Tri-Cities Strikers Coaches Checklist

Coaching is so much more than just the decisions made during games. The following document has been developed to help you provide a positive soccer experience for the players and parents.

Team Organization and Communication

Pre and Post-Season Meetings

Preseason meetings should be scheduled for the beginning of each season prior to the first practice. This is an opportunity for the coach to share practice and game schedules, review team rules and expectations of both players and parents (see resources), share your coaching philosophy, how you’ll manage the starting line-up and substitutions, and other administrative tasks. Recruiting parents to take on necessary tasks like creating contact lists, arranging for snacks, organizing travel car pools can be a good way to have parents spend their energy in a positive way to support the team. Your team manager will also be very helpful and should take the lead with many administrative tasks. Communicate often with the team manager. Until you get a good feel for how each other works, you should each preview any communication that goes out to the team so that you’re both on the same page.

Postseason meetings should be scheduled with each player and possibly parents depending on the ages of the players to go over player evaluations. These evaluations should be honest, but consideration should be given to also boosting a player’s confidence. A team postseason party is a great way to wrap up a season and have fun as a group.

Mid-Season Communication

Besides the pre and post-season meetings it can be very beneficial to send periodic updates to parents. You may want to share information about your match analysis, what you’ve been working on in practice, what’s coming up, areas you’ve seen the team improve on, things for parents to look for in the games, and praise for individual or groups of players.

Sample Pre and Post-Season Agendas

Preseason Meeting Checklist

1. Schedule a preseason meeting before each season.

2. Provide parents with the following

a. Practice and game schedule if available

b. Team rules/consequences for practice and games (attendance/behavior)

c. Your coaching philosophy for the season

d. Team Goals/Theme for the season

e. How you will decide starting line-up and do substitutions

-what are the league rules regarding playing time

U10 and younger must play minimum ½ a game

U11-12 must play minimum 1/3 a game

-As a player development club everyone should get turns starting U8-U11 based on attendance/hard work but not necessarily talent.

-Players must play all positions regularly (exception is goalkeeper).

-Players will not get better if they don’t play. -Emphasis should be on player develop with team winning a distant second.

-how you plan to manage playing time

f. Other administrative items that may need covering:

-Tournaments (no fall tournaments for U8 and U9s is a recommendation.

-Snacks/treats

-Carpools

Postseason Meeting Checklist

  1. Schedule postseason meetings with each player and/or parents
  2. Can be done before, during or after practices
  3. Provide feedback for each player on strengths and weaknesses
  4. Provide ideas for how players can improve when practicing on their own
  5. Schedule a postseason team party (can be done by a parent)
  6. Provide information regarding any off season training opportunities (optional)
  7. Publicly recognize and say something nice about each of the players and thank parents
  8. Present team awards (most improved, hardest worker, best goal, best save, etc.)

Team Management and Coaching

The bulk of what we do as coaches happens “on the pitch.” Taking the extra time to map out a season and plan practices is a necessarily step in insuring that our practices are educational, fun, and easier to manage.

Season Planning

Developing a season long theme is a good way to focus on big picture topics. The continual revisiting of the topic throughout the season keeps the concepts fresh in the minds of players and provides many opportunities to work on the skills. The season long themes should be balanced with more short-term practices that may address specific needs of teams and players in their eight game seasons.

Season Planning Checklist

  1. Determine technical or skill theme
  2. Determine attacking tactical theme
  3. Determine defending tactical theme
  4. Generate “keywords” or a “code word” for the concepts so that quick reminders can be given both in practices in games without a lot of yelling or explaining. For example “b-bag” – between ball and goal, “width,” etc.

Strikers has developed a soccer curriculum. If you have not received this, please let Aaron Dean know and you’ll be provided a copy.

Practice Planning

In practice we are trying to replicate the demands of the game in ways that the players can manage but still stay true to the “beautiful game,” which remains the best teacher. We refer to this as the “practice environment.” A positive practice will progress through several stages; technical warm-up, small-sided activity, expanded small-sided activity, match game condition. There may be multiple activities or adjustments to activities within each stage of the practice.

