ASHLAND YOUTH SOCCER

COACHING DIRECTIVES

2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Responsibilities of Head Coach

Responsibilities of Assistant Coach

Player Expectations

PRACTICE

GAME DAY

Communication by the Coach to…

Parents

Players

Referees

Playing Time

Sideline Etiquette for

Coaches

Parents

Players

Introduction

The intent of this manual is to present to coaches the philosophy and expectations of Ashland Youth Soccer. By volunteering to coach in this program, you are agreeing to follow these policies and coaching guidelines. AYS endorses a culture of inclusion, respect and fun. If at any point you feel you need more guidance, the AYS Board welcomes the opportunity to assist you. AYS bases its policies on the Mass Youth Soccer Coaches Code of Conduct: (

AYS feels strongly that these policies are in the best interests of everyone involved in the program and therefore failure to adhere to these policies may result in removal from the coaching position.

We appreciate your time, energy and enthusiasm and always remember that our efforts are for our children. Enjoy your coaching experience.

Responsibilities of Head Coach

  • Establish and maintain communication with parents throughout the season
  • Practice plan development and practice execution
  • Formal expectation setting with parents and players (face to face) at beginning of season
  • Reinforcement of expectations on a regular basis.
  • Role model with regard to preparation, demeanor, language and interaction
  • Coaches are expected to be a figure of authority, not a peer to the players
  • All correspondence regarding individual players should be communicated by the Head Coach.

Responsibilities of Assistant Coach

  • Assistant Coach (AC) supports the Head Coach (HC) with administrative tasks, such as, but not limited to:
  • Roster/Schedule development
  • Obtaining field directions for away games
  • Rescheduling matches
  • Managing substitutions and player rotations during games
  • Assist with practice execution as instructed by head coach
  • Run practices in the event of head coach absence
  • During games, Assistant Coach should not be directing the players from the sideline as it creates confusion. Suggestions should be directed to the Head Coach.

Player Expectations

PRACTICE

  • Arrive on time ready to play
  • Shoes tied
  • Shin guards on
  • Ball available
  • Appropriate clothing
  • Not eating
  • Practice behavior
  • Focused on the practice and ready to listen
  • Respectful of teammates and coaches
  • Follows directions without complaint
  • Helps and encourages teammates
  • Pick up trash and gather belongings

GAME DAY

  • Arrive on time ready to play
  • Shoes tied
  • Shin guards on
  • Shirt tucked in
  • Jewelry removed
  • Behavior
  • Focused on the game and to listen to coaching staff
  • Respectful of teammates, coaches and officials
  • Play assigned position without complaint
  • Helps and encourages teammates
  • Tries his/her best
  • Pick up trash and gather belongings

Communication by the Coach to…

Parents

  • Always maintain professional demeanor
  • Remember you are representing AYS and the Ashland community
  • When an addressing an issue with the child
  • Start with the positive
  • Make sure the audience is limited to the parent(s) and coaching staff (no players or other parents)

Players

  • Always maintain positive demeanor
  • Use encouragement; do not denigrate or use inappropriate language
  • Never speak about one player to other players
  • Do not speak about the players in front of other players
  • Do not allow the players to speak negatively to or about other players
  • Do not allow players to coach from the sideline
  • Encourage on field instruction from players, not criticism
  • Understand that failure to follow these guidelines could result in a reduction of playing time.

Referees

  • Introduce yourself to the referee before the game and obtain clarification of their rules (how many minutes in the half, goalkeeping throws/kicks cross mid-field, etc)
  • Once the game has begun, there is no communication with the referee except:
  • Request for substitution
  • Request for time check
  • Referees’ decisions are final and not to be questioned during or after the game
  • Coaches are encouraged to complete positive and negative evaluations on line at the host town’s website.
  • Encourage on field instruction

Playing Time

The following chart demonstrates a guideline of playing time by age group. The expectation for the older children is that they will be played, however, their playing time is also earned by effort (not necessarily talent/ability).

Age Group / Playing Time / Position Rotation
Cherub – In town / Equal time / Players play all positions
U7 – In town / Equal time / Players should have equal exposure to offense and defense throughout the season. Coaches should ensure children play on both left and right side of field. Up to coaches’ discretion if positions are switched during the game or between games.
U8 – In town / Equal time / Children should be encouraged to try goalkeeping but not forced. Otherwise, same as U7.
U9/U10 – In town / Equal time / Same as U8
U10 – travel / Coaches are encouraged to support equal time playing time for all children. No player should play less than 40%. / Same as U8
U11 – travel / Coaches are encouraged to support equal time playing time for all children. No player should play less than 40%. / Although positions are often ‘set’ coaches should experiment during each game with position movement and not pigeon-hole players including goalkeepers.
U12 – travel / Coaches are encouraged to support equal time playing time for all children. No player should play less than 30%. / Although positions are often ‘set’ coaches should experiment during each game with position movement and not pigeon-hole players including goalkeepers.
U13/U14 – travel / Coaches are encouraged to support equal time playing time for all children. No player should play less than 30%. / As the formation (11 v 11) is new for this age group, coaches should encourage position rotation and expose players to the new positions. . Goalkeeper position can be set however coaches are discouraged from playing one child for the duration of the game.

Sideline Etiquette for

Coaches

  • Coaches should introduce themselves to the referee.
  • Coaches shall not enter the field of play unless requested by the referee (i.e., in the event of injury). Coaches need to stay behind the sideline at all times.
  • Positive reinforcement and instruction of players during the game is encouraged. Negative criticism, hostility, abuse, anger, or sarcasm is prohibited.
  • Appropriate language must be used at all times.
  • Respect for the official must be demonstrated by the coaching staff.
  • Coaches should not move past the mid-field line (i.e., do not enter opposing team’s space).
  • Coaches will not tolerate rude or disrespectful behavior from players. Coaches are responsible for maintaining an environment of good sportsmanship during the game and practice.

Parents

  • Parents may not stand on the sideline with coaches.
  • It is the parents’ responsibility to keep siblings off of the field.
  • Any parent who is disrespectful of the referee or other team must be spoken to by the coach. Persistent disrespect by the parents should be reported to an AYS executive board member.
  • Parents should not coach from the sideline and coaches should discourage all communication with the exception of encouragement.
  • If a parent is unhappy with events during the game, they should not approach the coach at the end of the game but should instead contact the coach after a sufficient cooling down period. This would include but is not limited to feelings on position child played, child’s playing time, coach’s interaction or lack of interaction with the referees, etc. Parents should abide by the “24/7” rule: Do not contact the coach within 24 hours of the “issue” and should not come back to the coach after 7 days have elapsed as the “issue” is old at that point.
  • If a parent is unhappy with the coaching staff, the *first* course of action should be to work directly with head coach.
  • Respect for the coach must be demonstrated by the parent.

Players

  • Players must stand or sit facing the field of play.
  • Players should be encouraged to watch the game and not be distracted by surroundings.
  • Players should remain ‘ready to play’ for the duration of the game.
  • Players should be ready to play the position assigned to them by the coach and understand that this is not open for discussion.
  • Negative or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated and could lead to reduced playing time at the discretion of the coach.
  • Players are expected to give their best effort while on the field.

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