Introduction
Kickstart is AYSO's introductory program for children ages 3–6. Sessions run as a Jamboree and focus on
Soccer,
Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS), and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) through movement and play. There are no
standings, no scores, and no pressure. Just kids moving, laughing, and falling in love with the game of
soccer. This page is your go-to reference for the season.
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Session Plans
Please review pages 1–24 of the manual before your first session. This covers the program
philosophy, session structure, and foundational activities.
Each session follows the same three-activity format. The SEL theme changes each week.
Session 1 (Week 1)
SEL Theme: Social Awareness • Recognize other people's feelings
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 15 x 15 yd. grid with 4 or more cones
- Scrimmage vests (webs)
- Ball per player (for progressions)
- All players are required to play within the grid
🎮 How the Game is Played
- One player is the Web-Slinger; all others are villains
- Web-Slinger has numerous scrimmage vests (webs) and must chase villains, throw a web, and hit a
villain to web that player
- If a villain gets webbed they must freeze, put their hands in the air, and open their legs
- A villain can only be released if a teammate crawls through their legs like a snake
- To complete the game, the Web-Slinger must have all villains frozen at the same time
- Swap the Web-Slinger often and at every progression
💬 Who likes being the Web-Slinger? Why? Who doesn't? Why?
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- If a player runs out or is chased out of the area, they are frozen when they come back in
- Players can dribble a ball and the Web-Slinger must web their ball to get them out
- Increase the number of Web-Slingers
- Add a time challenge
💪 FMS Points
Running
- Head up, eyes forward
- Head and body stable
- Body leans slightly forward
- Move arms back and forth
- Relaxed shoulders with elbows bent 90°
- High knees and heels to bottom
- Opposite arm to opposite leg
- Drive from balls of feet and land on heels
- Stay on narrow path
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 20 x 15 yd. grid
- A central goal on each end line
- Numerous balls — at least one per player, ideally a few extra
🎮 How the Game is Played
- Leader rolls numerous balls onto the field
- Players collect a ball and score in any goal
- Have parents behind goals to redistribute balls and keep the game flowing
- Purpose is for players to understand the aim of soccer is to score goals!
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Once all balls are in the goals, reset and begin again — players must now score in a different goal
- Add a set time period and keep score
- Add corner goals
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- Small-sided field with small goals (roughly 30 x 20 yd)
- Two teams of two or three — scrimmage pinnies
🎮 How the Game is Played
- 3v3 game with simple rules: goals, free-kicks (kicking/tripping), kick-offs (start of game
and after goals), ball in/out of play (touchline and goal line), kick-ins
- Have two halves and switch ends — just like the big match
- "New Ball" restart after a goal or ball goes out — opponents 3 yards away
- Willing parents help manage balls to keep the game flowing
- Don't worry about enforcing strict rules; simply introduce them and keep the game flowing
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- To start or restart, ask players to find a space and freeze when the ball goes out of play
- Give the ball to the player in most space, or one who hasn't had many touches — allow them a few
seconds to travel toward goal before others move freely
- This encourages spatial awareness and prevents one or two players from dominating (common in 3v3)
📄 View
Session 1 in the Kickstart Manual (Page 25)
Session 2 (Week 2)
SEL Theme: Self-Awareness • Identify and manage emotions and behaviors
(happy, sad, excited, fun, etc.)
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 15 x 15 yd. grid
- Ball per player
- Players start on the end-line with a ball at their feet
🎮 How the Game is Played
- Leader calls commands: TAKE ONE STEP FORWARD, BALANCE ON RIGHT/LEFT LEG, SIT ON BALL, ONE FOOT ON
BALL, SPEED UP, SLOW DOWN, JUMP OVER BALL, etc.
