2011Coaches Handbook

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

Table of Contents

EYSA Mission Statement 3 EYSA Coaching Requirements 4 Player Safety 5 Your Role as an EYSA Coach 6 NHSA Coaches Code of Conduct 7-8 Tryouts – Choosing a Team 9 After Your Team is Selected 10 Parent Meeting 11 Practice

Schedule 12 Organization 13 Scrimmages/”Friendlys” 14 Resources 15

EYSA Fall 2011 Board of Directors/Contacts 16 Calendar: September – November 17-19

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

EYSA Mission Statement

Exeter Youth Soccer Association (EYSA) is non-profit, private soccer club located in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire serving families in the towns of Exeter, Kensington, Stratham, Newfields, Brentwood and East Kingston. Its mission is to support the development of happy, healthy and productive children through competitive soccer. The club measures success by robust participation in its soccer programs, positive feedback from its families, and the success of its teams. EYSA teams compete in the Granite State Youth Soccer League (GSYSL) and the NH Seacoast Youth Soccer League (NHSYSL), and are affiliated with NH Soccer Association (NHSA).

GSYSL website: http://www.granitestatesoccer.com NHSA (State) website: http://www.soccernh.org NHSYSL website: http://www.nhsysl.com

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

EYSA Coaching Requirements Licensing

All EYSA Head Coaches must be licensed by the United States Youth Soccer Association. Assistant Coaches must be certified to be on the team’s sidelines during games. EYSA will pay for licensing any coach in the EYSA program.

Preferred Qualifications Prior youth sports coaching experience, travel (U-12 thru U-14 levels) or recreation (U-10 level) Experience playing and / or coaching soccer – and a love of the game!

Time Requirement Minimum of 2 weekly practices (Fall) – from mid-August through late October. Minimum of 1 weekly practice (Spring) – from mid-April through mid-June Saturday & Sunday afternoon games – early September thru league/state tourney(s) Columbus Day Weekend tournament – Boys (Rochester) and Girls (York ME) Spring weekend afternoon games – late April through mid-June – no end-of-season tourney(s) Indoor winter soccer sessions at local indoor arena(s) – OPTIONAL, not an EYSA acty

Basic First Aid training

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

Player Safety (must keep player safety in mind at all times!)

Required Player Equipment Cleats Shin guards Mouth guard (recommended - not required) All jewelry/hair clips must be removed (match officials will not allow player to play)

First aid kit and ice packs should be available at all practices and games EYSA will provide every team with a complete first aid kit.

Injury prevention After a half speed warm-up, lead a 5-10 minute stretching session. Stretch the entire body – all limbs, torso and neck rotations. Proper hydration – take frequent, quick breaks to hydrate.

Field Conditions Before practice/games, check field for dangerous conditions (glass, rocks, bees/hornets

nest, etc.). Remove OR clearly mark any and all areas to be avoided. Soccer is an all-weather sport – only cancel practices for unsafe conditions:

Lightning Hail and/or high winds

Don’t leave the field until you ensure ALL players have a ride home.

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

Your Role as an EYSA Coach

Be a positive role model. Create a fun environment. Ensure that your players develop their technique, tactics, and teamwork. Motivate your team in a positive manner. Ensure a safe playing environment. Conduct a parent meeting before your first practice. Designate a parent liaison (“team mother”) to assist with non-coaching team issues. Set up e-mail communication process for your team whenever possible. Keep parents and players informed of practice and game schedules. Arrive at your practices before the team arrives – set up for practice. Develop a practice plan (see Practices section – pgs. 12 thru 15). Develop a game plan, including pre-game warm-ups (at least 30 minutes before kickoff). Competitive age teams – playing time varies on merit; target at least 1/3 game play for each player. Pre-competitive age teams – playing time balanced; target at least ½ game play for each player. Conduct a post-game wrap up meeting with players. Plan a team building activity during the season (if possible) – ask your team parent to help with this. Coordinate tournament involvement (EYSA sponsors competition in regional tournaments).

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

NHSA Coaches Code of Conduct: The Coach must never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of his/her players.

The Coach must hold themselves to the highest standards of behavior. You must remember that you serve as one of the most influential role models for your players. Any violation of the player’s trust, either in words or in action (on or off the field) cannot be tolerated.

The Laws of the Game (soccer) were written to ensure the continuous flow of action. These laws have the safety of the player as their primary goal. The Coach must always play within these laws, and must never seek unfair advantage by teaching deliberate, unsportsmanlike behavior to your players.

The Coach must adhere to the letter and spirit of the rules.

Coaches who circumvent the rules have no place in soccer.