Stage / Sample Activities / Requirements / Coaches Tool Box
Technical Warm-Up / games, individual or small group skill work / Replicates the session topic but has few other restrictions. May or may not have defenders. / Whole group Freeze and Natural Stoppages
Small Sided Activity / 1v1, 2v1, 3v2, 4v3 with or without neutrals etc. up to 4v4 and often consist of keep-away games / Does need to have an opponent. The defender(s) can be fewer or have restricted movement. / Whole group and individual freeze, natural stoppages, and in the flow
Expanded Small Sided Activity / 4v4, 5v4, 6v5 with or without neutrals etc. up to 6v6+ and often consist of games that have direction to endlines or endzones / Has direction, keeps score, has natural transitions from offense to defense / Whole and individual at natural stoppages and in the flow. Some freezing of play.
Match Game Condition / 6v6+ with our without neutrals and to goal / Looks like the real game with minimal interruptions from the coach. / Whole and individual in the flow of the game
Cool Down and Debrief / Whole Team / Jogging/stretching / Review of topics covered in practice

Technical warm-up will include all players, get players both physically and mentally warm-up for the rest of practice and consist of the skills and tactics that will be used later in the practice. The small-sided activity will consist of 1v1-4v4 type activities although groups will often be numbers up or numbers down (example 4v2 or a 3v4).

  • Plan your practices in advance
  • Have a copy at the practice
  • Tell players the topic when you start and again at the end along with the coaching points.
  • Create a soccer environment
  • Set up as much of the practice as you can before you start so that you are not wasting time moving cones.
  • Use the coaches tool-kit to vary the type of instruction players get (freeze method, natural stoppages, coaching with in the game, coaching individual players within the game, letting the game teach the players)
  • Try to equally divide you coaching between all the players
  • Train at least ½-3/4 of practice with activities that don’t require set positions. Allow players to play multiple positions in both practices (often) and games (less often).
  • Build players up emotionally. Make a point to recognize the positive. Be thankful for each player as a person regardless of soccer ability.
Coach as a Role Model

More powerful than the words we speak are the actions we take. The ways that we act in practice and how we treat others associated with the game will have a powerful impact on the players and parents of our teams.

  • Sportsmanship and Respect
  • Referees
  • Opponents coaches, players, and parents
  • Parents
  • Fostering an appreciation for the game
  • Are you and the players having fun (setting goals can help eliminate the pressures of winning)
  • Help develop an appreciation for the game. Recognize outstanding teams, players, plays etc.
  • Take time to recognize excellence even if it’s in someone else.

Coaching Development

There are many opportunities to continue to develop as a coach. Tri-Cities Strikers holds several coaching clinics throughout the year and will also reimburse coaches who take their E or D licenses. Upon request, the board will also consider paying part or full cost for other clinics or seminars.

It’s important to take time each season to reflect on what you did. What did your feel were your strength and what were your weaknesses as a coach. Did you try anything new? How did go? This evaluation process is important and can guide what we do between seasons or improve our knowledge or what changes we can make mid-season to improve our instructional techniques, attitude, or soccer environment surrounding the team.

There is also an evaluation process that allows parents to provide feedback. That information may be summarized and given to you so that you are aware of the perceptions regarding your coaching.

username: tcscoach1, tcscoach2, tcscoach3 password: strikers

Sample Registration/Team Meeting Agenda

  1. Welcome & Introduction of Families
  1. Coaches

Provide information about yourself. Background contact info. Etc.

  1. Coaching Philosophy

Help players and families enjoy soccer and to be successful.

  • Success on the field helps everyone enjoy the game.

Success means consistently playing well as individuals AND as a team.

Focus will be on continuing to improve skills and team work. This will be accomplished as a team AND with players/parents working outside the team.

Age-appropriate training emphasizes individual technical skills.

Will introduce and emphasize more complex individual skills related to footwork, passing, position and tactical awareness.

Players will play both attacking and defensive roles with increased focus on “transitioning” between the two.

More emphasis on “set plays” and how “off the ball” players can impact game from any position.

  1. Style of Play (will vary based on age)

Controlled Team Approach which emphasizes more purposeful use of technical skills.

  • Attack
  • Control/Possession
  • Passing & Receiving
  • Support
  • Off-the-ball movement
  • Attacking with purpose towards the goal with and without the ball.
  • Greater emphasis on using age-appropriate skills to “beat” opponent.
  • Defense
  • Contain & Deny (not over-committing)
  • Delay/Slow down the opponents attack from wherever it originates.
  • “Recover” Quickly when opponents retain possession of the ball
  • Deny
  • B-BAG
  • Team defense
  • Cover
  • Get back and help
  • “Transition” from defense to attack
  1. Fall Season Objectives (will vary based on age)

Use age-appropriate skills to beat opponent whether on defense or offense.

