Coaching with COYESS

• A head coach must be at least 21 years old
• “The first and foremost responsibility of the head coach is to ensure the safety of all participants” — this is the job, before scores or wins (source: USAYESS Participant Eligibility policy)

Most COYESS coaches aren't former competitive shooters. What actually matters:

• Patience teaching total beginners, kids will miss a lot before they hit
• Comfort enforcing safety rules consistently, every time, no exceptions
• Willingness to learn the sport alongside your athletes and get certified
• Basic organizational skills, scheduling practices, tracking who's signed up

Expect weekly or biweekly practices during the season, plus tournament weekends your team attends. Most head coaches also handle scheduling and communicating with parents between practices.

Reach out to a local range about practice availability. Colorado ranges COYESS teams already use include Colorado Clay, Kiowa Creek, Great Guns, Golden Gun Club, Silver Creek, and Pikes Peak Gun Range — a nearby range on that list may already have relationships to build on.

Most new teams start with a handful of athletes, roughly 4 or more is enough to begin practicing as a team. Don't recruit away an existing team's athletes — “cherry-picking” is against USAYESS rules.

A single coach shouldn't run practice alone once the roster grows. Recruit an assistant coach or a parent willing to get certified, both for safety coverage and so practice can run if the head coach can't make it.

Athletes need six separate-day practices (25+ targets each) before they can compete in championship events — plan your early-season schedule so nobody's scrambling to qualify before the first tournament.

Register your team so you can manage rosters, schedule squads, and track scores through the season.