GYFCA COACHING MANUAL AND APPLICATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Coaching Manual PrefacePage 2
  2. Grizzly MissionPage 3
  3. Responsibilities of a Grizzly CoachPage 4
  4. Coaching RequirementsPage 5
  5. Coaches Code of ConductPage 6
  6. Pre-Season Parent MeetingPage 7
  7. Team Parent RolePage 8
  8. Improving Coaching SkillsPage 9
  9. Injuries and Illness ProceduresPage 10
  10. Coaching Interaction With ParentsPage 11
  11. GYFCA Goals and ObjectivesPage 12
  12. Grizzly Coaching ApplicationPage 13
  13. Coaching Acknowledgement and Release FormPage 16

GILBERTS GRIZZLIES YOUTH FOOTBALL 2012 COACHING MANUAL

This document is meant as a guideline for participation of all coaches in the GILBERTS GRIZZLIES YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEER ASSOCIATION. These guidelines are to be followed and adhered to by all coaches. These guidelines may be amended by action of the GYFCA Executive Board of Directors. Any additions or revisions by the Executive Board will be forwarded to all coaches at the appropriate time. You are responsible for gaining an understanding of this document before participating in any activity sanctioned by GILBERTS GRIZZLIES YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEER ASSOCIATION.

Any actions violating the conduct outlined in this document may lead to dismissal from the GILBERTS GRIZZLIES YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEER ASSOCIATION.

MISSION OF THE GRIZZLIES YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEER ASSOCIATION.

The Gilberts Youth Football and Cheerleading Association will strive to teach the basic fundamentals of the game of football in a competitive and fun environment. The GYFCA will strive to teach humility, sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect toward the team, coaches, board members, and other teams.
Parents, coaches, board members, and volunteers must be role models that teach their knowledge of the game of football through proper examples, techniques, and by conducting themselves within the boundaries of safety, fair play, and good sportsmanship.
The GYFCA hopes that attainment of these principles will leave all participants with a strong sense of self worth and self confidence in being part of the Gilberts Grizzlies and the GYFCA to contribute to the continued success of our program.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A GRIZZLY COACH

In order to ensure that the principles of sportsmanship, fair play, skill development and mutual respect among players, coaches, officials, and spectators are the primary considerations governing competition in theGYFCA and TCYFL, the following code of conduct has been established for all coaches in our association. Everyone, without exception, shall adhere to these requirements. Please think carefully before you apply to coach. You will be held accountable for knowing any and all rules and regulations of GYFCA andTCYFLand be required to follow the rules and regulations of the league, as well as meet the time requirements of being a coach.

I acknowledge that my primary responsibility is to foster the stated purpose of the Grizzlies organization which is to promote a healthy, fun, and safe environment for boys and girls to participate in. To satisfactorily meet these responsibilities, I will abide by the following guidelines set forth. I understand that failure to abide by the guidelines set forth may result in my immediate dismissal as a coach for GYFCA.

COACHING REQUIREMENTS

  1. The head coach must be age 21 or over and will have coached in our system for at least one season unless approved by the Football Director. Assistant coaches must be at least 18 years old.
  2. The Football Director will forward his recommendations to all level heads for consideration to become a head coach for the upcoming season. Head coaches will be officially announced in July of 2012.
  3. The head coach is responsible for the actions of the assistant coaches, parents, and team players, prior to, during, and after each game and practice.
  4. All coaches must be committed to the Grizzly program and association, and support all Grizzly events and fundraisers.
  5. All coaches will need to volunteer time to the distribution of equipment, and returning of equipment, work at registrations, recruiting functions, attend league meetings when asked by the GYFCA Board and attend Grizzly coaches meetings when scheduled.
  6. All coaches must be consistent when communicating practice schedules, field set up and field breakdown, game schedules, game summary information for the web site, players and parents, referee evaluations, reporting of scores promptly to the parents, players,TCYFL and GYFCA officials on a timely basis. Failure to communicate information may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
  7. All GYFCA prospective coaches will need to be ASEP certified as of June 1st of the year they plan to coach. TCYFL requires all coaches to attend a USA clinic once every two years in order to coach in TCYFL. All coaches need to maintain their education levels to be compliant with GYFCA and TCYFL.
  8. All coaches will purchase their own coaching apparel that will be approved by GYFCA prior to the season.
  9. Respect should be given to players, adults and those in authority. Any degrading remarks or actions shown toward players, referees, GYFCA officials and/or spectators will not be tolerated. This applies to all GYFCA and TCYFL functions including: practices, games, fund raisers, banquets, and special events. No physical violence or abuse may be shown toward the children, or GYFCA officials.

Any coach who does not adhere to these guidelines may be given a warning, suspended, terminated or not permitted to coach immediately and for the following year based on the decision of the coaches committee.

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

• As a coach, you understand that your primary role is that of a teacher, and that you will be considered a role model by the children that you interact with. You must always be cognizant of this fact, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with your responsibility as a teacher of the game of football.

