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Brookline Soccer Club
Brookline, Massachusetts

 

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COACHING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

Club Philosophy

The purpose of the Brookline Soccer Club is to provide the boys and girls of Brookline with an enjoyable, high quality soccer program. The guiding principle is that the experience of playing soccer should be fun; if this fundamental element is missing from any aspect of the program, children will drop out of the sport. Various studies, and our collective experience, have shown that kids want to play as much as possible, they want to be placed at their appropriate level and have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential, and they want to be treated with respect and to be supported by their teammates and coaches. While they would obviously rather win than lose, players of all levels rarely mention winning as the determinant of whether they have fun playing soccer and whether they stay involved with the sport. Hence, while winning a game is a desirable objective, it should never be the justification for denying a player reasonable playing time, imposing burdensome practice requirements, or tolerating disrespectful or unsporting behavior towards fellow players, coaches, opponents, or officials. This manual provides guidelines, policies and procedures for Brookline Soccer Club operations. The Executive Committee may from time to time approve exceptions to these policies and procedures. In addition to Club policies, we are also governed by rules and policies set by BAYS (Boston Area Youth Soccer), which is the regional league in which we compete; and by MYSA (Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association), the state-wide governing body for youth soccer.

Respect, Sportsmanship, and Positive Interactions

It is essential that everyone connected with the Brookline Soccer Club treat everyone with whom they come in contact with respect.
• Coaches are expected to address the players in a positive, encouraging manner. Sarcasm or ridicule is never appropriate and is not effective in motivating a child.
• Players are expected to support one another, not criticize teammates. Goalkeepers are especially vulnerable in this regard. All players should be told that if they criticize a teammate they will immediately be removed from the practice or the game, regardless of their ability or the score. If a coach emphasizes this policy at the first practice and periodically thereafter, it will rarely have to be enforced. If a coach does not strictly follow this policy, destructive team dissension may ensue and players may be driven out of the program by a few who are acting inappropriately.
• Neither coaches nor spectators may address referees during games. Refereeing is much harder than it looks, and even the best referees make mistakes. In our league, many of the officials are older children who are just learning how to be a referee. BAYS has had a great deal of trouble keeping referees because of abuse from coaches and spectators, and has promulgated the "zero tolerance rule" in response. Under this rule, coaches and spectators may not speak to the referee during or after the game, nor may they do anything, by word or gesture, to convey any criticism of the referee. During the game a coach may call for substitutions; respond to the referee if addressed; or point out emergencies (such as a hurt player). No other communication is permitted. We expect all Brookline coaches to observe both the letter and the spirit of this rule. Coaches, in turn, are expected to ensure that Brookline spectators also observe this rule. If you have concerns about the officiating, submit a referee rating report to the league, or contact the Club's referee assignor if it is a home game.

