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Coaches Guide
This guide is a resource for coaches of the Forest Heights Soccer Club (FHSC) and outlines important goals of the club, coaching responsibilities, and provides some helpful tips for the upcoming season.
1. The purpose of recreational soccer ...is for the kids to have fun. This will be your number one priority, along with the safety of your players. Soccer at this level is for the kids to play, to learn sportsmanship, some basic skills, the meaning of teamwork, to support their teammates, and above all, to have fun. The desire to win does not need any additional encouragement; you’ll find that most of the kids have it already. Our job is to help kids learn the aspects of the game mentioned above.
If players leave the field complaining about playing time, or that practice was a bore, or if they aren’t learning, then we’ve missed the goal of rec. soccer. Please keep this at the top of your mind as you interact with the kids both at practice and in games.
2. Contact your team. Before the season starts, contact the team-member’s parents. Introduce yourself, welcome the child to the team and try to set up a team meeting. This can be at your house, before or after a practice or at some other time and location. Please review the following.
1. Rec. soccer. Have fun.
2. Hand out the following.
a. Team roster w/ phone #’s.
b. Practice schedule with times and locations.
c. Game schedule. If you don’t have the actual schedule, let all know games will be on Saturday’s, Fridays for kindergartners.
3. Ask for a team parent volunteer. (duties discussed later)
4. Make sure you have the medical release form for all players. This must be with you at all practices and games.
5. Make sure parents knbow how to obtain uniforms.
6. Discuss the equipment list players will need, i.e., water bottle, shin guards, soccer shoes, etc.
Discuss your philosophy about coaching and having fun playing soccer (sportsmanship, teamwork and teammates, etc.)
3. Soccer Clinics. PYSA and OYSA both offer coaching clinics throughout the year.
See www.oregonyouthsoccer.org or www.portlandyouthsoccer.com for a listing of upcoming clinics. There are also other clinics offered. FHSC will reimburse you for any clinic you attend. It is highly recommended that you attend a clinic, even if you’ve attended one in previous years. They have great information about rec. soccer, as well as providing age appropriate individual and team drills. They will help immensely.
4. Team parent. You will need someone to assist you in the following.
a. Helping with uniform distribution and collection.
b. Assigning snack and drink schedules for half time and at the end of games.
c. Helping with field set-up if required.
d. Setting up the end of season party and $ collection for trophies.
e. Any other administrative details, email list, tournament enrollment, etc.
5. Behavior. As we’ve said, your goal is for the kids to have fun and learn the game of soccer. Your behavior will be a role model for the children and in some instances, for the parents. A coach that “loses it” over a missed call by a referee or a bad play by a child is effectively teaching the kids how to “lose it” themselves. It’s stating the obvious, but, remember that there is no place for critical or derogatory comments in youth soccer.
You’ll find that most parents are terrific, but on rare occasions, they can become a problem during the game. Coaches are responsible for their behavior. If you think that the behavior of a parent is out of hand, address the issue then and there. A cheering and boisterous sideline is an asset to your team and the game, but only if the cheers are encouraging
6. Referees. The refs in rec. soccer are usually teenagers with soccer experience, but still learning how to officiate. Critical comments to them will do more than anything else to drive them away. We already have a lack of officials. Please don’t compound the problem by complaining to them during the game. Yelling at the officials provides a truly awful example to kids. They will do as they see you do. If you are disappointed in a referee’s performance, use the referee game evaluation form that you turn in after each game to note what you thought the referee did wrong.
Remember, besides teaching personal skills and tactics, you are teaching fairness and sportsmanship. You and your example will have a lasting impact on the members of your team. Have fun, teach well, and thank you for your time and effort.
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