Circumvention of eligibility rules must be avoided. Coaches who use ineligible players will be dealt with quickly and severely.

The Coach is responsible for their players’ actions on the field at all times. Rough-house tactics, illegal substitutions, and deliberate faking of injuries are prohibited.

The Coach must behave in such a manner that the principles, integrity and dignity of the sport are not compromised.

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

NHSA Coaches Code of Conduct: Officials must have the support of The Coach, players and EYSA. Public or private criticism of officials

demeans the game. You must also refrain from criticizing officials to the players. Criticism of officials and dissent toward officials during the course of the game is strictly prohibited.

The behavior of The Coach must be such that it brings credit to yourself, EYSA, and soccer in general

The Coach has the responsibility to be as inconspicuous during the game as possible.

It is considered unethical for coaches to have any verbal dissent during a game with an opposing coach, bench personnel, or players. Physically contacting an opposing coach or player in an aggressive manner must be considered highly unethical

The Coach should not belittle their players by yelling at them in a negative manner during the course of a game. Such action detracts from the game and negatively impacts performance of players and the team.

The Coach must remember that they are involved in coaching for the players. They should always have the player’s best interest in mind. The Coach should seek to provide an environment where all players not only develop as players of the game, but as people. The Coach should never place their own concerns of advancement above those of the players.

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

Tryouts – Choosing a TeamCoaches will conduct tryouts and select team members. Division 1 coaches will lead the process. If a Division 2 coach has been selected, they will be involved. EYSA Goals:

Ensure competitive Division 1 teams capable of competing for league/NHSA honors. Ensure strong player development for our Division 2 teams. If players are equal, the older player should be placed on the Division 1 team. Sustainable program success - succession planning for future teams. Keep player cuts to a minimum. The Division 1 lead coach will inform parents of cuts.

Tryouts will be conducted on a designated date(s) during the preceding Spring season. Though the process may change, essentially we are trying to evaluate: Technical Skill – important at U14; varies greatly at U12 and U10. Tactical Awareness – important at U14; developing at U12. Soccer Fitness – for all age groups, speed and stamina matter. Personality – aggressive/assertive mindset and willing to be coached.

It is impossible to ensure all parents/players will be satisfied with the selection process. We will focus on fair evaluations, in hopes of achieving EYSA Goals.

Conduct a brief meeting, sharing the above with players/parents before tryouts.

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

After Your Team is Selected

Early planning will make practice and game time much easier

Call/email all players and parents to introduce yourself and congratulate them for making the team

Gather home, work and cell phone numbers, mailing and e-mail addresses for all players/parents.

Recruit at least one Assistant Coach. EYSA will pay to have them trained and licensed.

Recruit a parent liaison (“team mother”) to assist in case of any last-minute schedule changes, field changes, or match cancellations. The parent must be readily available to make phone calls and e-mails.

Encourage players to attend off-season scrimmages or “pick-up” soccer sessions. A “let’s just play” approach allows the kids play and have fun, without formal practices or coaching. Coaches can attend such events to ensure player safety, and help to choose fairly-balanced teams.

Encourage your players to practice at home.

Encourage your players to work on their conditioning.

Recruit additional volunteers to assist in support roles for mid-game and post-game snacks, as well as for any tournaments that your team is planning to participate in.

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EYSA Coaches HandbookParent Meeting Before beginning your first practice, you should conduct a parent/team meeting. During this meeting you should:

Hand out: Practice schedule details, and plans for Labor Day and/or Columbus Day tournament(s). Player roster, phone list and e-mail addresses (encourage car pooling). Your contact information (phone number, mail and e-mail addresses).

Explain: Safety/uniform policy. Bring your own ball to practice. Wear soccer cleats, shin guards, tuck in shirt, and recommend mouth guard use. Hydration (water or sports drink). Be on time for practices and games. Clean up the field / equipment when practice is done.

Parent Etiquette There can be NO yelling at the referee match officials for ANY reason. Parents must stay at least 6 ft. behind touchline, and are not allowed on the bench side of field. Pets are not allowed on the field.

Player Etiquette Good sportsmanship – no talking back to the referee, no fighting, no swearing, etc. Shake opponents’ hands and thank the match officials after games are completed. We ALL represent EYSA – your behavior should leave the best impression!

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

Practice Schedule

Begin in mid-August, at least twice a week. Individual coaches may begin earlier, depending upon field availability.

Coaches should be in contact with EYSA Field Coordinator to get a practice field assignment in late July/early August.

Practice field assignments should allow for each team to practice at the same time on the same day(s) of the week, at the same field (if possible).

