May 2025 Recreational Newsletter by chloevysa

By Gordon Miller

The

Read all about available resources for coaches, information on player health and safety, member club highlights, printable activities for players and more!

ALMOST AT THE END OF THE SPRING 2025 RECREATIONAL SEASON

Teams are almost at the end of the Spring 2025 Recreational Soccer Season!

The weather has warmed up. Teams have come together, players are developing new skills, and great friendships are forming. Smiles are everywhere throughout Virginia!

There’s still plenty of soccer to be played, more fun, and more opportunities to shine. Let’s keep the momentum going and finish the season on a high note!

SPRING REGISTRATION

COACHES CORNER

By Gordon Miller

Life Lessons:Beyond soccer, you teach kids about discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

2. Personal Fulfillment

Sense of Purpose:Coaching provides a rewarding experience of contributing to young people’s growth. Fun and Enjoyment:Sharing the excitement of games and practice sessions can be genuinely fun and energizing.

3. You Will Build a Community Connections with Families:You get to know players' families and become a respected part of the local community.

Networking:Coaching opens up relationships with other coaches, league organizers, and volunteers.

4. Development of Leadership Skills

Team Management:You learn how to organize, lead, and motivate a group skills that are transferable to work and life.

Conflict Resolution:Managing differing personalities and expectations hones your communication and problem-solving skills

5. Staying Active

Physical Engagement:Coaching often involves movement and participation, keeping you physically active.

Mental Stimulation:Planning drills, adapting strategies, and handling real-time decisions keep your mind sharp.

6. Learning and Growth

Soccer Knowledge:Even if you start with limited experience, coaching deepens your understanding of the game.

Personal Development:You gain patience, adaptability, and teaching techniques, which are valuable in many contexts.

7. Creating Memories

Shared Moments:Watching players improve, celebrate goals, or overcome challenges creates lasting memories.

Legacy:You play a part in moments that many kids will remember for life. Enjoy the journey!

RECENT COACHING COURSES

UPCOMING COACHING COURSES

June 18, 2025

11v11 hosted by Alexandria Soccer Association

LEARN MORE

June 19, 2025

7v7 hosted by Alexandria Soccer Associtaion

LEARN MORE

June 21, 2025

9v9 hosted by Virginia Soccer Association

Contact VSA

June 21, 2025

11v11 hosted by Virginia Soccer Association

Contact VSA

June 29, 2025

9v9 hosted by Smithfield Soccer Club

LEARN MORE

June 29, 2025

11v11 hosted by Smithfield Soccer Club

LEARN MORE

July 31, 2025

9v9 hosted by Alexandria Soccer Associtaion

COACHING COURSES

LEARN MORE

Player Health & Safety Tips

Virginia Youth Soccer Association provides members with a wide array of player safety resources to ensure young athletes are prepared for injuries and stay healthy on and off the field The Player Health & Safety section of Foot Notes will feature important articles on various topics such as injury prevention, concussion awareness, proper nutrition and more

CONCUSSION

A concussion can be difficult to recognize on the field Most occur without a loss of consciousness or an obvious sign that something is wrong with a player’s brain function They can occur at any time throughout games or practice, as a blow to the head or body from contact with the ground, the ball or another player Working with leading physicians for more than a decade, U S Soccer created Recognize to Recover resources that will help coaches, players, parents and referees identify the signs and symptoms of concussion and immediately take action with the appropriate treatment.

RECOGNIZE

Changes in brain functions:

Unaware of game (opposition colors, score of game, last play)

Confusion

Amnesia (does not recall events prior to the hit or after the hit)

Drastic changes in alertness

Does not know time, place or date

Slowed responses to questions or conversation

Decreased attention and concentration

Mental and emotional changes:

Depression

Anxiety

Anger

Irritability

Emotionally unstable

Physical changes:

Headache

Dizziness

Nausea

Unsteadiness/loss of balance

Feeling “dinged” or stunned or “dazed”

Seeing stars or flashing lights

Ringing in the ears

Double vision

recover

Remove, Evaluate and Rest are key steps to treating a concussion or other head injury in soccer. When a concussion is identified quickly, it prevents the injury from getting worse, and prevents the player from staying off the field for even longer.

Remove

An athlete who experiences a blow to the head or body should immediately be removed for play and should not return to play until he/she is evaluated When in doubt, the athlete should sit out

Evaluate

Have a health care professional evaluate the athlete immediately. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself.

Rest

Never rush a return to play. A return to play should only occur after an athlete has been cleared by a medical professional. If you rush the return, a player is at significantly higher risk for more problems in the future.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RECONGNIZE TO RECOVER

JUNE 6-9TH

COACHING COURSE FOR THE RECREATIONAL COACH

The Coach For Community (C4C) is a FREE two-hour course that is designed to help prepare entry level coaches with practical and theoretical knowledge. This course is conducted by a qualified US Soccer/VYSA Coach Educator and can be requested by VYSA member clubs at the U6, U8, U10 and/or U12 levels.

The First hour is classroom presentations:

Player Characteristics

Age-Appropriate Games

Running a Practice

Role of the Coach

Tips to Survive

The second hour is field/gym demonstration: Age specific players will participate in an organized practice session.

ContactJessicaatjessica@vysa.comtoday!

US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer or The Outreach Program for Soccer is a recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered only through local US Youth Socceraffiliated soccer clubs.

TOPSoccer provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive.