1. Soccer is a player’s game. The paramount concern of each coach is the development, welfare, enjoyment, and safety of each individual player.
2. A coach bears the responsibility for teaching each individual player to strive for success while playing fairly, observing the laws of the game while displaying the highest level of sportsmanship.
3. A coach is responsible for cultivating each individual player’s love of the game.
4. Each coach carries the responsibility for teaching character building values such as respect, hard work, perseverance, courage, trust, honesty, humility and pride to each individual player.
5. Each coach shall seek to improve his/her knowledge of the game and coaching to ensure that he/she is providing age appropriate information and the best developmental experience to each individual player.
6. Each coach shall treat officials with respect and dignity and shall teach each individual player to do the same.
7. ALL opponents are worthy of being treated with respect. A coach will model such respect for opponents and expect each individual player to do the same.
8. In both victory and defeat, the behavior of the coach shall model grace, dignity and composure.
9. Each coach shall adhere to the highest standards and regulations of the institutions he/she represents: clubs, schools, sponsoring organizations and sports governing bodies.
10. Each coach shall model inclusive behavior, actively supporting cultural diversity while opposing all types of discrimination, including but not limited to, racism and sexism, at all levels of the games.
11. Each coach is responsible for taking an active role in education about prevention and treatment of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse in the lives of each individual player.
12. A coach shall refrain from all manner of personal abuse and harassment of others, whether verbal, physical, emotional or sexual and shall oppose such abuse and harassment at all levels of the game.
13. A coach shall respect the declared affiliations of each individual player.
14. A coach shall seek to honor those who uphold the highest standards and principles of soccer and shall use appropriate protocol to oppose and eliminate all behavior that brings disrepute to the sport: violence, abuse, dishonesty, disrespect, and violations of the laws of the game and rules governing competition.
15. I will never place the value of winning before the safety and welfare of all players.
16. I will lead by example, demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship at all times.
17. I will not tolerate inappropriate behavior, regardless of the situation.
18. I will not allow the use of anabolic agents or stimulants, drugs, tobacco, or alcohol by any of my players.
19. I shall not possess, consume or distribute before, during or after any game or at any other time at the field and/or game complex alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or unauthorized prescription drugs.
20. Coaching is motivating players to produce their best effort, inspiring players to learn, and encouraging players to be winners.

SMYSA REC Program is 100% facilitated by volunteer coaches, therefore we are currently looking for youth soccer coaches for the upcoming season. While prior coaching experience or licenses are valuable, they are not necessary. Applicants must be able to embrace these ideas while providing strong leadership and commitment to the program participants. For information please contact Keith James at 770-879-1123 or email to: k.james@smysa.org

Requirements for Volunteer Coaches:

• Working knowledge of Soccer (preferably as a soccer player)
• Excellent communication skills
• Independent transportation (preferred)

Requirements for Certified Coaches:

• Experience working with children age 4 – 12
• Working knowledge of Soccer (preferably as a youth coach)
• Excellent communication skills
• Independent transportation (preferred)
• "D" Licensed coach (preferred).
  

Goal: Create a fun, learning soccer environment for your players in training and in games. You are going to have so much fun with these little Under-6 and Under-8 soccer players.

• Talk to the Program Director and request helpful coaching materials and coaching aids.
• Talk to other Coaches in the program/community who have worked with these age groups before.
• Call your State Youth Soccer Association and ask to speak with the State Director of Coaching about specific age appropriate coaching courses and age appropriate training materials.

Team Management:
Prepare a list of simple and clear rules for your players and their parents. Conduct a preseason meeting to review these rules and to go over other important information and to complete important administrative paperwork.

Consider the following:
Schedules and locations for training sessions and games.
Player and Parent responsibilities and behavior at training sessions and games.
Player equipment (#3 soccer ball, shin pads, soccer shoes or sneakers, water, appropriate clothing).
Coaching equipment (#3 soccer balls, 25-30 cones, 10 vests/pennies, basic first aid kit, small cooler of ice and zip lock bags).
Fill out program registration forms and medical release forms.
Discuss the procedure for canceling training sessions and games.
Discuss your philosophy of coaching…it's about player development, not winning and losing!

Risk Management:
Provide proper age appropriate activities at training sessions and games.
Assure that training and playing areas are safe.
Make sure that all players are wearing the correct equipment and that it is appropriately sized.
Make sure that you are assisted by another adult when coaching the players (This includes the time when players arrive and when they depart from training sessions and games).
Create a plan for any medical emergencies/injuries.

The Training Session - Under-6 Format
Duration is 45-60 minutes. Every child has a ball. Individual activities.
Warm-up activities include movement education approach…with and without a ball (10 minutes).
Fun games activities with and with out a ball (20 minutes).
Conclude with 3v3 games to two goals, with no goalkeepers.

The Training Session - Under-8 Format
Duration is 60 minutes. Every child has a ball. Individual and partner activities.
Warm-up activities with and without the ball – dribbling and passing (15 minutes).
Maze games and target games (25 minutes).
Conclude with 4v4 games to two goals, with no goalkeepers.

Coach Connect Lesson Plans

Please keep your clubs and leagues advised and aware of the serious concerns regarding accidents with portable soccer goals not being securely anchored.

GA Soccer received the following announcement that we feel all leagues and coaches need to read:
“We were having a water break and there was a group of kids standing in the goal. I turned to say something to the other coach, hear a scream, and the goalpost (a huge iron thing) is down and I've got a kid crawling around with blood spurting from his head. Pouring out like he's in a horror movie or something. Long story short, he's in the hospital, his head is fine but he's got a cracked vertebrae.

After so many emails I always check the posts, and the darn things were staked down. But it had rained really hard, the ground was soft, and when the post started over it just popped the stakes out like they were staples or something. We put the other goalpost down and the stakes for it came out easier than most dandelions I've pulled.”

Remember, just because you see a goal anchored into the ground, it does not mean that they are secure. Some of our GA Leagues have gone to sand bags. They feel it is more secure than anchors. As stated above, anchors can come loose with wet or soft ground and if the anchors are being put back into the ground at the same spot, the holes get too big and the anchor is not secure.

Safety First with our Kids!
Article Credit from Georgia Soccer Association