1. 3rd through 8th Grade Coaches Meeting

2. Lexington United Soccer Club
What are we trying to accomplish here?
To have fun playing
To build friendships
To instill the values of
sportsmanship and fair play
To be active and healthy
To acquire new skills
To learn to deal with both success and failure

3. “The health of the team is reflected in the face of the coach
“The health of the team is reflected in the face of the coach.” - Arsene Wenger

4. The Coach’s Responsibilities The Player’s Responsibilities
Be A Role Model
Have Perspective
Prepare Training
Execute Training
Game Day Coaching
Manage Parents
Set Boundaries
The Player’s Responsibilities
Do Your Best
Be a Great Teammate

5. Be a Role Model The Positive Model
The Coach that is punctual has players that are punctual.
The Coach that is prepared has players that are prepared.
The Coach that is composed will instill composure not only in his/her players, but the parents as well.
The Negative Model
The Coach that is tardy, will have players that are consistently late.
The Coach that gets flustered at every misfortune and harps on the players and official, will have parents that follow suit.

6. Zero Tolerance

7. Green Card
No one, except the players, is to speak to the referee during or after the game.
Exceptions:
Coaches may ask questions before the game,
Coaches may call for substitutions,
Coaches may point out emergencies during the game,
Coaches may respond to the referee if addressed ZT

8. Level 1 Level of Violation L3 Level 2
What happens if the referee cites me for a Zero Tolerance violation in his/her game report? For the lowest level violation, level 1, LUSC will notify the coach that he/she has been cited. For a level 2 violation, BAYS will notify LUSC, and LUSC will impose an automatic one game suspension after the second level 2 violation. For a level 3 violation, BAYS will notify LUSC, and BAYS will impose an automatic one game (or more) suspension. 2 4

9. Thank the Ref!

10. The Lopsided Score Scenario
Rule to live by:
Don’t embarrass your opponent!
DOC’s preference:
Don’t place false restrictions, but find ways to make the game worthwhile.
Ex.
Drop Off and Counter
Must Change Point of Attack

11. US Soccer Heading Mandates
U11 and below No heading in games or practices. U12 30 minute maximum of training of heading per week. 15 to 20 repetition maximum. No heading during games U14 No change

12. Modified Law 12
An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee: Deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball. If, in the opinion of the referee, a deliberate header or attempt to head occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick will be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the infringement occurred. If, in the opinion of the referee, a player does not deliberately head or attempt to head the ball, then play should continue.

13. Coaching Considerations

14. Weekly Cycle Philosophy: Logistics:
The Game
Pro Practice
Team Practice
Philosophy:
The Game- Focus on Performance not results
Pro Practice- Long term development, building the foundation of the player
Team Practice- Allow for extended play. Make it directional
Logistics:
The Game- Every Saturday
Pro Practice- A weekly professionally guided session at the same location with all other teams within the age group
Team Practice- A volunteer coach led practice at the location of the coaches choosing.
“Practice makes the player, the game is proof that you are a player.” Sir Alex

15. Control What you Can Control?
Why?
Numbers
Field Size
Small or Big?
Field Shape
Long or Short? Narrow or Wide?

16. Team Practice Considerations
Ask yourself what do I want to accomplish today?
Set priorities and choose a topic
Progress simple to complex
Make it directional
Allow for extended play
Self-evaluate

17. Team Practice Considerations
Where do you stand? Why?

18. Coaching Roles
Establish Roles and Expectations for head and assistant coaches for:
practices
games
Examples:
Leading training
Individual corrections
Coach specialist (position specific)
Work with keeper
Observe opponent
Individual Check in

19. Positional Demands
K-2-3-1
K-2-4-2

20. Player Rotation Consideration
Reasons to Rotate
Playing at the Back, Dealing with “Talented” Players, Appreciation for Teammates and Roles within a Team
Potential Pitfalls of Player Rotation
Flow of the Game, Learning to Play While Fatigued, Reinforcing Coach’s Feedback
Recommendations
Reduce Number of Substitutions, Rotate at Half, Rotate Game to Game

21. A Word on Winning
“We want our kids to win, we want our kids to want to win, but there are no consequences for not winning.” Romeo Jozak, Ph.D Croatian Football Federation Technical Director

22. Setting Boundaries Hold a preseason meeting
Define your goals/hopes for the coming season
Kids have fun
Kids improve
Kids give 100%
Provide families with best times and ways to communicate with you
I highly recommend making post game an off-limits zone
Explain Zero Tolerance and LUSC’s expectations on parental behavior
Reinforce that there will be no coaching from the parents side-line.
Attempt to secure a team manager to handle logistics for the coming year

23. “I Really Love Watching You Play”
The Ride Home
Return to being the parent not the coach.
“I Really Love Watching You Play”

24. Upcoming Events Model Coaching Session An Introduction to Coaching
When: Friday September 9th
Where: Estabrook Elementary School
5:30 to 6:30pm: Playing Out of the Back in the v7 Format (Build-up)
6:30 to 7:30pm: Playing in the Final Third in the 9v9 Format (Penetration)
7:30 to 8:00pm: Q&A with LUSC DOC and ASST DOC
An Introduction to Coaching
When: Saturday 10th 12:30pm to 4:00pm
Where: Diamond Middle School library &
gymnasium

25. Thank You for Volunteering