Team Selection and Registration

To achieve real and perceived fairness, and to provide the best soccer experience for all children, players should be grouped according to ability, not geography or social relationships. A highly skilled player placed with less skilled teammates may feel excessive pressure to perform and frustration at being held back in terms of soccer development. A player noticeably less skilled than teammates will feel intimidated and inadequate, the lack of confidence inhibiting any real chance for growth. Inappropriate placements take the fun out of the game for everyone.
• Teams will be selected for the fall season based on open tryouts held in the spring, along with evaluations from the current coaches. Potential players will be evaluated based on soccer skills, athletic aptitude and commitment. All players must have an equal opportunity to compete; undue preference should not be given to players already on a travel team. In some cases, this will mean dropping a current player from the program. This is never easy to do, but we must be fair to new players trying to get into the program. Make sure parents and players understand this before the tryouts.
• In order to keep the tryouts at a manageable size, the Club may exempt players from some higher-ranked teams from the tryouts, based on your evaluations of their skills and participation. At least one team from each age group (the lowest level of that age group) will participate in the open tryouts. Other existing teams, especially those in the same or adjacent divisions of the same age group, must have intra-club evaluation practices/scrimmages, preferably attended by outside evaluators to assist in player placement decisions.
• Within each age group, the strongest players will be assigned to the first-ranked team, the next strongest to the next-ranked team, and so on. The goal is to place players at the appropriate level of competition, not to keep teams or friends together. Players are strongly encouraged to play in their appropriate age group, but are not precluded from trying out for an older age group. The only exception is the u9 age group, where under-age players will not be permitted.
• Recruiting and communicating: The Club prohibits recruiting of players from other teams by coaches, parents, players or friends. Mid-season transfers must be cleared in advance with the appropriate coordinator and the other coaches of the age group. Only then may the coach begin discussion with parents of the child to be invited onto the team. Under age 14, all discussions must be with the parent, not the child. During the season, the first communication with any player or parent about a transfer must come from that player’s current coach.
• Select clubs: Some top players may want to play on one of the so-called premier club teams in the MAPLE league, as well as on a town team. Although MAPLE does not usually play on Saturdays, there will inevitably be conflicts with your practices, with weekday afternoon and Sunday makeup games, and even regular games when the MAPLE team is in a tournament. You and the player (and the parents) need to discuss the potential problems before the season starts. If the player will in truth be able to make only half your games and few practices, the spot on the roster should probably go to someone else. MYSA has established a player priority list to help resolve conflicting schedules, which is posted on their website.
• Roster size: Teams are expected to carry full rosters (at least eighteen players for 11v11 and at least eleven players for 6v6), particularly if there is a waiting list in that age group. While smaller rosters are nice in theory, since each player will get more time on the field, they have proven problematic. Injuries, illness, family commitments, recitals and other typical Brookline activities often mean players will miss games, and with an undersized roster you will inevitably need to play short-handed at some point.
• Fall to spring changes: Players in good standing who participate on fall teams will usually be given the opportunity to compete on a spring team. At the end of the fall season, each age group coordinator, in consultation with the coaches, will identify any players who should be playing in a higher or lower division and adjust the rosters accordingly. Coaches of lower ranking teams must encourage their strongest players to move up to higher divisions. It may be hard to give up one of your better players, but the guiding principle is what will be best for the player, and this usually allows other players to move into more assertive roles. At the same time, coaches will be sensitive to team spirit, chemistry, teamwork and cohesion. Transfers of marginally better players are discouraged, especially during the fall to spring transition. Significant player movement may require reassessment of the team’s division placement.
• Watch other players: Coaches will endeavor to watch other teams of the same age group play during the season, to assist in making placement decisions at the end of the season. Coaches of the age group will meet at the end of the season to discuss any roster moves.
• Vacancies: It is often necessary to fill roster vacancies during the year. Whenever possible, vacancies on Division 1 teams will be filled by promoting players on lower teams. If you need to bring a new player into the program, priority must be given to any players still on the waiting list from the last tryouts. Requests for roster additions must be approved by the appropriate coordinator, and must be submitted to the Club registrar at least a week prior to the planned change.
• Dropping a player: In rare instances, it may be necessary to drop a player from a roster because of non-participation, disciplinary problems, safety issues, etc. Before any player is dropped, a coach must discuss the situation with the player's parents and with the appropriate coordinator.
• Players and coaches must be registered: No player is to participate in any practice or game unless (1) their name appears on your printed team roster, which indicates that the player has been properly registered with MYSA; and (2) you have their parental consent form in your possession. In addition, every coach and assistant coach must be registered and have a league passcard (even if their division does not require player passcards). Failure to observe these requirements may result in game forfeits, and could also make you personally liable in the event of an accident.

Selecting Coaches

• The selection of coaches and assignment of teams is solely at the discretion of the boys or girls coordinator in consultation with the coaching coordinator, the president and the registrar.
• A coach will not be appointed head coach of two teams playing on Saturdays.
• It is the Club's expectation that all head coaches will take a MYSA coaching course no later than the end of their first year of coaching. For 6v6 teams, the "F" course or higher is required. For 11v11 teams, the "E" course or higher is required. It is strongly recommended that assistant coaches take at least the "G" course.
• The Brookline Soccer Club is run primarily by volunteers. The Club does not permit the hiring of head coaches or trainers by individual teams. Paying head coaches creates untenable conflict between teams, it conflicts with the tradition and tenor of the BSC, and it threatens to stifle the volunteerism that brings many talented non-parents with a love of soccer to coach for the Club. If needed, the Club will hire trainers, special skills coaches, and others to assist our volunteer coaches, particularly at advanced skill levels. Such arrangements must be made through your coordinator or the Club coaching director, so that as many teams and players as possible can benefit. Payments for such individuals must be made through the Club treasurer to ensure that all applicable employment and tax laws are observed.

