Club Policies

The following are steps in protecting the coach from questionable predicaments:

1. We are a "hands-off - no touch" soccer club. This keeps players and coaches out of any questionable situations. Under no circumstances should your hands make contact on a child where his or her batching suit would be worn.
   
   Ask for the parent to come on to the field.
   
2. Coaches are volunteers. Parents are responsible for their son or daughter not the coach. Parents are to stay at the field or ask another adult to "watch" their child while you are coaching.
3. Never Ever leave yourself alone with a player. Keep another adult around if a player has been left at the field.
4. When a player is inured, the coach is called on to the field.
   • Talk to the player to assess the situation.
   • Don't move the player
   • If the player can get up on his or her own, then offer your assistance and involve another parent or coach.
   • If the situation is serious, allow the parent to make the decision.
   • A soccer game can be postponed or cancelled if necessary
   • Do not be shy to call 911
5. Any "incidents" must be reported to the convenor and President
6. Never ridicule or yell at the soccer players. Choose your words carefully, use positive feedback and encouragement. Schomberg Soccer Club plays House League soccer, not rep or select soccer, winning or losing is inconsequential in the big picture. Fun is everything.
7. Do not question a referee's call
8. It is the coaches responsibility to control the players and parents.

Responsibilities and Expectations

• To dress appropriately
• To talk slowly and clearly
• To be on time for practices and games
• To plan practices and sessions
• To give players equal opportunity and equal time
• To encourage and be positive in correcting faults.
• To have an adequate supply of balls and equipments
• To know emergency procedures - 911 and have a cell phone.
• To be courteous to players and opposition coaches
• To listen to the players
• To organize the appointment of a team manager
• To know the rules of the game, and to pass on this knowledge
• To discuss players progress with parents

Quick Coaching Reference

1. Plan your practice - warm up and small sided games
2. Use you coaching manual for effective drills and small sided games
3. Avoid any time of activity that does not include a ball. Running "laps" must include a ball.
4. When teaching a skill, reference Key Factor Coaching.
5. You don't always need a new drill every night. Focus on doing the existing drills correctly.
6. Every drill should incorporate the following:
   • Technique
   • Tactics and game strategy
   • Conditioning
7. Every practice should include a small side game (3 v 3, 5 v 5). Maximize the potential amount of time a player can have with a soccer ball.

Tips for Successful Coaching

Successful Coaching

1. Be organized
2. Read your manual
3. Have coaches handout/expectations for parents
4. Recruit parents
5. Delegate jobs
6. Success for all players = did everyone touch the ball a lot of times AND have fun?)
7. Keeping your players together during practices and games

Coaching strategies that Encourages Fitness

1. Start with busy drills and time the drill
2. Use a warm up game with lots of involvement (3 v 3)
3. Maintain intensity with effect ice drills
4. While setting up the next drill have the players to little runs and/or sprints instead of standing and talking.

Things to avoid in a practice

1. Long runs and long stretching sessions
2. Too much time on one drill (if it unsuccessful you can always repeat it the week after)
3. Big line ups to take a turn i.e. long waiting times
4. Any running without a ball
5. High emphasis on success instead of involvement and participation
6. Complicate drills
7. Blowing you whistle too much
8. Too much talking

Great Strategies

1. You and three parents run "drill" stations and have the kids rotate
2. Repetition to your practices
3. Relays that encourage racing
4. Drills that require the kids to listen for specific commands (Red light / green light)
5. Soccer skills circuits
6. Mini games of low organization other than scrimmages

Equipment

• No jewelry, not even if it is "taped". This includes earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and hair clips.
• Medical alert bracelets can be worn but must be taped
• No hats
• No bandanas
• No watches
• Eyeglasses can be worn. Obviously we would prefer contact lenses or safety glasses.
• No casts unless it is a soft cast
• No "knee: braces
• Proper soccer shoes must be worn - not running shoes
• Shin pads must be word

Weather

Our policy is very clear ... for any age group U10 and below, if you hear thunder, the game or practice is over without fail. Leave the field and go home.

For Youth practices the same rule applies, the practice is over.

For Youth games, it is up to the discretion of the referee. If in the coaches opinion, you feel that the referee is not respecting the safety of the players, you may (and this is the only time), you may take the players off the field. the Schomberg Soccer Club will deal with the "fallout"

If you hear thunder 10 minutes prior to practice, there will not be a practice or game. Coaches may have to go the field to tell players this news.

Hot humid weather. If the temperature is over +35 'C, then practice will not happen. Games will continue - please be observant to players not drinking water. They must stay hydrated.

King Township may "close" fields. Normally this notice is very late, so please understand the Executive's position if you receive a call 15 minutes prior to practice.

Snacks and Drinks

Soccer nights are for playing soccer. At half time water is best for thirst.

Cakes, muffins are not appropriate.

If parents wants to buy "freezies" then these are to be consumed after the practice / game.

Gatorade ... if your running a 10 km race, half marathon or a full marathon as an adult then Gatorade is good for you. For your child who is running for an hour at most, water would be better.

Paying the Referee

Firstly, if no referee shows up. Please contact the Referee in Chief or President immediately. For U8 and U10 games, please agree with the opposing coach, and each coach referees half a game (remember that playing is more important). For Youth games, you do not have to play the game - this is your discretion.

For U8 and U10 games, referee fees are taken care of by the club internally.

For U12, U14, U16 and U18 games, fees must be paid to the referee and assistant referees prior to the game. The home team must collects half the fee from the visiting team and pays the referee. Fees are split 50/50.

Fees can be found here: (As of 2008 U12 = $40, U14 = $40/$25, U16 = $45/$25, U18 = $50/$25)

In the case of U12, we would only play the referee $20, opposition pays the other $20.

Game Sheets

For U8 and U10 games. In house games sheets are to be filled out. The referee takes this sheet as his or her receipt, and takes it to Jay's Variety.

For Youth games. You will be provided with game sheets. These are to be filled out, and mailed to the league. Scores will be called in or e-mailed to the league within 24 hours of the game.