As mentioned earlier, NGS is a volunteer organization staffed by parents and interested parties who work very hard to provide a quality soccer program and positive learning experience for our girls. We all have to do our fair share of the work in a timely manner to maintain and improve the attributes of our soccer program.
As a coach you are responsible for both team/player skill development and league administrative functions,which are of equal importance. League administrative functions — such as player evaluation — need to be done in a timely manner so that players will be placed appropriately.
If you do intend to be a coach, do so with the understanding that you will be expected to perform administrative functions such as:
- Keep parents and players well informed about what is going on “around the league” ie: game schedules, refreshment, tryout schedules, clinics, etc.
- Prepare player evaluations in a timely manner.
- Make sure that league officials are kept up to date regarding any roster changes or team issues.
- Maintain contact with the age group coordinator and the Director of Coaching.
- The administrative tasks associated with being a youth soccer coach can get to be a burden if you are not organized from the beginning.
Some suggestions for both intramural and travel coaches on how to get your administrative tasks done, and how they need to be done:
a. Before you get started, assign:
- Assistant Coaches: Either interested parents or older NGS players who want to coach
- Team Manager: To take care of team organization, assist in emails to parents, phone calls, etc.
b. When you get your team’s roster:
- Start the player/coach bonding process right away. Call each player individually and welcome her to the team.
- Email a “Welcome Letter” which outlines your objectives and expectations of both players and parents.
- Confirm email addresses and phone numbers.
- Treat All Players Equally.
- Have a team meeting before the season starts. It helps to begin the team bonding process.
- Be open. “Get Feedback From The Kids”. What would they like to do.
- Involve players and parents in a joint objective setting process.
- Contact Director of Coaching and age group coordinator with questions and comments
c. Additional Points of Importance
- All coaches must fill out player evaluations for their team as instructions indicate. Submit them on time and make sure that all commentary is meaningful, relevant, clear and concise.
- Player evaluations are an extremely important part of the selection process. You must paint a realistic and accurate picture of each player’s current and potential abilities.
- Parental involvement is great, but not when it disrupts the decision making process. You are the coach; you make the decisions.
- “KISS PRINCIPLE”. Communicate with parents and keep them informed but “KEEP IT SHORT AND SIMPLE”
- Remember that you can’t keep everyone happy all the time, no matter how hard you try-but at least make an effort to provide a “happy medium”, Ask the kids.
- Arrange for a “soccer related” team activity that will facilitate the team bonding process. Plan to attend a Revolution or Renegades game as a team.
- Plan your practice sessions ahead of time. Arrive early (15-30 thirty minutes) for practices and (30 thirty minutes) for games, fully prepared. Expect the same from players and parents.
- Delegate responsibilities to develop your assistant coaches and share the work load. Encourage them to attend MYSA licensing courses, coaching clinics and view instructional videos.
- Instill a high level of sportsmanship, commitment and team-oriented concepts in all players.
- Most kids are very straightforward in their thinking processes which ultimately generates and animates the game.
- Let the kids “Think Soccer”. Small sided games enable players to think soccer. Players need to be able to make their own decisions on the field; “The Game is the Best Teacher of All”. These decisions can be discussed at practice to make players aware of their options.
- Create an environment that maximizes freedom and spontaneity and minimizes anxiety and fear of failure.
- Coaches need to develop the vital player qualities of concentration, focus, willpower, the ability to “stay in the game” and read and react to the next action by the opposing team. Coaches also need to remember that the fun and social experience is of paramount importance.
- Stay informed. If you do not know what to do seek information from someone who knows the answer. ( veteran coaches, age group coordinator, Director of Coaching, etc.)
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