3rd through 8th Grade Coaches Meeting

Lexington United Soccer Club What are we trying to accomplish here? To have fun playing To build friendships To instill the values of sportsmanship and fair play To be active and healthy To acquire new skills To learn to deal with both success and failure

“The health of the team is reflected in the face of the coach “The health of the team is reflected in the face of the coach.” - Arsene Wenger

The Coach’s Responsibilities The Player’s Responsibilities Be A Role Model Have Perspective Prepare Training Execute Training Game Day Coaching Manage Parents Set Boundaries The Player’s Responsibilities Do Your Best Be a Great Teammate

Be a Role Model The Positive Model The Coach that is punctual has players that are punctual. The Coach that is prepared has players that are prepared. The Coach that is composed will instill composure not only in his/her players, but the parents as well. The Negative Model The Coach that is tardy, will have players that are consistently late. The Coach that gets flustered at every misfortune and harps on the players and official, will have parents that follow suit.

Zero Tolerance

Green Card No one, except the players, is to speak to the referee during or after the game. Exceptions: Coaches may ask questions before the game, Coaches may call for substitutions, Coaches may point out emergencies during the game, Coaches may respond to the referee if addressed ZT

Level 1 Level of Violation L3 Level 2 What happens if the referee cites me for a Zero Tolerance violation in his/her game report? For the lowest level violation, level 1, LUSC will notify the coach that he/she has been cited. For a level 2 violation, BAYS will notify LUSC, and LUSC will impose an automatic one game suspension after the second level 2 violation. For a level 3 violation, BAYS will notify LUSC, and BAYS will impose an automatic one game (or more) suspension. 2 4

Thank the Ref!

The Lopsided Score Scenario Rule to live by: Don’t embarrass your opponent! DOC’s preference: Don’t place false restrictions, but find ways to make the game worthwhile. Ex. Drop Off and Counter Must Change Point of Attack

US Soccer Heading Mandates U11 and below No heading in games or practices. U12 30 minute maximum of training of heading per week. 15 to 20 repetition maximum. No heading during games U14 No change

Modified Law 12 An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee: Deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball. If, in the opinion of the referee, a deliberate header or attempt to head occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick will be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If, in the opinion of the referee, a player does not deliberately head or attempt to head the ball, then play should continue.

Coaching Considerations

Weekly Cycle Philosophy: Logistics: The Game Pro Practice Team Practice Philosophy: The Game- Focus on Performance not results Pro Practice- Long term development, building the foundation of the player Team Practice- Allow for extended play. Make it directional Logistics: The Game- Every Saturday Pro Practice- A weekly professionally guided session at the same location with all other teams within the age group Team Practice- A volunteer coach led practice at the location of the coaches choosing. “Practice makes the player, the game is proof that you are a player.” Sir Alex

Control What you Can Control? Why? Numbers Field Size Small or Big? Field Shape Long or Short? Narrow or Wide?

Team Practice Considerations Ask yourself what do I want to accomplish today? Set priorities and choose a topic Progress simple to complex Make it directional Allow for extended play Self-evaluate

Team Practice Considerations Where do you stand? Why?

Coaching Roles Establish Roles and Expectations for head and assistant coaches for: practices games Examples: Leading training Individual corrections Coach specialist (position specific) Work with keeper Observe opponent Individual Check in

Positional Demands K-2-3-1 K-2-4-2

Player Rotation Consideration Reasons to Rotate Playing at the Back, Dealing with “Talented” Players, Appreciation for Teammates and Roles within a Team Potential Pitfalls of Player Rotation Flow of the Game, Learning to Play While Fatigued, Reinforcing Coach’s Feedback Recommendations Reduce Number of Substitutions, Rotate at Half, Rotate Game to Game

A Word on Winning “We want our kids to win, we want our kids to want to win, but there are no consequences for not winning.” Romeo Jozak, Ph.D Croatian Football Federation Technical Director

Setting Boundaries Hold a preseason meeting Define your goals/hopes for the coming season Kids have fun Kids improve Kids give 100% Provide families with best times and ways to communicate with you I highly recommend making post game an off-limits zone Explain Zero Tolerance and LUSC’s expectations on parental behavior Reinforce that there will be no coaching from the parents side-line. Attempt to secure a team manager to handle logistics for the coming year

“I Really Love Watching You Play” The Ride Home Return to being the parent not the coach. “I Really Love Watching You Play”

Upcoming Events Model Coaching Session An Introduction to Coaching When: Friday September 9th Where: Estabrook Elementary School 5:30 to 6:30pm: Playing Out of the Back in the 7v7 Format (Build-up) 6:30 to 7:30pm: Playing in the Final Third in the 9v9 Format (Penetration) 7:30 to 8:00pm: Q&A with LUSC DOC and ASST DOC An Introduction to Coaching When: Saturday 10th 12:30pm to 4:00pm Where: Diamond Middle School library & gymnasium

Thank You for Volunteering