Basic Responsibilities of a Player

 While each player has individual needs and desires, soccer is a team sport. For everyone to be successful and have fun, players must be informed that they have individual and collective responsibilities, in addition to the standards of respect and sportsmanship addressed above.
• Each player is expected to show up at required practices and games. Conflicts with other activities are inevitable, but should be viewed as the exception. To the extent possible, try to accommodate Little League and hockey practice and games, but emphasize to players that in the event of conflict, their obligations to the town traveling team must be given priority. Club policy is that players are expected to attend at least 75% of practices and games; players not meeting this standard may be dropped from the program.
• Players should be told that if they will not be at a practice or game the coach must be informed ahead of time if at all possible.
• Players are responsible for showing up at practices and games properly equipped. No player should be allowed to play at any time without shinguards. Referees are forbidden from allowing players on the field without shinguards, which must be covered by socks. Coaches should adopt a similar policy for practices. If you permit a child to play without shinguards and he or she gets hurt, you may well be held to be legally liable. Carrying an extra set of shinguards in your equipment bag is an easy way to avoid a crisis. Players should also be encouraged to bring their own ball (with their name on it) to practice, and to bring their own water to games and practices. Although cleats are technically not mandatory under BAYS rules, as a practical matter all players should have them. Some referees will not allow a player to play without cleats if it creates a safety hazard.

Health and Safety

The fundamental and over-arching obligation of the coach is to ensure the health and safety of the players. No game is worth risking the physical well-being of a player. The guiding principle must always be the exercise of an excess of caution.
• While serious injuries in soccer are rare, coaches must educate themselves to be aware of the signs and symptoms of serious injury. A fallen player should not be casually rolled over or made to stand up without some assessment of the possibility of a head, neck or back injury, or a limb fracture. Movement in such cases has the potential for gravely aggravating the injury. A useful rule of thumb is that if the player is unable to turn over or get up without assistance, summon emergency assistance (911).
• No player who has been knocked unconscious should be allowed to resume playing until having been cleared by a doctor. If a player has been removed from a game because of an apparent minor injury, such as after a collision, make the player run at full speed on the sideline before putting the player back in the game. If the child exhibits any difficulty running, do not allow the child to play.
• The prompt administration of an ice pack is the prescribed treatment for bangs, twists, and strains, since it will prevent or reduce swelling and accelerate healing. Have ice packs at every practice and game. If a child is bleeding from a scrape or a bang on the nose, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth.
• A child with any sort of a cast must not be allowed to play, since the cast poses a danger to the player and everyone else on the field. Players must be instructed to remove all watches and other jewelry (including earrings and barrettes) before coming onto the field. Eyeglasses have proven hazardous; some referees may forbid wearing them during play. Players needing glasses should be urged to use athletic safety goggles.
• On hot days, insist that all players drink water frequently. If they wait until they feel thirsty, they will have already begun to dehydrate. Assign a parent to bring a large cooler filled with cold water and face cloths or rags, so the players can cool themselves down when they are out of the game.

Rules

The rules are an important part of the game. It is vital that coaches learn the rules by reading the rulebook and materials provided by the league, and then teach the rules to the players during practice.
• All BAYS games are governed by the Laws of the Game, which are the international playing rules issued by FIFA.
• Specific BAYS rules for items such as length of games, ball size, rosters and passcards, substitution, and minimum number of players, as well as special rules governing 6v6 games, are in the BAYS rulebook. Pay particular attention to the BAYS rules regarding postponing and rescheduling games. These rules are strictly enforced, and failure to observe them can result in forfeits.
• Coaches should have both the BAYS and FIFA rulebooks at games.

