Table of Contents:
• Introduction
• Team Management
The Phone call
The First practice
Practice Pick-up
Team Communication
Picture Day
Coaches Conduct
Parents Conduct
Players Conduct
Being Prepared
Team Spirit
• The Season
Success Based Programs
Progression of a Session
Getting Started
What to teach?
Fitness
Soccer Homework
Rain Outs/ Rescheduling
Limited Field Space and Daylight Savings Time
• Game Management
Pre-game
Player cards
Half time
Post game
Blow Outs
Parents Coaching From the Sideline
Parents and Referees
• Support
‘Keeper Clinics
Personnel
Introduction:
First off, on behalf of all the players and parents that you will be affecting this fall, we say “Thank you”.
Without volunteer coaches like you, recreational soccer would not take place. NASA greatly appreciates your time.
The purpose of this manual is to give new coaches a step by step guide to coaching a youth soccer team, as well as provide the experienced coach with some useful tips they might not already know. No one wants to dictate to a coach every practice activity, but we do have standards of training that we expect all of our coaches to meet and exceed.
Please take a few minutes to read through this manual, and if you have any questions, you can contact any of our staff listed in the “Support” section of this manual.
Team Management:
The phone call:
This refers to the phone call each coach will make to their players as soon as the coach is instructed to contact their team. A coach may get a preliminary roster, but should not contact their team until instructed to do so. Last minute changes are inevitable, so we want to make sure everyone is placed correctly before the notification process begins. This is after the pre-season coaches meeting.
The call itself is very important - it sets the stage for the season. You should introduce yourself, welcome the family to your team, and let them know the team name, practice days, times, and fields, rain out policy, expected equipment, and when you will hold your first session. Please repeat your name and practice time/field/day a few times…..each year, the first week is usually very chaotic, partly because coaches do not communicate clear enough information. It is suggested that you ask for an e-mail address for each player, so you can send a reminder about the first practice later in the week.
We call the first practice the “meet and greet”, as this is the coach’s first opportunity to interact with their team and parents. The coach should have pennies (scrimmage vests), cones, a pump, and a few extra soccer balls. After introducing the team to each other, fun games are encouraged to let everyone settle in. Various practice activities for u10 and older players can be found under the “Recreational Coaches Clinic Fall 2006 tab. For Micro Mites, Smidgets, U6, and U8, the actual SuperSession lesson plans are available on line as well.
The First Practice:
The most important aspect of the first practice is what happens at its conclusion: this is when the coach needs to hold the first parents meeting. You will need to recruit the following:
Assistant coach- helps out with practice and games, fills in when the head coach has a conflict.
Team Manager- compiles the phone and e-mail lists, and is in charge of team communication. This person usually makes out the snack schedule (who brings snacks to which game), as well as organizes the end of season party and coaches gift.
Picture Coordinator- self explanatory, sometimes handled by the team manager.
All parents need to realize that the coach is there to coach, and the other parents should be helping out to make the season a success for all the players.
Practice Pick-up:
The coach should never leave a practice until all the players have been picked up by a parent or other ride home.
Team Communication:
Team to Club and Club to Team:
All coaches need to check their e-mail regularly, as that is the main communication tool. You should also check the web site regularly. Updates such as ’keeper sessions, specialty camps, Spring and Summer camps, will always be posted on the NASA web site.
Coach to Team:
We have secured a great group rate for team hotlines through Satellink Communications. It’s $3.50 per month for a 12-month contract. If you pay the whole year up front, you’ll get 10% off. This rate will get you a hotline where you can leave up to a 2-minute message and will allow for 2000 call-in minutes per month (each call counts as one minute). If you think you need more than that, there are other plans available but we didn’t negotiate rates for all the plans. To sign up, call 800-426-2283. Mention that you are a NASA soccer team to get the reduced rate.
This offer is not limited just to soccer team hotline use. If you are involved with a team for another sport, or a carpool, or have any other need for a hotline, feel free to get in on this great negotiated rate.