- Players only react if the command is preceded by "Coach Says"
- Balancing on each leg is the main focus
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Change the command phrase from "Coach Says" to something else (e.g., a player's name, a funny word)
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 15 x 15 yd. grid with 4 or more cones
- 1 ball per player
- Tail (scrimmage vest) per player
- All players must play within the grid
🎮 How the Game is Played
- Minnows have a tail (pinnie) tucked in the back of their shorts
- The Shark (Leader) moves around the grid catching minnows by pulling out their tails
- When a minnow loses its tail it must leave the grid (the pond)
- To re-enter, minnows must perform a FMS task: balance on one leg for 5 seconds, perform 5 ball
bounces, etc.
- Start without a ball, then introduce one
💬 Did anyone enjoy this game? Why? Did anyone not enjoy it? Why?
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- If caught, minnows become baby sharks
- Conduct the activity without a ball first, then introduce a ball
- Limit players to only use L foot, R foot, outside of R or L, or inside of both feet
💪 FMS Points
Running
- Head up, eyes forward
- Head and body stable
- Body leans slightly forward
- Move arms back and forth
- Relaxed shoulders with elbows bent 90°
- High knees and heels to bottom
- Opposite arm to opposite leg
- Drive from balls of feet and land on heels
- Stay on narrow path
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- Small-sided field with small goals (roughly 30 x 20 yd)
- Two teams of two or three — scrimmage pinnies
🎮 How the Game is Played
- 3v3 game with simple rules: goals, free-kicks (kicking/tripping), kick-offs (start of game
and after goals), ball in/out of play (touchline and goal line), kick-ins
- Have two halves and switch ends — just like the big match
- "New Ball" restart after a goal or ball goes out — opponents 3 yards away
- Willing parents help manage balls to keep the game flowing
- Don't worry about enforcing strict rules; simply introduce them and keep the game flowing
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- To start or restart, ask players to find a space and freeze when the ball goes out of play
- Give the ball to the player in most space, or one who hasn't had many touches — allow them a few
seconds to travel toward goal before others move freely
- This encourages spatial awareness and prevents one or two players from dominating (common in 3v3)
📄 View
Session 2 in the Kickstart Manual (Page 26)
Session 3 (Week 3)
SEL Theme: Interpersonal Skills • Engage in non-verbal communication with
each other
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 2 cones to mark a start line
- Mark four lily pads (placement pads or hula hoops) per row; repeat for 4–5 rows
- Mark an end line using tall cones approximately 10 yards away
- Create two parallel lines of lily pads
🎮 How the Game is Played
- All children line up in two lines on the start line, facing you at the end line
- Kids jump like a frog from lily pad to lily pad in their row, then run around the end marker and
back to start
- Sing a "frog" song while they jump; children should "croak" while leaping
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Ask children to jump in different directions: forwards, backwards, and sideways
- Increase or decrease distances between lily pads
💪 FMS Points
Jumping / Landing
- Head up, feet slightly apart
- Bend hips, knees and ankles into crouch position pre-takeoff
- Arms reach/swing behind body then swing upward and forward above head
- Legs extend and explode from crouch position, pushing from toes
- Arms and legs work together
- Clear shape and control in the air
- Ankles, knees and hips bend and arms lower on landing
- When jumping for distance, arms propel forward more; landing arms reach forward for balance
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 10–12 soccer balls
- 15 x 15 yd. grid with 4 or more cones
- All players are required to play within the grid
🎮 How the Game is Played
- All players stand by a corner cone
- Leader yells "Bank Robbery!" — all players sprint to the center, collect a ball with their feet, and
return it to their corner cone as quickly as possible, stopping the ball by the cone
- They return to the center to get another ball
- When all balls have been collected, the player with the most balls wins
💬 Once players get back to their sides, they find a teammate and give them a
thumbs up.
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Limit players to L foot, R foot, outside of R or L, or inside of both feet
- Add more balls to the center and enlarge the grid
- Once all center balls are taken, players can steal from each other's banks (watch the time — this
can get tiring!)
