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Spring 2009
Coaches Information
Coaches
Listed below is some important information for you. Please take some time to read through and if you have any questions please contact your coach administrator.
At the coaches meeting you should get the following
1. List of all players
2. Uniforms
3. List of all of the other coaches
4. Concession schedule
5. Possible game schedule
6. Coaches packet
7. Training
8. Packet of Information
What coaches should have completed before the season starts
Things you might want to do before the season starts:
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Have a meeting with your parents to let them know your expectations
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Set a practice time and place that is good for you
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Get an e-mail address for each parent. Easier way of communication information.
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Do some work on finding fun/good practice activities
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Let the parents know about the no jewelry rule (especially for the girls divisions)
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Let the parents know about the no cast rule (even when padded or wrapped)
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Have a game schedule printed out for each of the parents
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You might want to assign parents to be a line judge for each game (or ask for volunteers)
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Get the volunteers as soon as possible for concession stand as soon as possible
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Hand out uniforms to make sure they all fit
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Read the rest of this packet of information.
Please contact your players by August 24th if not before
If a player decides not to play and they are on the list please let the parents know they need to do the following:
Visit our web site: www.ayso74.org and find the refund form. Fill it out, follow the directions on it. Once this process is in motion we will assign another player to your team. If no player is available we may ask you if you know of anyone who could fill this spot. Please do not recruit any player to fill an open spot until you have talked to the coach administrator or the Regional Commissioner
General Information
Team pictures will be held on Saturday, September 6th and Friday, September 12th at Soccer Zone. Times will be given to you soon.
Get the uniforms out to the players as soon as possible so we can see if we have any concerns. If you do have a concern contact your division director.
Shin guards are a must and the sock should come up over the shin guard not under the shin guard and then come back down over the top of them.
No casts or splints can be worn no matter what you place around it.
No jewelry may be worn to practices or games. This is includes hard metal hair clips. No putting tape on the earrings in order to play.
Each team is giving a first aid kit. Please take this with you to each game and practice. If you need to re-supply something contact the division director or the equipment director for supplies
Snacks:
As a board we are not encouraging or discouraging the snack routine. However, try to avoid the ½ time snack if at all possible. Keep what ever you are bringing to the game healthy. We do have a concession stand where you can purchase many snack type items for your child or for the team.
Where are the parents and coaches to stand during the games:
U6: All on the same side. Either the path side or the fence side depending where your game is located. During the game one coach from each team can be on the field with the players. See attached map for field locations and location of parents and coaches.
U8: Parents are on the path side or the fence side depending on the game location. Coaches can be on either the opposite side of the parents or the same side. Coaches try not to walk the sidelines, stay on your side of mid-field. During the 1st two games of the season one coach from each team can be on the field, after that coaches must stay off the field. See attached map for field locations and location of parents and coaches.
U10: Parents are on the outside of each of the fields. Parents should not be seated in-between the games. Coaches can stand there if they wish or they can be on the same side as the parents. See attached map for field locations and location of parents and coaches.
U12: Parents should be on the path side of the game. I know this can be an issue for fields 7, 8, 9 as they will have to look into the sun but try to keep them on the path side of the field. Coaches should be on the opposite side of the parents. See attached map for field locations and location of parents and coaches.
U14 and U16: Parents should be on the path side of the game. Coaches should be on the opposite side of the parents. See attached map for field locations and location of parents and coaches.
Team meetings:
Conducting a team meeting is a good way to get off to a positive start for the season. Below is some suggestion of what to cover during that meeting.
CONDUCTING A TEAM MEETING
1) Contact all players/parents and inform them of team mtg.
2) Introduce yourself and your Asst. Coach (if you have one). May want to tell about your previous experience, or lack there of.
3) Have players introduce themselves & their parents. Maybe tell how many years they've played, where they go to school, etc. May be helpful to have a team roster typed up to hand out so players can see who their teammates are, parents can arrange car pools & have alternate contacts when they can not reach you.
4) Explain the philosophy of AYSO –
Open Registration – anyone between the ages of 4 ½ and 19 years old can register to play
Balanced Team: We do this as best we can.
