Expectations of Our Coaches
- Foster a love of the game
- Promote good sportsmanship
- Treat all players with respect
- Provide the opportunity for players to develop skills at all positions
- Provide your team with the best opportunity to succeed
- Teach players the how to win and lose gracefully
- Provide all players with the opportunity to start in a game
- Emphasize team development
- Lead by example
- Evaluate players each and every season and place them appropriately based on their abilities
- Respect and support the referee
- Be good ambassadors for the towns of Holbrook and Avon
- Communicate effectively and regularly with parents
Principles of Play
Playing out - We always try to pass the ball out from the goalkeeper and defenders to a teammate instead of 'punting' the ball without thought.
Keeping possession - We look to keep the ball on the ground for as much as possible - retention and possession of the ball should always be a key target on the field.
Being creative - We encourage our players to 'try things' on the field, such as dribbling past opponents using skills/tricks, mimicking skills performed by soccer professionals, and taking shots on goal from outside the penalty box.
Using width - We highlight the use of width in attack, trying to move the ball into wide-areas to 'stretch' the opposition and open spaces on the field to attack.
Eyeing space - We understand the importance of moving into open space over the importance of playing in set-positions.
Pressing opposition - We work hard to win possession of the ball as a team, pressing the opponents and trying to win the ball back as a team at the earliest opportunity.
Tips for getting the most out of your players and better enjoying your own experience ensuring you have a great season!
Take five or ten minutes after every practice and ask each player what they learned during that day's session. Not only does this help you as a coach understand how well you communicated, but it serves as a great reinforcement and reminder of what was just covered.
Show, don't tell. Instead of simply telling a player he needed to do something differently, ask him to show you how it should have been done properly. If he can't show you, you show him.
When players make mistakes, your reaction should be tempered by the player's effort. If he didn't try or wasn't paying attention that is one thing. But if a player was giving 100% and just did not make the play, he should be encouraged and praised for the effort instead of scolded about the result.
If you promise something to your players, follow through. Kids don't forget.
Make sure every child has been picked up by a family member before you go home.
What's best for the team is not always what's best for the individual. It is important that all players and parents know that up front. If they can't subscribe to this philosophy then maybe they should do an individual sport like tennis or swimming or track and field.
Players (especially young ones) should call the coaches either, "Coach", "Coach (first name)" or "Coach (last name)," not just by a first name.
If you are coaching really young players, kneel down and get at eye level when talking to them.
Safety first! Check your entire practice area and imagine the worst. Try to envision anything that might trip a player or that someone could fall onto going for a ball. Store equipment so that it can never come into play. Get any player who is not participating safely out of the way of those who are.
Make every attempt to treat each player equally. It is natural to like some more than others, but your behavior should not reflect those feelings.
Look for something each player did well and make a point of mentioning it before they go home.
Occasionally before a practice, go around and ask your players what they think the team should work on today. Almost without fail, the things you planned on covering will be suggested anyway, but this creates a feeling of ownership in your players that is invaluable. And it helps you to see which players are really thinking about how the team can improve.
End every practice or game with solidarity. Everyone gets together, puts their hands in and says, "One, two, three, (TEAM)" at the end.
You can overcome a lot of deficiencies with enthusiasm. Even if you're not the greatest coach or don't have the best talent, if you spend every minute on the field encouraging and exhorting your team, even when you're way behind, your players will want to give their best and their parents will love you.
Enjoy every moment. You've been given a rare privilege, and it goes by too fast.
Licensing
HAYSA wants all of our coaches to succeed and provide a great experience to our kids. HAYSA will reimburse any coach for a Grassroots course taken with US Soccer.. https://www.ussoccer.com/coaching-education/licenses/grassroots