Coaching Guidelines
Chico Youth Soccer League feels that coaching emphasis should be placed on positive player image, good attitude and good sportsmanship. As the child progresses into the older divisions, more emphasis is placed on knowledge of the game and soccer skills. The league provides a coach’s clinic prior to the beginning of each season to assist coaches in coaching techniques.
The Board feels that if there is an abundance of parents wanting to coach, they take preference over a non-parent coach. Coaches are given a team based on the following:
- Returning coach with child on team
- New coach with child on team
- Returning coach with no child on team
- New coach with no child on team
Commendable Coaching Behavior:
- Supports the league recreational philosophy
- Positive feedback to players
- Provides positive atmosphere for team, referees, and parents
- Doesn’t use foul language
- Doesn’t smoke or drink during practices or games
- Models good sportsmanship
- Honors referee’s authority
- Plays all team members at least half of the game
- Uses players at various positions
- Attends practices
- Keeps players and parents informed
- Notifies players immediately of their assignment to his/her team after the coaches meeting
- Attends clinics to improve coaching skills and knowledge of laws.
- Provides for litter removal from team area following games.
- Provides copies of game schedule and roster to parents.
Unacceptable Coaching Behavior:
- Exhibits “win at all cost” attitude
- Runs up the score (any score over a 5-point differential)
- Makes negative comments to players, coaches or officials
- Shows a defeated attitude when team is losing
- Fails to control foul language
- Openly argumentative with referees
- Does not follow “minimum half game” playing rule
- Does not give players opportunity to play positions
- Fails to notify players of practice cancellation
- Does not regularly attend practices
- Poor communication to parents
- Does not invest time to improve coaching abilities
- Touching, grabbing or pushing a referee is forbidden by the league and will be cause for dismissal.
ARE YOUR “EXPECTATIONS” REASONABLE AND CONSISTENT?
What do I expect from my players:
- Be on time for all practices and games.
- Always do their best.
- Be cooperative at all times.
- Respect others and themselves as well.
- Be positive with teammates.
- Try not to become upset with their own mistakes or those of others.
- Support one another.
- Understand that winning is only important if you accept losing. Both are important parts of any sport.
What can the parent and player expect from me?
- Be on time for all practices and games.
- Be as fair as possible in giving playing time to all players.
- Do my best to each the fundamentals of the game.
- Be positive and respect each participant as an individual.
- Set reasonable expectations for each participant.
- Teach players the value of winning and losing.
- Be open to ideas, suggestions or help.
- Never yell at any member of my team, the opposing team or referees. Any confrontation will be handled in a respectful, quiet and individual manner.
What do I expect from the parents and family?
- Come and enjoy the game. Cheer to make all players feel important.
- Allow me to coach and run the team.
- Try not to question my leadership. All players make mistakes and so will I.
- Do not yell at the players, referees or me. We are responsible for setting examples for our children. We are the role models of today. Allow the children to play without any unnecessary pressures so they will learn the value of sportsmanship.
- If you do question my strategies or leadership, please do not do so in front of the players or spectators, during games or practices. My phone number is on the roster. I am also available after games and practices.
- Don’t expect the majority of players to have strong skills. Allow them to learn from their mistakes and be there to offer positive support.