Typically, practice should begin by 6:00 p.m. (earlier if fields are available, and as sunset gets earlier late in the Fall season)

U-10’s practice for 1 - 1½ hours U-12’s practice for approx. 1½ hours U-14’s practice for 1½ - 2 hours

Practices should continue until the season is over (including playoffs).

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

Prior preparation and practice planning is essential to running a practice that keeps all players engaged, learning and having fun.

Sample practice organization (adjust for age group/coaching style)

Warm-up – jogging, dribbling, passing, etc. 10 minutes Stretching 10 minutes Conditioning – games/drills w/constant motion 10 minutes

Technique Development 10 - 30 minutes Varies – shooting, dribbling, passing, trapping, marking

1. No pressure2. Mild pressure3. Game pressure

Tactical Development 15 -30 minutes Varied (positioning, team defense, shape, restart/set plays)

1. Mild pressure2. Game pressure

Scrimmages – 6 v. 6, 8 v. 8, 11 v. 11 20-30 minutes

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

Scrimmages (or “Friendlys” in soccer-speak!)

Before your season begins, it is important to schedule full team scrimmages.

Contact other EYSA coaches in your division to schedule full field scrimmages before the season starts. Coaches from neighboring towns are another source to find some pre-season game experience.

Scrimmages will help you: Evaluate player combinations Educate/refresh you and your players on the laws of soccer Practice in-game substitutions Develop tactical skills

If possible, try to schedule 2-3 scrimmages before the season starts. First scrimmage – coaches on field, constant coaching, also acting as referees; Second scrimmage – ask a parent to referee, coach from the sideline, and use breaks for

player instruction. Sometimes playing 4 quarters can make this more productive; Third scrimmage – full game scenario, parent/asst. coach referee; coach from sideline.

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

Helpful information for practice organization and skills development can be found at the following websites:

www.finesoccer.com – newsletters, advice, problem-solving, and drills www.usyouthsoccer.org/coaches – activities and lesson plans by age group www.eteamz.com/soccer/pills/jpill.htm – the locally famous “Pills’ Drills” site www.edukick.com/links,asp – great links here for many helpful websites www.soccerpracticebooks.com – practice plans by age group (free samples) www.soccerperformance.org – animated drills and lots of coaching advice www.soccernhcoaching.org – NHSA Director of Coaching’s webpage

Coaches have often developed their own set of favorites, either by way of print, on-line, and word-of-mouth resources where more helpful practice organization and skills development information can be found. It benefits the organization as a whole if experienced coaches can share access to these activities to our less-experienced colleagues. Please feel free to share some of your own favorite links with EYSA’s Coach-At-Large for inclusion in future editions!

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EYSA Coaches Handbook

EYSA Fall 2011 Board of Directors/Contacts

Here is a complete list of key organizational contacts for the current season:

President – Tom Petersen (778-1481; thomas.petersen@threecore.com) Vice President – open Secretary – Beverly Daly (778-4952; bevdaly@earthlink.net) Treasurer – Carole Alfano (777-9922; carole.alfano@comcast.net) Board Member – Tom Malay (775-0456; pervasivetech@comcast.net) Coach-at-Large Senior Division – Chuck Murray (772-7228;

cmurray@alum.bentley.edu) Coach-at-Large - Bob Burns (778-2129; bobnchrisb@comcast.net) Field Coordinator & Board Member – John Boisvert (772-0857;

john.boisvert@pennichuck.com) Parent-at-Large – open Club Registrar – Jeanette Lackey (661-6410; jeanette.lackey@yahoo.com) Club Administrator – Jeanette Lackey (661-6410; jeanette.lackey@yahoo.com)

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EYSA Coaches HandbookSeptember 2011

Sa/Su 27-28GSYSL

Fall Jamboree

M 29 Tu 30 W 31 Th 1 F 2 Sa 3

4 5Labor Day

6 7 8 9 10Season Begins

11Game date

12 13 14 15 16 17Game date

18Game date

19 20 21 22 23 24Game date

25Game date

26 27 28 29 30

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EYSA Coaches HandbookOctober 2011Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1

Game date

2Game date

3 4 5 6 7 8Columbus Day Tourney

9Columbus Day Tourney

10Columbus Day

11 12 13 14 15Game date

16Game date

17 18 19 20 21 22Game date

23/30Game date

24 25 26 27 28 29Game date

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EYSA Coaches HandbookNovember 2011

Su M Tu 1 W 2 Th 3 F 4 Sa 5Playoff Semifinals

6Playoff Finals

7 8 9 10 11 12NHSA State Finals Londonderry

13NHSA State Finals Londonderry

14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24Thanksgivng

25 26

27 28 29 30