Game Day

Pre-Game:
  • Coaches card for you and any assistant who will be on the sideline with you.  You can not be on the sideline without a card and the game can not occur without a registered coach with a card.  Contact you age group coordinator if you have lost or misplaced your card.
  • 2 copies of your roster  one is for the referee and one for the opposing coach.
  • Player cards
  • Equipment such as game ball and different colored pinnie for goalkeeper and gloves.
Consider the following as you prepare for the game:
  • How many players you have?  What formation will you play?  Who will start the game in what positions?  How will you rotate the players?  The more you think about this ahead of time, the more time you can spend observing the play and coaching the team.
  • What warmup drills will you do?
  • What 2-3 things do you want the kids to emphasize in that particular game.  Keep these small and manageable.

During the Game:

  • Limit the coaching of players on the field – we know this is hard, but more often than not the players can not hear nor process what you are saying.  If anything is said, make it positive reinforcement.
  • Coach with the kids not playing – Consider engaging the kids on the sideline by talking about what they see on the field and what you see.  Teaching them from this position, occupies them and allows them to see the game with a different perspective, and hopefully bring some of those thoughts with them when they play.
  • Observe the zero tolerance policy  – There can be no yelling at the referees.  You can be sure they will make mistakes, prepare yourself and your team for it.  Be aware of parent behavior in this regard as well, work to control this as well.  If there are any questions, you can read the policy here.
  • Have fun – It’s a game.  Enjoy the kids.  Teach them to compete as hard and fair as they can.  When it’s over, congratulate the other team.
After the Game
  • Ask the players what they seen during the game and what they learned from the game.  What did they do well?  What could they improve upon?
  • Offer your insights on what you saw – keep this brief.
  • Email your section leader with the scores – by the end of the weekend.
  • Adjust practice plans – Did you see something that you want to focus on in the upcoming practices?
  • Provide feedback about the refereeing – go to this link

Playing Time

Every age level (U9-U14):

  1. Every healthy player plays at least 50% of each half of game period — no exceptions.
  2. Over the course of the season, every player should have approximately equal playing time.
  3. Every attempt should be made for players to start either the first or second half of each game.
  4. Generally playing goalkeeper is not a substitute for field playing time, and additional field playing time should be given to non-dedicated players that play goalkeeper.
  5. No player shall play more than one half at GK.