Thought From a Coaching Coach

Make sure you know the game and the coaching techniques AYSO has found to be most successful

• We have several publications which can help you and we will hold a series of clinics coordinated by the Regional Coaching Administrator.
• It is imperative that you participate in one or more of these clinics so that you can promote the very best and latest in instruction to the players on your team.
• We will be glad to assist you personally in any way we can.
• When approving coaches, we look to those who have made that extra effort to attend clinics to further educate themselves about soccer.
• Age appropriate certification is mandatory. Having an Advanced Coaching certificate doesn’t prepare you for coaching a U6 group who have different needs and different capabilities both emotionally and physically.
• There will be plenty of opportunities to get certified either in Region 111 or surrounding regions. Region 111 will pay for your continued education.

Remember that we are playing the game for fun and for the fun of the children

• While you should encourage the very best performance out of your team, never lose sight of the fact that it is just a game and played for fun within the AYSO philosophies of Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Positive Coaching and Good Sportsmanship.

Remember the “Everyone Plays” rule

• Every one of your players must play three quarters of each game. This is a Region 111 requirement.
• It is suggested that the same players should not always sit out the first quarter of each game, so that they do not think of themselves as permanent substitutes.
• Depending on age group, you will be advised of Region 111’s policies on playing time for goal keepers and upper age level players during the coaches meeting.

Cooperate with the referees

• They are volunteers like you and are called upon to make judgments like you.
• Please insist that the parents of the players maintain decorum at all times. Remember – we do not allow protests.
• We have a zero tolerance policy regarding abuse of any kind towards a volunteer like yourself or a player.
• Abuse can be negligence, verbal, ethical, physical, and emotional.
• Safe Haven certification is required for all volunteers who come in contact with the players; coaches, assistant coaches and parents who will be helping on the field. You only need to take this certification once during your coaching experience with AYSO. We hold several Safe Haven certifications each year.
  

Present an attitude of good sportsmanship, in both word and action, to your players and their parents

• We desire to create a positive environment based upon mutual respect, rather than a win-at-all-costs attitude.
• Wear your Region 111 coaching shirt and proper shorts and footwear. No flip flops or beach attire.
• It should be obvious who the coach is to the players, parents, and the opposing team.

Hold practices once or twice a week, depending on field availability, age requirements, and your own time commitments

• The practices mean more than the games. Plan your practices in advance, as time is limited.
• Remember the recommended supervision ratio is 1:8 or fewer. There should be at least two adults present at all times (one of whom should be of the same gender as the players).
• Practice is where you teach and coach the players the skills, technique and tactics that they use on game day. Game day is for the players to make judgment calls, use their knowledge you’ve taught them during practices and play as a team.
• Singling out a player over and over or telling the players each movement and action to take during a game does the player a disservice by not allowing them to make decisions on the field.
• Sideline behavior on game day is to praise the players.
• Yelling out their name makes them look to the sidelines and by the time they hear you and listen to your instruction and process everything the play has already happened. Grabbing a seat and watching the game unfold would be a great exercise for the majority of coaches.
• And always remember, Players Play, Coaches Coach and Spectators Spectate.