Volunteer coaches who are interested in becoming members of the National Youth Sports Coaches Association start by completing a 3-hour training course called a "clinic." There are two options for completing the NYSCA clinic:

LIVE ON-SITE CLINIC OPTION (Through a local NAYS Chapter)

Live/on-site clinics are offered at specific times by local chapters, which are local organizations who have agreed to offer the program in your community. For instance, Parks & Recreation Departments, youth associations, Boys & Girls Clubs, Police Athletic Leagues and YMCAs can all be chapters.  Over 3,000 chapters exist in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases internationally.

OR

ONLINE CLINIC OPTION

Coaches may also become NYSCA members by completing the NYSCA Online Clinic. The NYSCA Online Clinics feature the same training content as the live/on-site clinics yet allow participants to becoming members from their home or office computer. The Online Clinic offers some features that are not available through the on-site clinics, including graphics to illustrate lessons, printable materials, and 24-7 access to the program. Click here to register or to learn more about the NYSCA Online Clinics.

CLINIC FORMAT AND CONTENT

Both the live/on-site and online clinics consist of the same basic format. The first part of an NYSCA clinic is to view the Coaching Youth Sports video, which is a universal training video for all youth sports coaches, regardless of the sport he/she is coaching. The Coaching Youth Sports video covers topics such as:

• Psychology of Coaching Youth Sports
• Working with Kids with Special Challenges
• Tips to Teaching and Communication
• Parents as Partners
• Child Abuse in Youth Sports
• Injury Prevention
• Hydration
• Much more!

Click here to view a clip of the Coaching Youth Sports video.

After the Coaching Youth Sports video, all coaches then view a sports-specific video. There are NYSCA sport-specific clinics for 13 of the top sports*:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• T-Ball
• Football
• Flag Football
• Softball
• Cheerleading
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Inline Hockey
• Ice Hockey
• Boys Lacrosse
• Girls Lacrosse

*For sports not listed, volunteer coaches may become NYSCA members through a live/on-site clinic but not an online clinic.

At the end of each NYSCA clinic, coaches must (1) pass an exam that tests their understanding of the information conveyed in the clinic and (2) sign a pledge committing them to uphold the NYSCA Coaches' Code of Ethics. NYSCA holds coaches fully accountable to the standards set by the Code.

FEES

The membership fee for the both the live/on-site and online clinic is $20 per coach. Membership is valid for one year.

INITIAL LEVEL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Coaches who successfully complete the Initial Level Membership training, whether at a live on-site clinic or online, will automatically receive:

• Access to the free NYSCA Concussion Training program which covers the legal requirement to coach in many states
• $1,000,000 liability insurance policy 
• High quality membership card with key tag
• Youth Sports Journal (issued at clinic)
• A subscription to SportingKid Magazine
• E-Newsletter
• Certificate of Completion
• Interactive Clinic
• Exclusive Corporate Discount/Programs
• NYSCA Online Member Area
  • Add additional sports to membership
  • Renew membership online
  • Review/print sport specific drills
  • Communicate with players and parents
  • Review past issues of SportingKid magazine
  • Participate in sport specific volunteer coaching blogs
  • My coach rating page 
  • Much more... 

CONTINUING MEMBERSHIP
Coaches who undertake the initial clinic are eligible to obtain continuing membership by simply renewing their membership each year. For more about Continuing Level Membership click here.