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Youth Team Management. Key Components to Coaching Youth Players. LOVE for working with children PATIENCE for working with children ORGANIZATION ADAPTABILITY and FLEXIBILITY COMMUNICATION with children and parents
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Key Components to Coaching Youth Players • LOVE for working with children • PATIENCE for working with children • ORGANIZATION • ADAPTABILITY and FLEXIBILITY • COMMUNICATION with children and parents • DESIRE/ PASSION to make an impact on their love for the game and their development • ENERGY
Pre-season- Player Information • Names (know first, last and nick names) • Home Address • Home Phone Number • Parent Cell Phone Number • Emergency contacts • Medical conditions/ Special “situations” • Family situations • Previous experience • It would be beneficial to have all of this information on one form- one per player (keep in binder)
Pre-season- Parent Information • Hold a pre-season parent meeting in order to meet all parents, discuss philosophy, distribute all paperwork, and collect “necessities” • Emergency medical forms with contact numbers and insurance information • Email addresses and phone numbers (cancellations, etc.) • Work phone numbers and emails • Rides (possible release form) • Proper behavior at training and matches (signed parent agreement)
Sample Parent Meeting Information 1. Coaching Philosophy and Mission of the program 2. Coaches’ Role in the soccer program • Do what is best for the development of the player • Provide constructive and honest feedback to each player • Evaluate each player to the best of their ability • Do what is best for the team concept • Be role models for current and future soccer coaches and players • Coach within the “spirit of the game” • Encourage education first (school) • Continue to pursue additional coaching knowledge and philosophies
Sample Coaching Philosophy • A competitive environment at the youth level encourages decisions from player and coach alike that focus on player development rather than winning (favoring ball skill and creativity as the means to find success within the rules and spirit of the game). We will not have a “win at all costs” mentality. Our primary concerns are the development, welfare, enjoyment and safety of our players.
3. Parents’ Role in the soccer program • Three things to tell your athlete prior to training or match: “Play Hard…Have Fun…I Love You” • Guide athletes to be intrinsically driven (motivation from within themselves). • Encourage your player to talk to the coach if they have any questions. • Always be positive and caring towards all members of the soccer family. • Never try to coach your athlete during or after training sessions and matches.
4. Tentative Calendar for Training and Matches 5. Parent/Booster Help • Newsletter • Website • Team Clothing (Fan Wear) • Team Dinners/Gatherings • Tournaments (food, drinks, travel, etc.) • Get them involved; keep them informed!
Pre-Season- Organization • Phone trees (if necessary) • Calendar of events for entire season (training, matches, team gatherings, etc.) • Post-match treats? Encourage proper nutrition • Secure a training facility • TEAM MANAGER- a necessity • ASSISTANT COACH- if possible
Importance of a Strong Team Manager • Communication is key to keeping things organized • Team managers can assure proper registration for leagues and tournaments • Can make travel arrangements for away trips • Can contact parents when changes occur in the training or match schedule • Manage coaching fees • Can make your job so much easier!
Essential Equipment • Cones (two colors if possible) • Vests (two colors) • Flags/ Coaching sticks • Balls- one per player • Goals (if necessary) • Nets (if necessary) • Ball pump • Access to water • Extra shinguards • Extra shoelaces • Water jugs (if necessary)
Safety/ Risk Management • Walk the field before each session- remove debris • Goals are properly secured to ground • All equipment is in working order • Personal cell phone or access to pay phone • Player medical forms • Plan for inclement weather (thunderstorms, etc.) • Avoid training when too hot or cold • Ample water and rest breaks • Never leave a player alone • Be certain all players leave with designated individuals • Avoid being left alone with children who are not your children • Ride home parental release forms (in binder)
Items for Medical Kit • Band-aids • Synthetic ice packets • Ace wraps • Pre-wrap • Athletic tape • Scissors • Disinfectant • Rubber gloves • Gauze pads • Blister kits • Sunscreen • Medication (for children) • Medical Forms (kept in team binder)
Rob Herringer Kansas Youth Soccer Association State Director of Coaching coaching@ksysa.org 913-782-6434- Office