- Have players pick balls up and carry them back to their nest, or roll the ball back
💪 FMS Points
Rolling a Ball
- Hold ball using fingers, palm side up
- Stand facing target
- Bring arm down and back, rocking onto back foot
- Step forward with opposite foot to hand
- Bend at knees and swing arm forward to body
- Release ball in front of lead foot in smooth, fluid motion
- Follow through in direction of target
- Keep the ball low
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- Small-sided field with small goals (roughly 30 x 20 yd)
- Two teams of two or three — scrimmage pinnies
🎮 How the Game is Played
- 3v3 game with simple rules: goals, free-kicks (kicking/tripping), kick-offs (start of game
and after goals), ball in/out of play (touchline and goal line), kick-ins
- Have two halves and switch ends — just like the big match
- "New Ball" restart after a goal or ball goes out — opponents 3 yards away
- Willing parents help manage balls to keep the game flowing
- Don't worry about enforcing strict rules; simply introduce them and keep the game flowing
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- To start or restart, ask players to find a space and freeze when the ball goes out of play
- Give the ball to the player in most space, or one who hasn't had many touches — allow them a few
seconds to travel toward goal before others move freely
- This encourages spatial awareness and prevents one or two players from dominating (common in 3v3)
📄 View
Session 3 in the Kickstart Manual (Page 27)
Session 4 (Week 4)
SEL Theme: Social Awareness • Show that we can help each other
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 15 x 15 yd. grid
- 12 orange disc cones placed randomly throughout the grid
- 6 blue (or other color) disc cones for the progression
- All players are required to play within the grid
🎮 How the Game is Played
- Lay out orange cones only to start
- Start players at one corner cone
- Players "skip" around the grid (prioritize technique) collecting as many cones (gold coins) as
possible
- Once all cones are picked up, the player with the most cones wins
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Add blue (or other color) cones — players must "hop" over these special cones before picking them up
- Special cones are worth 100 points each!
💪 FMS Points
Skipping
- Step forward onto front foot and hop upward
- Opposite leg: lift knee sharply upward in front of body
- Use arms for balance and to create upward movement
- Non-supporting leg pushed down to floor and straightened
- Land softly after each skip to avoid injury
Hopping
- Lift one leg, bent at the knee
- Head up, looking forward — head and trunk stable
- Bend knee of supporting leg
- Leg straightens to push off
- Swing arms back, forward and upward
- Arms continue to move upward as you jump
- Push from toes to take off
- Land softly, bending the knee
- Take off and land on the same foot
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 30 x 15 yd. field with goals marked with flags or tall cones at either end
- Two teams
- Parents standing on all four sides as "bumpers"
🎮 How the Game is Played
- Parents stand on the touchlines and goal lines to stop the ball going out of play
- Ball stays in play — no corners, goal kicks, or throw-ins needed
- Keep score and give teams colorful, fun names!
💬 How did we help our teammates in this game?
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Remove parents from either the goal line or touchline to gradually introduce throw-ins, corners, or
goal kicks
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- Small-sided field with small goals (roughly 30 x 20 yd)
- Two teams of two or three — scrimmage pinnies
🎮 How the Game is Played
- 3v3 game with simple rules: goals, free-kicks (kicking/tripping), kick-offs (start of game
and after goals), ball in/out of play (touchline and goal line), kick-ins
- Have two halves and switch ends — just like the big match
- "New Ball" restart after a goal or ball goes out — opponents 3 yards away
- Willing parents help manage balls to keep the game flowing
- Don't worry about enforcing strict rules; simply introduce them and keep the game flowing
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- To start or restart, ask players to find a space and freeze when the ball goes out of play
- Give the ball to the player in most space, or one who hasn't had many touches — allow them a few
seconds to travel toward goal before others move freely
- This encourages spatial awareness and prevents one or two players from dominating (common in 3v3)
📄 View
Session 4 in the Kickstart Manual (Page 28)
Session 5 (Week 5)
SEL Theme: Interpersonal Skills • Find ways to self-calm (count to 5, ask
to sit down)
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 15 x 15 yd. grid
- Numerous tall cones, numerous soccer balls, numerous scrimmage vests (to secure ball), one disc cone
per player
- Players line up on opposite end lines by a starting disc cone
- At the halfway mark, randomly place tall cones atop balls atop scrimmage vests to create "ice cream
cones" — mark this channel
🎮 How the Game is Played
- Give both sides team names
- On Leader command, players run to the middle, pick up a cone and ball to make an "ice cream cone"
(parents help as needed), and carry it back to their starting cone
- Play continues until all balls have been collected
- Count how many each player collects
💬 Why is it important to stay calm when you're getting too excited? You can
drop the ice cream out of the cone!