The team hotline can be used to announce the practice schedule, rain outs, and other pertinent team information. This is far better than a phone tree or an automated phone call system.
A reminder to always call the field hotline in case of inclement weather: (770) 512-2985.
Picture Day:
Picture Days will be announced shortly for each park. We will also have Picture Make-up days at both parks.
Coaches Conduct:
A Recreational soccer coach is a teacher, a role model, and many other things to their impressionable players. Below is our Coach’s Code of conduct that can be found on our “Forms” page, all Recreational Coaches must turn this form into the club.
NORTH ATLANTA SOCCER ASSOCIATION
RECREATIONAL COACH’S AGREEMENT & CODE OF CONDUCT
The North Atlanta Soccer Association’s (NASA’s) objectives are to implant firmly in our young players and referees the ideals of good sporting behavior, honesty, loyalty, courage, and reverence. These objectives can best be attainted through your positive efforts as a coach, since you are the closest link between NASA, its players, young referees, and their parents. To assist you in your coaching efforts, the following is a summary of some of the NASA rules affecting coaches. These rules, and additional rules, are more fully set forth in NASA’s Playing Rules, copies of which may be requested from the NASA Recreational Registrar. By coaching a NASA team, you agree to abide by the following:
1. Coaches are selected up their ability to teach soccer and provide leadership to the age group they wish to coach. All coaches server at the discretion of the Technical Director and the NASA Board. An individual permitted to coach one season may be permitted, but shall not have any right, to continue to coach the same team or any other NASA team during any other season. These rules apply to all assistant coaches as well. In accordance with NASA and GYSA rules, coaches are deemed responsible for the appropriate behavior of their team’s assistant coaches, players, and parents.
2. Problems between any referee (or assistant) and team parents, coaches, and/or players should be director to the Referee Coordinator for the appropriate park. The Referee Coordinator will attempt to resolve issues involving referees and assistant referees in a manner which encourages continued participation by such referee and assistant referee and which assists such official to succeed and continuously improve in such capacity. Coaches and assistant coaches should be as quick to praise good officiating as they are to complain about “unsatisfactory” officiating.
3. Coaches will refrain from the use of any profane or abusive language or gesture towards players, referees, assistant referees, or parents. Coaches will not attempt to intimidate referees or assistant referees.
4. Coaches will not enter the field of play during a game without the permission of the referee (except in extraordinary circumstances in which the coach or assistant coach enters the field of play solely to assist a player who has suffered a serious injury, outside the view of the referee or to assist an injured referee or assistant referee.) While the safety of our young players and officials if of paramount importance to NASA, coaches and assistants are warned to not attempt to use a player injury as a subterfuge for entering the field of play during a game, without referee permission, in order to intimidate the referee.
5. The NASA Board, Technical Director, or Referee Coordinator shall have the authority to warn, suspend, or expel any coach or other person, including players and parents, who violates NASA rules or whose conduct is determined to be detrimental to NASA. Coaches or assistant coaches ejected by a referee from a game may be suspended by NASA for the longer of
(a) two weeks;
(b) until the GYSA Disciplinary and Protest Committee has heard the matter and rendered its decision in the ejection matter; (c) until any penalty assessed by the GYSA D&P Committee has been completed; or, (d) such other period as determined by the NASA Board.
I have read the above information and accept this agreement as part of my commitment to the North Atlanta Soccer Association. Furthermore, I acknowledge these responsibilities and expectations and the potential penalties if I fail to honor them.
Coach’s Signature ________________________________________Date ___________
Parent Conduct:
Our goal is to provide a fun environment for all of our players- and the parent’s behavior usually dictates that environment. Please have all parents complete and turn in the Parents Code of Conduct. It will really help your team reach its goals. You can print one out by going to our web page, clicking on “Forms”, then “Parents Code of Conduct”. It is printed below:
North Atlanta Soccer Association
PARENTS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
The following standards of conduct outline a philosophy that is paramount to the game of soccer. Soccer is a sport which belongs to the players. While soccer games are exciting for parents and spectators, parent and spectator excitement and enthusiasm must be both positive and controlled. Uncontrolled or abusive parental behavior is not accepted at the North Atlanta Soccer Association (NASA).
