Coach Background Checks

Cooper City Optimist has increased its security this season.  We will now be increasing our background checks from Level 1 to Level 2.

What this means for you?

Coaches will no need to get fingerprinted before being cleared to coach in any of our programs.  These fingerprints will be free of cost to you; however, you will need to spend a few minutes getting your fingerprints taken.  After you have been cleared, you will be given a badge, which we will use to identify that you have in fact been cleared through our background check system.  Badges must be on you whenever you are coaching a CCO sport.  We suggest taking a picture of the badge with your phone to ensure that you have it on your person at all times.   

Who needs to get fingerprinted?

All coaches, referees, supervisors, and administrative staff who are over the age of 18, need to be fingerprinted before participating in any CCO event.

How often do I need to get fingerprinted?

You will not need to get fingerprinted again.  The background check will last for five years. We will renew the background check when necessary.  This background check is valid for ALL CCO sports.

When should I get fingerprinted?

We suggest getting it done as soon as possible.  Please do not wait until right before the start of your sports’ season or you may not receive a team.  Weekly, we will send out information on where you can get your fingerprints taken.

Fingerprint Location and Times

Week of 3/31-4/4

Monday :Flamingo West Park 5:30-9:00

Tuesday: Flamingo West Park 5:30-9:00

Wednesday: Flamingo West Park 5:30-9:00

We know that increasing our security from a Level 1 to a Level 2 may be an inconvenience, but safety can be inconvenient. Thank you for not only volunteering your time but also supporting us in our mission of providing a safe and nurturing environment for of children.

Evaluations and Drafts

Coaches should attend the evaluations in order to be prepared for the drafts.  Evaluations are MANDATORY for all participants who did not play in our 2024 Summer season. It is to a coach's benefit to attend the evaluations so they have more information for drafting their team. Evaluations will be taking place on May 3rd at Cooper City High School with drafts to take place on a following date and time TBD over Zoom. The specific times for each divisions draft is listed below. The draft schedule will be provided at a later time.

• All coaches must register on our website.
• All coaches must complete and pass a background check
  
  
• The role of the coach is to instruct players in the game and be a positive role model.  Winning cannot be the primary motivation for coaching.
• Your child is guaranteed to be on your team.  You may not freeze a player other than your child or your assistant coaches' child.
• Coaches may NOT play in the league.
• Experience coaching or playing or coaching is not required.  The desire to help kids is.
• Practice locations and times are set by the coach not the league.
• The league is working to secure indoor practice facilities for the duration of the season.
• Teenage coaches may earn service hours for coaching.  The league will sign for 1.5 hours for each practice and game.  See Marquise Kiffin, commissioner, for signature on service hour sheets after the season.
• Teenage coaches CAN ONLY be Assistant Coaches.
• Coaches must wear the league provided coach's shirt at all games.

Draft Rules

General Rules

1.   Every team will be randomly assigned a number. That number will correspond to a team uniform and a spot on the draft board.

2.   The coaches as a group will rate all of the players who showed up for evaluation. The coaches will also rate players who did not attend evaluations and do not have a rating from the prior year if multiple coaches know the player and are able to properly rate him.

3.   Players will be rated from 1 to 5 using full point increments. The assignable ratings are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

4.   Players who played in the league the prior year and did not show up for evaluations will be given a rating based on the prior year.

5.   A team can have no more than two (2) freezes.

6.   If a player being frozen did not play last year and did not attend tryouts, the player will be rated a 5, unless multiple coaches from other teams know the player and are able to properly rate him.

7.   Freezes will be placed on their respective team as the teams’ first and when applicable second round picks.

8.    A player can only be frozen if a family member is registered as a coach.

9.    After all players have been rated, each coach will announce their freezes.

10.  A player will be a hat pick if:

a.     They did not attend evaluations,

b.     They do not have a rating from the previous season, and

c.     Coaches from multiple teams cannot come to a consensus .

11.  Picks for first five rounds will be in the order of the team with the lowest point total of players already on the roster. For example, if one team has two players rated a 4 (total of 8) they will pick before a team with two players rated a 5 and a 3.5 (total of 8.5), respectively. Picks will be decided in this manner until all teams have five players. A team can have six players before another team has five.

12.  Any tie in total points will be broken by whoever would pick first in a normal snake draft.

13.  Once every team has five players, the draft order will be determined in snake fashion.

14.  The Commissioner reserves the right to amend the rules as necessary to ensure a competitive balance.