Delta Youth Soccer League U6 Coaches Handbook
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Delta Youth Soccer League The Delta Youth Soccer League (DYSL) is a volunteer nonprofit organization that provides recreational and competitive soccer programs for boys and girls ages 4 to 19 years in the Antioch, Pittsburg, Bay Point and adjacent unincorporated areas. The purpose of the DYSL shall be to develop, promote and administer the game of soccer among youth without regard to race, religion, color, creed, sex or national origin. In the U6 Developmental Division we seek to offer an interesting, educational, and challenging atmosphere in which children may develop their soccer skills while learning good sportsmanship and fair play. As a coach you are one of our most valuable resources. Each youth soccer coach as an opportunity to guide each child through their first years of experience with the sport of soccer and be a representative of the DYSL The “DYSL U6 Coaches Handbook” is designed to give you some basic coaching guidelines and help you understand the developmental needs of the children you are coaching; which in turn, hopefully help you have a positive coaching experience. This handbook also incorporates basic guidelines set down by CYSA Good luck with your team this year! If you need help, do not hesitate to contact your division’s representative.
U6: KellyMacCallister dyslU6director@gmail.com
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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Coaches Code of Conduct Coaches are a huge part of the DYSL. Not only are you a representative of the league at practices and games, but you are an important part of the children’s introduction the sport of soccer. As a coach, the DYSL expects you to adhere by the following guidelines: • • • • • • • • • • •
Coaches are responsible for all the kids on the team. Coaches are to do their best to ensure that all the kids have fun playing soccer. Coaches are to teach all kids the skills of the game, the values of teamwork and the meaning of good sportsmanship. Coaches are to lead by example and always demonstrate good sportsmanship during games. Coaches are to see that "all kids play" regardless of skill level. Coaches are to provide only encouragement and positive direction to players during games. Coaches are to know the rules and always play by the rules. Coaches are to communicate with the parents on their team and inform them of all team rules, practices and games. Coaches are to respect all facilities and equipment made available for the team to practice and play games. Coaches are never to use profanity, abusive language or threatening behavior towards any player, parent, coach or official. Coaches are to report to DYSL any perceived misconduct by coach, player, parent or official so it can be dealt with in the appropriate manner.
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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How To Manage Parents There may be occasions when you have difficulty with one or more parents. Some may want their child to play more while others may question your judgment as a coach. You can minimize the number of times you have to deal with an angry or upset parent by following these guidelines: 1. Have a pre-season meeting before the first practice to discuss your plans and expectations for the season 2. Know what your objectives are and do what you believe is in the best interests of the team, not the parents. No coach can please everyone! 3. Know the club and game rules. Be prepared to abide by them and to explain them to parents. 4. Handle any confrontation one-on-one and not in a crowd situation. Try not to be defensive. 5. Resist unfair pressure. It is your responsibility as coach to make the final decision. 6. Don’t discuss individual players with other parents. 7. Be consistent! If you change a rule or philosophy during the season, you may be in for trouble. At the very least, inform players and parents of any change as soon as possible. DYSL does have an established Parents Code of Conduct that is available on our website for you to review if needed. We suggest that you print this, have parents sign it and retain it in your team records. If you continue to have any problems with parents either at practice or games please contact your division’s representative. We are here to assist you.