• Winning is a consideration, and is the product of good coaching. It is not the only consideration, nor the most important one. You should care more about teaching your players than the winning of the game.

• Lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all participants. Ensure that you are knowledgeable in the rules of each activity that you lead, and teach these proper fundamentals to all of the participants.

• Do not use abusive language, threats or violence toward a referee, acting referee, spectator, official, or player. Actions of this nature will not be tolerated by GYFCA . Coaches will control their teams and the parents of the players on their teams at all times. Severe parent misbehavior should be reported to the GYFCA Football Commissioner for swift corrective action. This action may include banning of parents from all events, and/or the dismissal of their child from any and all activities associated with the Grizzlies organization.

• Place the emotional and physical well being of the participants ahead of any personal desire to win. While winning is important, striving to compete to win is more important. Treat each player as an individual while keeping the TEAM concept in mind, as GYFCA does not utilize a STAR system at any level. Any coach violating this policy will be immediately removed from the program.

• Participation while under the influence of alcohol or illegal or prohibited drugs around the playing area or at the practice facilities is strictly forbidden.

• Learn, understand, and follow the rules of TCYFL and GYFCA.

• Provide a safe playing situation for all participants. Organize practices that are fun and challenging for all players that teach fundamental principles of the game of football. Give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence and develop self-esteem.

• Remember that coaching is a privilege not a right. Remember that you are a youth coach, and that the game is for the children and not the adults.

PRE-SEASON PARENT MEETING

• Your philosophy and rules should cover the following:

1. Sideline behavior- Lines will be drawn at home games. Parents will be asked to stay behind the designated lines. No warnings will be given on game day. Anyone authorized to be on the sidelines will need to wear a TCYFL badge. No exceptions. Videographers and Team Mom will be the only non-coaches on sideline. Photographers will need to be in the end zone or on the other sideline. Cheer teams will be on either side of the twenty yard line on our sideline.

2. Practices- All practices will be held at Town Center Park, The Eagles Club, or Gilberts Elementary. Practice times and dates will be posted on the web site once given by the head coach.

3. Picking up and dropping off players- Instruct your parents to have kids at the practice facility 15 minutes before practice and 5 minutes before practice ends in order to prevent practice from starting late and the coaches having to wait for parents to pick kids up.

4. Playing Time- Kids earn playing time based on practice habits, enthusiasm, and willingness to become a TEAM player. As per TCYFL rules and depending on the size of team, all players are required to play a minimum number of plays and adhere to all TCYFL rules pertaining to the 11 on and 11 off rules. GYFCA does not employ a STAR system. All kids are given an equal chance to earn their position.

5. Procedures for grievances within the team: Parents are encouraged to speak with the head coach before or after practice, but not during a practice. Parents are not allowed on the field at ANY time. The same rules apply for games. If your issue cannot be resolved by the head coach, then you can contact the football commissioner. If the issue is not resolved at that level, then the GYFCA Vice President of Operations will be contacted.

6. Disciplinary issues and actions- Coaches are given the liberty to use their own tactics within the parameters of fairness and all GYFCA policies and procedures.

TEAM PARENT

• Coaches are encouraged to have a Team Parent who will manage and seek parents to fulfill their volunteer commitment to GYFCA for:

1. Team Functions

2. Game Location Duties

3. Change in Practice or Game Schedules

4. General Team Communication

Coaches Can Improve Coaching Skills By:

  1. Attending USA Coaching/TCYFL orASEP coaching clinics.

2. Getting the appropriate license/certifications to coach.

3. Observe or film competitors of other youth programs.

4. Read coaching instruction books and playbooks to improve knowledge.

5. Communicate with other coaches that have more experience.

6. Request a coaching mentor within GYFCA.

7. Ask GYFCA Football Commissioner for help with problem areas.

8. Know the rules of the game as they apply to TCYFL and GYFCA.

INJURIES AND ILLNESS

• In the event of an injury, contact a medical professional, or if this person is not available contact the medical person/trainer of one of the other teams in your practice/playing area.

• Stay calm, and try to keep the child calm. For most, this is the first time that they have been hurt, and will be scared by this.

• DO NOT MOVE THE CHILD IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO MOVE UNDER THEIR OWN POWER.

If this situation occurs contact emergency medical services immediately. If the players parent(s) is/are at practice, call them over and explain the situation. If the parent(s) is/are not available, call the emergency contact provided in the coaching book for your particular team.

• In the event that a child has to be transported to the hospital, contact his/her parents immediately. If the parent is not at practice, a coach or team parent should accompany the child to the hospital.

• When a child says that they are hurt, believe them. Do not attempt to get them to practice or play in a game if they are physically or emotionally not prepared to do so. Doing so leaves you, GYFCA, and TCYFL liable for any problems which may arise.

• Be alert to children trying to hide an injury. This puts the child at greater risk and other children on the team.

• Talk to your athletes to see if anyone is hurt. An injury may not become apparent until after the practice or game.