The Referee: Never use foul or abusive language toward any of the referees; center or linesmen. The coach and team captain(s) are in control of the game. Each referee is just as different as the field the game is played on. Keep this in mind. A parent has never overruled a referee and never will.
The Laws: In order to be a supportive parent you must have an understanding of the primary laws of the game. The North Atlanta Soccer Association will make abbreviated written game laws available to all parents. Familiarize yourself with the basics; offside, penal fouls and non-penal fouls.
Your Player: The North Atlanta Soccer Association attempts to provide the best coaching and training available for your player. Keep this in mind when encouraging your player and their teammates during a match. NASA wants and needs your enthusiasm and support for our teams, but only in a constructive manner. A parent’s duty is to encourage; not to coach or to criticize.
Conduct: Continuous yelling is distracting for both teams and at times can reveal the parents lack of understanding of the game. Enthusiasm, in short bursts of encouragement, is welcome and needed. Always show respect to the players and spectators of the opposing team.
Alcohol, tobacco products (including smokeless tobacco), illegal drugs, pets, and firearms are not permitted at any North Atlanta Soccer Association game, at home or away. Always remember you are responsible for the conduct of all visitors you bring to any match.
Anyone who violates this Agreement and Code of Conduct is subject to immediate dismissal from any game and disciplinary action up to and including being expelled from the North Atlanta Soccer Association.
I (we) have read the above information and accept this agreement as part of my player’s commitment to the North Atlanta Soccer Association and acknowledge the consequences of not abiding by this agreement.
Player Name (please print) Team Name:
Father’s (guardian) signature ________________________________Date ___________
Mother’s (guardian) signature ________________________________Date ___________
Player Conduct:
Although we don’t require our Recreational players to sign a Code of Conduct, much of the Select and Academy Players Code of Conduct is applicable to them. It is also available on the “Forms” page. Basically, players should always try and get to practice on time, bring a ball and water, and wear shin guards. If they have to miss a practice or game, they or their parents should contact their coach beforehand. Below is an excerpt from the Players Code of Conduct that all Recreational players must abide by:
Ethical behavior and respect for your opponent, the referees, spectators and all coaches is required of all NASA players. Ethical behavior includes but is not limited to; accepting all penalties without discussion, no back talk, clean competitive field play and appropriate conduct on and off the field. Profane or abusive language is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. You represent NASA, and your conduct is a reflection of our entire club.
Alcohol, tobacco products, illegal drugs, pets, and firearms are not permitted at any NASA match, home or away. Any player who violates this Agreement and Code of Conduct is subject to immediate dismissal from any game and disciplinary action up to and including being expelled from the North Atlanta Soccer Association.
Being Prepared:
Each coach should always have an emergency contact list with them. This list include all player’s information: address, parents home and cell numbers, health insurance information, and additional emergency contact numbers. Just put this list in a zip lock bag and keep it in your training bag.
Team Spirit:
The Team Cheer:
Teams of all ages need to play together, and that team spirit goes a long way towards a team’s success. A team cheer that they say before every game, and after every practice and game, goes a long way towards that goal. Many of our select teams do the na-sa cheer, where one player yells “Na”, the rest of the team yells “sa”….this is repeated 3 times, then everyone yells 3-2-1- NASA!! You can make up your own or use the club cheer, but the kids love it and it brings the team together.
Special Recognition:
Some coaches give a “Man of the Match” award after each game. This is a great idea if handled correctly. This award should be spread around, and it is important to recognize the defenders and assist givers, not just the goal scorers. Legendary NASA Girls Academy coach Ward Swain awarded “the rock” to the girl on his team that was “rock solid” in that game, and she got to take it home and keep it until the next game. This and other motivational tools make a huge difference in the player’s enthusiasm for the game.
