Coaches Handbook
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
The game of soccer is just that - a game. The number one reason children PLAY soccer is to HAVE FUN. Accordingly, your number one goal as coach should be to ensure that every child has fun at every game, training session, and game. It is detrimental to the player if there is too much pressure placed on them too early to achieve a result rather than simply experiencing the sheer joy of a youth game.
Youth soccer is not about wins and losses or how many trophies are collected. It is about having fun, bonding on a team, and developing as a player, teammate and person. Proper soccer development means children are playing child-centered, age-appropriate activities, so they are able to experience, comprehend, and execute the game as it relates to where they are in their cognitive development. It’s about receiving equal playing time, so the players are all given equal opportunity to learn. It’s about learning the techniques of the game through a variety of fun games where players have as much contact with a ball as possible. It is about playing all the different positions on the team, so the player learns all the skills necessary to develop in the game.
NKSL wants you to respect the game of soccer, respect the players, the opponents, the referee, and the parents; and to teach your players to do the same. Players should come out of their experience with the coach as better people and better citizens, not just better soccer players.
COACH REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
In order to begin practices and games, the following steps must be completed in order for a coach to attend practice or games. There is more details about this on the Risk Management - Coaches page.
Mandatory Risk Management in Demsophere, our state soccer database, which includes a background check and safesport training
The club will update all of the coaches for each season.
§ The background check is good for 2 years from the date it is completed the first time
§ The safesport is good for 1 year from the date the trainings are completed the first time and will have a refresher each year after.
o Go to: for the steps on how to log in and complete the risk management process https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F9cDaVxo-BmGu2cKiH8_xXthduNVT50ED4mlD-FW7EE/edit?usp=sharing
o Link to login: https://kysoccer.demosphere-secure.com/_login
§ The link only works if you have a profile already created. If the link doesn’t work please touch base with the club registrar to get your profile setup.
Note: if you are a USSF certified referee or coach and have completed all of these requirements in the US learning center you can load the certificates into this system for compliance so you don’t have to do it multiple times
Rosters and Schedules (U-8 and up)
Once finalized rosters have gone out from the Registrar and the risk management is competed, you may contact your team to begin practices.
Schedules are typically posted to the NKSL website two weeks prior to season start. You will be notified by your club once the schedules are final.
COACHING POLICIES
Coaching Expectations
NKSL thanks you for volunteering to coach our youth soccer players. As a coach for the club the following is expected of you:
· At all times, follow our Code of Conduct, set forth below, including but not limited to: demonstrating leadership, good sportsmanship, respect, and coaching with humility – this game is about the children, not you.
· Allow each player to play half of every game.
· Be on time and prepared for all games, training sessions, team events, coaching meetings, and any other events or assignments. Game time is kickoff time, please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to game time in order to be ready to kickoff at game time.
· Contact your team and parents once you receive your roster. It is your duty to communicate with your team, distribute the game and practice schedules, etc.
· Arrive at practice on time and remain until a parent picks up every child. However, never be alone with any child without another adult present. If you find yourself in a situation where you are alone with a child, you could make a phone call to another adult and remain on that call until that child is picked up.
· Help out whenever you see things that need to be done. E.g., keep fields and sidelines clean from trash. Volunteer to help keep the fields painted.
· Organize practices and teach the game through age-appropriate activities/games.
· Provide a safe environment i.e., Inspect playing surface.
· Contribute positively to the development of each player's self-esteem.
· Give regular, positive feedback to players.
· Distribute a schedule of practices and games in a timely manner.
· Respect referees, know the rules, and conduct yourself respectfully on the field. Ask questions without yelling, they are human and many are learning to ref just like the children are learning to play the game of soccer.
· Laws of the game (also referred to as rules) can be found IFAB Laws of the Game
· Here are a few items that should be addressed prior to getting to games
Earrings are not permitted to be worn – no band aids and no exceptions discuss this at the parent meeting if you have a girls team
Cleats can not have a toe cleat, if players are using cleats from a different sport like baseball or football the toe cleat MUST be cut off if they want to play.
Eye glasses should have a strap so they don’t fly off, which is a good possibility since soccer is a contact sport
Practices
The club will provide practice days and times. Please contact your club leadership with any questions. Lesson plans can be found at Kentucky Youth Soccer’s website or the link below
Suggested Coaching Practices
All Coaches are encouraged to establish effective lines of communication with the team parents early in the season by holding a parent orientation meeting. Usually, this occurs at the beginning or end of a training session. The time you invest will pay dividends for all concerned throughout the season. If a meeting is impossible, then the following information could be put in a letter/email to parents/players.
Purpose of a Parent Orientation Meeting
· Allows parents to become acquainted with you, the coach.
· Inform parents about the nature (and inherent risks) of the sport.
· Articulate your expectations of them and of their children.
· Enables you to address any parents’ concerns.
· Enables parents to understand the objectives of the team.
· Establishes clear lines of communication between you, parents, and players.
· Allows you to obtain parental support (assistant coaches, team parents, etc.).
Things to Consider When Organizing the Meeting
· Hold it early in the season, preferably before the first team practice.
· Having the players present is optional. However, if they are not present then it is advisable to hold a meeting with your players and clearly explain to them what you explained to the parents.
· Be prepared and be organized to conduct the meeting efficiently.