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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Team Meeting It is very important to have a pre-season meeting with both parents and players. This is your first opportunity to introduce yourself, go over the goals for the season, go over expectations of parents and to recruit volunteers to help you during the season (assistant coach/team parent). Where To Have The Meeting You will need about 30-45 minutes to go over the items which you want to cover, so you want everyone to be comfortable. There are many places where you might consider holding your meeting. Libraries often have meeting rooms available. Most of the areas pizza restaurants will accommodate your group and provide pizza/drinks for the kids. Your home is also an option if you have the space to accommodate the players and parents. What To Cover At The Meeting Here is a sample agenda for a meeting • Introductions a. Introduce yourself and your assistants (if any) to the parents. Most parents like to hear something about your background and your experience coaching. If you don’t want to get into that, a simple introduction works fine. b. It's also a good idea to go around the room and ask parents to introduce themselves and say which player they're related to. • Discussion of plans for the team • Go over what you expect from the parents • Practice Schedule (Place, Times, Expectation that everyone will be on time) • Ask for volunteers (assistants/helpers/team parent). • Team Name • Equipment List: a. Ball – Size 3 b. Cleats c. Shin Guards d. Comfortable Shirt, Shorts and Socks e. Water • Team “Fee” (this is a standard fee of around $25 per player that can help the coach with equipment, banner, trophies and/or any parties throughout the season. It is not mandatory, but recommended because it may be hard to get money throughout the season for individual expenses) • Questions/Answers
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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Equipment What you need for practice: (these items are suggestions, not requirements) 1. Cones (about 10) 2. 2 Goals or Flags 3. Bibs (for scrimmages) 4. Extra Balls – Size 3 5. Pump & Needle 6. Equipment Bag or Cart 7. Whistle 8. Extra Water – just in case 9. First Aide Kit: • Band aids – assorted sizes • Sterile Pads • Adhesive Tape • Bee sting relief ointment • Antibiotic ointment What the kids need for practice: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Ball – Size 3 Cleats Shin Guards Comfortable Shirt, Shorts and Socks Water
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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Practices Most teams will practice twice a week for an hour and have a game on Saturdays. When teams are distributed you will sign up for a practice location with your division’s coordinator. These are predetermined locations for insurance reasons, but we have a variety of park choices throughout Antioch. The two main objectives for any soccer practice are to have fun, and to learn to become better soccer players. In order to teach the kids the proper technique from the start, it is important that you develop teaching goals for the season before you start. You will ordinarily have four to six weeks before the first game. Since the players are young you want to start with some basic introductions to soccer. Some suggested topics to include are: • Kick-off • Offside Throw-in • Goal kick • Corner kick • Dribbling • Turning • Passing • Shooting Be realistic in selecting your objectives! Consider the age and experience of your players. Decide on your priorities - what are the most important things you want to cover before the games begin?
Practice Plans Have a written lesson plan for each training session or practice. You cannot have a good practice if you do not have an idea of what you want to accomplish during that practice. The plan may be written out in detail on a practice planning form (see next page for example). Writing down your plan will help you think through the equipment and setup you will need for the topics to be covered in practice. As you plan your practices, remember these Tips to keep player’s interest and avoid boredom: • Get all of the players involved. • Turn "Drills" into games • Let the kids PLAY! • Keep everyone busy • Keep things moving – kids have a short attention span
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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Practices should follow a progression:
Sample Practice Plan:
PRACTICE PLAN Practice Date: Drill
Time
Comments
Warm-Up
5 Minutes
Stretch, jog
Game
5 Minutes
Red light Green light
Stations
12 Minutes (3 Minutes each station)
Drill #1 Drill #2 Drill #3 Drill #4 *Kids split into groups .
Break
3 minutes
Stations
12 Minutes (3 Minutes each station)
Break
3 minutes
Scrimmage
15 - 20 Minutes
Cool Down/Clean Up
5 Minutes
Drill #1 Drill #2 Drill #3 Drill #4 *Kids split into groups
Notes/Reminders
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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PRACTICE PLAN Practice Date: Drill
Time
Comments
Warm-Up
5 Minutes
Stretch, jog
Game
5 Minutes
Red light Green light
Stations
12 Minutes (3 Minutes each station)
Drill #1 Drill #2 Drill #3 Drill #4 *Kids split into groups .
Break
3 minutes
Stations
12 Minutes (3 Minutes each station)
Break
3 minutes
Scrimmage
15 - 20 Minutes
Cool Down/Clean Up
5 Minutes
Drill #1 Drill #2 Drill #3 Drill #4 *Kids split into groups
Notes/Reminders
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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Practice Basics Don’ts • • •
Don’t allow your players to pick their own teams Prolonged stoppages Idle time
Do’s • • • • • •
Coaches incorporate games that players are already familiar with, into your training session (playground games, physical education games, etc.) Stretching, and selecting certain players to lead stretches, are chances to develop leadership in your players Do you refer to what you worked on in your last practice before your next game? Pause for brief coaching messages Coach the positive! Encourage decision making
Principles of Coaching • • •
Developmentally appropriate Clear, concise, and correct information: Brevity – Clarity – Relevance Simple to complex: there should be a flow that is appropriate to the age of the players
Designing a Practice Helpful questions to ask yourself when planning a training session: • Are the activities fun? • Are the activities organized? • Are all of the players involved in all of the activities?
Most important: POINT THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION GO THIS WAY!!
