EVERTON FLORIDA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION

COACHING POLICIES FOR CLUB SOCCER 2008- 2009

 

Game changes re: rescheduling

In the event of a game change you need to inform our Referee assignor and Club coordinator as soon as possible. Also notify the age group coordinator and opposing coach. (Minimum of 7 days lead time is needed) Check that lights will be on for evening games and that there is space for your game. Check for a second time before event that everything is in order.

Training nights
If you are last to leave the facility please be sure that all doors are locked in the clubhouse, IE: Storerooms, Referee rooms and bathrooms. Scan fields for equipment left out and return as needed. Also be sure that all players within your team have been collected by Parents or left the facility.

Game days

·        Be sure that you know what field you are playing on and that the field is lined. You are responsible for the corner flags. The first coach at the facility will put them out and the last will take them in.

·        Check nets for holes and to be sure that the goals are weighted down (Either staked or sandbags will suffice).  The staking off the goals also applies to training as well. 

·        Arrive early so that if a problem has occurred you are in good time to deal with it before the parents, players and opposition  have arrived.

·        When playing away it is prudent to call the opponents coach to clarify times and location.

·        Weight goals down with sandbags or with  suitable devices.

Field maintenance
Any defects to the fields or equipment need to be reported in the first instance to the Field director. A report needs to be filled out and placed in the Directors in box in the referee’s room.

Field care
Avoid using the goal area. Use wide areas for drills and off field areas for running. This will help cut the wear and tear down on the fields. It is a good regime to rotate goals across the field when you play.

Placement of goals
Be sure to return goals to their rightful place. This applies especially to teams training on Friday nights before game day. Please be responsible.  This is a mandate!

Care of equipment
Be on the lookout for persons swinging on crossbars and nets. This is both dangerous and costly. Be vigilant and do the right thing.

Training areas 
Keep to your training area; don’t move from location to location. If there is a problem with the area that you occupy notify the club coordinator.

Incitement
Under no circumstances incite your parents against the Administration. Do not side with your group on issues against the administration. This is the quickest way to cause division and will ultimately lead to failure. If there is a problem, deal with it and bring it up to the Board at another time.

Parental behavior
This is your responsibility to keep your parents under control. This applies before, during, and after games. Often we get carried away and thus incite the parents even further. Please keep your emotions in check; this will help defuse much of the poor behavior that can occur in heated moments. This is all part of team management and falls on your shoulders as the leader of the group. Be the role model and standard setter. 
 

Dress Code
I have always prided myself on the dress of our coaches. First, it’s important that we look like coaches. Wearing the correct attire at all times is part of the job. Please be sure to do so. Baseball caps do not constitute correct dress code. In bright sun or glare situations they are acceptable, but not as a fashion statement. Players need to wear correct training gear. Again this is your responsibility to set the standard.

Risk Management
Each of you will receive a handout on this topic. I suggest you read it and follow it. Coaches are now the people to sue.

Further Education
It is an expectation of the club and its BOD that you attend as many coaching courses and seminars as possible. This will better equip you to do your Job. The club has a fund in place that helps defray the costs of these courses. Please note, Board approval needs to be implemented before funding can be approved. We intend to place a minimum amount of Education you need to attend per year to coach at the Raiders organization next season. I am just giving you the heads up.

Email communication
Be sure to email all game scores to the other coaches. These reports should not go to parents. This is something that we share between us. If you are using the Web as a link then you must be careful what you say about your own players and the opponents as this is on show and can be looked at by anyone. The reports do not have to be of great description, but brief and informative.

 

Agreement signed
Are you aware of what you signed and the contents of your “coach’s agreement”? Please be sure to read it thoroughly so you know the requirements of the club and our expectation!

 

Training of Teams
It is the expectation of the club that the DOC and training staff conduct sessions throughout the year with your team. This will continue. If you are a paid Trainer, then my expectation is that you will observe on that evening and assist the Coach if needed. The players and parents love to see the DOC on the pitch working with the teams. It also mixes it up a little for the players bringing a new concept into play.

