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Coach Training Schedule
Coach Training Schedule
Fall 2026 Kickoff Training
Fall 2026 Kickoff Training
Click for Details
Key Update: Shortened in-person Kickoff*
What changed, and why: Kickoff is the only setting all year where 150 coaches are in one room. We are prioritizing the two things that require a room — connection and modeled practice — plus the one thing that requires a truck – equipment and gear! Key information transfer will move to required virtual supplemental trainings (by coach type) with a signed comprehension check.
*Full attendance looks like: attending in-person + required supplemental training (Full $100.00 Kickoff Stipend = $80.00 in-person + $20.00 virtual)
Full details can be found in the slide below.
Coach Kickoff Fall 2026.pptx(Part 1) Coach Kickoff - In Person: Required for All Coaches
(Part 1) Coach Kickoff - In Person: Required for All Coaches
Click for Details
Date: Saturday, August 29th
Time: 9am-12:30pm*
Location: C.W. Harris Elementary (301 53rd St SE, Washington, DC 20019)
Division Charters & Handshakes
Division Charters & Handshakes
At Coach Kickoff, coaches in each division established a division charter that they will commit to as a collective this school year. Review and recommit to your division charter! Coaches also created a division handshake to do before games. Watch them here!
Division Handshakes (Coach Kickoff Fall 2026)-9/16/2026, 10:47 PM.mp4Fall 2026 Coach Kickoff Slides
Fall 2026 Coach Kickoff Slides
Description: Our focus for Coach Kickoff Training Fall 2026 was to build community and connection to align on a clear mission: "empower youth to lead healthy lives, be engaged students, and have the confidence and character to make a difference in the world." Check out our full training slides by clicking the button below.
Our training outcomes are shared in the "What success feels like walking out?" slide, pictured.
Training included breakout sessions by local partners:
Soccer Field Session (City Sporting Club)
Healing Through Sport (Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport: CHJS)
Intersectionality & Allyship (SMYAL)
Community Partners - Training Facilitators
Community Partners - Training Facilitators
Learn more about the community partners who led our breakout sessions. 🖱️Click on each to learn more.
Session at Kickoff: Soccer Field Session
What they do: "City Sporting Club Youth Soccer is dedicated to fostering a player-centric environment where the long-term development of each individual is our top priority."
Resources:
Session at Kickoff: Healing Through Sport
What they do: "Our work is backed by neuroscience research showing that sport - the activity that has brought humans entertainment and joy for thousands of years - has both a physiological and psychological healing effect. CHJS brings trauma-informed coaching to youth through our accessible programs and services."
Resources:
Session at Kickoff: Intersectionality & Allyship
What they do: "SMYAL supports and empowers LGBTQ+ youth. We actively work to create a world where queer and trans youth thrive through affirming programs and services designed to develop critical life skills, build community, and foster a sense of belonging."
Resources:
"Creating Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth" (Midseason Training, Spring 2026)
(Part 2) Required Supplemental and Makeup Trainings - Virtual
(Part 2) Required Supplemental and Makeup Trainings - Virtual
Required based on Program Pillar (click for details)
Required part 2 from Coach Kickoff to compensate for what is missed due to a shorter in-person session.
Three sessions, three audiences. All sessions are recorded and uploaded in the CRC so they double as the makeup path. Each virtual training is compensated ($20.00).
What if you miss a required supplemental training?: Each session runs once live and is recorded. All required coaches will need to attend live or watch the virtual recording and complete the “check for understanding” assignment to qualify for the full Kickoff stipend.
*Any coaches who miss kickoff and only attend the virtual supplemental (or poetry makeup) training will qualify for our virtual training stipend amount. Completion status will be tracked and communicated weekly from 9/1.
Please Note: All Check-For-Understandings are due by Wednesday, September 16th to be eligible for receiving the $20.00 training stipend.
