COACHES
MANUAL
YUBA-SUTTER
YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE, INC.
P.O.
742-PASS
742-7277
www.yubasuttersoccer.com
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations you
are a soccer coach. The next several
months could very well be one of the most rewarding experiences you have ever
had. Most of our coaches have a
wonderful time and return the following year.
If you have never coached before, you need not worry – we will teach you,
help you, and generally be available. If
you have not played or ever seen a soccer game before, don’t panic. Once again, we will help get you through what
will be a very enjoyable year. Our
league’s philosophy towards coaches is simple:
If you have a good time, you will return next year, and the more
experience you have, the better coach you will become.
This Manual will
help you get started. It is a lot of
work to write, and the League's intention is to redo it as infrequently as
possible. This explains some of the
generalities and vagueness you will encounter.
LEAGUE ORGANIZATION
The YSYSL is
affiliated with the California Youth Soccer Assn. which, in turn, is affiliated
with the United States Youth Soccer Assn. and the U.S. Soccer Federation. The YSYSL is a tax exempt corporation. We are composed of member Clubs (e.g.
Foothill, Wheatland, Beale, Sutter, Colusa, Olivehurst/Linda, Live Oak,
CLUBS
The goal of the
league is for each Club to have its own Board.
The actual structure will vary from Club to Club. Some of the larger Clubs will have
Chairpersons for each age division (i.e. U-8, U-10, etc.) along with a field
coordinator, registration assistant, and Asst. Club manager. Smaller Clubs will have an assistant Manager,
along with one or two other
helpers. In the districts with more than
one school, it is recommended that there is one Assistant Club Manager for each
School. I would like to see each Club utilize the more experienced coaches as
instructors to help the newer coaches with their team. The better organized the
Club, the stronger the League will be.
UNIFORMS
The official League
uniform is the green and gold reversible jerseys. Clubs that have chosen individual Club Colors
are permitted to have uniforms of their color. For example, Marysville has the
orange and black reversible shirts.
Individual teams cannot have their own color and style of shirt.
PHILOSOPHY
We are a
recreational league. We do not keep
league standings. The purpose is to teach
good soccer skills, encourage teamwork, and let the kids have fun. A "win at all cost" attitude will
not be condoned. Poor sportsmanship will
not be tolerated. We expect the coaches
to be a role model for the kids.
YOUR TEAM
Nobody knows when the
CYSA will change the registration forms; however, you will receive a form with
every player’s name listed on it. In the
upper right hand corner (currently) is your team's number. That is the number of your team. Your team will be referred to by its number
on all of the schedules. Usually the
number on our schedule will be preceded by letters indicating your Club (e.g. F
= Foothill). You should also receive a
Registration form for each player.
Somewhere on the form will be the letters T E A M. The numbers above it indicate the team the
player is on. It should be your team; if
not, IMMEDIATELY call your Club Manager!!
TEAM SELECTION
The League has very
strict, basically inflexible rules regarding the formation of teams. Your team has been assigned in accordance
with these rules. If you think you have
been discriminated against and cannot reconcile the situation with your Club
Manager, please write YSYSL Executive Committee,
Once teams have been assigned, requests
for changes must be made in writing and can only occur by the approval of the
Executive Committee.
You cannot trade
players. Due to the rules governing team
formation, players you recruit after teams have been formed will be placed on
whatever team is next "up" for a player of a specific age, i.e. NO FUNNY STUFF.
The children of your
assistant coach will be guaranteed placement on your team if, and only if, at
the time of Registration you and the assistant indicate that you will be
working together. If you choose an
assistant coach whose child is assigned to another team, the child will NOT be
transferred to your team.
No older child may play in a younger
age division!!!
The league strongly
discourages younger children playing in an older age group. Under certain circumstances, however, it will
be permitted but only with the permission of the coach and the Yuba-Sutter
Youth Soccer League Board of Directors.
You can meet the child and check his skill level. However, once he practices with your team he
is yours. You cannot watch a child for a
few practices and then decide to reject him/her.
The parent of the child wishing to play
up must complete a YSYSL waiver. The
waiver must be approved by an authorized YSYSL Board of Directors
Representative.
Up until the start
of the seventh day prior to the first game or tournament, players can be
transferred to a Competitive Team. After
that time all transfers must be initiated by you.