Everyone Plays – All registered players are guaranteed to play a minimum of ½ of every game. No player can play in all four periods unless every player has played in three. Missing practice does not change the requirements for game play.
Positive Coaching – Be positive in all interactions with the kids, referees and other coaches. Point out the good things the kids are doing and be positive in any criticism given.
Good Sportsmanship – Be a good sport and require it from the kids on your team.
5) Review game days/times. Let parents/players know when you would like players to arrive for games. Also should have available a practice schedule (if you've had time to think this far ahead).
6) Review equipment needed
a) Correct size ball
b) Proper fitting shin guards
c) Soccer shoes or tennis shoes (no baseball/softball cleats)
d) Water bottle
e) Appropriate clothing (under uniform).
7) Review Rain-out procedure-
a) Games will be played in all weather except lightning. Games on occasion are cancelled due to unplayable fields also. The decision to cancel a game is made by the regional commissioner no sooner than 1 hr before game time. You must call the rain-out # on the bottom of your schedule to find out if a game has been cancelled.
8) Recruit Volunteers!!! -
Thank everyone for coming & a special thanks to those who were able to volunteer. And remind them of when you'll see them again - at the first practice day, time, and place.
RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS
Each team is required to recruit volunteers to assist the coach with managing his/her team. The team meeting is the best time to recruit volunteers. Convincing parents that without volunteers there can be no team can sometimes be a difficult task. It is helpful to pass out a list of the positions that need to be filled & what each job entails. Explain that unless all of these positions are filled, you will not be able to obtain your equipment or uniforms. Some coaches suggest soliciting volunteers via phone when notifying parents of the team meeting, since some people may not be able to attend your team meeting. This gives everyone an equal opportunity to volunteer his or her services since we know everyone will be jumping at the chance to help out!
Volunteers Needed Are:
1. Assistant Coach – If you already have one, great, if not this is a position you want to fill. Find someone that you can work with and depend on. This can be difficult since you may not know anyone on the team that well. Go with your instincts with this one.
2. Team Referee- This is a tough one to fill. A persons that volunteers to take on this position must go through some training. For a U8 referee there is a ½ day training required. For a U10 and above the training is all day. Having a team referee can be one of the best things as a coach. Really try and find someone that can help you out. The training times and locations will be posted on our web site and will be given to you at the coaches meeting.
3. Team Parent - Recruit at the team meeting. You need one or two parents willing to help organize a snack list, and notify players in the event of a rain-out, etc... Team parents are an essential part of the team. They handle all of the non-coaching related needs so that the coach can concentrate on coaching!
4. Net Person - Responsible for putting up net and/or portable goals and taking them down after the game. Preferably someone who is able to be early to the game so that the games can be start -on time!! Recruit at team meeting.
Please note that each team will work concession once in the fall and once in the spring. Depending on the division you are coaching the number of volunteers you need to work differs. Please see the chart below for the number of workers you will need to supply
Concession Duty, # of Workers by Team
U6: 1 worker per shift
U8: 2 workers per shift
U10: 2 workers per shift
U12: 3 workers per shift
U14: 4 workers per shift
U16/19: 4 workers per shift
Practice Information
Practices can start August 21st
One practice a week when you have a game scheduled
Two practices the first couple of weeks until games start
Practices should be about 1 hour in length and should be held during the week. Practicing on Sundays should be avoided at all possible costs. Teams can practice up to 1 ½ hours in the upper divisions if they wish.
Listed below are some things to remember when conducting your practices:
1. Be prepared, children have short attention spans, they'll get restless standing around while you try to decide what you'd like to practice.
2. Keep in mind the age & ability of your players when making out your agenda. Very young children may only tolerate a 1/2 hr or 45 min. of practice. Don't spend the entire practice on one drill, they'll get bored and lose interest fast.
3. Try to make the drills FUN! Especially the younger divisions. They won't want to come back if they didn't have any fun. For example, you might play a game of Simon Says to warm up, anyone who messes up does a lap around the goalposts.
4. Don't get discouraged if a drill is not working. You may need to stop the drill and start over or abandon it all together and try it another time.
