In addition to preparing your team for each game, all coaches have additional responsibilities. Below is a list of these responsibilities:
Sportsmanship: As the coach, you are responsible for the players on your team during practice and during games. Good sportsmanship is a very important concept to teach the players and should be a topic mentioned and reinforced regularly to the players.
Equipment: All players must wear shin guards when practicing or playing in a game of soccer. Soccer cleats are optional (be sure they are not baseball or football cleats) but they do help with traction when running. All players must wear their FYS uniform to all games. U7, 8 and 10s use a size 4 soccer ball.
Parents: At all games, players are on one side of the field and parents are on the opposite side of the field. This is a specific rule in MYSA soccer. It allows the coach to coach without the parents close by interrupting or distracting the players.
Fields: Be sure the field that you are playing/practicing on is safe to play on. Use your judgement before sending the players onto the field. Check for glass or rocks on the playing field. Also check that there are no ruts that the players could trip on.
Goals: Make sure the goals are set up properly and that the players are not hanging off them or jumping on them. You or a volunteer parent can help set up/break down the nets as needed at the field before or after the games.
Trash: Many players bring drinks and food to the games. Make sure the area is clean after your team finishes its game.
Referees: The referees for your games are older players learning a different aspect of the game. Please respect their calls. All conversations with them must be in a calm manner. If a parent from your team is not showing respect for these referees, you as the coach are responsible for calming them down. The referees are in training also.
Player positions: All players should get to try out the various positions on the field. No player should be left in the same positions throughout the games and season.
Have fun: All players will have fun if their coaches point out the good plays they are involved with. The idea is to teach a love of the game and this is best done with positive reinforcement whenever possible.