COACHING COURSES
The "F"
license is the basic license, the "A" the highest. Every year the League offers an "F"
course at no charge to coaches. THIS IS
A GREAT COURSE!!!!! Not only will it go
over the basics of the game but also it will teach you how to coach. It will be worthwhile for even the most
experienced soccer player. Usually the
course will be held in late August. If
practices begin prior to the course, the League will usually hold a
"mini-clinic" to help you get through the first couple of weeks of
practice.
The "E"
license will be offered every year. The
course is offered at no charge to those qualified coaches taking it the first
time and is a fantastic soccer experience.
You must have coached one season with an "F" license before
taking the "E" course. You can
only obtain one license per year.
The other courses
are offered out of the area and the league will reimburse you for registration
expenses if you continue to coach in theYSYSL.
For those of you who are serious about soccer, we strongly recommend
them.
As the season kicks
along, you will probably find yourself in a rut. "What do I do next," the frustrated
coach might ask. "FEAR NOT!” You
will find that your Club Manager and Board Members are committed to the kids,
soccer, and the league. They will do
everything they can to help you. Never
wait until problems build up - call us early and let us help you.
COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
A licensed coach
will always have priority over an unlicensed coach in coaching a team. In the U-10 and older, an "E"
license will take precedence over an "F". In Under 12 and older, an E/D license has
priority over "E's".
PRACTICES
If a player is not registered, he/she
cannot practice or play with or against your team!!!!!!
That person will not
be covered by league liability insurance nor will you. In addition, according to CYSA rules, any
game, either in practice or for real, in which an unregistered player or parent
or sibling plays is considered in violation of CYSA Rules and Regulations and
the league insurance - both medical and liability - will not cover you or the
players. You will be on your own.
Practices are
usually twice a week once the games begin.
Different Clubs have different ways of allotting the practice fields -
discuss practice times and locations with you Club Manager. Make sure you are on time for practice. You
must have the player registration forms with you at practices. They have the parent's CONSENT FOR MEDICAL
TREATMENT on them. You will need it
if emergency medical care is needed.
An unregistered assistant cannot coach
the team in your absence. All coaches
must be registered with the League - only one coach and two assistant coaches
are permitted per team. The league's insurance (both medical and
liability) will not cover anything that occurs if an unregistered coach (or
player) is involved - you'd be on your own.
At the FIRST PRACTICE we recommend setting the
rules and sticking to them. The coach
who starts out with poor, loose control will find "tightening up"
next to impossible; however, the coach who starts out with total control can
loosen up as the season goes on and still maintain control. The kids want discipline - of course they
will challenge you; but if you look back on your own childhood, the coaches
(teachers) you most admired were the strict, warm, firm ones. DO NOT
CONFUSE WARMTH AND NICENESS WITH LACK OF DISCIPLINE AND POOR CONTROL.
PARENTS MEETING
At some point a
meeting with all the parents is necessary.
The timing is based on individual preference - some coaches like it
after the first practice; others, prior to the first game. We suggest emphasizing several points:
1. This is a recreational league.
2. You are the coach – have parents cheer
their kids, not coach them, (at games).
3. You will not interrupt or delay
practices or games to address the parent’s questions, comments, or
critiques. You should encourage parent
feedback, but they should contact you after practices or games.
4. Get a team mother/father and other
volunteers
5. Be on time – the child will suffer the
repercussions of the parents getting him/her late to games or practices.
6. Your responsibility ends when the
practice or game is over. If the parent
is not present to pick up the child after a practice or game, it is assumed the
child is expected to walk home. However,
do not leave a child unattended and please make every effort to contact a
parent or guardian.
7. Any of your idiosyncrasies: i.e. discipline, etc.
8. Experienced coaches often draft their
own “parents letter” reflecting much of the above – don’t hesitate to ask
around for another coach’s letter.
TEAM ADMINISTRATIVE PERSON (mother/father) & OTHER VOLUNTEERS
These are essential
positions. You need parents to share much of the administrative, social, and
dietary functions. These include:
1. Organizing parents to provide snacks after
games.
2. Organizing the team pictures and collecting
money.