The Season:
Success Based Programs:
Each team has its own ups and down, but if the coach is upbeat and happy to be at practice and games, then the season will be a success no matter what the score. We call our Micro Mites and Smidgets “success based programs”, which means that all of our players will experience success- that’s our goal. This may mean a coach setting up a new, shy, inexperience player with an easy shot on goal, even a player on the opposing team. This builds their confidence and reinforces a desire to compete. All Smidgets should score at least one goal each Sunday.
Progression of a Session:
• Your session should have 3 to 4 segments:
• Warm-up
• Technical (usually one to a ball or two to a ball skill building activates)
• Small group activities (6 v 4 to goal, keep away)
• Scrimmage
• Cool down
It is important to end every session with some sort of competitive game. A 5 minute warm up, two 15 minute sessions of technical and small group activities, and a 25 minute controlled scrimmage, makes for a perfect hour of soccer instruction.
Getting Started:
The first weeks of a youth soccer season are challenging. If the coach has a plan, they will have a better chance of putting out an organized team. No matter what the age, all players need to understand the basic rules. The best way to do this is to play! Divide your team up into two equal sides and scrimmage. Let players know about goal kicks, corners, and throw ins. Let players have “do-overs” for illegal throws. Explain what position usually takes the goal kicks. For u6, explain the goal arcs. For u8, explain the mid-field goal kick rule. Let them play and learn the rules at the same time. All rules, length of games, sizes of balls, and special NASA modifications are all explained under each program title.
For older age groups, you need to assign a corner kick taker, and free kick plays are important too. Basic formations and responsibilities are also early season learning experiences. Again, the more you play, with coaching comments and freeze-play, the more the players will pick up. This is a far better learning tool then chalk talks or long winded explanations in a team huddle.
What to teach?
The younger the player, the more dribbling should be emphasized. There is no point in teaching a Smidget to pass; we want them comfortable on the ball. Also, everyone needs to understand how to play defense, so 1 v 1’s are great at all ages. If you just create a competitive atmosphere, the game itself will help teach your players.
Receiving is the second most important skill in soccer. Most coaches do not work on this enough. Being able to control the ball is what separates good athletes who are running around from soccer players playing the game.
As the season goes on, the weekend game will tell you what you need to work on. If your u12 team won their last game, but the score was 6-5, then you obviously need to structure some sessions concentrating on your defenders closing down players and clearing the ball back up field to your strikers, as well as make sure your ‘keeper gets lots of work in goal. If you tie 0-0, but had bunches of chances, then you will know to work on finishing in your next session.
Fitness:
Gone are the days when soccer teams run laps. There is not enough time in a practice session for that. If you want to work on fitness, make your field extra big for the scrimmage, and make a rule that everyone must be past midfield before the attacking team can score. Activities like 1 v 1 ladders are a great way to work on fitness, dribbling, and defending all at the same time.
Soccer Homework:
A youth soccer coach is in a unique position to motivate a group of kids to become better in their chosen sport. No matter what a players level, the coach is responsibility to raise that level each season. Two hours a week is not enough- players need to work on moves themselves, watch games on TV, and do other things to raise their level.
Some coaches use their hotline to notify players of a good game that is on TV, or the game time and field of one of our own older select team’s home games. These learning experiences are free, right next to your field, and ongoing every weekend this fall. By clicking on “Select”, then “Boys” or “Girls”, you can look up a team. Then go to the Georgia Youth Soccer Association website at www.gasoccer.org, click on “Youth”, then “Teams”, then “Classic” for boys or “Athena” for girls. RPL is a separate league for our top teams.
Below is another team building idea, right from one of our current recreational coaches- Rance Murray of MNP. This juggling contest is a great idea, and the tips are spot on.
Strikers Parents,
Please share this with your daughters and encourage them to use their spare time to prepare.
I am personally challenging each of our players to a soccer ball juggling contest. Whoever can juggle the soccer ball more times than me will get to inflict massive water-torture (to be defined later) on both Coach Rob and me …. and maybe even Coach Rocky. Whoever cannot juggle more times than me will be subjected to water torture themselves. Participation is not optional … so start getting ready …. you have plenty of time (you don’t have to go to work, I do … so get busy).
As Georgia can attest, I have not been practicing juggling … though I will start doing so beginning soon. The most number of consecutive juggles I have ever done has been about 4-5 …. So my total score will be reduced by 5 …. meaning I have to juggle at least 6 times in order to get credit for 1 juggle (7 juggles = 2, etc.). This puts me starting at a point at best equal to our least experienced girls and in reality well behind most of our girls.
If you know someone who can juggle well ….. ask them to help you with the technique. I have put some tips and pointers at the bottom of this email below the signature line ….. the important thing is to just start juggling, develop a plan (such as 2 sessions per day for 20 minutes each session …. trying to set a new personal record at least once every day or so …. much more often if possible …. record your progress so you see how you are improving and to give you encouragement to build upon your successes).
STAY AWAY FROM CARS, STAY WELL HYDRATED AND STAY COOL.
The actual contest (deciding who is the soaker and who is the soakee) will be shortly after the season starts. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks and have fun.
TIPS/POINTERS:
1. Pick a good pair of shoes (like your cleats for next season or some good sneakers) and stay with them.
2. Remember that you can use any part of your body besides your arms and hands ….. so if the ball gets close to your body, make the next touch with a thigh or chest ….. shins don’t work very well at all, so if the ball is too close for using your foot, your thigh is often the next best choice.3. However, in the contest, the vast majority of the juggles must be with either of your feet ….. so if you find thigh juggling is simple, don’t go down that path …. The focus has to be on juggling with your foot.
4. To help with learning, don’t worry if the ball drops to the ground after a few juggles …. Play it off the bounce so you keep going (you don’t have to waste time catching the ball and starting over) …. We might even say in the contest that one drop after each 5 or 10 juggles is OK as long as you continue to juggle off the bounce (not catch the ball and start over). Juggling on fairly firm and flat ground will give you a better bounce when the ball occasionally drops to the ground.
5. experiment to see if it seems to work better for you to put a back-spin on the ball when you strike it or to try to get no spin at all. The important thing is to try a few different ways until you find what works best for you
6. you might start out with a balloon (or juggle indoors with a balloon) since it gives you more time between juggles while your body learns to move smoothly. The contest will be done with soccer balls, but using a balloon may give you a better start on your learning.
7. the ball should not typically go any higher than your chest or head …. Much higher than that tends to get out of control.
8. start with a friend (a parent, sibling or team mate maybe). It is more fun, you can challenge each other and you can even help each other (reducing wasted time chasing the ball)
9. you should be attempting to strike the ball with your laces, not your toe. This tends to give you a somewhat flat surface and thus a better bounce off your shoe.
10. keep your knees bent and your feet moving (it helps with balance and quickness)
11. use both feet, depending on where the ball goes relative to the center of your body
12. read this if you want more: http://www.brucebrownlee.com/coaching/technical/juggling.htm .
13. also try: http://www.ehow.com/tips_5272.html
14. If someone has a better source, please share it with all of us.
Just to show you how the whole family can jump in, below is a follow up e-mail from the coach’s 16 year old son, himself a top level player and college prospect. His letter on juggling gives even more great tips. Matt plays on Todd Gispert’s 08 Elite, currently ranked 18th nationally. They are one of the RPL teams mentioned in the section “Soccer Homework”.
Hello everyone,
This is Matt Murray, Coach Rance’s son, and I thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth about juggling. Some things that I have found to be very helpful are:
1. I don’t know if any of you have ever heard of the magic hop, but in juggling, I have found it to be vital, especially if you’re only using one leg. The magic hop is really just a readjustment of your feet between juggles. For instance, if you are juggling with your right foot, after you have hit the ball with your right foot, put your right foot down and lift your left foot very slightly so that you are "hopping" on your right. Then put your left foot down and hit the ball again with your right. Basically, it’s a stutter step where you don’t actually move forward. When I was learning to juggle, I was told to do the magic hop between every juggle. I have no idea why this is effective, but it seems to greatly increase your control of the ball and it definitely makes it so you can juggle longer without getting so tired because you are always shifting the wait on your standing leg. At first, the magic hop is difficult to do, so it could take some time to master, but if you can get it down, you’ll be able to juggle a lot more. If you can’t get it down, ignore it and do what works for you.