5. Basic techniques to teach
a). instep kick (used for controlled passing)
b). shoe string kick (for power, scoring, booting ball downfield)
c). trapping (controlled stopping of ball)
d). passing (accurate distribution of ball to a teammate)
e). Throw-ins (both feet must remain on the ground, behind the line, ball directly
behind head
f). corner kicks
g). goal kicks
h). drop kicks
HELP: If for any reason you feel you're just not ready to run a practice and you would like a little help getting started . Please call the Coach Administrators. They will find an experienced coach to help you with your first practice.
GAME DAY
1. Be sure your volunteers are prepared to assume their duties.
Þ a). Team parent has arranged for someone to bring a snack. (If applicable)
Þ b). Net person has the nets & will be early to set them up.
2. Have a tentative line up ready. (Changes are inevitable due to absentees or late arrivals, but at least you have a place to start.)
3. Have a line up card filled out before game.
Þ a). all players on the team must be listed, even if they won't be there.
Þ b). Indicate which player will be the goalkeeper with a G in the box for the corresponding quarter.
Þ It is helpful if you use these in the U8 and above divisions. We like to keep track of scores and it In all is also helpful for our referee administrator to keep track of any problems
Þ In all division (except U5) we like you to keep track of your win and lose record. While we do not really keep score in U6 we would like you to keep track of your overall record. The reason for his in the spring we like to have you play teams with the same kind of record as you have. This should make our spring games more competitive and more enjoyable for all involved.
4. In U6 and some of the lower divisions when there is not a certified ref officiating the game, the scorecard will probably not be used. It is still a good idea to always have one filled out, you can use it as a reference for which players sat out when. It also helps to get into the habit so when you do have a certified ref. you're prepared.
6. Make sure your game ball is properly inflated and ready for use. It's a good idea to have your team name, coach's name & phone # on the ball to make sure you get it back!!
7. Above all else remember positive coaching only. Like Thumpers father says, "If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all!"
8. Introduce yourself to the opposing coach before the game. It's a gesture that shows respect and good sportsmanship.
9. Control parents if necessary. Sometimes they need to be reminded it's the kids that are playing and it's supposed to be fun!!!
Remember the referee is a volunteer too! Remind the parents he/she is not getting paid and they are trying their best to call a fair game. They only have one set of eyes as opposed to the forty or fifty on the sidelines. Give the refs a break!!!
Try to start the games ON TIME!!! One of the biggest complaints from parents & opposing coaches/refs is that certain teams can never start the games on time. Especially with the younger kids, they have school and need to get to bed on time.
Always shake hands after the game, win or lose, AYSO is about being a good sport!!!
No using non-ayso registered players if you are short for a game. Contact the opposing coach and let them know you may be or will be short. Sharing of players is encouraged if this happens.
At the complex we will have a set of pennies for you to use if the two teams playing are very close in color. Please make sure you return these when done.
Weather Policy;
When stormy weather occurs the Regional Commissioner will communicate with the Division Directors. We will not be playing under severe storm warnings or thunder/lightening conditions. Games are not safe for anyone in these conditions. We will continue to play with rain or snow conditions, unless snow covers the fields making them unsafe to use.
When games have started the only one who can call a game is the Referee. The Referee will stop the game if thunder is heard or lightening is seen. If over half the game is played, it is an official game and does not need to be made up. If the game is cancelled, the two Coaches may get together and schedule a make up game. We do not schedule another week of games due to weather cancellations.
Call 303-0558 for information regarding cancellation of games. If we do cancel games before game time, the division director will make an attempt to e-mail all of the coaches and call of the coaches to let them know. Coaches if the weather looks a little questionable call 303-0558 and listen to the message.
Region 74 Board
1. Contact list for board members with direct contact phone numbers will be provided to coaches at the coaches meeting. The phone numbers are for coaches’ use only. Please do not copy and distribute to player's parents. Parents may contact the board members either through the AYSO 708 web site (www.ayso74.org) or by calling the main league phone number. (303-0558)
2. If you are interested in joining the board, contact the Regional Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner.
3. Please use the current contact list for the board and the this manual to determine the appropriate person to contact. Positions do change and your problem or concern will be addressed faster if the proper board member is contacted. Many positions on the board also have an assistant position that will be able to help you as well.
4. Please be patient in waiting for a response!! Remember there are over a 200 coaches/assistant coaches and 125 teams in this league.
