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MODs Coaching Primer

What am I to do now?

Getting Started

Once you have received your team roster, game schedule, coaching equipment, practice field assignment, and Coach’s handbook, you are ready to get started! You may be wondering, "What do I do next?” The following are suggestions about what should happen next.

1. Call your player’s parents - You will need to call each player’s parent within a few days of our coach’s meeting and introduce yourself and tell them when your team will be practicing. Ask them to stay an additional fifteen minutes or so at your first practice to have a short parent meeting. If someone you call is unable to practice during your practice day and time, have them call the EOSC office, 407.277.8227, and we will try to arrange for them to transfer to another team. Be aware that you may need to have kids moved on or off your team to try and accommodate family schedules. Don’t take it personally! EOSC will issue any new rosters that are necessary before the season begins reflecting all changes.

2. Prepare for you parent meeting - It is very useful to have a packet of information prepared that you can hand out to your team’s parents at the parent meeting. What is in the packet may vary from coach to coach but suggestions include:

· A team roster with phone numbers

· Game schedule

· Directions to practice and game fields

· Team guidelines

· Rule information from this handbook, etc.

The parent meeting is where you ask for help! If you need an assistant coach or a team manager, now is the time to get one. Make it clear that you expect children to arrive on time and that you are not a babysitter! All players should bring the correct size ball, shin guards, appropriate shoes and clothes, and a water bottle to each and every practice. It is wise to suggest to your parents that they have everything clearly labeled in permanent ink. Don’t forget to assign a snack/drink person for each game!

3. Prepare for your practice -A successful practice will be achieved if you prepare ahead of time. Write out your practice step by step in time blocks. If you deviate from the schedule, it is not a problem! The key here is that you always know what you will be doing next and that you have a plan in mind with back-up drills in case something does not work as well as you expected. You may find having a dry erase board helpful at your practices when explaining concepts and drills. Arriving early enough to set up any cones necessary for a drill will allow you to be more organized and keep on schedule during your practice.

4. Enjoy the games and your soccer season -Relax on game days. Don’t focus on the number of goals your team is scoring. Focus on praising the correct efforts. Be supportive and encouraging. After all, these are young children that are looking to you for approval. Always line up your players after the game and shake hands with the opposing team and coaches. Your players will enjoy running through a tunnel created by your spectators - applaud players on both teams. Do not argue with other coaches or referees in front of your team. This is embarrassing for you and causes your players to be disrespectful to others because they think it must be OK if their coach does it. Let the kids know that you are proud of them, that you can see they are improving, and then enjoy the team snack!

5. Maintain a coach’s Iog -You will probably find it helpful to keep all your team records, game schedules, practice sessions, important EOSC contact numbers, team handouts, snack assignments, etc., together in a coach’s log. A one inch binder with page protectors will work well in all kinds of weather. You should also keep your MODS Coach’s Handbook with you in the log to answer any questions that may arise during a game or practice.

Practice Suggestions

There are as many ways to run a practice as there are coaches. However, they will probably all contain some basic key ingredients. Five things to keep in mind when planning your practice are:

· Keep the practices short to hold the children’s attention

· Keep the children active all the time

· Make the practices varied and fun

· Plan your practices ahead of time

· Have a whistle to get the children’s attention

Keep in mind that we do live in Florida, it is important that you work sufficient short water breaks into your practice schedule. Call to your players by name and encourage them to do the same. Communication on the soccer field from player to player during games is very important. Remember to have FUN!

An hour practice is generally a good amount of time for a younger MODS team. When planning your practice before getting to the field, your schedule should look something like this:

· 10 minutes of warm-ups and general exercise

· 10 minutes for Drill #1

· 10 minutes for Drill #2

· 10 minutes for Drill #3

· 20 minutes for practice scrimmage

As a reminder, short water breaks after each drill or two is advisable. A water break should only be 20 to 30 seconds. It is not play time - teach your players to go and get a quick drink of water and come back to you.

Rain and Lightning

While there may be many advantages to living in Florida, dealing with lightning is not one of them. EOSC and the Orange County Parks Department, who own many of our game fields, have strict policies for our coaches and teams regarding lightning. If you see lightning, leave the fields. You may retire to a safe location or into parent cars to see if the lightning will pass. If after ten minutes or so, there is no relief, cancel your practice and leave the soccer area. If you are at Econ, Arcadia, or Barber, you should listen for the horn on the lightning warning system and check the strobe light if you are uncertain as to whether it went off prior to your arrival. The system will issue long blasts to indicate the "all clear" which is when you may enter the fields again.

Lightning is not something to take lightly - keep your player’s safety in the forefront of your mind at all times. Parents may complain that they drove all the way to a practice or game just to have it cancelled after a few minutes but they will complain a great deal more if their child is struck by lightning.

As for rain, as long it is not a torrential downpour that makes visibility impossible, we do play soccer in the rain at both practices and games. Be sure your parents are aware of this! It is always useful to have cell phone numbers on your team roster so that you can call your team if practices or games are cancelled close to your starting time.

Tips for a Successful Soccer Season

· Get organized and be prepared at practices and games.

· Plan your practices in advance.

· Have short, fun practices.

· Let each player have a chance to play every position.

· Have fruit (oranges, grapes, apple wedges) at halftime and drinks and snacks for after the game.

· Let the children choose their favorite drills for one practice.

· Have a parent versus child soccer game.

· Hold a pizza party or a barbeque at the end of the season.

· Teach your players good sportsmanship and team spirit.

· Be positive and have fun yourself!