Coaches Corner
Welcome to your Coaches Corner!
Coaches, here is your space! This area provides easy access to your training materials, licensure information, and more.
Please use the links below to access these resources.
And as always, THANK YOU for your dedication to our players!
If you have any questions or need help running a practice, please email us!
ANNUAL COACH REGISTRATION
All WSC coaches are required to register with with Mass Youth Soccer Association and complete three requirements:
CORI Background Check
SafeSport Abuse Prevention Course
Concussion Awareness Course
This is a requirement from BAYS and the Mass Youth Soccer governing bodies. Upon completion of the registration and trainings, coaches will receive a coaching card to signify that you are able to coach. Coaching cards are required to be worn on the sidelines of all travel games, and coachces will not be able to coach if they do not have the card on them.
To complete registration please follow this link to Mass Youth Soccer Adult Registration
If you have any questions or need help please contact WinchesterSoccer@gmail.com
Training Docs
Below is a collection of practice plans and formation guides. A formal cadence of plans (week 1, then week 2, etc.) is used at the Sandlot levels in partnership with the PROformance team. For grades 3 and up, coaches run their own sessions and can use the content below for ideas and guidance.
WSC PRACTICE PLANS
Practice Plans: Sandlot Practice Plans
Practice Plans: Travel Grade 3
Practice Plans: Travel Soccer Grade 4 and above
ADDITIONAL PRACTICE PLANS
Massachusetts Youth Soccer Practice Plans
Easy-to-follow Foundation DNA Series (ages 5-8)
Easy-to-follow Foundation DNA Series (ages 9-12)
PLUS: Full Winchester Soccer Club Practice Plans Folder with more links & content
FORMATIONS & TACTICS
BAYS League Rules
A summary of BAYS League Rules can be found here: https://bays.org/book/game-rule-summary-chart
There is also a detailed list of rules that can be found on the BAYS website if coaches need something more specific.
Game Day - Rain-Outs and Proactive Rescheduling
Please see the Game Rescheduling page found here for details: https://www.winchestersoccerclub.com/game-rescheduling
Lopsided Score Prevention Strategies
BAYS considers any goal differential greater than 5 to be unsportsmanlike. When teams violate this policy, BAYS takes note and contacts the club to address.
Starting in 2022 BAYS will start to subtract points (in standings) for teams that have lopsided victories. See more here: https://bays.org/content/lopsided-score-management-0
We as coaches have to remember to practice good sportsmanship and running up a score teaches the kids nothing and only discourages the opponents enjoyment of the game. If we implement various strategies to reduce scoring, but still continue to score on a weaker team, then we as coaches have to modify our team play even further and stop the scoring from continuing. There are trophies for good sportsmanship, but none for the alternative.
Here are some tactics to slow down scoring that will still develop player skills but not embarrass your opponent. Do not wait to reach a 5 goal differential before limiting the scoring. Strategies should be implemented when the goal differential reaches 3. If it is evident immediately that your team is superior to your opponent, you may need to implement some strategies even earlier. You also may need to use multiple combinations to impede your team from scoring.
Shoot only with weak foot
Shoot only from outside the penalty box
Remove players from the game (play down a player)
Only full backs are allowed to shoot
Shots can only be taken when received directly from a cross
Put players in their weaker position
Intentionally shoot wide of the goal
Easy shot right at the keeper