Coaches Reference Guide Index

AYSO Region 708

Coaches

Reference Guide

Coaches Reference Guide Index

Pg.

1. Recruiting Volunteers

3. Team Draft

4. Team Meeting

6. Equipment

7. Uniforms

8. Practices

9. Game Day

11. Rain Outs

12. Injuries

13. Player drops/ Stops coming

14. Problems with another coach

14. Problems with a referee

14. Problems with a parent

14. Problems with field conditions

15. Region 708 Board

16. Questions???

1.

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 you may recruit an Asst. Coach prior to the draft, in which case the Asst.'s child will be placed on your team. If you already have an Asst. Coach please be sure we are aware of who it is before the draft so we will be sure to put that player on your team. If an Asst. Coach has been assigned to you, you should have been notified of his/her name prior to your draft. All those who do not have an Asst. prior to the draft must recruit one from parents of the team after the draft.

2. Team Referee Due to the shortage of certified Referees; we are allowing teams to recruit a Team Referee prior to the draft. He/she must already be a certified Referee or he/she must be willing and able to take the referee training course. Your team Referee will then be assigned to referee all of your home games. His/her child will, of course, automatically be on your team. If you do not already have a team referee, you will need to recruit one from your team parents. This recruit will then have to take both the Regional Referee Training course and the Safe Haven Certification course. The noncertified team referee is still expected to be available and prepared to officiate at all home games, although a certified league referee may sometimes be assigned to these games.

2.

3. Team Parent Recruit at the team meeting. You need one or two parents willing to help organize a snack list, manage fundraiser, and notify players in the event of a rainout, etc... Team parents are an essential part of the team. They handle all of the noncoaching 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.

5. Fields Person Volunteers to help line the fields prior to the start of the season. They can volunteer for one or more of the given days to join a team of people lining the fields. They may also be called upon during the season to touch up fields as necessary. Recruit at team meeting.

3.

THE DRAFT

As you know, balanced teams are on of the five basic AYSO philosophies. We have tried several different methods of accomplishing this task throughout the years. The present draft system was decided on by a majority of the coaching staff a few years ago, and so far seems to be working pretty well. Rarely have we had a particularly dominant team, and the number of games ending in ties has increased significantly. We are hoping that by keeping teams balanced, all players can experience both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!!!

1)Division 7 teams (K or U6) are drafted by the League Commissioner and Coach Administrator. We try to evenly distribute experience players and new players, and to balance the ration of boys & girls per team. Team packets are assembled & the coaches are notified when & where they can pick up.

2)Divisions 6 & 5 (U8 & U10) will be picked via blind draft. Each team will need a representative present to pick for their team. If the coach is unable to attend, the asst. coach or another rep. may take his/her place.

Prior to the draft players were rated by their previous coaches. Using these ratings, the players' ages, & years of experience, the players were ranked. The players registrations were then placed in blank envelopes and arranged in order of their rankings

At the draft coaches will be allowed to choose 1 envelope per round until all of the players have been placed on a team. Envelopes containing the coaches' child, his/her assist's, and/or team ref's child will be labeled as such so that he/she will know to choose their envelope during the round in which it appears

3)Divisions 4 & 3 (U12 & U14) will be picked via open draft by the team coaches. All coaches from a given division will draft equal teams using the ratings, players' ages, and their first hand knowledge of the players' abilities. After they have agreed that all teams are equal the teams will be numbered. Coaches will then draw a number from a hat to determine which team will be theirs. They will then trade amongst each other players of equal caliber in order to get their own child/children on their team.

4.

TEAM MEETING

All coaches are required to conduct a team meeting. The purpose being to introduce yourself to the players and their parents, give them an overview of what they can expect from you as a coach, and what you expect from them in return. You can hold your team meeting at a location convenient for yourself. You can reserve a room at Ridgewood Rec Center free of charge, or if you have access to space at your church, school, or business, you may want to have it there. Some coaches have their meeting in their own home (Obviously their homes are larger than mine), and others have had the team meet at the nearest McDonalds. The choice is all yours. If you're a little anxious about holding your team meeting and think you may need some assistance or just a little support, you can call Coach Administrators and they will find an experienced coach or board member to assist you with your meeting.

(Note: To assist new coaches the league may reserve rooms for team

meetings, and have board members and/or experienced coaches present to

help you with your meetings. Check at your draft to see if this

is available and how you can reserve a room.)

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 –

a)Everyone involved is a volunteer. Emphasize we do not get paid to do this!

b)Everyone plays all players will play at least half a game, preferably 3/4 depending on team size.

c)Fair teams that's why we have a draft every year.

d)Player & parent conduct expectations reviewed. Very helpful to have hand out spelling out your expectations to be sure everyone receives this information.

5.

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 Rainout 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 rainout # on the bottom of your schedule to find out if a game has been cancelled.

