TYSA COACH’S HANDBOOK

www.tysa.com

U10-U19

The purpose of this handbook is to provide a quick reference for situations frequently encountered by coaches as well as to give some guidelines in regards to philosophy of coaching children in these age groups.

PERTINENT PHONE NUMBERS:

U10 boys commissioner	Greg Andrews	770.939.5937
U10 girls commissioner	Byron Finley	770.939.0180
U12-U16 boys commissioner	Merk Smith	404.634.4418
U12-U16 girls commissioner	Dan Hovey	770.491.3868
Game rescheduler	Nancy Marsden	404.373.1418
Registrar	Darrell Sanders	404.320.0432
TYSA President	Chris Caviness	770.939.1994

If a problem arises that you cannot handle or need advice about, please contact your respective age group commissioner first. They are the most qualified to deal with your concerns because of their experience. If they cannot provide a solution they know where best to direct you next.

GAME RESCHEDULING

All games regularly scheduled are to be played unless you are directly notified otherwise. In case of questionable weather, it is your responsibility to show up and play. Only the Field Marshal on duty in conjunction with a TYSA board of directors’ officer can make this determination. If games are cancelled you will most probably be notified by your commissioner. It is then your responsibility to contact your team. You are responsible for rescheduling any game cancelled for whatever reason. Talk to the opposing coach and determine two-three suitables times for a make-up game; then, call Nancy Marsden and let her compare these times against the master game schedule for conflicts. Do not attempt to make up the game on your own. This will only result in two teams (yours and your opponents) arriving at the field and then having to leave because of a scheduling conflict.

FIELD RESPONSIBILITY

If your game is the first one played on a field that particular weekend, it is the job of the two coaches to move the goals into position, secure them, and place the corner flags. The Field Marshal will unlock the goals for you. Likewise, if you are playing the last game on a field during the weekend you must take down the goals and corner flags. The Field Marshal will inform you if you are playing the last game. Encourage your parents and players to pick up their trash (and anyone else’s) and place it in the trash receptacles. The home team coach is responsible for providing two game balls.

COACHING ETIQUETTE

The main reason we are all involved with soccer at TYSA is to provide the players with the opportunity to play the most fun game in the world. Always remember that is our first and best purpose. The emphasis should be on having fun -- not winning at any cost. Remind your parents of these principles from time to time. Please remember at all times that your team looks to you for guidance. Do not treat anyone (referees, other players/coaches, parents) with disrespect -- you will quickly find that your players emulate your actions.

UNDERSTAND WHO YOU ARE COACHING

Children are not defined by chronological age only. Each child matures and develops at his own pace. Treat each child as an individual. As you deal with your respective age groups, keep in mind the following:

CHARACTERISTICS OF U12 CHILDREN

-- enjoy competition

-- psychological development has progressed

-- team work has improved

-- coordination has improved

-- capable of rapid technical improvement

-- development of speed & strength

-- can solve problems with teammates

-- able to simultaneously run, strike a ball and think

-- self appearance and peer pressure are a concern

CHARACTERISTICS OF U14-U16 CHILDREN

-- differences in mental development

-- sense of belonging, achievement, and accomplishment

-- varying stages of puberty

-- display independence and are self-critical

-- aware of praise, status and recognition

-- a time of self-discovery

The best activities are those that include use of the soccer ball. Do not concern yourself with improving their fitness. Studies have shown that there is little you can do in an hour to significantly improve a child’s physical capacities. Playing the game is the best way to expand their fitness.

TYSA COACHING GUIDELINES

1. Take signed medical release form to all games and practices.

2. Abide by chosen or assigned times/sites for practices and games.

3. Remain at the field until every player has been picked up.

4. Keep coaching from the sidelines to a minimum. This only serves to distract the players during the game. Coaching should be done at practice.

5. Treat visiting teams, parents, and coaches as guests.

6. Recognize every injury as potentially serious. Do not encourage a player to “play with pain”. If more than minor treatment is necessary, find the Field Marshal and let them make the decisions.

7. Profanity is never appropriate.

8. Help promote more parent involvement by distributing TYSA newsletters, allowing team parent to perform some of the team management tasks, and promoting fellowship and fun among the team’s families.

9. Allow your assistant coaches to participate in the growth of the team.

10. Only the head coach and a maximum of two assistant coaches are allowed on sidelines during play.

11. Complete a player evaluation form for each player at the end of the season.

12. Inform your players and parents of the above guidelines. Remember, according to state rules, the coach is responsible for the players and the parents behavior.

13. Report game scores to your commissioner. Winning team calls in score.

14. TYSA suggests that all children with eyeglasses wear protective goggles while playing.

TYSA DISCIPLINE AND PROTEST GUIDELINES

TYSA has its own “Discipline and Protest” (D & P) committee. The committee consists of three TYSA board of directors members. The committee convenes only when an incident occurs that requires TYSA to “police” its own activites. The committee will gather all pertinent data and eyewitness accounts before arriving at a decision. At this point, the affected parties will have the opportunity to appeal any and all decisions before a general meeting of the board. If the ruling still stands, the affected parties may appeal to the GYSA D & P committee. This is the final stage of appeal. All rulings by the state will stand. TYSA’s D & P committee follows the state’s guidelines for discipline. The following outlines some of the more common offenses, the subsequent suspension and, unless otherwise noted, applies to coaches, spectators, and players.

1. ABUSE TO ANY PARTICIPANTS -- 3 games to one year.

2. ABUSE TO REFEREE -- from 3 games to one year.

3. ASSAULT -- from 1 to 5 years.

4. ASSAULT ON REFEREE -- from 1 to 5 years.

5. ENTERING FIELD WITHOUT PERMISSION -- (spectators only) 3 games.

6. FIGHTING -- (players only) 3 games.

7. FOUL OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE -- 1 game.

8. FOUL OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE AFTER EJECTION -- 1 game additional.

9. GENERAL MISCONDUCT -- 1 game to one year.

10. PLAYING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER -- (coach only) 2 games.

11. PLAYING AN INELIGIBLE PLAYER (FRAUDULENT INTENT) -- one year.

12. PLAYING WHEN INELIGIBLE -- 1 game.

13. PLAYING WHEN INELIGIBLE (FRAUDULENT INTENT) -- up to one year.

14. PLAYING A NON-ROSTERED/NON-REGISTERED PLAYER(registration error) -- forfeit game.

15. PLAYING A NON-ROSTERED/NON-REGISTERED PLAYER(intentional) -- 1 year.

16. REFUSAL TO LEAVE FIELD AFTER EJECTION -- 1 game plus ejection.

17. REMOVING TEAM FROM FIELD(game termination) -- (coach only) 3 games.

18. SECOND CAUTIONABLE OFFENSE -- (coach, player) 1 game.

19. SERIOUS FOUL PLAY -- 1 game.

20. VIOLENT CONDUCT -- 1 game.

Please review these offenses with your players and parents so that they may participate within the Laws of the Game.