important Weblinks
Essex County Youth Soccer Association
Find schedules, standings, and rules for ASA travel teams (Grade 5+)
US Soccer Learning Center for Coaching
REFEREE Resources
Become a USSF Certified Referee
Coaching Resources & Training Plans:
TOPSoccer
ASA is excited at the return of TOPSoccer in our community in 2024. TOPSoccer provides young players with disabilities the opportunity to participate in and find joy in soccer.
Resources for TOPSoccer coaches, parents, and players are provided within this section.
TOPSoccer Resources (Massachusetts Youth Soccer) - various information and worksheets
Soccer development is built on technical (individual) and tactical (teams) skills. This section of the website provides practice plans and resources for ASA coaches that are age group specific and to provide game-like situations.
Amesbury Soccer Association advocates that all coaches follow Play-Practice-Play, consistent with U.S. Soccer Grassroots Initiatives.
US Soccer - Learn About Play Practice Play
Massachusetts Youth Soccer Play Practice Play
US Soccer - Grassroots Soccer Course
This free introductory module is the starting point for later U.S. Soccer's Grassroots Licensing Courses. The module includes more information and includes 4 Play-Practice-Play training sessions.
ASA encourages all coaches to complete the US Soccer Grassroots online course (which takes ~20 minutes).
5 V 2 (RONDO)
All ASA teams Grade 3/4 and older incorporate 5 v 2 possession games in their training plan. This exercise provides a technical and tactical challenge and creates game-like situations that require players to make decisions, communicate, trap, pass, defend, and play under pressure. Professional teams around the world include "Rondo" and numerous variations on (2 touch, 1 touch, splits, t with player in middle).
"I started using 5v2 with my players at the Grade 3/4 level (MVP) and continued starting nearly every practice session and pre-game warm up through Grade 7/8. It is great to use at the beginning of practice, as it can be started with smaller numbers as other players arrive and are added in."
-Paul Dombrowski, ASA Director of Education
Kickin It! Program Documents:
more content coming for the Spring 2023 season
Warm-up Foot Drills
Soccer is a game mostly played with the feet. Individual foot skills and dribbling are at the heart of soccer skills. Every ASA training session should include 5 to 10+ minutes of foot skills.
Repetition builds muscle memory and develops good technique. As players improve and get older more challenging motions should be included. The following videos provide examples of footwork warm up.
ASA coaches should learn and practice as well to help our players learn mechanics. Start with 3 or 4 footwork skills. Over time, add additional skills. 5-10 minutes every practice will develop both skill and confidence.
Travel & MVP Program Documents:
more materials coming for the Spring 2023 season
Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association session plans for Grade 1/2 (U8), Grade 3/4 (U10), Grade 5/6 (U12), and Grade 7/8 (U14) This is an invaluable resource for coaches to support practice planning and tactical development.
Week 1 Practice Plans for U10, U12 and U14 age groups:
Coaches: please select two of the three. The third will be run in Week 3.
Coaching Email Topics
PDFs of Coaching Emails from Director of Education Paul Dombrowski are found in this section.
Summer Soccer Resources
Coaches - Please familiarize yourself with the following documents...
More Interesting Content
Interview with NEW US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker
-Key Theme for all coaches - "Safe and Fun"
Amesbury Soccer Association (ASA) proposes a new strategy to realize a longstanding vision to improve soccer fields for the enjoyment of the town and visiting teams; the safety of the players, referees, coaches and families; and to preserve and protect the fields in our community.
