Most Travel Soccer Leagues and Tournaments only allow 3 Coaches on the Coach’s sidelines during games.  And high-end Showcase Tournaments only allow only ONE Soccer Coach to yell out instructions to its players from the Team Bench including only allowing one Coach to stand on the Coaches’ sidelines.  

The CCO Team Coaching Staff is generally made up of one Head Coach and 2 Assistant Coaches. The Head Coach has the responsibility for delivering the player training plan, executing the game strategy & tactics while operating in compliance with the Player Development Program principles & tactics.   The Head Coach is generally the GAME coach (what we refer to in our Program as the Tactical Coach).    The Assistant Coaches support the Head Coach by performing unique & specific duties to help the team compete successfully.   For instance, managing the game substitutions; identifying player development opportunities (corrections) during games; reminding the player of their assigned position key role & responsibilities; helping the player recover from slight game injuries, etc.… 

The expectation is for the Coaches to work together to optimize their coaching talent & skillsets on behalf of their team.  Ideally, each coach should have the opportunity to contribute to a unique role with specific well-defined responsibilities.    The CCO Coaching Operational Model has defined the following Coaching Roles:   Tactical Coach, Substitution Coach, and Care Coach.  The responsibilities for each of these 3 roles are as follows:  

·         The TACTICAL Coach – is the team’s official VOICE to the game. The TACTICAL Coach is responsible for “managing” the game.  This role is generally filled by the Head Coach.  The TACTICAL Coach’s primary focus is to read (anticipate) the game and guide the team’s tactical responses. This includes yelling out the tactical instructions to the players including subbing players who are not putting out the effort.   The Tactical Coach must be familiar with the Program’s TACTICAL COMMAND Language.   He should be the only one standing on the sidelines.  The Tactical Coach should refrain from joy sticking!  NOTE: organizing the defense is not joy sticking.  Joy sticking only applies to offensive situations where the Coach is dictating the moves for its player WITH the ball.

·         The SUBSTITUTION Coach – is responsible for administering the pre-approved Lineup player substitution.  Their primary focus is managing the player substitutions.   To make sure each player knows their assignment in each quarter.  This role becomes particularly critical when unexpected substitution is required.   The TACTICAL coach should not be concerned about who replaces who; let the SUBSTITUTION Coach decide.  The TACTICAL COACH should be focused on managing the game - not worrying about who replaces who!  The SUBSTITUTION Coach is responsible for ensuring all players play a minimum of 2 quarters on the field.  Players taken out of the game because of lack of effort or poor response on tactical assignments will be allowed to return to the game.  However, their time will not be made up elsewhere.  They simply lose their time!   Players can ask for a “break” (water & rest) during the game and will be allowed to return to the game. 

·         The CARE Coach – is responsible for making sure the players HYDRATE and based on the direction of the TACTICAL and SUBSTITUTION Coaches, will provide “1 on 1” coaching to the players while on the bench.  If an Assistant Coach is not available, the Team Manager can play this role.  The CARE Coach will have the Coaching Magnetic Board to help explain to the boys their Roles & Responsibilities for the assigned position or tactical schemes.   The CARE Coach will also be responsible for administering 1^st aid to the boys – if needed.  NOTE: If a Team has 3 Coaches on the sidelines and the DoC wishes to sit on the team’s bench as well, and the referee does not allow 4 Coaches on the bench, the designated CARE Coach will make room for the DoC by leaving the Bench and sitting with the parents until such time the DoC leaves the team bench.