You played sports growing up. Maybe you coached your own kid’s rec league team. Maybe you never coached at all but you know you have something to give. Either way, you have thought about volunteering — and you should.
Los Angeles has thousands of young people who need mentors, and volunteer youth sports coaches are some of the most impactful mentors a kid can have. Here is everything you need to know to get started.
Why Volunteer Coaching Matters
In Los Angeles County, over 30% of children live in low-income households. Many of these kids have limited access to organized sports, positive adult role models, and structured after-school activities. A volunteer coach fills all three gaps at once.
Research from the Positive Coaching Alliance shows that the coach-athlete relationship is one of the most significant developmental relationships in a young person’s life — ranked alongside parents and teachers. A good coach can change a child’s trajectory.
What It Takes
You do not need a coaching license, a sports science degree, or a professional playing career. What you need is:
- Reliability— Kids need adults who show up consistently
- Patience— You will explain the same drill twelve times. That is the job
- Enthusiasm— Your energy sets the tone for every practice
- Willingness to learn— Good coaches are always learning, whether it is new drills, safety protocols, or communication techniques
- A genuine interest in young people— This is not about reliving your glory days. It is about investing in someone else’s future
Volunteer With Fundamental Sports Labs
FSL is a free nonprofit youth sports program that relies on volunteer coaches to deliver programming across six sports: basketball, football, soccer, golf, track and field, and baseball. Volunteers also support mental wellness workshops, financial literacy sessions, and technology exposure programs.
What FSL provides to every volunteer:
- Comprehensive coach training before you lead a single practice
- USA Football Heads Up certification for football coaches
- CPR and first aid training
- Background check processing at no cost to the volunteer
- Ongoing mentorship from experienced lead coaches
- All equipment and materials — you just bring yourself
Most volunteers coach one to two sessions per week, with each session lasting 90 minutes to two hours.
The Background Check Process
Every reputable youth sports organization requires background checks for volunteers. This is non-negotiable. If an organization does not require a background check, that is a red flag.
At FSL, the process is straightforward:
- Submit an application— Basic personal information and coaching interest areas
- Background check— FSL covers the cost. Checks include criminal history, sex offender registry, and reference verification
- Complete training— Safety certifications, coaching fundamentals, and FSL’s Four Pillars philosophy
- Shadow a lead coach— Observe and assist before taking on your own group
- Start coaching— With ongoing support and feedback
The entire process from application to first practice typically takes two to three weeks.
Other Volunteer Opportunities in LA
- AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization)— Volunteer-run soccer leagues across LA; all coaches are volunteers
- Little League Baseball— Local leagues rely heavily on volunteer coaches and umpires
- Special Olympics Southern California— Coaching athletes with intellectual disabilities
- Police Athletic League (PAL)— Volunteer coaching in partnership with LAPD
- LA City Parks and Recreation— Seasonal volunteer opportunities at park-based sports leagues
The Impact on You
Volunteering is not just about what you give. Coaches consistently report that volunteering:
- Gives them a sense of purpose and community connection
- Reduces their own stress and improves their mental health
- Builds leadership and communication skills that transfer to their careers
- Creates relationships that last years beyond the season
- Reminds them why sports mattered in the first place
Get Started Today
Los Angeles has kids who need you. Not tomorrow. Not next season. Now.
Apply to volunteer with FSLand start making a difference in a young person’s life. Or contact us to learn more about coaching opportunities.
If you are not able to coach but still want to help, consider donating to support free programming for kids across Los Angeles.