Feeding their success.
Publix is a proud sponsor of Virginia youth soccer.
HALFWAY THROUGH THE FALL
RECREATIONAL SEASON
Teams are already halfway through the fall rec soccer season! The players have really settled into their teams, and it’s been awesome to see how much progress they’ve made since those first few games. Between the big smiles, improving footwork, and fun sideline moments, it’s clear they’re having a great time out there.
As we head into the second half of the season, the excitement is still going strong. The players are building confidence, friendships, and a real love for the game. Whether it’s celebrating a goal, cheering for a good play, or just enjoying the cool fall mornings, these are the moments that make youth soccer so special. Let’s finish the season strong and keep having fun!
ANNUAL AWARDS
'OFTHEYEAR'
Virginia Youth Soccer Association is now accepting award nominations for the 20242025 Season! VYSA encourages Member Clubs and Leagues to nominate individuals who went above and beyond for the good of the game during the 2024-2025 Season.
Award Categories
Administrator of the Year
Boys Competitive Coach of the Year
Girls Competitive Coach of the Year
Boys Recreational Coach of the Year
Girls Recreational Coach of the Year
TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year
TOPSoccer Coach of the Year
Volunteer of the Year
Young Male Referee of the Year
Young Female Referee of the Year
Team Manager of the Year
The deadline to submit nominations is October 27, 2025.
KickingOff“SoccerINSchool”at SamuelTuckerElementary
InearlySeptemberAlexandriaSoccerAssociationlaunchedtheirnewSoccerINSchoolprogramwith atSamuelTuckerElementary.ASAcoachestaughtsoccerskills,lawsofthegameandmoreduringa twoweekphysicaleducation(P.E.)unitfocusedonallthingssoccer.
BackedbyU.S.Soccer’sInnovatetoGrowinitiative,thisprogramisacollaborationbetweenASA,ACPS andtheVirginiaYouthSoccerAssociation(VYSA),ultimatelybringingasoccerunitintoeverysecond gradeACPSPE classthisschoolyear
JimHogan,DeputyDirectorofTournaments&ProgramsatASAsaid,“It’sbeenexcitingtoseethenew SoccerinSchoolprogramkickoff.Thisinitiativeistheresultofmonthsofhardworkandcollaboration andit’sincrediblyrewardingtoseeitcometolife Watchingsecondgradersoutonthefield active, engaged, and smiling truly captures the spirit of what we’re striving for making soccer fun, inclusive,andaccessibleforall”
COACHES CORNER
WhyintheWorlddidIVolunteertoCoach?Whatdothekidsreally wantfromme?
By:GordonMiller,VYSATechnicalDirector
Formanychildren,playingasportisabouthavingagoodtimewithfriends Asacoach,your approachshouldprioritizeenjoymenttokeepthemmotivatedandengaged.
Makepracticefun.Incorporategames,playfuldrills,andchallengestokeepkidsengaged andlookingforwardtopractice Don’tputtheminlinesorhavethemrunlaps-they’lllose interestquickly!
Emphasizeeffortoverwinning.Whilewinningisapartofsoccer,mostkidscaremore abouthavingfunandimprovingtheirskills Prioritizeskilldevelopmentandteamworkover thefinalscore Givethemfunnicknamesandtietheirfavoritedrillstomoderncartoon characters ithelpskeepthingslightandmemorable. Keepapositiveattitude.Acoachesattitudesetsthetone.Staypositive,evenwhenthings aregoingwrong,tohelpbuildconfidenceandresilienceinyourplayers Celebratesmall victories—ifaplayerjugglestheballtwiceoneday,encouragethemtogoforthreethe next.Everybitofprogresscounts!
Resprectandtrust
Childrenneedtofeelrespectedandsupportedtotrustyouastheircoach Whenplayers knowyoucareaboutthemasaperson,they’llcaremoreaboutwhatyouareteaching.
Beagoodlistener.Activelylistentoyourplayers'comments,questions,andideas Encourageopencommunicationwheretheyfeelcomfortablesharingtheirthoughts Treateveryonefairly.Beconsistentandtreatallplayersequally,regardlessofskilllevel. Avoidshowingfavoritism,whichcanbedetrimentaltoteamchemistry. Modelgoodsportsmanship.Yourplayerswilllooktoyouasarolemodel Lookthepartby maintainingapositiveattitude,usingrespectfullanguage,andbeingbeontime.
