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 the registration link to the right

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+)

MVP League Rules (Grade 3-4)

US Soccer Learning Center for Coaching

US Center for Safe Sport Code

REFEREE Resources

          Laws of the Game

          Laws of the Game Made Easy

         Become a USSF Certified Referee

CDC Heads Up Concussion Safety Center

         Concussion Recognition Tool  

         Concussion in Sports Poster

          Think Taylor Pledge

MAAPP - SAFESPORT Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies

US Center for SAFESPORT - Report a Concern

Recognize to Recover - US Soccer's Comprehensive Players Health and Safety Program

US Soccer Heat Guidelines

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).  

Rondo Video 

"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. 

Players in Grade 1/2 and Up

Players in Grade 3/4 and Up

Players in Grade 5/6 and Up

Players in Grade 5/6 and Up

Travel & MVP Program Documents:

more materials being added 

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.

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.