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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Coaching U-6 Players Characteristics of U – 6 Players • • • • •
Short attention span. Can attend to only one problem at a time. May understand simple rules that are explained briefly and demonstrated. Very individually oriented (me, mine, my). Constantly in motion, but, with no sense of pace. They will chase something until they drop. They are easily fatigued but recover rapidly.
Things You Can Expect from U-6’s If you know what to expect, you will be more effective in dealing with the situations that come up with U6 players. Here are some of the things to expect: • • • • • • •
No matter how loud you shout, or how much you "practice" it, they probably cannot or will not pass the ball. The only player to hold a position is the goalkeeper Twenty seconds after the start of a game, every player will be within 5 yards of the ball. Several players will slap at the ball with their hands, or pick it up. Several parents will yell at them not to do that. Any distraction on the field will get more attention then the actual game (i.e. flowers, gopher holes, a passing train, etc.) At least one, if not all the kids at some point, are just NOT going to listen to you at a practice or game. At least one, if not all the kids at some point, is going to do something that you just have to stop laugh at!
DYSL U6/U8 Coaches Handbook
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DELTA YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE RULES OF PLAY, DEVELOPMENTAL AGE GROUPS (U6 & U8) ARTICLE I - DEVELOPMENTAL RULES OF PLAY These Rules of Play pertain to soccer players under the age of eight (8), where the emphasis will be put on the development of soccer skills. The game is for the children, let them learn; but most of all, let them play and have fun. ARTICLE II - NUMBER OF PLAYERS The maximum number of players on the field at any one time from each team shall be five, including a goalkeeper for the Under 6 program and seven, including a goalkeeper for the Under 8 program. E. U8: Each player desiring to play goalkeeper shall be allowed to do so at least once during the season. F. Games with goalkeepers: 1. Steps should not be called. 2. The ball shall immediately be “frozen” when the keeper controls the ball. 3. On the taking of a goal-kick, the opponent must be more than 10 yards away. 4. No penalty shots to be taken in these games.
ARTICLE III - PLAYERS EQUIPMENT Refer to Rules of Play, Article XI. Shin guards are mandatory for all players. ARTICLE IV - REFEREES A. Coaches, assistant coaches and/or team parents will officiate their games with one (1) person at a time on the field. While serving as “Referee” no coach or team representative shall coach his or her own players. (Revised 12/03) B. Decision on points of fact connected with the game shall be final. C. The referee shall be encouraged to explain an infraction to the offending player. D. The referees are encouraged to explain the incorrectness of the first throw-in; a second throw-in is allowed. E. If at all possible, keep the game going and avoid unnecessary delays.
ARTICLE V - LINESMAN Linesman will conform to the Laws of the Game. ARTICLE VI - DURATION OF THE GAME Under 6: Games shall consist of four (4) eight minute quarters, with “substitution” breaks at the end of each quarter, and a five minute half-time. Under 8: Games shall consist of four (4) ten minute quarters with “substitution” breaks at the end of each quarter, and a five minute half-time.
ARTICLE VII - THE START OF PLAY The start of the game shall conform to the “Laws of the Game”.
ARTICLE VIII - BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY Conform to the Laws of the Game. The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal or touch lines.
ARTICLE IX - METHOD OF SCORING Conform to the Laws of the Game. The whole of the ball must cross the goal line between the goal posts and under the cross bar.
ARTICLE X - OFFSIDE The offside rule only applies inside the goal area, six (6) yards from the goal or in cases of obvious advantage being taken (such as leaving one or more players near the goal area for the majority of the game).
ARTICLE XI - FOULS AND MISCONDUCT All intentional fouls will result in an indirect free kick, with the opponent 6 yards away. The referee is encouraged to explain all infractions to the offending player.
ARTICLE XII - FREE KICKS
All free kicks shall be classified under one heading “Indirect”. A. A goal may not be scored until the ball has been played or touched by a second player, not necessarily from the same team.
ARTICLE XIII - PENALTY KICKS No penalty kicks are to be taken during these games. Tie games stand.
ARTICLE XIV - THROW-IN Conform to the Laws of the Game. One re-throw is allowed after an explanation.
ARTICLE XV - GOAL KICK U8: Conform to the Laws of the Game. Goal kicks may be taken from anywhere inside the goal area (six yard box). U6: In the place of a goal kick the ball will be placed on the closest touch line to the spot the ball left the field of play. The game will be restarted with a free kick from that point.
ARTICLE XVI - CORNER KICKS U8: Conform to the Laws of the Game. Corner kicks may be taken from any point inside the corner arc. U6: Shall place the ball on the touch line closest to where the ball left the field of play. The game will be restarted with a free kick from that point.