8)Recruit Volunteers!!! -

a)Some coaches take this approachNo one leaves until all these positions are filled! Others use the color of our uniforms depends on how quickly I fill these positions. What ever works for you!! Be sure to have your volunteers fill out volunteer forms & sign them

9)Banners Some teams like to have team banners displaying team name, mascot, etc., to show off at games & closing ceremonies. The younger kids especially get a big "KICK" (no pun intended) out of having a banner. You may want to ask if there are any parents that would like to share their artistic talent and volunteer to make the team banner.

10)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.

(SAMPLE OF HANDOUT FOR TEAM MEETING)

SMITH/JONES

8 & UNDER GIRLS

SOCCER

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PRACTICES WILL BE ON THURSDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. AT FURHMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL ON 14 MILE WEST OF MOUND. WE WILL ALSO HAVE PRACTICE ON ONE OTHER DAY EACH WEEK, TO BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.

GAMES WILL BE ON: THURSDAYS AT 6:00 P.M.

SATURDAYS AT 11:30 A.M.

SCHEDULES WITH FIELD LOCATIONS & DATES WILL BE PASSED OUT AS SOON AS THEY ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO US.

EQUIPMIENT NEEDED AT ALL GAMES AND PRACTICES.

1. SIZE 3 SOCCER BALL (EACH PLAYER DOES NEED A BALL FOR EACH PRACTICE & GAME. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A BALL THAT IS NOT THE CORRECT SIZE, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO BUY A NEW ONE. IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY PURCHASED ONE, TRY TO GET THE CORRECT SIZE. IT WILL HELP YOUR CHILD BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO THE SIZE BALL THEY WELL PLAYING ACTUAL GAMES WITH.)
2. SHIN GAURDS (ALL PLAYERS MUST HAVE SHIN GAURDS FOR EVERY GAME AND PRACTICE. FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY, THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE WITHOUT THEM.)
3. SOCCER SHOES (ALTHOUGH TENNIS SHOES ARE PERMITTED, SOCCER CLEATS OR AN ALL PURPOSE SPORT SHOE ARE PREFERRED. THEY ALLOW FOR BETTER TRACTION ON THE WET & MUDDY FIELDS. FOOTBALL OR SOFTBALL CLEATS ARE NOT PERMITTED. THE A.Y.S.O. OFFERS A SHOE EXCHANGE PROGRAM. YOU MAY PURCHASE SHOES OR TRADE OUTGROWN SHOES FOR A LARGER PAIR. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SHOE EXCHANGE PROGRAM CONTACT THE MERCHANDISE COORDINATOR.)
4. WATER BOTTLE (EVEN ON COLD RAINY DAYS CHILDREN CAN GET DEHYDRATED EASILY. THEY SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE A NONCARBONATED DRINK/WATER AVAILABLE FOR THEM.)

RAIN OUTS:

THE DECISION TO CANCEL A GAME IS MADE BY THE REGIONAL COMMSSIONER,

USUALLY NO SOONER THAN 1 HR BEFORE GAME TIME. GAMES ARE PLAYED IN

ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS EXCEPT THUNDER & LIGHTNING. UNLESS YOU ARE

