Annual Coach Update

Annual Coach Update

Hosted by: Region 92

Presented by: Eric Stoker, Rick Pierce and

Tony Parascandola

Course Overview:

• AYSO Structure

• AYSO Vision, Mission & Philosophies

• Coach Resources

• Rules and Regulations

• Team Management

• Parent Code of Conduct

• Equipment

• Ratings

• AYSO Soccer Accident Insurance

• AYSO Structure– Region

• Basic operating unit; e.g. Region 92• Regional Commissioner: Eric Stoker

– [email protected]

– Area• Group of Regions; e.g. 7, 17, 18, 21, 34, 1345• Area Director:

– Section• Areas connected Geographically; e.g. Section 1• Section Director: Frances Stronks

– All Volunteers

Vision StatementTo provide world class youth soccer

programs that enrich children’s lives.

Mission StatementTo develop and deliver quality youth soccer

programs, which promote a fun, family environment based on the AYSO

Philosophies…

Everyone Plays***• Our program’s goal is for kids

to play soccer—so we mandate that every player on every team must play at least half of every game.

Balanced Teams• Each year we form new

teams as evenly balanced as possible —because it is fair and more fun when teams of equal ability play.

AYSO Philosophies:

Open Registration• Our program is open to all

children between 4 and 19 years of age who want to register and play soccer. Interest and enthusiasm are the only criteria for playing.

Positive Coaching***• Encouragement of player effort

provides for greater enjoyment by the players and ultimately leads to better-skilled and better-motivated players.

AYSO Philosophies:

Good Sportsmanship***• We strive to create a positive

environment based on mutual respect rather than a win at all costs attitude, and our program is designed to instill good sportsmanship in every facet of AYSO.

Player Development***• We believe that all players should

be able to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities, both individually and as members of a team, in order to maximize their enjoyment of the game.

AYSO Philosophies:

• AYSO Team– Coaches, referees, parents, players and

volunteers– Friendly attitude and cooperation are expected

• Good behavior for coaches– Support AYSO Philosophies– Be reasonable in your demands on young players

(time, energy, enthusiasm, performance)– Stress adherence to Laws of the Game– Respect referees, opponents, and opposing

coaches– Enlist parents’ support in promoting proper

attitudes/values– Promote player safety– Set good example

• Coach Resources– Regional Coach Admin/Program

Commissioners/Division Commissioners– Coaching Manuals (Handing one out to

everyone)– UK Coaches (UKSocca.com)– Books, tapes, and other materials in

AYSO Store– Ayso.org– Division Handbooks

• Rules and Regulations– Three quarters play– U6 – 20 min game at Brett Field– U7/U8 – 40 min game at Richmond

Street Fields– Start and finish your games on time– ONLY the referee should be on the field

LET THEM PLAY!! – The game is the best teacher; guide

their learning– Scores and standings are not kept– No Goalkeepers in U6/U7

U6 Game Format• BALL: Size 3• Two 10 minute halves with a short substitution break in the middle

of each half. There is also a halftime break of 5-10 minutes.• 5 v 5, with no goalkeeper.• START OF THE GAME: With a free kick in the middle of the field.

Players should be 5 yards from the spot of the free kick.• BALL IN AND OUT OF PLAY: • 1. When the whole ball passes over the touchline, either on the

ground or in the air, it should be thrown in from where it crossed the line, by a player of the opposing team.

• 2. When the whole ball passes over the goal line (not into the goal), it should be kicked into play from where it crossed the line, by a player from the opposing team.

U6 Game Format (cont)• SUBSTITUTIONS: May take place between each 5 minute break

and/or at half time. (If a child comes off the field or does not want to return to the field, a new player may be sent in.) Please note that the clock keeps ticking through the substitution breaks.

• TIME ON THE FIELD: Players are to play three out of four quarters if the roster/attendance permits. If the roster does not permit 3/4 play by every player at every game, the coach must record substitutions at every game to maintain and account for an even balance of play for every player throughout the season.

• FOULS: • All “fouls” result in direct free kicks, with opponents five (5) yards away. All fouls should be explained to the players.

• VARIANCE FROM FIFA LAWS:– No goalkeeper, no penalty kicks, no offside– Throw-ins – At this level, we do not call back illegal thrown-ins.– 5 yards away from the center mark for an opponent’s kick-off,

direct kick, goal or corner kick


of each half. There is also a halftime break of 5-10 minutes.• 6 v 6, with no goalkeeper.• START OF THE GAME: With a free kick in the middle of the field.



• THROW INS: If a player commits a foul on a throw-in, the ball is called back. The referee should explain the proper way to do a throw-in. A second attempt is permitted to the player and the game resumes regardless of the legality of the second throw-in.

U7 Game Format (cont)• SUBSTITUTIONS: A substitution break should be called

approximately halfway through each half. Please educate your players and parents to the fact that this is NOT a “quarter” or a halftime break AND that the clock keeps running. Also, please start to train your players to wait until the player coming out of the game has left the field before he/she goes on the field. (At this level, if a child comes off the field or does not want to return to the field, a new player may be sent in regardless of timing.)