2. A drill they used to make us do to teach us to control the ball was to have us juggle one time, catch it, two times, catch it, and keep going like that until we couldn’t get the number of juggles without dropping it. Doing it in baby steps makes everyone feel better because when you get one juggle, you’ve succeeded, then you get two, you’ve succeeded, and so on, so you generally end up succeeding more than you fail. Also, by rapidly catching the ball, you’re encouraged to kick the ball to a height where it is easy to quickly catch the ball...in other words, around chest or head height, which is the ideal height for juggling because it gives you plenty of time to magic hop and adjust while still keeping the ball in control.
3. One final input on technique. Whether or not you use backspin is completely up to you and it doesn’t really matter which method you pick (I used backspin because that made the ball come back to me). Generally speaking though, using backspin means that the ball is much closer to your body and therefore more likely to hit your knee or something on its way up or down. No backspin lets you hit it much farther away from your body and is much more useful in learning to settle a ball that’s bouncing. Using backspin is fairly easy to learn, since most of our feet seem to naturally cup when we’re juggling the ball, and that gives us backspin (careful the ball doesn’t hit your shin). If you can do it, I recommend learning no backspin. Use the drill described in #2 and when you hit the ball, hit it about waist height with your foot flat and your leg extended (the knee should still be bent or you’ll hurt yourself). But if backspin works for you, pretend I don’t exist and use backspin; there aren’t any noticeable advantages in one method versus the other.
Hope all that wasn’t too poorly worded and that it will help all of you get a chance to soak my dad. Good luck.
Matt
Rain Outs:
Postponed Games:
Rain outs are inevitable in youth soccer.
A reminder to always call the field hotline in case of inclement weather: (770) 512-2985.
We have rain dates built into the season, and we will make every effort to make up all games. Just because it is raining does not mean the practice or game will be canceled. We will make every effort to play as long as the fields are playable and there is no lightning. Some days the morning games are postponed while the afternoon games take place, so make sure to call the field hotline for current information.
Rescheduling:
In u8 and younger, the club will handle all rained out games. In u10 and older, coaches must follow the rescheduling policy, which can be found on the website under “Recreational”, then U-10 & Up Game Reschedule Policy & Procedure. Please read this before you try and reschedule a game. All of these age groups require referees, so we need advanced notice to change a game.
Limited Field Space and Daylight Savings Time:
There is an overwhelming demand for lit practice space in Cobb County. In fact, this is the biggest problem in youth soccer nation-wide. Top teams in California routinely get one fourth of a field. Because we have no lit fields at Quest or Metro North Park, we all have to work together to allow every team adequate field time.
Please be respectful of your teams start and end times. If coaches can just work together, there is plenty of space and goals for everyone. With cooperation, one team can be doing their warm up on the side of a field while the team just completing their practice does their fitness or cool down.
Early practices will be shortened to 45 minutes. As the “time change” takes place, practice times will be extended.
We would like to see all the parents come out and play against the kids on the last practice day. It is a great way to end the season and the players LOVE it.
All of these dates can be found on the Recreational Calendar tab of the web site.
Game Management:
Mostly applicable to U10 and older, but Smidgets through u8 can use much of this section):
Pre-game:
The coach should have an idea of who will be starting and what positions they will play. The players should know their roles and responsibilities well before kick-off. Everyone should get to start if they are at all practice and games on time and putting forth the effort.
Things “always” change - like your best player being late, and other factors inevitably come into play, but the coach should have a plan. Your team should have an organized warm up, and it should be the same for each game. This routine helps players settle in and get focused. Keepers should get a separate warm up before players strike on goal. A dry erase board is helpful to allow players to “see” what you are teaching. The successful coach is upbeat, organized, and only makes 2-3 coaching points before the game.