Clearandconsistentcommunication
Childrenthrivewhentheyunderstandwhat’sexpected ofthemandfeelconfidentintheirroleontheteam.
Setexpectationsearly.Establishrulesforpractice andgamebehavioratthestartoftheseasonso everyoneknowswhatisexpected.
Giveclearandsimpleinstructions.Foryounger athletes,keepexplanationsshortanddirect Use demonstrationswheneverpossibletohelpthem visualizenewskillsandconcepts. Deliverconstructivefeedback.Givefeedbackina positiveandencouragingway,focusingonspecific actionsratherthangeneralizedcriticism.Puta namewithanaction.Foreg.,“Charlie,Ilovedthe wayyoudribbledpastthatdefenderandtookthe shotwithyourleftfoot.YoulookedlikeMessiout there!”
Individualattentionanddevelopment
Thoughyouarecoachingateam,eachchildisanindividualwiththeirownneedsandlearning styles.
Learnwhatmotivateseachplayer.Taketimetounderstandwhatdriveseachchild Some thriveonpositivereinforcement,whileothersrespondbesttoclear,patientguidance Get toknowtheirstoriesandpersonalities.
Focusonage-appropriatedevelopment.Prioritizelearningfundamentalmovementskills andlong-termathleticdevelopmentoverearlyspecializationEncourageplayerstoexplore differentpositionsanddiscoverwhattheyenjoymost.
Celebratesmallvictories.Recognizeandpraiseeffortandimprovement,notjustresults. Thisbuildsconfidenceandencouragesagrowthmindset Giveeveryoneachancetobe thecaptain
Supportbeyondthegame
Formanychildren,acoachismorethanjustaninstructor they’reanimportantmentor whoseinfluenceextendswellbeyondthefield.
Serveasarolemodel.Youractionsandattitudewillinfluenceyourplayersbothonandoff thefield Exhibithighmoralandethicalbehavior
Teachvaluablelifeskills.Coachingisn’tjustaboutsoccer it’sabouthelpingkids developteamwork,respect,accountability,andresilience.Encouragesmallhabitsthat reinforcethesevalues,likegreetingteammateswithafistpumporhelpingcollectcones afterpractice
Takeaninterestinthemaspeople.Showgenuinecareforyourplayers’livesoutsideof soccer Whentheyknowyouseethemasmorethanjustathletes,they’lltrustyoumore andfeelcomfortablecomingtoyouforsupportoradvice
Whenyouunderstandwhatyourplayersexpectfromyou,youcanhelpcreateatrulypositive andmeaningfulexperienceforthem
RECENT COACHING CO S S
GUNSTON SOCCER CLUB COACHES CLINIC
B LICENSE COACHING COURSE
NORTHERN VIRGINIA SOCCER CLUB COACHES VISIT
H O S T A C O U R S E
COACHING COURSES ON THE BOOKS
UPCOMING COACHING COURSES
October 21, 2025
11v11 hosted by Northern Virginia Soccer Club (Club only)
LEARN MORE
December 14, 2025
9v9 Hosted by Virginia United
LEARN MORE
December 14, 2025
11v11 Hosted by Virginia United
LEARN MORE
December 8 - February 9
D License Course hosted by Colonial Heights
LEARN MORE
January 5 - June 19
B License Couse
LEARN MORE
EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS
PROVIDED BY
Every coach and team should have a process and system in place to manage medical emergencies or threats to health and safety. Following are the steps to understand and develop an Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
What is an Emergency Action Plan?
An Emergency Action Plan is an established process and system to address medical, environmental and security emergencies related to sporting activities. An EAP should address situations including cardiac arrest, head and neck injuries, asthma, heat and cold related issues, allergic reactions and environmental and security risks as they impact the safety of their athletes and personnel.
Emergency Action Plans Best Practices Check List
Every organization, club or team should develop an EAP to address medical emergencies or threats to personnel health and safety.
The EAP should address high risk incidents such as cardiac, heat and other staff and athlete safety matters.
The EAP should be reviewed by local emergency services and shared with on-site medical personnel, safety officials and organization administrators.
The written EAP should be distributed to ALL staff members (coaches).
EAPs should be specific to the venue and include all healthcare providers who may be providing coverage on site including Certified Athletic Trainers ATC or EMS providers.
Available emergency equipment on-site should be listed with location site.
EAPs should include contact information for local EMS, the club/venue director and venue/location.
The EAP should be reviewed, updated and rehearsed annually by all staff members.
COACH FOR COMMUNITY 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!
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