· Prepare any handouts you would like to distribute, for example: ▪ Team roster ▪ Schedule of practice and games
o Club/NKSL rules
o Team goals/rules
o Summary or outline of the meeting Important Points to Cover Coach introduction
o Introduce yourself and assistant coaches (or ask for volunteers at this time).
o Give background information about yourself (why you are coaching, any experience you have).
o Practice schedule
o Game schedule.
o Discuss how players must respect opponents, coaches, officials, and the game itself.
o Required equipment (shirts, socks, shorts, shin guards, water bottle).
o Recommended size of ball and soccer shoes.
o Inherent risks (soccer is a contact sport, albeit a relatively safe one).
o Medical insurance (secondary insurance is provided through Kentucky Youth Soccer Association).
o Briefly discuss rules of the game and team management
o SNACK LIST: The coach should organize a simple snack schedule for game days. Orange or apple slices, or seedless grapes are good choices. Make sure that all trash is picked up and placed in an appropriate receptacle.
Suggested Coaches Equipment
· EQUIPMENT BAG: Coaches should prepare a large BAG for all of the items listed below!
· FIRST AID KIT: A simple kit for games and practices is a good idea for every coach.
· BALL PUMP and inflating needle: Sometimes the game ball is over inflated or too soft and may need adjusting. The same goes for the balls players bring to practice.
· SHIN GUARDS: a spare pair of old ones will cover for a forgetful player!
· SPARE SHIRTS: (2) for your goalkeepers - Having two extra shirts of different colors (each contrasting with your team shirts) ensures that you will always have a goalkeeper's shirt that contrasts with the opposition colors.
· GOALKEEPER'S GLOVES: An inexpensive pair is a useful addition to your game bag.
· BALLS: If possible, have a good quality ball available for the games. This can be used as a game ball if none is provided. Also, while each player should have his/her own ball and bring it to practice having some extras may save your training session!
· CONES or PYLONS: Use these to set up small areas for practice activities, or to mark boundaries for a game field. Cones of a different color or size will make a distinctive goal.
· PENNIES/VESTS: These are used to divide up teams for training activities.
Preparing for Games
· Pay for referees – the club will send a check for the referee fees to the coach. When you cash the check get small bills and 8 bank envelopes to divide up each week referees’ fees and date each envelope. This will alleviate the stress of getting cash each week when it gets hectic during the season
· Touch base with your team each week to identify any players that will be missing
o Each team can assign a team parent to assist with team communications to assist the coach
· Each week send an email to the opposing coach to verify they will be at the game as scheduled and ensure both teams are on the same page about the field and game time
· Game day coaches’ bag should be stocked with many of the items defined above for the game as well
Communication
If, at any time during a season, you need to inform NKSL of anything, please first contact your club leadership. In addition to anything that you feel should be brought to your club’s attention and/or you need assistance with, the following items must be reported:
· Any issues volving any member of the team, including but not limited to, a coach or assistant coach, player or parent, being involved in any altercation resulting in either a red card or being removed from the field by any means.
· Any red card being issued for any reason.
· Any incident involving law enforcement in any capacity.
Coaching Code of Conduct:
As a volunteer coach with the club, you not only represent yourself and your players, but the NKSL, Kentucky Youth Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation.
As a coach, you are expected to maintain a high level of sportsmanship, professionalism, and integrity both off and on the field. A coach’s primary responsibility is for his/her players to have fun, to develop as soccer players, and to instill a passion for the game. The performance of coaches is not measured in wins and losses, but rather in what is taught to players in terms of technique, sportsmanship, and fair play.
As coach, you are charged with the responsibility of controlling your players and parents at all times during all matches. Coaches lead and teach by example; players will be a reflection upon each individual coach. Accordingly, all coaches are expected to:
· Use positive reinforcement when dealing with players, never use foul or abusive language, and never abuse a player mentally, verbally, or physically.
· Have respect for the authority of the referee and his/her assistants. You should not harass, abuse, or berate the referee during or after the match. You should not enter the field of play without the referee’s permission.
· Exhibit good sportsmanship both off and on the field. You should teach your players the rules of the game, fair play, and proper game behavior.
· Have a basic knowledge of the game and to pursue coaching education allowing you to better develop your players.
· Treat each player, parent and referee fairly and respectfully.
Rainouts
Each field has a rainout line and can be found on the NKSL league schedule in the location notes, by clicking the location name and the info is displayed at the top.
There is also a list of all the fields on the NKSL website at https://sites.google.com/site/nkslsoccer/League/field-directions
Many of the fields are grass fields and public parks that can be closed if the field condition is not ideal for playing conditions. Call the field weather line to verify if the field is open for games before you head out to your game if there has been rain. If there has been a lot of rain sometimes the field doesn’t drain fast even if it is sunny outside
Reschedules and Referees
If you must cancel a game (U8 and older) you must notify the referee assignor for that field, and the opposing coach, NO LATER THAN 5:00 PM ON THE TUESDAY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING YOUR GAME. If you miss the due date for cancelling referees, you are responsible for paying the referees’ fees for that game.
· Keep in mind this is recreational soccer. If you are missing a couple of players just show up and play. The kids just want to have fun.
If you must reschedule a game (U8 and older) it is your responsibility to coordinate that with the opposing coach, the appropriate field manager and the referee scheduler which is different by field and can be found on the NKSL website at https://sites.google.com/site/nkslsoccer/League/cancellation-procedures?authuser=0
All reschedule communications must be done via email and include the following information
· Details for the game that is being cancelled – copy and paste the info from the league website is preferred
o Original game date
o Original game time
o Original game field
Once you and the opposing coach have agreed upon a time and place and ensured that the field is available, then email the appropriate referee scheduler to have a referee assigned to your game.
· If you are coordinating a reschedule outline the same details, date, time and field for the reschedule
If a text message or phone call occurs, please follow-up with an email with all the necessary details so that both parties are on the same page.
When you coordinate the reschedule with the appropriate field coordinator/referee assignor they referee(s) will be scheduled and nothing more is required from the coach.