SSC
Stow Soccer ClubYouth soccer in Stow, Massachusetts · a community archive

Coach's Corner

Coaching pledges, codes of conduct, tactics and score-reporting guidance for youth soccer coaches.

IMPORTANT:

Coaches, please visit the Field Info page for procedures for game

cancellations and rescheduling, as well as reserving field space for

practices.

Cornerstones of Soccer

As a coach in the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League (NVYSL), I agree to read, know, and abide by the Laws of the Game of Soccer. I particularly agree to read, know, and abide by the rules, philosophy and spirit of the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League. I understand the rules and philosophies are written in general terms to eliminate the necessity for many additional rules. The intent of our rules is to create balance of play, equal opportunity between players, reasonable safety/protections, fun, development, and an atmosphere of sporting behavior and fair play. I agree not to attempt to take unfair advantage of or to manipulate NVYSL rules and the Laws of the Game to our advantage. I understand this is not appropriate and will not be tolerated.

I agree to respect and support our referees. The administration of each game is best handled through cooperation of referee, coaches, and players. The letter and spirit of our rules and philosophies shall be considered as mutual agreements. No conduct, which will incite assistant coaches, players, or spectators against referees, will be tolerated. I also agree to use my tremendous influence as a coach to enhance sporting behavior by our coaches, assistant coaches, players, and spectators.

If a complaint is made to the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League Sportsmanship Review Committee regarding the conduct of a coach, assistant coach, player, or spectator from which action could result, then that person has the right to a timely notice of a formal review. I understand that if I am found to be in violation of the NVYSL Zero Tolerance Bylaw, the NVYSL Code of Conduct, the MYSA Coachs Code of Conduct, or this Pledge, that the NVYSL may take appropriate measures to prevent such reoccurrence including game suspension or dismissal from the League.

I further accept responsibility for the actions of the players, assistant coaches, and/or others representing this team.

I, _________________,

representing the ________________ team of the Stow soccer club

have read and agree to adhere to the NVYSL Zero Tolerance Bylaw, the NVYSL Code of Conduct, the MYSA Coachs Code of Conduct, and this Pledge.

Signed _________________

Date __________________

Download the Nashoba Valley Youth Soccer League Coach's Pledge.

Strategy and Tactics for Teaching Youth Soccer

Download the Strategy and Tactics for Teaching Youth Soccer publication by Andy Mintz.

Since each of these documents is roughly 10MB in size I recommend downloading each document to

your computer rather than trying to open the document within your browser.

To download the documents simply right click on each of the hyperlinks below and from the popup context menu select the "Save Target As..." menu item.

Then browse to a location on your hard drive and click Save.

The Four Cornerstones of Soccer

Alan Sale, Advanced Placement (AP) Coordinator and former

President of Stow Soccer Club, discusses the four cornerstones of soccer

and how they can be used at various age levels. This feature focuses on

the Munchkin program.  Watch for additional age levels to be featured

in the near future!

It is the goal of the SSC, from its Munchkin through

its U16 program, to define a structured progression with clear parameters

in order for its coaches to train its players in the game of soccer.

There are four cornerstones that are evident at

every level of the game of soccer… psychological, physical, technical,

and tactical.

Clearly there should be different emphasis placed on

each one depending on the age and ability level of each player.

The following general outline is the suggested

progression on how to effectively build on the four cornerstones

throughout the different levels of Stow Soccer.

MUNCHKINS

Psychological

The only psychological goal at this stage of development is to

have fun.   The coach

has to be patient and enthusiastic so that the players receive an exciting

and positive introduction to the game of soccer that will ensure their

future participation in the years to come.

Physical

At this stage any fitness will come as a result of the players having

fun and being active.   Through

soccer games and activities the players will improve their balance and

coordination.   No special

attention need be given to this area.

Technical

At this age level we introduce the basic skills necessary to play the game

of soccer.   Description of the four

basic skills follows. It is important that we teach the proper

technique, as we will be building on this foundation throughout the

remaining levels of Stow Soccer.   Soccer

technical skills are a learned habit and the more times a player touches

the ball, in the proper manner, the more confident the player will be on

the ball.

Dribbling:

* Use small controlled steps keeping the ball close.

* Use the inside of each foot.

*Keep the head up as much as possible.

Passing:

* Use inside of foot in

lock position.