New Coaches who missed Kickoff: Will also be required to attend onboarding office hours week of Sept. 25-28. This will be communicated.
Liaison Compliance & Launch
Liaison Compliance & Launch
Wed Sept 2 · 3:45–5:00pm
WHO: All site liaisons
WHERE: Virtual & Recorded
Stipend: $20 - after completion of check for understanding
All liaisons must complete the CHECK-FOR-UNDERSTANDING after attending or watching the Liaison Compliance & Launch training. We will be reviewing answers to ensure all coaches are aligned on expectations.
Watch the recording and complete the check-for-understanding. (33 min)
Leagues & Game Day Policies
Leagues & Game Day Policies
Thu Sept 10 · 6:30–8:00pm
WHO: Every soccer coach
WHERE: Virtual - link to follow
WHAT: League Rules & Laws of the Game, the non-negotiables standard, Game day expectations: before/during/after, Fair Play, referees, coach conduct, cancellation and makeup policy, chain of support
Stipend: $20 - after completion of check for understanding
All soccer coaches must complete the CHECK-FOR-UNDERSTANDING prior to the first games. We will be reviewing answers to ensure all coaches are aligned on league rules.
League Policy.mp4Watch the recording and complete the check-for-understanding. (1h 30 min)
Poetry Makeup Training
Poetry Makeup Training
Asynchronous · before Mon Sept. 14th
WHO: Poetry coaches who missed Kickoff (this includes any poetry coach who did not attend poetry session at kickoff)
WHERE: Click for ▶️ Poetry Makeup Training Video
WHAT: Video recording outlining poetry curriculum, expectations, and best practices
Stipend: $20 - after completion of check for understanding
💲In order to qualify for your stipend, click the button to complete Check-For-Understanding form.
Poetry Makeup TrainingPoetry Makeup Training Video (26 min)
Watch the recording and complete the check-for-understanding to receive credit.
*Poetry Office Hours
*Poetry Office Hours
Mon Sept 14 · 6:30–7:30pm
WHO: Highly encouraged for Poetry coaches who missed kickoff; Optional for Poetry coaches who have questions
WHERE: Virtual - Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81154591008
WHAT: Opportunity to ask questions, request support, and brainstorm with our Poetry Team
Stipend: (no stipend)
Additional details can be found in the slide below.
Coach Kickoff Supplemental Trainings.pptxFall Midseason Training
Fall Midseason Training
10/5/26 - Fall Mid Season Training (In-Person) - Writing
Our required (paid) In-Person Midseason Poetry Training will be at Barnard Elementary School (430 Decatur St NW, Washington, DC 20011) from 6pm-8pm this Monday, October 5th. Dinner is provided!
Our goal is 100% representation from each school. So, if your poetry coaches can’t make it, please work with your coaching team to ensure at least one of your coaches can attend.
What to Expect:
An active, participatory session with the opportunity to hear from other coaches and DCS staff (including our Lead Poetry Specialist), see a variety of poetry performances, and practice performance yourselves, while diving into the details of the rest of the season leading up to slams. We will begin promptly at 6:15pm.
Arrival between 5:45pm-6:15pm.
Please enter from the 4th St entrance. There is limited parking in the back and street parking.
What to Bring:
Something to take notes (notebook and pen)
Laptop is optional (only if you need to update your Team Planning Sheet)
Overview:
Poetry Slam Details: Rubric, Logistics, What to Expect
Poetry Specialist Support
Performance Prep: Performance tools and best practices
Coaches are paid $50.00 for attending.
Please reach out to your site manager should you have any questions or concerns.
Spring Trainings
Spring Trainings
Spring Coach Kickoff
Spring Coach Kickoff
2/27/27 - Spring Coach Kickoff - Soccer and Writing
Spring Midseason Training
Spring Midseason Training
4/19/27 and 4/20/27 - Spring Mid Season Training - Soccer and Writing
Office Hours (General Admin Support)
Office Hours (General Admin Support)
Payment, Attendance, & Playmetrics
Payment, Attendance, & Playmetrics
This is for: all new coaches and, especially, liaisons.