Practices

Practices are where instruction takes place and where the coach has the opportunity to impart new skills and strategic concepts. To be worthwhile, a good practice must be carefully planned so that the players have fun while learning.
• Given field constraints and schedule conflicts, it is only realistic to have one mandatory practice a week. It is appropriate to tell players that if they do not come to practice they will not play in games. If there are valid reasons for missing practice, you may still want to adjust playing time to recognize those kids who were at practice. If the players are enthusiastic about playing more, encourage them to get together informally at a school or park.
• The goal of a practice is to maximize the number of times each player touches a ball. Plan your practices to avoid drills that have one of two players moving and the rest standing on line. Use waiting time only as integrated rest periods during particularly strenuous activities. Incorporate frequent games that utilize the skills or strategies being taught. Contact one of the more experienced coaches for help in planning effective practices. Avoid lines, laps and lectures in your practices.

Games

Games are where the players get the chance to use what they have practiced, to learn to make decisions for themselves in competitive conditions, and to experience the joy of simply playing soccer.
• Game logistics: Assign a parent to contact the opposing coach to confirm the game time, location, accuracy of the map in the BAYS directory, and the uniform color. The home team must change uniforms if both teams normally have the same colors. The pinnies, which the coach should keep, will serve this purpose.
• Game equipment: Bring to each game a game ball (for home games); a goalie shirt which will clearly differentiate the goalie from all other players; two copies of your BAYS roster (one for the referee and one for the opposing coach); player passcards (if required in your division); coaches' passcards; ice packs and first aid kit; and the parental consent/medical release form for each player.
• Safe goalposts: At home games, check the goals to be sure the nets are securely affixed and that the goal itself is staked down to ensure that it will not be blown over. Falling goals have caused very serious injury. Although the Club tries to keep stakes with the nets, each coach should also have a set of stakes and a hammer in case the set with the nets are missing, and for when you practice or play at a field with goal posts which are not staked down.
• Teach promptness: Instruct players and their parents to get to all games at least thirty minutes before the starting time. Tell them to leave more than sufficient time to find away fields. Nothing is as disconcerting as trying to restructure a line-up to account for a missing player, only to have the child show up at the last minute. Parents should be told that it is unfair to their child, as well as to the team, to have a child put into a game without sufficient warm-up or mental preparation. Some coaches find it useful to have all players meet in Brookline for away games, and to caravan from there to the game.
• Take care of the hardware: Depending on when your home games are scheduled, you may be responsible for setting up or taking down the goals, nets, and corner flags. An assignment sheet will be distributed each season. You will also need to provide one person at each game to serve as a linesman, signaling to the referee when the ball has gone out of bounds. Delegate the equipment and lines responsibilities to parents.
• Keep games on time: Brookline home fields are tightly scheduled. As home coach, it is your responsibility to see that games are started on time. If the previous game is running late, encourage the referee and opposing coach to do warm-ups and player check-ins on the sidelines. If a game is going to start more than 15 minutes late, consider shortening the playing time. Otherwise, the teams playing at the end of the day may not have enough daylight for their game.
• Coaching during games: Games are not the place for coaches to issue high-volume instructions to players, attempting to control aspects of the action remotely. In general, coaches may give occasional and gentle reminders about positioning to younger players, but should limit detailed instructions or comments to players after they come out of the game, or to the team before or after the halves. Remember, — the players often do not hear you; — if they are listening, they are not focused on the game; — if they hear you, they won’t hear their teammates, or talk to them; — the game is the best teacher! Coaches should not roam the sidelines following play, but should stay in one location with the substitutes.
• Playing time: It is fun to play; it is not much fun to just watch others play, even if they are winning. Given the size and homogeneity of our rosters, there is no reason why every player should not play at least one third of every half.
• Playing positions: Children should not be assigned fixed positions – e.g. defender, striker, midfield, left, right, goalkeeper – until they are at least 14, if not later. They need to develop all-around skill to fully execute any assignment on the field. The right-footed player who never plays on the left because you have a lefty on your team will be slower to develop the two-footed skills necessary to play well (and vice versa.
• Substitution: There are many techniques for substituting players to ensure that everyone gets their fair share of time on the field, while maintaining a solid and cohesive team and attempting to win the game. Players can be grouped into balanced units or sub-units (such as halfback lines) or can be moved in and out individually. Remember that a child would rather play in three different positions, even though that is not an easy thing to do, than sit on the sideline. Younger children should not be compelled to remain in goal for extended periods, even if they are the best keeper and the team is trying to preserve a lead. One reason for good athletes quitting the sport is the feeling that they were stuck in goal. A common mistake of coaches is to leave a successful player in the game for too long at a stretch. It is important to rest a player before fatigue sets in. Once the lactic acid from overexertion builds up in the muscles, the player will never regain full strength, even with a rest. Also, it is important to the team and the individual to avoid the belief that any one player is indispensable. Resting the starting center halfback and giving other kids the opportunity to function in that key position will take pressure off the starter and add depth to your team, which you will appreciate when the starter is sick or having a bad day. The need for rapid substitution is especially important in 6v6 games, since the players are young and the intent of the game is that the action will be continuous, with no opportunity for resting on the field.

