SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW COACHES

MAKE FUN THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR SEASON !

1. THE FIRST MEETING SHOULD BE A COMBINED PLAYER-PARENT EVENT WHICH WILL HELP THE COACH DETERMINE WHAT DAYS WILL BE GOOD FOR THE GROUP TO PRACTICE.

2. IT IS ENCOURAGED THAT A "TEAM MOM" BE APPOINTED TO ASSIST THE COACH WITH PHONE WORK, SNACK SCHEDULES ETC.

3. PRACTICES SHOULD BE LIMITED TO TWICE A WEEK IN THE YOUNGER AGE GROUPS WITH EMPHASIS PLACED ON SKILLS AND TEAM PLAY RATHER THAN CONDITIONING AND "WINNING AT ALL COSTS". AS PLAYERS GET OLDER AND HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE, THE PRACTICES WILL NATURALLY BECOME MORE INTENSE AND THE PLAYER COMMITMENT LEVEL WILL RISE ACCORDINGLY.

4. GAMES ARE ON SATURDAYS AND PLAYERS ARE ENTITLED TO PLAY AT LEAST HALF OF THE MATCH. TO ASSIST YOU WITH THIS, SPECIAL RULES HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE IN THE YOUNGER AGE GROUPS TO ALLOW A MORE LIBERAL SUBSTITUTION PATTERN. PLEASE MAKE EACH PARENT UNDERSTAND THAT ALTHOUGH WE PLAY HARD AND STRIVE TO SUCCEED, THAT WINNING IS NOT WHY WE ARE DOING THIS. PLAYERS SHOULD BE MADE TO FEEL GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

5. PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REFRAIN FROM NEGATIVE COMMENT AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THE PLAYERS AND COACHES ARE TRYING TO DO THEIR BEST!

6. COACHES WILL BE OFFERED PERIODIC INFORMATIONAL AND LICENSING CLINICS TO ASSIST THEM AND ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

7. PLAYERS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT AT GAME OR PRACTICE FIELDS UN-SUPERVISED AND POLICIES SHOULD BE IN PLACE ON EACH TEAM TO ADDRESS TRANSPORTATION, BAD WEATHER, AND CANCELLATIONS ETC.

8. PLAYERS MUST WEAR SHINGUARDS DURING ALL PLAY AND BE ENCOURAGED TO BRING WATER, WARM WEATHER GEAR AND A PROPERLY INFLATED SOCCER BALL TO EACH PRACTICE.

9. THE COACH SHOULD HAVE MEDICAL RELEASES (REGISTRATION FORMS) FOR EACH PLAYER WHO COMPETES.

10. GOOD LUCK!!! HAVE A GREAT SEASON…

Pride Soccer 597-6700