SLA offers access to coach training and resources to allow our coaches to develop their knowledge of the sport and continue to help our youth players progress.  All our coaches are volunteers, so we are in constant need of more willing individuals to step up, learn the sport (many times alongside their son or daughter), and help Stafford youth develop their skills, both in lacrosse and in life.     

SLA Coaching Requirements

1. Establish an Adult, Coach Membership with US Lacrosse
   • ​​Visit https://www.usalacrosse.com/membership
   • Membership is good for 1 year, and must be current through the entire SLA season in which you are coaching
   • "Game Involvement" type must be set as "Coach"
   • SLA will reimburse the annual cost of the membership at the end of the season (this may be a partial reimbursement if you also coach with another program or a school)
2. Complete a Coach Registration on SLA Website
   1. Required annually, good for the entire lacrosse year as defined above
   2. You will be required to enter your US Lacrosse membership number
3. Complete and pass a criminal background check (cannot be on the field w/o this completed)
   1. SLA, NVYLL and USA Lacrosse use the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI)
   2. You will access the background check system through your USL account 
   3. Required every two (2) years...if you have not previously done this check via USL, please re-do this year
   4. NOTE: SLA's signed Agreement with Stafford County requires all on-field adults to pass a criminal background check, so this requirement is extremely important to complete in a timely manner. You cannot coach on-field until this is complete and verified
4. Complete Abuse Prevention Training (cannot be on the field w/o this completed)
   • ​​​SLA and USA Lacrosse use Abuse Prevention Systems as the vendor for this training (90 minutes, video-based)
   • You will access this training through your USAL account
   • Periodicity is TBD; (we're hearing that USA Lacrosse is making this a 1-time training requirement AFTER the coach completes the new APS Training course, but have not yet been able to confirm. More when we get it). 
   • If you have a previously completed certificate from SafeSport, you will need to take the APS Training course through your USAL account. If you've compelted the Abuse Prevention System via another sport/provider, you may send that certificate to USAL Membership ( membership@usalacrosse.org) to apply for credit for the training. However, USAL may only accept previous training that is less than 6 months old. 
5. Complete the CDC Heads Up Concussion Training
   • Required annually; must be current before coaching in any season
   • Visit https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training/index.html
   • Complete course and submit the Certificate of Completion to the appropriate SLA Program Commissioner  stafford.lacrosse@gmail.com
6. Complete USA Lacrosse Level 1 online training course
   1. Required one time only; certificate never expires
   2. Visit  https://www.uslacrosse.org/coaches/coach-development-program/online-courses
   3. USA Lacrosse members receive the level 1 online training course for free; 
   4. Complete the Level 1, "Fundamentals of Coaching" course and ensure it is recorded within your US Lacrosse account
   5. Online training course does not expire...good for subsequent season submissions
7. NVYLL ONLY: Complete the required Code of Conduct Acknowledgement on the NVYLL Website (spring season only) **This item will be required, but is unavailable until NVYLL completes their website transition**
   • Only required for those coaches affiliated with teams in this league (not Local Recreation)
   • Required annually for NVYLL team coaches
   • Select Coaches Code of Conduct and Coach Certification Survey
   • Register after signing in or creating an account
8. Additional Coach Training

• Many additional and valuable free courses are available to USA Lacrosse Members.  SLA coaches are encouraged to increase their knowledge through these courses.   
• The above training(s) are SLA requirements and do not constitute a USA Lacrosse coach certification, although the components do put a new coach on a short path to an initial USAL Level 1 certification.  To read more about USAL's coaching education program and certifications, please see more here. 
• Should you decide to pursue a full USAL Level 1, Level 2 and/or Level 3 certification, those certifications can be reimbursed after successful completion AND appropriate documentation.
• Each level (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3) will be reimbursed only one time. No recertification will be reimbursed.

Code of Conduct for Head Coach, Assistant Coach(es), and other SLA volunteers: 

Be courteous and respectful at all times (with players, opponents, game officials and fans). 

Exercise self-control. 

There shall be no use of foul and abusive language. 

Be familiar with all the rules of the contest. 

Respect the integrity and judgement of game officials. 

There shall be no use of illegal and non-prescription drugs, anabolic steroids or any substance to increase physical development or performance that is not approved by a medical doctor. 

There shall be no use of tobacco products or alcoholic beverages at SLA functions. 

Win with character, lose with dignity. 

No remarks, e-mails, degrading in nature of any sort towards an Association member or the Association in general. 

Volunteers will be positive about their teams as well as the Association.