NOTIFIED OTHERWISE, YOU SHOULD ASSUME ALL GAMES WILL BE PLAYED AS

SCHEDULED AND REPORT TO THE FIELD ACCORDINGLY.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. PLEASE HAVE PLAYERS AT THE FIELD AND READY TO PLAY AT LEAST A 1/2 HOUR BEFORE GAME TIME. THIS TIME IS USED TO WARM UP, CHECK EQUIPMENT; GO OVER TROUBLE SPOTS, ETC... REMEMBER, THE SOONER WE GET THE GAME STARTED, THE SOONER YOU GET TO GO HOME! READY FOR A GAMEE INCLUDES: FULL UNIFORM, JERSEYSHORTS, AND SOCKS. LONG HAIR PULLED BACK WITH APPROPRIATE DEVICE. SOFT PONY TAIL HOLDERS OR SCRUNCHIES ONLY. NO MEETAL OR PLASTIC BARRETTES, CLIPS, ETC… ALL JEWELRY MUST BE REMOVED. NO EXCEPTIONS! THIS INCLUDES FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS, W.W.J.D. BRACELETS, AND EVEN EARRINGS OF NEWLY PEIRCED EARS. IF YOUR CHILD WEARS GLASSES, THEY SHOULD HAVE SAFETY GLASSES OR A STRAP TO HOLD THEIR GLASSES IN PLACE. THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT BUT IT IS ADVISABLE. ANY ADDITIONAL CLOTHNG MUST BE WORN UNDER UNDERNEATH THE UNIFORM. NO HOODED SWEATSHRTS OR JACKETS PLEASE.
2. PLEASE NOTIFY COACH JOHN @ 7776543 OR COACH BOB @ 5432109 AT LEAST 24 HRS IN ADVANCE IF PLAYER WILL BE LATE OR NOT ABLE TO ATTEND A GAME. WE PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO MAKING OUT A LINEUP.TRYING TO MAKE SURE THE PLAYERS ALL GET EQUAL PLAYING TIME AND GET TO EXPLORE ALL THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS. IT IS VERYDIFFICULT TO MAKE LAST MINUTE CHANGES AND PLAYERS ARRIVING LATE MAY GET LESS PLAYING TIME AS A RESULT.
3. PLEASE LET THE COACHES DO THE COACHING. THE PARENTS JOB IS TO CHEER THE TEAM ON! THE PLAYERS ARE YOUNG YET AND ARE STILL LEARNING THE GAME. THEY CAN EASILY GET CONFUSED IF THE COACH IS TELLING THEM ONE THNG AND THEIR PARENTS ARE TELLING THEM SOMETHNG ELSE. THEY'LL NEED YOUR POSITIVE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE SIDELINES TO ASSURE THEM THEYRE DOING A GOOD JOB.
4. PLEASE LET THE REFEREE MAKE THE CALLS, AND LET THE COACH DISPUTE THE CALLS WHEN NEEDED. THE REFEREES ARE VOLUNTEERS AND ARE DOING US ALL A FAVOR REFFING THESE GAMES. THEY ARE NOT EXPERTS. THEY ONLY HAVE ONE SET OF EYES AS OPPOSED TO THE MANY OF THE SPECTATORS. THEY DO MAKE NUSTAKES, AND WHEN THEY DO, IT'S THE COACHES JOB TO REPORT THE ERROR. PLEASE BE KIND TO OUR REFEREES AND REMEMBER THEY'D BE HAPPY TO GIVE YOU THEIR JOB IF YOU THNK YOU COULD DO IT BETTER!!!
5. IN THE EVENTYOUR CHILD BECOMES INJURED, PLEASE DO NOT RUN OUT ONTO THE FIELD UNLESSSIGNALED BY THE REFEREE TO DO SO. IN THE EVENT OF AN INJURY YOUR CHILD WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO SIT DOWN. THE REF WILL BLOW THE WIRSTLE AND ALL OTHER PLAYERS WILL SIT DOWN WHERE THEY ARE WHILE THE REFEREE INVESTIGATES THE EXTENT OF THE INJURY. IF THE REF FEELS IT IS NECESSARY, HE WELL SIGNAL THE COACH TO COME ONTO THE FIELD. MOST INJURIES AT THIS AGE ARE USUALLY NOTHING MORE THAN A SKINNED KNEE OR A BRUISED ANKLE. IF THE INJURY IS SERIOUS, THE COACH AND/OR REF WILL CALL FOR THE PARENT TO COME ONTO THE FIELD. THIS HELPS TO ELIMINATE CHAOS ON THE FIELD AND IT WILL ALSO HELP YOUR CHILD TO BECOME A LITTLE MORE INDEPENDENT. AS MOST OF YOU KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE, A LITTLE SCRAPE SEEMS A LOT MORE LIKE A MAJOR LACERATION WHEN A CHILD SEES MOMMY OR DADDY LOOKING ON

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A FUN AND ENJOYABLE SEASON. REMEMBER TO

ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS AND SHOW GOOD SPORTMANSHIP TO ALL OF THE OTHER

TEAMS OUT THERE. YOU NEVER KNOW, THE PEOPLE YOU SEE ON THE OTHER SIDE

OF THE FIELD JUST MIGHT BE ON YOUR SIDE COME NEXT YEAR!!

6.

TEAM EQUIPMENT

Once all volunteers have been recruited & their forms are filled out and completed, you will be mailing in those forms in the proper self-address envelopes provide in your coaches package you received at the draft. The equipment will be handed out at the coaches meeting before the season starts.

Equipment you should receive:

a)2 corner flags

b)First aid kit

c)Goalkeepers jersey

d)Game ball

e)Uniforms (see #5 Uniforms)

f)Goal Nets(Maybe)

Equipment you may want to purchase on your own*

1. pylons
2. whistle
3. goalkeeper gloves, these items are not required, but can be helpful

Players must have:

a). Correct size ball

b). Proper fitting shin guards

c). Soccer shoes or tennis shoes (no baseball/softball cleats recognized by

the toe cleat)

7.

UNIFORMS

Once all volunteer forms are completed and signed and mailed to the appropriate person, a coach will be able to pick up their uniforms at the coaches meeting. The coach must complete and turn in all forms (including the volunteer forms for coaches and referees) in order to be able to pickup their uniforms at this meeting. You will also be asked at this meeting for your choice of coaches' shirts colors and sizes. So be sure to check with your Asst. Coach for his/her shirt size. The order of selection will be decided by drawing at coaches meeting. Only coaches who have completed the required paperwork will be allowed to select and pick up their uniforms. Coaches who have not completed the required paperwork will not be given their uniforms until that paperwork is completed, and their choice will be limited to whatever team colors remain.

Distributing uniforms to players Remember when distributing uniforms to take into account the sizes of your players & the sizes of uniforms available.

Suggestions :

a). Line players up smallest to biggest & pass uniforms out