• TIME ON THE FIELD: EVERY player is to play three out of four quarters. If the roster size does not permit 3/4 play by every player at every game, the coach must record substitutions at every game to maintain and account for an even and consistent balance of play for every player throughout the season. There is no doubt that you will have a parent complain that you kept their child out more than other players. Showing your “substitution history” will eliminate the complaint immediately.

U7 Game Format (cont)• FOULS: Coaches should use discretion in calling fouls (or you’ll

be stopping the game all the time). When called, all “fouls” result in direct free kicks, with opponents five (5) yards away. All fouls should be explained to the players whether you stop play or not.

• VARIANCE FROM FIFA LAWS:– No goalkeeper, no penalty kicks, no offside ; DO NOT

encourage offside play– 8 yards away from the center mark for an opponent’s kick-off,

goal kick or corner kick– Free kicks award in the goal area should be taken from the

nearest point of the goal area in front of the goal


of each half. There is also a halftime break of 5-10 minutes.• 7 v 7, including the goalkeeper.• START OF THE GAME: With a free kick in the middle of the field.



• THROW INS: If a player commits a foul on a throw-in, the ball is called back. The referee should explain the proper way to do a throw-in. A second attempt is permitted to the player and the game resumes regardless of the legality of the second throw-in.

U8 Game Format (cont)• SUBSTITUTIONS: A substitution break should be called

approximately halfway through each half. Please educate your players and parents to the fact that this is NOT a “quarter” or a halftime break AND that the clock keeps running. Also, please start to train your players to wait until the player coming out of the game has left the field before he/she goes on the field. (At this level, if a child comes off the field or does not want to return to the field, a new player may be sent in regardless of timing.)

• TIME ON THE FIELD: EVERY player is to play three out of four quarters. If the roster size does not permit 3/4 play by every player at every game, the coach must record substitutions at every game to maintain and account for an even and consistent balance of play for every player throughout the season. There is no doubt that you will have a parent complain that you kept their child out more than other players. Showing your “substitution history” will eliminate the complaint immediately.

U8 Game Format (cont)• FOULS: Coaches should use discretion in calling fouls (or you’ll

be stopping the game all the time). When called, all “fouls” result in direct free kicks, with opponents five (5) yards away. All fouls should be explained to the players whether you stop play or not.

• VARIANCE FROM FIFA LAWS:– No penalty kicks, no offside ; DO NOT encourage offside play– 8 yards away from the center mark for an opponent’s kick-off,

direct kick goal or corner kick– Free kicks award in the goal area should be taken from the

nearest point of the goal area in front of the goal

• Rules and Regulations– Three quarters play– U10 – 50 min/Campus/8v8/roster 10/– U12 – 60 min/Campus and Brett/9v9/roster

12– U14 – 70 min/Campus &

Inter-Region/11v11/roster 14

LET THEM PLAY!! – The game is the best teacher; guide their

learning– Respect the referees, opposing players and

coaches

• Team Management–Meeting with Parents/Players• When/where of practices• Team roster and schedule of games (if

available)• Expectations for parent/player• Expectations for coach• Identify assistant coach(es) and team

parent(s)• Field support—for putting up and taking down

goals• Go over Parents Code of Conduct• Get volunteer forms and Safe Haven for all

your helpers– Team parents, assistant coaches, youth trainers,

team helpers– Covers them under AYSO insurance policy– Takes 30 minutes to complete

• Parent Code of Conduct– Don’t force the children to play– LET THEM PLAY!!! (it is their game)– Teach to play by rules– Help work toward good sportsmanship– Don’t ridicule or yell at the children– Applaud good plays by both teams– Recognize the contributions of volunteer

coaches, referees, and officials– Treat everyone with respect

• Equipment– Shin guards– Cleats– Balls (provided and encourage players to bring)– Medical release forms (white sheets)

• Need at every team gathering

– Accident report form– Pinnies– Cones– First aid kit– Game or practice plan– Water– Personal items (lip balm, sunscreen)

• Ratings– Creates relative order among players in

a division• To balance teams• To help create all-star team

– Not intended to be a precise measurement• Don’t over think it

– During the season• Assess your players skills• Assess skills of players on opposing team

– Consider taking notes

• Assess opposing coach’s children• Work with your Division Commissioner and

other Coaches

• Soccer Accident Insurance

• Our Safety Director isTony

Parascandola

[email protected]

What is the BEST Teacher of the Game?

The game itself…

LET THEM PLAY!

HAVE FUN and INSPIRE!

Annual Coach UpdateU10, U12 and U14

Specific

• Line Up Cards• Standings• Referee Points• Playoffs• All-Stars• Disciplinary actions

• Line Up Cards– Complete them BEFORE you get to the

field– Fill out all the information on both sides• Referees should only have to fill in the score,

sportsmanship points and their names

– List players in numerical order with first & last names

– Referees will turn them into the region– U14 Inter-Region Friendly Games on the

Road• None this year

• Standings–Will be posted on ayso92.org– Be patient; should be posted by Wed

each week

• Referee Points– Same program as last year– Be patient; may take longer between

postings

• Playoffs– Qualify with referee points; seeded by

standings

• All-Stars– No changes from last year

What is the BEST Teacher of the Game?

The game itself…

LET THEM PLAY!

HAVE FUN and INSPIRE!

Documents

Annual Coach Update