3. Keeping track of the fund-raiser.
4. Organizing the end of the year party.
5. Passing out schedules.
6. Whatever else needs to be done.
In general while you
can do as much of the above as you like, the League prefers that you spend your
time coaching and get one parent to volunteer to do each of the above
jobs. You will be grateful to have other
people to assisting you.
Occasionally a
little arm twisting is necessary to get volunteers; however, by splitting up
the work, no one person has to do very much.
I have never hesitated in pointing to a parent and congratulating them
on their newly appointed position.
PLEASE NOTE that on
the first day of games there will be a MANDATORY TEAM ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONS
meeting at
TEAM PICTURES
A professional
photographer selected by the Board earlier in the year will take team
pictures. Some years we might collect
from parents at the time of registration, but currently the photographer or we
will collect at the time of the picture.
You will be assigned the most convenient time possible and will be
expected to be on time. Rarely will your
photo be taken on time; however, an hour's delay is a good time for the team to
spruce up. Do not be late for your game because of your photos!!!!! GAMES MUST GO ON and forfeits will be
declared. Make sure the parents have
their money and choice of packages ready and waiting at picture time.
FUND-RAISERS
The Registration
fees cover about 60-70% of what the League spends on each player. Every year we attempt to have a
fund-raiser. In past years, we have had
TEAM SPONSOR DAY in which we request that each family sponsor their child for
whatever they can afford - we ask for $15 per child or $25 per family.
WE NEED SPONSOR
MONEY! Without this we would not be able
to survive. In the immediate future, the league may hold other sponsor
activities and we will expect the families to participate.
GAMES
Other than
scrimmages you might arrange and depending on the number of teams in your
league, the first several games will determine your team’s ability. This is done so that you can play teams of a
similar caliber. Over the first two to
three weeks we will have arbitrarily assigned games. On the basis of your team’s performance, your
team will be placed in a subdivision with teams of similar ability (we hope) to
yours.
THIS IS A
RECREATIONAL LEAGUE. We encourage
personal improvement through the learning of individual skills and
teamwork. We want the kids to have
fun. Most important we emphasize
sportsmanship. We do not keep league
standings. If you win by more then a
given number of goals, the score will not reported. The following is a set of
league rules and strong recommendations:
1. Do not run up the score. If you get a two or three goal lead play
strong defense - let your weaker players play forward - assign one specific
person to get the next goal and do not let anyone else score - do not permit
more then three touches per player - etc.
No team should ever win by more than five goals. League officials review all game cards, and
coaches consistently running up the score can be severely disciplined by the
PAD committee (see below) and may be suspended.
2. With certain exceptions listed under
"discipline" below ALL PLAYER MUST PLAY AT LEAST 50% OF EACH GAME,
excluding illness and injury.
Non-playing players must be identified on game cards, and the coach must
inform the referee why the individual is not playing. Coaches who fail to do this will be given one
warning after which the team will be placed on "mandatory
substitution" for the remainder of the season. This consists of the referee's stopping the
game halfway through each half and inserting all eligible players on the
sidelines of the offending team.
3. Coaches and
players are to remain within 10 yards of the halfway mark. If Both coaches are on the same side they must stay on
their half of the field. Coaches can and will be carded for failure to
adhere to this. No wandering up and down
the sidelines and no coaching from behind the goal!
4. Parents must stay in one place and are
not allowed to shout coaching instructions to their kids. Parents are not allowed near the goals. Coaches are responsible for their team's
parents and fans. The coach can and will
be carded for obnoxious and/or inappropriate parents (often without warning). If you are experiencing difficulty
controlling or dealing with a parent ask your Club Manager or one of the Board
Members for help!!!
5. Coaches are to remain quiet and
sportsmanlike at all times setting a positive example for their team. A minimum of verbal coaching will be
permitted, i.e. general directions such as "fall back," "play defense,"
"fullbacks up," etc. Don't
hesitate to substitute an out of position player, take him/her aside and
instruct him/her in private. All
comments to players are to be positive.
THE LEAGUE WILL NOT TOLERATE ABUSIVE or NEGATIVE COMMENTS by coaches, parents,
or players to anyone either on or off the field. Please remember that this is a recreational
league. Suggest to your parents who
demand to win that their child try out for a competitive team
(U-12&14). The players and parents
take their cues from you as their coach.
