Liaison and Communicate with Parents
How we communicate and work with parents is a crucial part of our role as coaches.
All GSC coaches are expected to hold a meeting (the format of the meeting is flexible) with parents before the season to:
- Emphasize club philosophy, team goals and areas of focus for the season
- Describe expectations you have for parents and players
- Explain the game and practice schedule and expectations
- Solicit Additional Help
Additionally, coaches may wish to distribute pre-season written communiques to parents that enumerate philosophies, goals and expectations.
Organize Practice Times, Fields and Practice Sessions
GSC teams generally practice once per week, so it’s important for coaches to schedule and run practices efficiently. Practice sessions usually last between 45 and 75 minutes, depending on weather and age group. To make the most of this time—and to ensure practices are fun, engaging, and age-appropriate—coaches should plan their sessions in advance. This includes selecting activities, organizing field setup, and preparing smooth transitions between drills. Coaches should also review first-aid procedures and emergency-response steps before practice begins.
Oversee Game Day Events and Activities
Our GSC players love to participate in games. As coaches, it is incumbent that our players, and their guardians, know the "when" and "where" in advance of all scheduled games. Coaches should ensure that players arrive on the designated field at least 10 minutes prior to the start of a scheduled game. Additionally, coaches should think through in advance their substitution patterns, ensuring that all children have an opportunity to play and be part of the action.
Keep Age Group Coordinators Informed
It is important that coaches communicate and relay information through their respective age group coordinator. Age group coordinators play an important role within the GSC. Coaches are encouraged to work with their respective age group coordinator when issues arise.
Solicit Additional Help
The GSC is staffed exclusively by volunteers. We recognize that our GSC coaches are the primary interface between the "club" and our parents and players. As such, our coaches serve as club ambassadors. Since we are always looking for additional volunteer help, we ask that coaches proactively communicate our need for volunteer help.
Focus and Be "In the Moment" with the Kids. The Players ALWAYS Come First
We are in service to the children; the children are not in service to us. It is important that coaches strive to always be there for the kids and to remember that the "players needs ALWAYS come first." We want to serve the children rather than compete through them.