PROBLEMS WITH ANOTHER COACH, A REFEREE, A PARENT
1. Any problems with another coach should be brought to the attention of Coach Administrators.Please do not attempt to iron out your differences on the field, in front of the players and all the parents. Although we are all volunteers, we are still representatives of the AYSO, and we want to maintain the values of the league at all times.
2. Any problems with a referee should be brought to the attention of the Referee Administrator. Again, let's not put on a display in front of our players. Remember the referee is the official in charge. You may not agree with his/her decision, but it is your responsibility to respect his/her authority on the field. And discuss any disputes away from the players & parents when the game is over!!!
3. Problems with a parent - As a coach we hope you will develop a certain rapport with the parents of your players. One that commands respect for your authority on the field. Let your player's parents know that you will be responsible for any problems with another teams coach, ref, or players and that they should voice their concerns only to you. Keep stressing the fact that we are all volunteers and we are Just trying to do the best we can FOR THE KIDS. If you are unable to deal with a problem parent, either from your own team or from someone else's team, please contact:
· Your division director
· Regional Commissioner
4. Problems with field conditions i.e., potholes, debris, excessive water, not lined properly, can no longer see the lines, etc., contact the Safety Director
INJURIES
1. All injuries incurred during a game or practice must be reported to the Safety Director. See name listed on Board Members list and at our web site
2. Emergency contact is listed on the player's registration, in the event the injured player's parents are not present, notify the emergency contact. You should always have your player's registration on hand for every game and practice.
3. If medical attention is required, league insurance may cover or reimburse some of the costs.
4. If an injury disables a player and he/she cannot finish the season, notify the Registrar. They will replace that player with the next player on the waiting list. If there are no players available, you may recruit a player to fill the position. New recruit must register with Registrar to be eligible to play.
5. Players are NOT allowed to play in casts, splints, etc...
Coach's Code
Enthusiastically support and practice the "Everyone Plays", "Good Sportsmanship" and "Positive Coaching" philosophies of AYSO.
Be reasonable in your demands on a young player's time, energy, enthusiasm and performance on the soccer field.
Impress on your players that they must abide by the Laws of the Game at all times.
Develop team respect for the ability of opponents, and for the judgment of referees and opposing coaches.
Ensure that your players' soccer experience is one of fun and enjoyment (winning is only part of it). Players should never be yelled at or ridiculed for making mistakes or losing a game.
Set a good example and be generous with your praise when it is deserved. Children need a coach they can respect.
Keep informed of sound principles of coaching, growth and child development.
Check your equipment and playing facilities. The should meet safety standards and be appropriate for the age and ability of your players.
Make sure you have your medical releases with you at all times
Running up the score will not be tolerated.
Be on time and do everything in your ability to make sure games proceed in a timely fashion.
Respect the rights of the neighbors. Never retrieve a ball from their property without their permission. Do not allow your kids to climb or practice against the walls that surround the field.
Make sure parents come to the field to get their kids.
Never leave a child alone after a game or practice. Children should not walk home alone
Respect the referees and their decision, they are volunteers just like you.
Increase the referee pool on your team. Work with your Assistant Coach and encourage him to take a team next year.
Your parents quite often become a reflection of you, keep under control.
Fulfill the commitments and responsibilities for which you volunteered.
Be a role model and because of you every child should want to play next year.
QUESTIONS ??????
We are very happy to have you aboard and hope that coaching will be a fun an exciting experience for you. We have tried our best to think of any and every possible problem that you may encounter during the season and to give you an easy reference guide to assist you with those problems. However, we're sure we didn't think of everything, so if you should come across something you need some help with feel free to call at any time for assistance.
Thanks and have a great soccer season
AYSO Region 74
Board of Directors
Board Members for AYSO Region 74
(Visit our web site for contact information)
Regional Commissioner Matt Galer
Assistant Regional Commissioner Craig Evans:
Coach Administrator Jerry Orwin
Child Volunteer Protective Advocate Heather Vineyard
Regional Treasure Steve Branch
Regional Registrar Karen Townsend
Regional Safety Director Matt Bielat
Regional Referee Administrator Scott Winegarden