Attacking

  • Team Shape
  • Purposeful movement of the ball
  • Use of Set Plays to gain advantage
  • Passing & Receiving

Defense

  • Recovery
  • Containment
  • Continuous pressure on opponent.
  • Transition

Be competitive in each game

  1. Coach/Player/ Parent Roles

Coaches

  • Teach and mentors.
  • Skills
  • Tactics
  • Teamwork
  • Sportsmanship
  • Soccer education a priority.
  • Fairness for players and families.

Player

  • Always attentive (listen quietly when coaches are speaking).
  • Respectful of coaches, refs, teammates and opponents.
  • Focused on practice/game.
  • Eager to learn and follow instructions of coaches.
  • Demonstrate positive character on and off the field.
  • Demonstrate teamwork.

Parents

  • Unconditional support for your child.
  • Understand and be supportive of coach’s instructions.
  • Set example of good sportsmanship to players, refs and other fans.
  • Understand and abide by the Tri-Cities Strikers Code of Conduct.
  1. Coaching from the Sidelines

Players are receiving instructions from coaches and will become easily confused if "coached" by parents/fans from sidelines.

 Please DO NOT coach from the sidelines – Coaches will not be shy in speaking to parents about this if it occurs.

The Referee is ALWAYSright, therefore, parents are to REFRAIN from any communication with the Referee and Assistant Referees before, during and after a match. It is NOT your role to speak with a game official.

  1. Communication

One of the keys to success.

Email updates weekly to families.

Email and phone lists will be distributed.

Coaches to provide feedback to families when appropriate or asked.

Parent Roles (Manager/Treasurer/Parent Liaison/Tournament Coordinator).

  1. Practice Gear

Soccer shoes (note accessories that protect laces and keep them tied!).

Shin pads covered w/socks.

Shorts/sweat pants (no denim, denim shorts or game shorts please).

Short/long sleeve shirt (no game jerseys at practice please).

#4 soccer ball.

Bottle of Water – Please, no “energy” or artificially sweetened drinks.

  1. Game Gear

Soccer shoes (note accessories that protect laces and keep them tied!).

Shin pads covered by Game Socks.

Game Shorts (depending on weather, may need warm-ups-no denim).

Short/long sleeve shirt under game jersey (White UnderArmor is ideal when needed).

Bring BOTH colored jerseys to EACH game.

#4 soccer ball.

Bottle of Water – Please, no “energy” or artificially sweetened drinks.

  1. Team Rules / Practice Policies Attendance

Arrive on time, ready to play with all appropriate equipment

Players are expected to be on the field, ready to play 30 minutes prior to each game

Practice Dates/Times to be announced in early August

Review Tri-Cities Strikers Code of Conduct

Unless it centers on the physical safety of your child, parents are NOT to approach or contact coaches for 24 hours following a game to discuss concerns related to playing time, tactics, and position, etc.

  1. Playing Time

Goal is to provide adequate playing time for all players consistent with GVSA Rules.

Will monitor playing time for each player.

Coaches will on occasion "coach to win".

  1. Tournaments (will vary based on age)

Would like to consider one tournament for the fall and one for spring

Overnight tournament vs. "local" tournaments.

12. Indoor Season

Would like to consider Winter Training in lieu of Indoor Soccer at Shoreline

13. Off-Season Skill Development

Easy exercises parents/siblings can do to help player improve skills with Coach ??.

Would like to schedule some time prior to the start of practice in August.

14. Question and Answer

15. Have a GREAT Summer!

PROLibraries Directions

PROLibraries is an online collection of video, audio and .pdf files. TriCities Strikers has purchased three licenses to the website which provides access to the last five National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s annual Convention. There are over 350 sessions by top soccer experts.

  1. Under “Account Login” enter as the username either tcscoach1, tcscoach2 or tcscoach3. Password is “strikers.” TCS has three licenses for its coaches to use. Only one license can be logged-in at a time so if one doesn’t work try and another. Also, remember to log out after your session so you free up that login for someone else.

3. Once logged-in you should see links for the 5 NSCAA Conventions we have access to. Click on any link to see a list and description of the session. To return to this menu, simply click on the “My Library” button in the upper left of the screen.

4. Once you’ve found a session you’d like to watch, simply click on whether you’d rather play the session or download the session. The video, audio, or pdf will open in a new window.

  1. Be sure to log off when you are done with your session to free up the username for another TriCities Strikers Coach.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Director of Coaching Aaron Dean at 616.405.0476 or at .

TriCities Strikers Coaches Webpage

The TriCities Strikers Coaches Webpage is a very simple and straightforward resource. The website simply provides links to ready-to-go sessions that can be printed and taken right to the practice field.

Username: Tricities

Password: Strikers