*Balance foot placed directly beside ball with toe pointed at target.

*Concentrate on striking middle of ball.

Trapping:

* Use inside of foot.

*Concentrate on hitting middle of ball.

* As ball touches foot, pull foot back

to soften touch.

Shooting:

*Strike ball with laces.

*Balance foot placed directly beside (or ahead if rolling) ball with toe

pointed at target.

Tactical:

*Absolutely no emphasis should be placed on tactics at this level.

* Emphasis should be placed

on playing in groups and having fun.

Training Session Breakdown

1.

Warm-up 10 mins

Always start with a fun and enjoyable activity.

Each player should have a ball and get in a few hundred touches.

Try to prepare the players mentally and physically for the rest of

practice.

2.   Fun

Skill Games (Technical Focus) 30 mins

These should be high energy, fun activities that reinforce the basic

techniques.

3.   Small-Sided

Games 20 mins

Each practice should always conclude with a small-sided game.

Let the players have fun with minimal rules.

MYSA Tournaments

Coaches are encouraged to take their  teams to

tournaments. Tournaments provide an opportunity to play teams outside

normal NVYSL play, and they're fun!  For more information on

available tournaments visit the MYSA web site tournament page at www.baystaters.org/tournaments.html,

or check out the most recent issue of The Baystater.  If you'd like

to speak with someone about what it's like to take your team to a

tournament, feel free to contact Peter Johnson at,

or

Score Reporting Procedure

ALL U10 and up coaches are required to report game scores

weekly to

the club, Stow Soccer Club's *new* Score Reporter. the club is

responsible for reporting scores to the NVYSL, and provides Stow Soccer

game data to the newspaper. It is very important that you follow our score

reporting procedure, so our club meets league deadlines for score

reporting.

Each week, coaches must email their game score and a brief account of

the game (one paragraph or less) to

the club, NO LATER THAN

6:00 PM EACH SUNDAY. Telephone should be used ONLY in the event of an

emergency!

Check Out These Sites

Check out these web sites www.lazers.org

(this site takes awhile to load so please be patient),

and www.sportshardwear.com/dtoc.htm.

Both sites have lots of good stuff for coaches, and the latter one has

about 50 game based skills development exercises grouped by the skill they

are designed to develop.

MYSA Coach's Code of Conduct

The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association and

the leaders of the affiliated Leagues are concerned about the conduct of all coaches and

referees during games at all levels, from recreational to premier to ODP.

We want to ensure that games are fair, positive, and enjoyable experiences

for all of the children and adults involved.  A soccer game should be friendly and

unifying - a spiritual social and athletic occasion for players, coaches, referees, and

spectators.

To clarify expectations of coach conduct, we jointly expect all coaches to

conform to this code of conduct.

and positive spirit.

referee.

players.  If one of your players is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly

aggressive, take the take the player out of the game at least long enough for him/her to calm down.

of your players.  It is imperative to explain acceptable player and parent behavior

in a preseason meeting.  Encourage them to applaud and cheer for good plays by either

team.  Discourage them (you may need to be forceful and direct) from yelling at

players and the referee.

rooting for your team.

small issue, discuss it with the referee calmly and patiently after the

game.

biased, unfit, or incompetent, report your opinion to your League.  Your reactions

will be taken seriously if they are presented objectively and formally.

We stress two points:

players and you in that they need time to develop.  You can play an important role in

helping them improve by letting them concentrate on the game.  You can help by

encouraging them, by accepting their inevitable, occasional mistakes, and by offering

constructive post-game comments.  On the other hand, you could discourage and

demoralize the referees by criticizing their decisions, by verbally abusing them and

inciting - or even accepting - your own players' overly aggressive

behavior.

fair play, if you concentrate on your players' enjoyment of the game and their overall,

long-term development, and if you support the referee, your players and their parents will

notice.  If you encourage (or allow) your players to play outside the rules, if

you're overly concerned about results, and if you criticize the referee harshly, your

players and their parents will also notice.

Think about what you're doing during the game!  Uphold the Spirit of

the Game!  If you follow the expectations described above, the Spirit of the Game

will be alive and well in Massachusetts and will grow, along with the enjoyment of all.

Coaches who don't follow the expectations described above will be

disciplined or removed.