 

Following directives:
This is not an option. If you are told to do something then this needs to be followed. The plan is set and there for a reason. Please go with the flow and do not try and fight what we are doing. The club is open to constructive criticism, but presented through the right channels, we have the whole picture in mind, not just one team. I want team players at the club, so be that player. If we all are of one mind we will be strong.

Coaches Logs
Each of you should be keeping a Coaches Log of what sessions you are doing, attendance charts, and other pertinent information you wish to log. These records are imperative for back tracking and can be of a great benefit should you need to track back. It’s professional and lets people see you have a plan.

Ownership
Please be responsible in and around the facilities. If you see something wrong and are able to fix it then fix it! Don’t just complain. Look after the area where you train. If you have kicked divots out then at the end of training get the players with yourself to kick them back in. This will also help the players to place a value on what is theirs. Moving the Goals to save wear is also another vital area that needs to be addressed. If a Goal fell on a child because you had not re-anchored it, guess who the Attorney would be coming after?

 

Coaches meetings
Coaches meeting are not hosted that often. So, when we have a meeting the expectancy of the club is that you all attend. Conflicts are always a problem and we are sensitive to that, however many of you are also paid professionals for what you do at the Raiders Organization, so you also have a responsibility to attend. I really do not require excuses, just attendance. Please be sure to be there!

 
The Team
I constantly hear coaches refer to the team they are coaching as “My team”, Please remember that the team is a club team, you just happen to coach it. Although this is just a figure of speech it can be misleading. Ownership belongs to the club. You will be asked after a 3 year period to take another team, so please do not get so attached that you cannot let go.
 
Travel Expenditure
Coaches will receive an allowance for travel to and from a facility that is over a 50 mile radius from a start point designated from Puryear Park . Mileage will be recorded by Map quest and a printout will need to accompany such Expense forms presented for reimbursement. The gas allowance will be $.32 per mile
 
Per Diem expense
This will be allocated at $25.00 per day.

Broken down will list as follows:

Breakfast: $5.00

Lunch:       $7.50

Dinner       $12.50

Dinner will not be an option if return is before 6pm. Expenditures need to be presented within 7 days.

Hotels
This expense will only be picked up if the tournament is outside the 50 mile radius. On overnight stays in hotels, minors must have room chaperones. Females must accompany females within rooming assignments. This is a must and must be adhered to at all times.

Parent Coaches
Parent coaches are allowed to receive remuneration for their services for the team that their child plays on. This is just and fair and in line with other clubs.
 
Coaching Courses
The club will pay for State E-D Licenses, on successful completion of the course. Pertaining to national A- B- C Licenses, the Club will pay up to 50% of the course price on successful completion of the course. (This does not include Housing costs and food)

 

Tournament Approval
All teams entering a Tournament are to be approved by the resident DOC.

 

Alcohol use during travel
We ask that all coaches drink sensibly while on overnight trips. You are representing our organization. Absolutely “No drinking” in front of players. It is also advised that you do not get involved with drinking within the parental group. “Familiarity breeds contempt”. No Everton apparel to be worn should alcohol be consumed.
 
Dress code
All coaches need to dress appropriately. You must use Raiders approved apparel. You are responsible for your assistant’s dress code. No hats worn either sideways or back to front.

 

Players dress Code
Players must wear the appropriate apparel on training nights. This consists of Shirt, shorts and socks. This has to be enforced and a mandate. You as the Head coach are responsible and will be held accountable.

 

Political correctness

Be sure not to refer to a player by either race or creed. Also refrain from using derogatory remarks concerning a player’s physical appearance. This can be damaging and kill a child’s esteem. Also this can leave a coach open to legal ramifications should a complaint be lodged.

 

Summary

The reason for the above mentioned, is getting everyone on the same page. However, the better clubs are all driven by the same philosophies. Our desire is for us to be a premier club with the best coaching and development in the area. Winning will thereafter follow!