Foul Weather and Cancellations

The Club will determine if the Brookline fields are playable. Cancellations of home games due to unplayable fields are announced on the Club information line (617-731-1031) by 7:00 am on Saturdays and 10:00 am on Sundays. For away games, verify the status of the game with the opposing coach.
• Have a telephone chain in place and inform parents at the outset of the season that the chain will be used to notify them as soon as a decision has been made to call off a game.
• Tell parents to assume that a game will be played unless they hear otherwise. Weather and field conditions vary from town to town, and games will generally be played in rain if the field is in good and safe shape.
• If Brookline cancels its games, you must call the visiting coach immediately. It is not necessary to call the referee scheduler.
• Decide on a similar system for calling off practice in inclement weather. Use your judgment on whether to hold practice on a rainy day, recognizing that soccer cleats on a very wet field can cause considerable damage. If the field is muddy or has standing water, it is probably too wet to use.

Rescheduling Games

Given limited resources – fields, referees, daylight – rescheduling home games is not permitted, except when fields are closed by the Club or a field is declared unplayable by the referee, or preponement for tournaments as permitted by the BAYS rulebook.
• To reschedule a home game, contact the Club scheduler to find out when a field will be available.
• Games postponed due to bad weather must be played within specific time limits listed in the BAYS rulebook. Failure to observe these rules may result in forfeits. If you and the other coach cannot agree on a new playing date, contact your BAYS division director for assistance.
• If you need to reschedule a game for other than weather-related reasons, the league generally expects you to play the make-up game prior to the original date (referred to as a "preponement"). If an opponent doesn't give you enough notice to allow a make-up game prior to the original date, you have every right to refuse to reschedule. Coaches who need to reschedule games due to tournaments on Columbus Day or Memorial Day weekends, must notify their opponents by September 15 or May 1, respectively.
• If you call off a home game for any reason other than weather, make sure you notify the referee scheduler as soon as possible so the referee can be advised. If you are responsible for putting up or taking down the goals, make sure you also notify the coach of the preceding or following game.

Parents

Parents are an invaluable resource to the team if mobilized and handled effectively. Communicate clearly and often with them.
• Communicate in writing with the parents, providing them with practice and game schedules, your expectations of them and their children, and a telephone chain. Delegate functions to specific people -- one person to verify game information with opposing coaches, one person to coordinate car pools and last minute rides, one person to arrange for volunteers for water and orange slices, one person to oversee set-up or take-down of goals, one person to handle tournament arrangements if you choose to enter one, etc.
• Most parents do not know the game. Schedule an early season get-together where a soccer tutorial is given by you or a Club member. It will be greatly appreciated and will pay large dividends.
• Explain to parents before the first game that you appreciate their presence and support, but that they may not attempt to give directions or coaching to kids on the field. When children hear a parent address them by name, they may stop and turn around; that does not help the child or the team. Further, you may have instructed the players to perform in a certain way that the parent does not understand, and instructions from parents may cause conflict and confusion. (For example, you want the players to control the ball and pass it to a teammate near the sideline, while the parent yells at the child to "just kick it out of there".) Tell the parents "generic cheering" only -- "nice play, way to hustle, let's go Brookline" -- but absolutely no using names or giving instructions.
• Similarly, explain to parents our firm expectation and the BAYS rule that they will not make any comments to the referee. As coach, you are responsible for the behavior of your players' parents, and you have the duty to ask a parent to leave a game if they are not acting appropriately.
• Have the parents stay a reasonable distance away from you and the players on the sideline, usually on the opposite touchline. Tell the players to stay with the team and away from their parents while waiting to enter the game. It promotes team cohesiveness, keeps the players' heads in the game, and enables you to substitute more easily. Keeping all the parents away will reduce your tension level during games by insulating you from the rare parent who insists on making suggestions, or criticizing you, a player, or the referee. No fans behind any goals!
• Communicate in a firm but compassionate way about roster changes, both moving up and moving down, before the player and parents learn from other sources. Be clear in your explanation of the reasons based on club policy of placement of the child in an appropriate level based on soccer skills, athletic aptitude and commitment. Avoid citing specific skills or shortcomings, lest they be misunderstood for what is certainly a more general picture than can be easily put into words.