Coach

Responsibilities (U10 and Up)

Bring

the following items to each game:

First Aid Kit - especially ice packs

Two (2) copies of your completed roster form to be given

to the referee

Player and coach pass cards for teams playing in

division(s) 1 or 2 (spring only)

Game ball (home team)

Corner flags at least 5 feet tall (home team)

Before each game, the visiting team coach

should:

in uniform colors. In the event of a conflict, the visiting team must change colors.

A PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATION FOR COACHES:

Have each player's parent make up an alternate color jersey with the child’s number

visible on the back, and carry them as part of your team's equipment bag.

After each game, both coaches should:

Complete and mail referee rating

cards

Call the Town Director and report the game

score

Game Cancellation and Rescheduling:

If a game is cancelled for any reason, the home

team coach must call:  1) the other coach, 2) his or her local town Referee Director,

and 3) in the spring, the Division Director as soon as possible.  The Town Referee

Director will arrange to cancel or reschedule the referees as

required.

To reschedule a game, the coaches should agree

upon a time and place to play.  It is the responsibility of the home team coach to

contact his/her local town Referee Director with as much advance notice as possible to

schedule a referee for the game.  Obtaining a referee can be very difficult.  PLEASE

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

The only reschedule/cancellation requests to

which an opposing coach must agree are:

Unplayable field conditions when notified by

opposing coach at least two (2) hours prior to game time; or

Play on weekends or days which are established

by the League prior to the season as dates where reschedule requests are automatically

granted if requested.  See the League By-Laws which identify those dates (GAME TIME CHANGES).

U16, U18, and U19 Sunday games must be played as scheduled unless the field is

unplayable.  If a game is not played and the field is playable, then a forfeit shall

be assessed to the team or teams than cannot field a team for that game.

Roster Changes

Before a player may be added to a roster and be eligible to play, documents must be

submitted to the Registrar.

A revised NVYSL team roster (the document you

give to the referee at the start of each game).  This document will be signed by the

League Registrar and returned to you so you may make copies for use at your

games.

Spring Only - A Team Roster (State Form

4) with the names, etc. of the players involved (add or drop).  NVYSL cannot take

action on a drop without the completed MYSA-approved Player Release/Transfer

Form.

Spring Only - If a player is added to a

Division 1 or a Division 2 team, a new card (or that player's old card) with the player's

picture, signature, etc. must be submitted to the Registrar.  In the case of a player

changing teams, the documents mentioned in a. and b. above (for the player's old team)

must also be submitted to officially drop the player from his/her old team (since one

player cannot be rostered on two teams in NVYSL).

All roster changes shall be from an official

town representative and shall be handled via the mail.  Registration documentation

shall be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.  Clubs must allow

sufficient time when making changes since approved roster changes must be available to the

referee prior to the game a new player may play.

Coaches must ensure that only properly affiliated and registered players and

coaches are on the team.  The liability insurance for which you pay and receive as a

benefit of affiliation with MYSA and playing in NVYSL applies only if all players and

coaches are properly affiliated and registered.  Severe penalties exist for

violations of this rule, including forfeiture and suspension.

Knowledge of Rules:

Each coach is expected to know the rules of the game and any special rules governing

play in the NVYSL as outlined in the League's By-Laws.   Please give special attention to the By-Law governing Yellow/Red Cards and Ejections.

Coaches are expected to implement paragraph 5 of that rule.  If a coach

permits a player to play in contravention of that rule, the team shall be deemed to have

forfeited the game(s) in which the offending player has wrongfully participated and the

executive board of the League may take further action regarding the coach based on the

overall circumstances of the game.

Responsibility for actions of players, parents and fans,

as well as you, the coach:

As coach, while you may disagree with a referee call (or lack thereof), such a

disagreement should not be demonstrated visibly in such a manner as to incite players,

parents and fans to "get on" the referee.  In addition, in cases where your

players, players' parents and fans are becoming overly vocal and abusive of the referee,

you should take steps to bring them under control.  Failure to do so makes you

subject to receipt of a yellow or a red card.

If you have a serious disagreement with a referee, keep

quiet during the game, then please fill out a REFEREE REPORT after the game

and mail it to the League.

Suggestion:  If you think the referee did a good job, let him/her know it at

the end of the game.

Coaches must insist on good sportsmanship at all

times.  The League encourages teams to shake hands after all games.  Coaches

should participate and work to eliminate unsportsmanlike actions by players which too

often take place at this "ceremony".

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