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Vary the distance
- Players dribble the ball back
- Add a FMS challenge on the way back: stop and balance on one leg for 5 seconds
- The ice cream scoop is "freezing" — players must throw it in the air and catch it on the way back
💪 FMS Points
Running
- Head up, eyes forward
- Head and body stable
- Body leans slightly forward
- Move arms back and forth
- Relaxed shoulders with elbows bent 90°
- High knees and heels to bottom
- Opposite arm to opposite leg
- Drive from balls of feet and land on heels
- Stay on narrow path
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 20 x 20 yd. grid with 4 or more cones
- 1 ball per player, spare balls
- All players are required to play within the grid
🎮 How the Game is Played
- All players form a snake-like line; each player has a ball at their feet and dribbles to follow the
lead player (head of the snake)
- When the Leader yells "Shed Your Skin!" the player at the end of the snake dribbles forward and
becomes the new front of the snake
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Limit players to only use L foot, R foot, outside of R or L, or inside of both feet
- Ensure all players become the head of the snake at one time or another
- Have players add their favorite soccer fake (move) when they are head of the snake for others to
copy
- Add FMS commands: Stop, balance on left leg, Go!
💪 FMS Points
Balancing
- Body stable and weight over base
- Eyes and head focused forward
- Leg raised off ground and not touching supporting leg
- Supporting leg still and foot flat on contact point
- Arms out to the side at shoulder height for counter balance
- Tighten muscles to gain balance and stability
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- Small-sided field with small goals (roughly 30 x 20 yd)
- Two teams of two or three — scrimmage pinnies
🎮 How the Game is Played
- 3v3 game with simple rules: goals, free-kicks (kicking/tripping), kick-offs (start of game
and after goals), ball in/out of play (touchline and goal line), kick-ins
- Have two halves and switch ends — just like the big match
- "New Ball" restart after a goal or ball goes out — opponents 3 yards away
- Willing parents help manage balls to keep the game flowing
- Don't worry about enforcing strict rules; simply introduce them and keep the game flowing
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- To start or restart, ask players to find a space and freeze when the ball goes out of play
- Give the ball to the player in most space, or one who hasn't had many touches — allow them a few
seconds to travel toward goal before others move freely
- This encourages spatial awareness and prevents one or two players from dominating (common in 3v3)
📄 View
Session 5 in the Kickstart Manual (Page 29)
Session 6 (Week 6)
SEL Theme: Decision Making • Understanding we all control our own choices
(taking turns, fixing mistakes)
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 15 x 10 yd. grid (the "woods")
- Two flags (trees) placed 5 yards outside the grid on either sideline
- Two teams: hunters and hunted
- 2 sets of scrimmage vests (tails)
🎮 How the Game is Played
- Players tuck tails into the back of their shorts and line up on opposite sidelines
- On Leader command, hunters chase the hunted and try to grab tails
- Hunted use twists, pivots and dodging to escape
- If a hunter catches a hunted player, they throw the tail to the ground and chase another
- If caught, the player runs outside the grid, around the flag (tree), back into the grid to retrieve
their tail and rejoin
- Play for 1 minute, break for 30 seconds; continue for a few rounds
- Change hunters and hunted between rounds
💬 How did you choose who to chase?