Player Cards:
This season all u10 and older teams must produce player cards before the start of each game. Once the State Association produces the cards, we will have them available at both clubhouses. This should be in early September.
Half time:
Many coaches make the mistake of talking too much at halftime. Let your team come off the field and talk amongst themselves. This is when the leadership, camaraderie, and maturation take place. You should make only 2-3 coaching points in regard to the first half, and give them the line up to start the second half.
Post game:
Most coaches make the mistake of talking way too much after a game. The coach should talk briefly to the team and give clear instructions of the next practice and game. Longwinded post game speeches usually fall on deaf ears, save it for the first few minutes of the next practice- it will sink in much more after everyone (including the coach) has gotten some perspective.
For Smidgets through u8, you should have the players and parents meet together after the game, make a point to praise each player about some accomplishment in the game, and make every player feel like they contributed.
In u10 and older this should be done two to three times a season, although some coaches prefer do hold more post game meetings than that.
One sided matches – “Blow Out” games:
NASA’s Plan for Parity can be found on the web page, but unmatched games are a reality in all sports of all levels. Youth double digit soccer scores are unacceptable, and can be easily avoided. For u6 and u8, it is easy for the coaches to work together to match up their stronger players if a huge talent discrepancy is obvious early on. A coach can also play a dominate player in goal early on, or in defense, or have them be one of the first to sit out. This keeps the score close for longer, and allows all the players to be part of a competitive atmosphere.
When even that approach is not enough, it is easy to keep a game close. The best trick is to play short a player. In a u10 or older game, just sub two players off and bring one on. Most of the time the players for neither team notice, and the score ends 5-0 instead of 10-0. In the end, it is the responsibility of the coach of the dominate team to take subtle steps to avoid blow outs.
Parents Coaching From the Sideline:
This may be the biggest complaint we get from our players- Mom’s and Dad’s yelling at their children during games, trying to coach them when they are in the game. We have even had kids refuse to go play left midfield because that is the parent’s side…but they were willing to play right mid. We can’t let that happen any longer.
In your first parent meeting, make it clear that there is no coaching from the sideline by the parents- only encouragement. “Way to go, good hustle, great job”….that is about all the players need to hear from Mom and Dad. The coach does the coaching, the players do the playing, and the parents do the cheering.
Imagine little Johnny taking a math test in school. As the teacher asks Johnny “what is 8+7?”, Johnny’s dad sneaks into the back of the classroom, crawls down the aisle, and whispers “15!”, then Johnny tells the teacher the correct answer. When parents yell at their kids what to do during a game, they are solving the problems for their kid. Let them make their own decisions on the field, and they will develop into thinking soccer players.
Parents and Referees:
Each year we have great young players that go through the certification process, buy all the gear, do a few games…..and quit. Verbal (and amazingly, at times physical) abuse from parents is the reason. As the Parents Code of Conduct points out, this is unacceptable. Any parent who is a problem needs to be reported to the club- and measures will be taken that it doesn’t happen again.
Support:
Goal Keeper Clinics:
NASA provides a full slate of keeper clinics, information can be found on the NASA website.
Personnel:
As the largest youth soccer club in the state, we have many challenges to serve all our members. Both Metro North Youth Soccer Association and United Quest had a long history of strong, well run recreational programs. NASA aims to do even more for our Recreational players in the coming months.
We are fortunate to have Michele Fox as our Recreational Administrator. Her years of experience help her handle all the registrations and team placements, as well as scheduling for all practice and games. Her office line is currently 770.926.4175, although that may change in the next few weeks. Her e-mail is michele.fox@nasa-ga.org.
We have appointed two Recreational on-field Directors, one at each park, to help assist all the coaches and serve as a communications link to the club.
At Metro North Park, we welcome Carlos Calderon, who brings with him a wealth of experience and passion to our club. Horace Thompson will be our game day director at United Quest Park.