If you recognize that these are kids and that this is a game played by
the players and for the players and that all your coaching should be at
practices and not during the games, then your players, your parents and all
parties concerned can have fun.
6. Our league has a play-down rule. If one team has less players then necessary
to field a full team, the opposing team will play down so that the team that is
short of players will be able to play and not get slaughtered. The coach of that team has the option to keep
one player as a substitute. Players
removed from or missing a game for disciplinary reasons either by the coach or
the league will be considered part of the playing roster, i.e. you cannot play
down due to disciplinary absences. Every
year the league decides the minimum number of players required to field a team.
7. In general, we make every attempt to
start the games on time. If your team is
late, you could forfeit. If a team
arrives late, the length of the game could be shortened. Later games will not be delayed because you
are late. The League strongly recommends
having your team arrive 1/2 hour prior to game time so they can adequately
warm-up. If a player arrives late to a
game or practice, make sure he/she warms up before playing. Tight muscles lead to injuries.
8. If your team is playing the first game,
you will be responsible for moving the goals on the field, setting up the nets;
and, in some cases, putting in the corner flags.. BRING A ROLE OF DUCT TAPE WITH YOU. The league does not supply the tape. Assign parents to arrive early and help. If the game is delayed because your goal is
not set up, you could forfeit. In
general the team that arrives first selects which side they want to set
up. Plan on 20 minutes to set up the
field.
9. If your team is assigned the last game
you must take the nets off the goals, put them in the bag, take down the corner
flags, and bring them to the league official near the concession stand. Get parents to help.
10. Pick up you garbage after your
game!!!!! If you leave a messy field
your team could be suspended!!! The
teams that play the last games are responsible for policing the fields. Failure to do this could lead to
suspension!!!! THESE ARE YOUR FIELDS
LET'S KEEP THEM CLEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11. THE LEAGUE STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A CHEER
AND HANDSHAKES after the games. Teams
line up at the center of the field and walk toward each other in a line so that
each player shakes the hand of every player on the opposing team - we expect
the coaches to prevent players from making derogatory comments, spitting at
other players, slapping, etc. Once again
- you are responsible for your players' actions.
12. Shin guards must be worn and must be
covered by socks. Jewelry is
prohibited. Girls cannot wear
earrings. All glasses must have safety
straps.
13. The league prohibits
"sticking" players in one position.
To quote from the league's Rules and Regulations: The League policy is
to afford players the opportunity to play many different positions during the
season. This is not to be interpreted to
permit the player to play anywhere he/she desires.
14. You must have each player's
registration form with their Consent to Medical Treatment at the games in case
of accidents or injuries.
15. Rainouts will be announced on certain
local radio station(s). The specific
station(s) will be announced to you and your parents at the beginning of each
season. Instruct your parents to listen
to the station and NOT CALL BOARD MEMBERS.
Rain delays are a judgment call.
Remember that soccer is not a fair weather sport. If the fields are playable, the games will be
played. Also, encourage your parents to
check the league web site and the 742-PASS line for rain out information.
REFEREES
The League contracts
with the Sutter Buttes Referees Association to supply USSF licensed
referees all of whom have successfully completed an extensive 16 hour training
course. Those of you who have played
games out of the area know that our referees are well qualified and do an
excellent job. In spite of this, they
need your assistance. Do not shout or
make derogatory comments about the ref.
If you have comments make them at half time or at the end of the game;
and write them on the game card (page 9).
Verbal comments directed to Board Members that are not documented in
writing either on game cards or in letters will be ignored. Verbal comments should only clarify that
which is written.
If a referee fails
to show up, check at the league tent by the concession stand. If worse come to worst, you and the other
coach do the game. If this occurs,
please let us know.
LINESMEN
All Under 8, 10 and
some Under 12 teams will have to supply their own Club Linesmen to help the
referee call out of bounds. A competent
older player would suffice; but it is in your interest to have someone who
knows what he/she is doing.
FUN TOURNAMENT
The weekend of the
year is the Fun Tournament in which your team will be paired against teams of
equal ability and will play two shortened games. This is not a victory type tournament. The games are abbreviated and the kids must
be made to understand that since they are not regulation, they are for
fun. If they win, great; however, if
they lose, it doesn't mean the other team is better - it's not regulation. The purpose is to give the kids a taste of
competition without destroying their egos if they lose. A good coach's team will enjoy themselves no
matter what the outcome.