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
💪 FMS Points
Running
- Head up, eyes forward
- Head and body stable
- Body leans slightly forward
- Move arms back and forth
- Relaxed shoulders with elbows bent 90°
- High knees and heels to bottom
- Opposite arm to opposite leg
- Drive from balls of feet and land on heels
- Stay on narrow path
Twisting / Pivoting
- While turning, plant one foot or keep one foot of the body stable
- Push off with the other foot to turn
- Bend knees slightly
- Use arms — move them in the direction of rotation
- While turning, head is focused forward and in line with body
- Step forward for a forward pivot; step back for a backward pivot
Dodging
- Head and eyes focused forward
- Plant one foot and push to change direction
- Bend knees, getting into a low body position
- Step and lean one way, then move in the other direction — all in one action
- Fake with head and shoulders
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- 15 x 15 yd. grid (4 cones for grid, 8 cones for two caves)
- Create two 3 x 3 yd. caves within the grid
- Ball per player
- All players must stay within the grid
🎮 How the Game is Played
- The Leader is the "Big Bad Bear" (always growling!) and tries to capture players as they dribble
around the area
- Players are safe inside a cave — but can only stay 10 seconds, then must move to the other cave
- Captured players become "Wee Bad Bears" and help catch remaining players
- Last free player wins!
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- Only 1 player in a cave at a time
- While in the cave, players must perform a FMS task (balance on one leg for 5 seconds, etc.) before
they exit
- All Bears must hold hands (or a scrimmage vest) while trying to capture remaining players
- Play without the balls
💪 FMS Points
Twisting / Pivoting
- While turning, plant one foot or keep one foot of the body stable
- Push off with the other foot to turn
- Bend knees slightly
- Use arms — move them in the direction of rotation
- While turning, head is focused forward and in line with body
- Step forward for a forward pivot; step back for a backward pivot
Dodging
- Head and eyes focused forward
- Plant one foot and push to change direction
- Bend knees, getting into a low body position
- Step and lean one way, then move in the other direction — all in one action
- Fake with head and shoulders
🎒 Equipment / Organization
- Small-sided field with small goals (roughly 30 x 20 yd)
- Two teams of two or three — scrimmage pinnies
🎮 How the Game is Played
- 3v3 game with simple rules: goals, free-kicks (kicking/tripping), kick-offs (start of game
and after goals), ball in/out of play (touchline and goal line), kick-ins
- Have two halves and switch ends — just like the big match
- "New Ball" restart after a goal or ball goes out — opponents 3 yards away
- Willing parents help manage balls to keep the game flowing
- Don't worry about enforcing strict rules; simply introduce them and keep the game flowing
⬆️ Variations / Progressions
- To start or restart, ask players to find a space and freeze when the ball goes out of play
- Give the ball to the player in most space, or one who hasn't had many touches — allow them a few
seconds to travel toward goal before others move freely
- This encourages spatial awareness and prevents one or two players from dominating (common in 3v3)
📄 View
Session 6 in the Kickstart Manual (Page 30)
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Kickstart Manual
The complete reference for all activities, session plans, arrival games, and coaching guidance used in this program.
📖 Open Kickstart Manual
Quick Reference Sections
Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) Videos
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Session Structure & Timing
Each session is 1 hour maximum, including organizing time and breaks. Here is the standard
breakdown:
| Segment |
Duration |
Notes |
| Activation & Group Forming |
~12 min |
Activation game as children arrive and introduction to the session activities by Program Leaders |
| FMS Activity |
15 min |
~12 min active + 3 min breaks |
| Game-like Activity |
15 min |
~12 min active + 3 min breaks |
| Big Match |
18 min |
~4 quarters x 3 min active with 3 x 2 min breaks |
✅ Adjust play time and breaks as needed based on weather, energy levels, and how your
group is doing. Less is more with this age group!
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Arrival Activities
Rather than having kids sit around while everyone arrives, get them moving right away. Arrival activities
start on pages 34–43 of the manual. Examples include:
- Red Light / Green Light
- Freeze Tag
- Hungry Hippos
Start one of these as soon as the first few kids arrive. It sets the tone and burns off early energy before
the structured session begins.
