Potomac/Brit-Am Soccer.
Junior Coaches Program (JCP)
Camps Training Manual
Contact Information:
Dave Steele
JCP Assignor
[email protected]
301-820-8545
CONTENTS
● Qualities of a Good Junior Coach
● Objective of the JCP Training
● Overview of Summer Camp Programs
Tots 4-5yrs
​ nd​
Rising Stars 1st​
– 2​Grade
Advance Soccer Stars 3rd
​​-8th
​​Grade
● Role of the Junior Coach —Facilitator of FUN and
LEARNING
● Uniform
● Field Set-Up
● Arrival & Dismissal Times
● Rules and Description of 4 v 4 Soccer
Rules
Description and Allowable Modifications
● What is the basic structure of each camp? 5
● Characteristics of Under 5/6 Players
● Things You Can Expect from an Under 7/8 Players
● Junior Coach Evaluation Card
● Scheduling
● Warm-up Tag Games
Junior Coaches act as assistant coaches for Camps and Clinics in the Brit-Am Soccer
and Potomac Soccer Programs
Qualities of a Good Junior Coach
A good junior coach enthusiastically facilitates fun and learning for every player in
his/her group. In addition, a good senior coach will:
dress appropriately in clean, neat soccer attire shorts, socks and uniform shirt, shirt
tucked in; soccer shoes; hair neat and out of eyes.
arrives on time ready to work
calls the Head Coach as soon as possible if an emergency arises and he/she cannot
fulfill their work commitment on a given day
uses appropriate language always (no cursing, no sarcasm, etc.)
has good body language/posture (keeps hands out of pockets, looks lively)
speaks clearly and precisely
looks coaches and players in the eyes when talking with them
asks questions when not certain about something
remembers to bring a watch
remembers to bring water and a light snack if they have back to back classes
leaves their cell phone turned off
can improvise solutions to unanticipated problems
firmly makes all final decisions with regard to interpreting the rules of 4 v 4
scrimmages
is fit and willing to stay up with play during the scrimmages and help keep the game
moving especially when the ball goes out of play
has read this manual a few times and implements the ideas contained in this
manual.
SMILE! :)
Objective of the JCP Training Manual​
:
To provide junior coaches with a resource that explains their role as an assistant
coach within the camps and clinic soccer programs.
Overview of Camps:
The summer camps are for children aged between 4-13yrs. Each child registers for a
one-week camp and attends everyday from 9am-Noon (Half Day) or 9am - 3pm (Full
st ​ nd
Day). The Camp will consist of three age groups: Tots 4-5yrs: Rising Stars 1​
- 2​
rd​ th​
Grade: Advanced Soccer Stars 3​- 8​Grade. Each will consist of one qualified head
coach and an assistant Junior Coach.
Tots Program (Day Camps):
The tots program is for children aged between 4-5 years old. Each child registers for
a one-week camp and attends everyday from 9am-Noon (Half Day). Focus: Fun and
Fundamental Movements.
Tots Camps (Tots Camps ONLY):
The tot’s camp is for children aged between 3 – 8 years old. Each child registers for a
one-week camp and attends everyday from 9am-Noon (Half Day). Camp Ends at
Noon. Focus: Fun and Fundamental Movements.
st​ nd​
Rising Stars Camp (1​
-2​Grade):
The rising stars camp is for children aged between 6-8 years old. Each child
registers for a one-week camp and attends everyday from 9am-Noon (Half Day
ONLY).
rd​ th​
Advanced Soccer Stars Camp (3​
– 8​Grade):
The rising stars camp is for children aged between 8-14 years old. Each child
registers for a one-week camp and attends everyday from 9am-Noon or 9am -3pm.
Focus: Fun and Soccer Specific Movements.
Role of the Junior Coach​
:
The junior coaching assistant’s role is to provide back up- to the head coach for the
session. This is to include:
●
Organization and set-up of the activities
●
Helping with individual players to ensure participation
●
Participating in activities to increase fun for the kids
●
Dealing with children hurt or not participating
●
Collecting the equipment and storing for next day
●
Facilitate Scrimmages
Uniform:
●
Dark shorts/socks
●
Brit-Am T-Shirt (Yellow Provided)
●
Cleats or Turf Shoes (No Sneakers)
Field Set-Up:
Area:
Each training group should have an area around 30x30. See field set-up below
Equipment:
Large cones are preferred for the outside boundary and small cones for activities
inside so players can clearly see the difference. Each field should have two bownet
goals set up for the coach. Each field will also need different coloured pinnies on
each field ready for the coach to use in competitive sessions.
Arrival & Dismissal Times:
All junior coaches are required to arrive at camp no later than 8.30am in order to be
ready for when the camp starts at 9am. If you are scheduled to leave half day you
should be finished no later than 12.15pm and full day 3.15pm. Please be sure to
check with the coaches to make sure you are free to leave.
A Sign out sheet will need to be filled out by each junior coach so we can keep track
of hours worked.
Game Rules of 5v5 Soccer
●
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●
●
●
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X2 teams of 5 players
1 GK + 4 Outfield Players
Scoring: goals may only be scored from a team’s attacking half of the field.
Re-Starts: opponents’ distance 5 yards (or more if warranted). After a goal,
team scored on kicks “in” from end line and opponent remains in there half
of the field.
Ball out on side or end line is kicked “in” by opposing team (no throw-ins).
“Dribble-ins” are ok if used occasionally.
Corner kicks: are taken by the attacking team when the ball has been touched
last by the defending team and goes over the defending team’s end line.
Off Side: None
No slide tackling
Infringements: deliberate tripping, handling, etc. award indirect kick.
Opponents 5 yards away.
Note: be flexible with the rules; use kick-offs at mid-field or have the
opponents go to their defending half if a team struggles to get the ball out of
their back area. If one team is considerably stronger than the other and is
running up the score, make adjustments in the game to try and ensure that
every child on every team has some degree of success during the hour they
are with you.
Attention Getting Techniques.
Before teaching anything to another person or group of people, you have to have
that person or group’s attention.
Getting the attention of a group of 1st or 2nd graders can be a challenging task for
even the most experienced clinician.
Below are a few techniques that are used by clinicians to get the attention of players.
1. Change the tone and volume of your voice and enthusiastically and
respectfully explain what you would like players to do
2. Look players in the eyes possibly by getting down on one knee so that you
are at their eye level
3. Teach players to sit in front of you and face you when you are talking.
4. If possible, learn player names and use them frequently
5. Ask players to wave their hands in the air; after they do so, ask them to clap
once if they can hear you, twice if they can see you
6. Ask players to complete a popular phrase many have learned in school; you
say one, two, three, eyes on me; they say one, two eyes on you 8
JCP Evaluations
Evaluations are used to provide feedback about your performance. It also provides
Brit-Am with feedback on what they need to emphasize in this training. If a Junior
Coach receives poor ratings, the Head Coach will review with you before your next
shift so you can improve in the specific area.
If the problem persists after several weeks, other JCP’s will be given priority in
scheduling.
Documentation and Form Submission:
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How to complete the form
●
Where to send the form
●
Form Submission Deadlines
All forms can be found on the Potomac Soccer Website at:
http://www.potomacsoccer.org/Default.aspx?tabid=636369