Tournaments

There are an enormous number of tournaments held in the immediate area, especially on Columbus Day and Memorial Day weekends and at the end of each season. These tournaments can be an enjoyable, bonding experience for the team, and participation is encouraged.
• The MYSA website has tournament listings, or you can get suggestions from other coaches.
• It is up to the individual teams to register for the tournaments and to pay the entry fees. Club patches are frequently exchanged, and you can obtain Brookline patches from the Club registrar.
• If you are going to enter a tournament on a weekend when there is a regularly scheduled game, make sure you take all the necessary preponement steps well in advance of the weekend.
• Participation in out-of-state tournaments requires written permission from MYSA. Requests must be submitted to the MYSA office at least a month prior to the tournament date.

Winter Activities

Winter soccer activities can be a lot of fun and can help develop ball skills. To avoid burnout due to over-exposure and to allow kids to pursue other sports interests, such activities must be strictly optional and low key.
• Coaches interested in holding a few winter practices in Brookline gyms should inform their coordinator in mid-fall. Given the limited gym space and high level of interest, it is likely that each team will only be allotted two or three sessions.
• Winter league programs are offered at indoor soccer facilities in Hingham, Milford, Revere, Burlington and Newton, as well as futsal programs in various venues. Brookline kids who have played have really enjoyed themselves, as the indoor games are very fast-paced with lots of scoring. It is up to the coaches to organize and register teams in these leagues, if they so choose. Sometimes coaches from two or three teams will join to field an indoor team. League spots fill up quickly, so the earlier a team is organized, the greater the chance of getting a reasonable time slot. Coaches of indoor teams must also arrange for their players to be registered for indoor play through the MYSA office; fall and spring player registrations do not apply to indoor leagues.
• Coaches are strongly encouraged to attend one of the many winter MYSA coaching clinics. The Club will pay the registration fee for coaches attending a MYSA "D", "E", or "F" course. Contact MYSA for a clinic schedule.

Additional Information

• The Club's website is at www.brooklinesoccer.org. The website includes links to the BAYS and MYSA websites. The BAYS website contains the BAYS rulebook; schedules and standings; information on post-season playoffs; and other useful information.
• The Club maintains an email list used to send important announcements to coaches during the season. All coaches must subscribe to this list. Send subscription and unsubscription requests to registrar@brooklinesoccer.org. . If you do not have convenient access to email, you must get a parent to subscribe and notify you of messages.
• Each playing division is assigned a division director by BAYS to oversee the conduct of the games. The names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the division directors are published in the schedule book, distributed at the start of each season. Coaches should contact their division director for problems or questions relating to the rescheduling of games, protests and other irregularities, post-season playoffs, etc.
• MYSA is the governing body for sanctioned youth soccer in Massachusetts, under the aegis of the United States Soccer Federation. MYSA provides liability and accident insurance for coaches and players; sanctions tournaments; sponsors coaching courses and clinics; and organizes the state championship competitions at the end of the spring season. MYSA's website contains listings of upcoming tournaments and coaching courses and clinics. MYSA also has a staffed office which can be reached at 800-852-8111.

6/28/02