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Field Tips & Coaching Flexibility
Not every activity will land the same way with every group. You know your kids. You have the ability
to adjust on the fly.
⏰ Kids Need a Break?
- Give it to them whenever they need it.
- If one child needs a break, send them to their parent and invite them back when ready.
🚫 Activity Not Working?
- Switch to a different one. Do not push through an activity that has lost the group.
- Backup Activities:
🤔 Bored After 5 Minutes?
- Introduce a progression from the Variations section of the activity.
- Change the rule, add a ball, add a challenge, or switch to an arrival activity.
👨👩👧 Parents on the Field?
- Give them a specific job: bumper on a touchline, ball retriever behind a goal, or cone setter.
- A parent with a defined role is an asset. An unassigned parent on the field can become a
distraction.
- Brief them before the session starts — 30 seconds is enough.
Remember: For most of these kids, this is their very first introduction to soccer. Our
job is to help them love it. Keep the energy positive, keep the game moving, and celebrate every moment of
engagement.
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Weekly Responsibilities Checklist
✅ Use this checklist each week to stay organized and keep your families informed.
| Who |
When |
Task |
| Head Coach |
Start of season |
Message your group roster and confirm every parent has responded. If you haven't received a response
by the Thursday before the first session, notify your Coach Administrator. |
| Head Coach |
Start of season |
Bring treats for your group (6–8 kids) on the first session day, if not already assigned to someone
else earlier in the week. |
| Head Coach or Team Manager |
Start of season |
Assign treats for the rest of the season (or let parents volunteer). Assigning is easier; parents can
trade between themselves. |
| Head Coach or Team Manager |
Every Thursday |
Send a reminder message to your group with: session time, jersey color, and treat assignment for the
week. |
| Head Coach |
If unavailable |
Let your Coach Administrator know as soon as possible so coverage can be arranged. |
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Roles & Communication
| Role |
Responsibility |
| Program Leader (Head Coach) |
You are running the session. Make decisions, adjust activities, communicate with parents. |
| Assistant Coach / Activity Leader |
Support the Program Leader as needed. Follow their lead. |
| Team Manager |
Send Thursday reminders, manage treat schedule, handle parent communication. |
First Saturday Morning Introduction
The Coach Administrator will open with a brief introduction to parents at the start of the first session of
the first Saturday. After that, Program Leader, the program is yours.
If You Need Help
- Text your Coach Administrator directly and they will respond as quickly as possible.
- If you know you will be unavailable on a Saturday, please notify the Coach Administrator as soon as
possible so coverage can be arranged.
- After each session, share any feedback, suggestions, or questions for the following week.
🌟 Thank you for stepping up as a volunteer. What you do on Saturday mornings plants
the seed for a lifelong love of soccer and sports in general. We are grateful for your time and
energy!
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Equipment List Per Group
Player Equipment
- Athletic footwear and shin guards (covered by socks)
- Shirt turned to the correct color for their group
- Soccer balls are provided — no need to bring one
Field Equipment (Provided by AYSO Board)
- Cones
- 4-5 pinnies
- Four pop-up goals
- Fun props: hula hoops, beanbags, etc.
Leader Bag "Must Haves"
- Charged cell phone (in case of emergency)
- Session plan for the day (digital or printed)
- Basic first-aid kit (be familiar with the contents)
- Water (remind parents and players to bring their own)
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Kickstart Leader Training
For Playground, Schoolyard, and Kickstart coaching, you are required to complete the Kickstart Soccer
Play Leader – Full Online Course through AYSOU.
How to Enroll
- Log in to your Sports Connect account at www.ayso138.org.
- Click My Account if needed.
- Click AYSOU in the left menu.
- Once AYSOU loads, click Training Library.
- Open the Coaches card.
- Click Enroll under Kickstart Soccer Play Leader – Full Online
Course and complete the course.
⚠️ Not seeing AYSOU in the menu? Make sure you are logged in and your volunteer role is assigned.
Contact your Coach Administrator if you need help.
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