ARTICLE XVII - CHANGING AGE GROUPS If a player has sufficient skills, he/she may be moved up to a higher age group, with the written permission of the parents and consent of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XVIII - COMMON SENSE A. U6: No coaching from the sidelines. U8: You may encourage them, but not coach them. B.U6: An adult may stand by the goal to maintain the safety of the goalkeeper, but may not coach the goalkeeper. U8: There may not be anyone but the goalkeeper by the goal. C. Team officials (coach) and players will shake hands with the opponent before and after each game. D. Keep no league standings. E. This game is for the children. Let them learn; but most of all, let them play and have fun. F. No player, team official or parent shall enter the field of play until he has been given permission by the referee to do so. G. Coaches, assistant coaches and parents may not enter the field at any time to coach players. (new 12/03) H. No score shall be kept at any time. (new 12/03)
ARTICLE XIX - PLAYER SUBSTITUTION Players may be substituted at the following times: A. During each “Substitution Break”. B. Half time. C. After an injury when the referee stops play. Only the injured player or players may be substituted.
Delta Youth Soccer League Parent Contract The purpose of the Delta Youth Soccer League shall be to develop, promote and administer the game of soccer among youth without regard to race, religion, color, creed, sex or national origin. DYSL strives to build the 3 Cs: Character – To demonstrate, through example, the meaning of honesty, responsibility, loyalty, and discipline. Conscience – To help build your child’s sense of right and wrong. Courage – To encourage your child to follow his conscience, to stand up for what is right, to take responsibility when something goes wrong, and never to be afraid to say “I made a mistake.” To do this, we need the support of all parents, coaches, and players. As a DYSL parent: (please initial each statement) ____ I will have a positive attitude. I understand the importance of setting a good example for my child. I will praise my child’s, teammates’, coaches’, and opponents’ efforts, not just their results. ____ I will keep my sideline comments positive at all times. I understand that saying negative things about the coach, the opposing team, or the referees will plant a pessimistic seed in my child’s head that can grow and damage his/her motivation and overall experience. ____ I will recognize the commitment my child’s coaches have made and respect that the coach is the one instructing my child at practice and during games. I understand that coaches have made a serious emotional, physical, and time commitment to developing the skills and character of these young players. ____ I will respect the referees’ decisions. I understand that officials make mistakes, but I will honor the game by keeping silent if I do not agree with a call. ____ I will accept my child for the gifts he/she has. I understand that all players have different strengths and weaknesses, and each player brings something unique to the team and the game of soccer. ____ I will honor the game of soccer by letting the kids play. I recognize that to develop the love of the game my child not only has to learn the skills, but have fun doing them. It is my duty as a parent to sit quietly and watch my child do wonderful things. ____ I will get my child to practices and games on time. I understand that “on time” means my child will be ready to go at the set time, including wearing the
right equipment or uniform and having ball, water, and other equipment required by the coach. I will pick up my child on time if I cannot be present at practice. ____ I will be present as much as possible – at practices and games. This is a great gift to my child. It shows that I support what he/she is doing. I will observe what the coaches are working on and continue to encourage my child’s practice at home. ____ I understand that if I do not honor this Parents’ Code I may be disciplined by DYSL, including probation or even suspension. Child’s/Children’s Name(s)_____________________ Age bracket(s)____________ Parent Signature____________________________ Date ___________________
AYSC To ensure a positive experience at the complex. Aysc is not a City park and is not maintained by the City. So to keep cost of maintaining the facility down. Here are some basic rules. No smoking NO dogs except guide dogs No parking except designated spots. Or you will be towed. No parking outside the gates of AYSC next to the buildings. The street is okay Please watch children that are not on teams or participating in games. We had issue during baseball with damage to the restroom facility. Please pick up your trash. New soccer fields have been constructed do not allow anyone on this field as grass is growing. For more info: www.Antiochyouthsportscomplex.com
School District. Some of the older Schools have construction going on. Make sure your parents are aware. Access may be limited at some Schools. Gates will not be wide open but will have chain on them to get access. No smoking NO dogs except guide dogs No parking except designated spots even though school is not in session. This means no parking in fire lanes or loading zones. Or you will vehicle will be towed. There are no restrooms open at any schools. There are no practices at any school on back to school night. Dates to follow Any field issues contact Fields director and the proper parties will be made aware of issue.