SERIOUS TOURNAMENT
The league will hold an invitational
tournament the weekend of Thanksgiving.
This is a CYSA District approved tournament and all standard tournament
procedures outlined in the district coaches manual are followed.
PETS
Absolutely no pets
are permitted on the fields or in the spectator area (i.e. the whole Riverfront
Park Complex). The Referees will be
instructed to immediately stop the game if an animal is present.
ALCOHOL
NOT PERMITTED AT
ALL, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES!
GAME CARDS
Prior to
each game, your team will have to fill out a game card listing all players
name, jersey numbers and team number. Indicate on the card, which players
are absent and which players will miss all or part of the game for disciplinary
reasons (also list their "crime) - see below. Since you will be busy with your team I
recommend assigning one of the parents to fill out the card. The referees must have the card prior to
starting the game, and both teams are listed on the same card.
Every game card will
be reviewed by the League Official and a Senior Referee every week. If you have any comments to make (either
negative or positive) about the other team, the other coach, the other
spectators, or, Heaven forbid, the referee write them legibly and succinctly on
the card. Your comments are taken
seriously!!!
Traditionally each
team's allegedly top offensive and defensive player is listed in the
paper. MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER TO
INDICATE THESE PLAYERS ON THE GAME CARD.
Kids love seeing their names in print; make sure that each player is
listed at least once during the season.
EQUIPMENT
The league supplies
2 to 3 practice balls and one goalie shirt, which must be returned at the end
of the year in order to get the pins and ribbons. The League will supply
each team with a game ball which must be returned at the end of the year and
which must be brought to all games
Each player supplies
his/her own league shirt, legal cleats or sneakers, and shin guards (shin
guards are mandatory). Players can have the same numbers on their shirts.
Coaches rarely wear
uniforms.
ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
In your CYSA
coaching kit/Manual, you will find insurance forms, which must be filled out
for all accidents and injuries. While
the specifics of the insurance will vary, certain aspects will remain the same. The policy will always be supplemental to any
other medical insurance the player has.
There will be a deductible if the player has no other insurance. If the form is not filled out perfectly, it
will be returned and the company will not pay.
If the form is filled out perfectly and everything goes smoothly, it
will probably be returned and the company probably won't pay anyhow. Specific rules will be found in your coaching
kit/CYSA manual or discussed at the coaches meeting in August.
You need to have
each player's registration form with the Consent for Medical Treatment at every
practice, game, and team function. You
will need to have a volunteer available at practices to help out in case of an
injury.
PLAYING TIME & DISCIPLINE
With certain
exceptions listed below, all players must play 50% of every game. The exceptions are:
1. Fighting at practices or games.
2. Foul or abusive language at practices or
games.
3. Missing practices or games.
4. Arriving significantly late to or
leaving significantly early from
practices.
5. Arriving late to the game or warm-ups.
6. Bad sportsmanship at practices or games.
7. Disciplinary measures imposed by the league.
With the exception
of number 7, the coach can dock the offending player playing time. The coach must indicate the reasons on the
referee's card, explain the reasons and penalty to the player and his/her
parents, and advise the parents of their right to appeal. They can appeal to the Club Manager. The Coach or parents can appeal the Club
Manager's decision to the PAD Committee by writing to the Committee -
POST SEASON TOURNAMENTS
On occasion our
league will hold a post season invitational tournament which you will hear
about as the season progresses if we hold one.
Our CYSA District should have a District "Fun Tournament" open
to all teams (U-10 will play 11 on a side) and their District Cup tournament
open to U-12, 14 & 16 teams. For all
tournaments outside of our league, your players will require "player
passes" for which you will need driver license size photos of each of your
players given to the Registrar at least one month in advance. Last minute requests will not be honored.
END OF YEAR PARTY AND TROPHIES
Up to you -
traditionally the parents reimburse the coach for the cost of any trophies,
ribbons, or certificates.
THANKS
We hope your season
was fun. We would like to have you
return next year. Many coaches have
found that it is more enjoyable to coach a team on which their child does not
play.
If you enjoy
coaching, come out and coach. We need
experienced coaches! Thanks for all your
time and work.
Updated 2007