General
Coaches Guidelines
Thank you for agreeing to serve as a Volunteer Coach
in WOYSA. The time and effort which you devote to the children
of our community is sincerely appreciated by the WOYSA Board of
Directors. With over 1,400 children enrolled to play WOYSA
soccer this year, your dedication to coaching is indispensable.
Your WOYSA Board of Directors will do whatever is possible to
support your coaching efforts. If you have any questions, needs,
or problems during the spring or fall seasons, we encourage you
to contact your Division Director or any member of the
WOYSA Board of Directors. Given the large number of
participating coaches in our program, the Board of Directors
believes it is both necessary and helpful to provide the
following guidelines which, although not all encompassing, are
nevertheless of particular importance:
THE
WOYSA PHILOSOPHY We
are a “recreational” soccer program with the goal of
providing an enjoyable soccer experience to all players and
parents involved in the organization. As such, it is intended
that all players, regardless of ability, be given an equal
opportunity to enjoy the game of soccer. Each player on the team
shall play at least one half of each game. Specialization of
field position should be de-emphasized, particularly in the
Under 9 and 11 Divisions. Winning is the natural by-product of
good fundamental soccer and enthusiasm for the game. It should
not be the center of any coach’s attention.
2. CONDUCT
We urge you to adopt a serious attitude regarding
sportsmanship, fair play and good conduct at all times.
This attitude should be passed on to the children you coach, and
should be required of parents and other spectators as well. Your
example to the children is of critical importance. What they
take away from this soccer program will not just be the skills
of soccer which you teach them, but will also be the attitude
you display and instill in them with respect to fair play,
sportsmanship and team work. This may be the most important
lesson they learn from you. WOYSA does not tolerate any argument
with or harassment of referees, players, or opponents. If you
observe a coach, parent, or spectator engaging in such conduct,
we ask that you attempt to intervene in a calm and reasonable
manner, or contact the Director of Coaching or a
WOYSA Board Member immediately. The WOYSA Board has formed
Conduct Review Committee which will consider legitimate issues
of misconduct concerning coaches and others, and will take
appropriate action which may include, if deemed necessary,
termination of the coaching privilege. You may contact the
committee had
conductreview@woysa.org.
3. REFEREES
Our referees are made up of young people who most likely
have learned their soccer skills while playing in WOYSA. They
have some formal training as officials, but certainly are
not of professional caliber and will, understandably, commit
errors. Bear in mind these young people are learning from
their officiating experience, and your behavior toward them
will either enhance or detract from the learning experience.
As such referee errors are NOT to be questioned during the
game. The referees “judgment” is often-times very difficult,
but must nevertheless be respected by coaches, players and
parents. If you wish, you may speak discretely to a referee
in order to clarify issues at the end of a quarter or the
game. However, if you have a question or a problem with
a referee’s conduct, it is
requested you contact the Director of Referees .
GAME
SCHEDULE Every
attempt should be made to play all games as scheduled. We are
limited in the number of fields available and the amount of time
they can be used. Poor weather is generally not a valid reason
to cancel a game, unless it would create an unsafe condition for
the players or if the fields could be severely damaged. This
determination is generally to be made by agreement between the
coaches who are present on the field prior to the scheduled
start of the game.
If due to
weather or any other unforeseen circumstance, a game
must be rescheduled, it is your responsibility to
contact the Director of Referees and the Schedule Coordinator for notification of the
canceled game and to reschedule. Also, be aware of
whether you were to be responsible for set-up or
take-down of nets, and then make appropriate
arrangements to assure your responsibility is
covered.
COACH
TRAINING WOYSA
offers both introductory and advanced coach training. The
bylaws of WOYSA suggest each coach attend at least one training
session per year. However, becoming a skilled youth soccer coach
is an ongoing self-education experience. There are many books
and video tapes available on the subject of coaching youth
soccer. The Public Library is one valuable resource, and the
Board of Directors can guide you to other resources if you wish.
Also, the WOYSA Board will help sponsor your participation in
Official Licensing Clinics conducted each year. Regardless of
how you do it, you should make a purposeful attempt to improve
your coaching skills through some form of ongoing
self-education.
6. PRACTICE
Your Division Director will give you notice when practice
can begin. You should plan to conduct at least one practice
session with your team each week of the soccer season. Only
through continued exposure to skill training and teamwork will
your players develop an appreciation for the game and experience
the rewards of continued skills development.
7. BORROWED
PLAYING FIELDS Each
of the fields where we practice and play are provided at no cost
to WOYSA by the participating Towns or School Districts. If we
abuse the fields through uncontrolled wear and tear, excessive
litter or other reasons, we will lose the privilege. Therefore,
please urge your team, parents and spectators to respect the
fields. After the game or practice, have your team collect and
remove all litter, whether they brought it or not. Try to
leave the field in at least as good condition as you found it.
8. SAFETY
Of primary concern to everyone in WOYSA should be the
safety of our children. You must at all times exercise your best
judgment with respect to matters of safety both during practice
and games. First aid kits are provided for every coach, and
should be kept in good repair. WOYSA will re-stock when supplies
are used. Please return them at the end of the season. If a
player is injured during a game, the game must then stop
immediately while the player is attended to. Instruct all
remaining players to sit down on the field until the referee
signals the game to continue. If a player suffers more than a
minor injury, then it should be reported to your Division
Director immediately. If you feel a player should not
participate in a practice or game because of health or safety
reasons, you must exercise your best judgment and do what is
correct under the circumstances. If a parent or other disagrees,
you may suggest they speak with a WOYSA Head Coach or Board
Member.
9. EQUIPMENT
WOYSA provides each player with a uniform, and each coach
with several soccer balls for practice and games. Each child
must provide his or her own shin guards and cleats. Although
cleats are not required, they are helpful. Only rubber cleats
are allowed. A child will not be permitted to practice or
play in a game at any time without wearing shin guards. Each
child should be encouraged to bring a soccer ball to practice
for personal drills and to promote practice at home.
10. FUN The
primary goal of WOYSA is to promote fun and learning in the same
setting. Each coach has his or her own individual style.
However, regardless of how it is done, a good coach will make
each and every child’s soccer experience one which will be
remembered as “FUN” above all else.
COACHES: GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN AND
THANKS AGAIN !!!