Coaching Interaction With Parents

•Parents often believe that their child may deserve more playing time. To them, their child is a star and the best player on the team. When approached by them, try to encourage the parent(s) to attend a practice; this gives them the opportunity to observe their child’s progress as compared to others on the team.

•Inform parents that any conduct that becomes disruptive to either practice or competitions will not be tolerated, and may result in the parent being asked to leave the event. If the problem becomes excessive, their behavior could result in their child being dropped from the GYFCA program.

•It is the responsibility of the parent to have their child at practice on time and in full practice uniform. Explain to the parents that it is disruptive to have children arriving late, or not at all. This behavior affects every member of the team, not just his or her child. In addition, parents should be aware of the time practices are scheduled to end, and be available to pick their child up at this time. A child will not be allowed to practice if they are not in complete full uniform. Our practice uniform consists of white practice pants and orange practice jerseys. Any other jerseys or other colored pants are not authorized under any circumstances.

EXPLAIN THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF GYFCA FOOTBALL

• You are the link between the Grizzlies and the community that we serve. Parents and children will look to you for information regarding our association. Stay knowledgeable and current about GYFCA activities.

• If there are questions or concerns from parents or participants, bring them to the attention of the GYFCA Football Commissioner in a timely fashion. Remember that you are a part of the GYFCA and that your actions reflect not only upon yourself, but also on all of us.

2012 GYFCA FOOTBALL COACHING APPLICATION

Applying for Head Coach or Assistant Coach? Please circle desired position.

Level Applying for: FLY- BANTAM-FEATHER- MIDDLE- LIGHT- HEAVY (Circle One)

First Name ______MI_____ Last Name______

DOB______/______/______Social Security Number: ______

Home Phone: ______Drivers License # and State:______

Address: ______

City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______

Primary E-Mail Address: ______

Employer: ______

Position: ______

Employer Address: ______

City: ______State: ______Zip:______

Work Phone Number: ______Ext_____

Cell Number______

Home Number______

  1. Have you coached for the Grizzly Organization before?: Y / N

2. If Yes, When and for What Teams: ______

3. List your players name: ______

4. Do you have another child in our program? If so, please list name(s)

and division(s):______

5. Please list any other coaching experience and dates that may

help us in evaluating your application: ______

______

Organization Name:______

Position Held in the Organization:______

Years______

6. If you are NOT selected to coach in the age group applied for,

Will you coach in another age group? Y or N Please circle.

If yes, what age group would interest you?

7. Do you have a valid certification for any of the following?

CPR______First Aid ______ASEP______

USA Coaching______

8. Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a felony or

misdemeanor, other than a traffic offense? Y / N If yes, please explain:

______

______

SIGNATURE______

2012 Coaching ManualReceipt Acknowledgement and Release Form

I hereby acknowledge that I have thoroughly reviewed the information contained in this Coaching Manual, and that I fully understand all of the terms, conditions, definitions, and/or requirements set forth herein. I further acknowledge that if any questions shall ever arise as to any of the terms, conditions, definitions, and/or requirements set forth herein, I shall immediately seek a clarification and/or answer from the Football Commissioner and/or the GYFCA Board and that I will not continue my duties as a coach until said question or questions is/are fully resolved and my questions are fully answered.

I hereby agree to abide by the above items and follow the direction of the GYFCA Board of Directors. As a coach, I agree to uphold the GYFCA and all TCYFL rules. I will foster among the players of the teams the ideals of teamwork, good sportsmanship, citizenship, and character, with the beneficial opportunities toward becoming positive examples for others and the community. Without this consistency I will not be eligible to coach.

I agree to utilize the playbook received from GYFCA without deviating unless approved by the Director of Football

In exchange for being allowed to coach in GYFCAorganization, I agree to release the GYFCA, its directors, officers, coaches, volunteers and participants from any and all claims whatsoever related to or arising from my position or involvement as a coach in the GYFCA organization.

I certify that I have made no misrepresentation in this application and I have not withheld information in my statements and answers to questions.

I hereby authorize the GYFCA Grizzlies to verify any representations made by me, either orally or in writing. I understand that if I am accepted as a coach, my position is conditional upon the GYFCA Board of Directors finding no inappropriate information regarding my background. I hereby release the GYFCA, and any individual who provides or obtains information pursuant to this authorization, from any and all liability or damages of any kind that may result to me on account of compliance, or attempts to comply, with this authorization. If appointed, I understand that the rules and policies and procedures of GYFCA and TCYFL, as well as the rules and regulations of IHSA bind me. I also understand that this application is the property of GYFCA and will become part of a personnel file created in my name, if I am appointed, and I authorize the GYFCA to maintain a copy of all information provided in both paper form and electronic form.

I understand and agree that, should I be appointed to be a coach with GYFCA, I serve at the discretion of the GYFCA Director of Football. I also understand and agree that my coaching privileges can be terminated at any time by the GYFCA Board of Directors, with or without cause, and with no requirement for explanation, either written or oral, from the GYFCA Board, and that the decision of the Board shall be final.