View (9 min) explainer video below and slides here.
Past trainings
Past trainings
Find slides, recordings, photos, and resources.
Midseason Training 2026
Midseason Training 2026
🌈Creating Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth (Facilitated by SMYAL)
🌈Creating Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth (Facilitated by SMYAL)
SMAYL dc_scores_presentation.pdf(Tuesday, April 21, 2026) Review the training slides. Read our "All on the Pitch" Midseason Training One-Pager
Description
With 9.3% of adults in the U.S identifying as LGBTQ+, comprehensive LGBTQ+ inclusion is a must. Not only that, but 60% of our LGBTQ+ youth have felt discrimination due to their gender identity or sexual orientation, 32% of youth in schools face harassment because they are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and policies in our own backyards have limited the spaces and resources available to LGBTQ+ youth. As a result, there is a high need for LGBTQ+ allyship and support for our youth. In this highly interactive session, participants will learn about the need for and positive impacts of LGBTQ+ inclusion in all parts of the community. They will become familiar with key inclusive language, and the basics of allyship, and they will leave the session equipped to implement crucial ally actions to create belonging and safe spaces for all queer and trans youth.
About the Facilitator
Krischell Mini Bio: Krischell (she/her) is a Training Coordinator with SMYAL who has 4+ years of experience in peer-to-peer and youth education. A Baltimore native who found her home in DC, she's driven to make sure in everything that she does she gives back to the communities who molded her into the woman she is today. When not serving youth in the DMV area she's home gaming with her friends, taking walks around her neighborhood, or reading on her E-Reader.
Additional Resources
(Will be posted here, once received)
Spring 2026 Coach Kickoff
Spring 2026 Coach Kickoff
🤓 Site Management
🤓 Site Management
Coach Kickoff: Learn about our Community Building Coach Development training, new Dual Site Coordinator pairings, and review our communications. (Slides here, pgs. 42-66)
Makeup Training: Covering slides 35-66 (📹 Video Recording here - 28 min)
Liaison Training: Review - What is the role of a liaison? (Slides here)
Office Hours:
March 4: 💲Payment, ☑️ Attendance, and 📧 Playmetrics (Slides & Video)
🤝 Coach Development
🤝 Coach Development
Coach Kickoff: Learn about our Community Building Coach Development training and SCORES Play Card. (Slides here)
Midseason Training: TBA
Community Building Resources: Materials to help your team get off to a strong start, including "Poet-Athlete Promise", "Parent/Guardian Promise", "Building Team Culture: Values and Norms" Worksheets, and more! (Linked here)
✏️ Service Learning
✏️ Service Learning
Coach Kickoff: Review project examples and learn about our NEW Community Sessions and the Stage 1 Check In, which will be due on March 27th. (Slides here)
Makeup Training: (📹 Video Recording here - 38 min)
Midseason Training: Monday, April 20th, 6-8pm
⚽ Soccer
⚽ Soccer
Coach Kickoff: Request equipment, review spring events, goal updates, and coach clinics.
Makeup Training: (📹 Video Recording here)
Midseason Training: Tuesday, April 21, 6:45-8pm
Fall 2025 Coach Kickoff
Fall 2025 Coach Kickoff
All on the Pitch: DC SCORES Online Coach Training (Fall 2025)
All on the Pitch: DC SCORES Online Coach Training (Fall 2025)
Complete the following training by 10/10/25 to receive credit for the on-demand training. RSVP HERE to receive more information.
Powerpoint Slides: All on the Pitch: DC SCORES Online Coach Training (Fall 2025)
Powerpoint Slides: All on the Pitch: DC SCORES Online Coach Training (Fall 2025)
Online training ALL ON THE PITCH.pdfReport abuse