Welcome to the coaches section of our Web site. As a volunteer coach, SSA, parents and of course the children appreciate your time and commitment.

COACHES’ ROLE
Coaches have a leadership role. They are a role model and should set an example for each player.

For coaches to succeed, and for the kids to realize the best that sport has to offer, coaches must adhere to the code of fair play. Fair play can be described in three words: Behavior, Good Manners and Respect. Please review the Coaches Code of Ethics.

Coaches should perform their duties so they reflect their knowledge of the game in a manner that emphasizes good intentions and shows a proper respect for the efforts of the players, coaches and referees. Remember, the kids are watching!

COACHES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The most important responsibilities of a youth soccer coach are:

• to provide a SAFE, HEALTHY environment for the practice and play of soccer, and
• to provide MATURE, ADULT supervision for young athletes.

You must conduct yourself at all times with these two important facts in mind. During games, you share these responsibilities with the referees and opposing coaches. They must at all times supersede any other concern.
 

PRIORITIES AS COACHES AND AS AN ORGANIZATION
All coaches are expected to base their decisions on these priorities shown below:

Knowledge of the Game
Coaches are responsible for learning and understanding the Laws of Soccer for their age group.

Fun Through Sportsmanship
Great games and good sports can be found together. Coaches’ behavior should always be exemplary. When the game is very uneven, with a score differential of 6, coaches should instruct their players to pass the ball and to stop scoring. Respect the feelings of your opponents. Good sportsmanship needs to be taught. Some players may react abruptly, out of frustration or lack of personal control, and coaches must be held jointly responsible for the actions of their players. Teaching, modeling, and "expecting the best" are keys. Coaches are held responsible for the actions of the parents during a game and must advise the parents of this prior to the first game. Since children learn by parents’ actions, good sportsmanship must be taught at home first. Good sportsmanship means a commitment from the players as well as the parents to the spirit of the game and to the team. Being part of a team means coming to practice and games and participating under the coaches’ instructions.

Safety
Coaches must ensure that players have adequate opportunities to practice. Practice is necessary to learn proper techniques and to get in condition. Deliberate breaking of the rules or dangerous play should never be encouraged and will not be tolerated.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR COACHING YOUR SON'S OR DAUGHTER'S TEAM
(According to Kids)

How should you coach your child's team? Here's some advice on that topic, gleaned from comments by Sports Illustrated For Kids readers.

10. Know the game. So, you think your son or daughter will be delighted to have you for a coach just because it means you can spend some "quality time" together? Wrong! If you don't know what you're talking about on the field or the court-and you don't make the effort to learn -- they would rather you just stay home.

9. Listen to your players. Kids like to feel respected. Yes, you need to establish your authority -- to keep both kids and parents in line -- but players are people too. "My mom listens to us and our ideas. That's why she's a great coach," wrote one kid.

8. Don't play favorites. For most kids, being the coach's pet is bad enough; being one just because of bloodlines is unbearable. On the other hand, no child wants to be singled out for extra harsh treatment because Dad's the coach. As hard as it may be at times, treat your child like any other player. "Nobody is more important than anyone else," wrote a child in an SI For Kids readers' poll.

7. Get everyone in the game. All kids like to win. But more than winning, kids like to play. Make sure all of your players get plenty of playing time and opportunities to try different positions.

6. Make it fun, Part I. The No. 1 reason kids play sports is to have fun. You can help. Turn repetitive drills into good-humored contests. Make games exciting, not terrifying. Treat the team to pizza or ice cream after a game now and then.

5. Make it fun, Part II. Enjoy yourself. Kids don't want to feel like a burden. "My dad's a great coach because he always has a good time," one child reported.

4. Don't baby them. No kid wants to do 100 sit-ups or run 50 laps, but players expect the coach to make them do whatever they need to do to be ready for the game.

3. Be a teacher. Kids play sports for fun, but if they don't improve, they'll eventually get bored or frustrated, and perhaps quit. Help them learn skills, rules, and strategy so that they can maximize their abilities.

2. Act your age. It's embarrassing for kids when their parents argue with officials and yell obscenities. It's even worse when the parent is the coach. Keep your anger in check and your language decent.

1. Care -- but not too much. Kids want their activities to be taken seriously, but not too seriously. "She did not care if I won or lost" and "He's not too emotional" were the most common reasons kids gave for why their mom or dad was a great coach.

 

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