General Coaches Guidelines
WOYSA Philosophy
Conduct
Referees
Game Schedule
Coaches Training
Borrowed Playing Fields
Practice
Safety
Equipment
Fun!
Thank you for agreeing to serve as a Volunteer Coach in WOYSA. The time and effort which you devote
to the children of our community is sincerely appreciated by the WOYSA Board of Directors. With over
1,400 children enrolled to play WOYSA soccer this year, your dedication to coaching is indispensable.
Your WOYSA Board of Directors will do whatever is possible to support your coaching efforts. If you
have any questions, needs, or problems during the spring or fall seasons, we encourage you to contact your
Division Director or any member of the WOYSA Board of Directors. Given the large number of
participating coaches in our program, the Board of Directors believes it is both necessary and helpful to
provide the following guidelines which, although not all encompassing, are nevertheless of particular
importance:
THE WOYSA PHILOSOPHY We are a “recreational” soccer program with the goal of providing an
enjoyable soccer experience to all players and parents involved in the organization. As such, it is intended
that all players, regardless of ability, be given an equal opportunity to enjoy the game of soccer. Each
player on the team shall play at least one half of each game. Specialization of field position should be deemphasized, particularly in the Under 8 and 10 Divisions. Winning is the natural by-product of good
fundamental soccer and enthusiasm for the game. It should not be the center of any coach’s attention.
TEAM SIZE The number of the players on the field per team varies between our divisions. In general
WOYSA recomends the following for team sizes to ensure a competitive and enjoyable game:
U8 - 7 vs 7
U10 - 9 vs 9
U12 - 9 v 9
This number may vary based on the numbers of players available.
2. CONDUCT We urge you to adopt a serious attitude regarding sportsmanship, fair play and good
conduct at all times. This attitude should be passed on to the children you coach, and should be required of
parents and other spectators as well. Your example to the children is of critical importance. What they take
away from this soccer program will not just be the skills of soccer which you teach them, but will also be
the attitude you display and instill in them with respect to fair play, sportsmanship and team work. This
may be the most important lesson they learn from you. WOYSA does not tolerate any argument with or
harassment of referees, players, or opponents. If you observe a coach, parent, or spectator engaging in such
conduct, we ask that you attempt to intervene in a calm and reasonable manner, or contact the Director of
Coaching or a WOYSA Board Member immediately. The WOYSA Board has formed Conduct Review
Committee which will consider legitimate issues of misconduct concerning coaches and others, and will
take appropriate action which may include, if deemed necessary, termination of the coaching
privilege. You may contact the committee had [email protected].
3. REFEREES Our referees are made up of young people who most likely have learned their soccer
skills while playing in WOYSA. They have some formal training as officials, but certainly are not of
professional caliber and will, understandably, commit errors. Bear in mind these young people are learning
from their officiating experience, and your behavior toward them will either enhance or detract from the
learning experience. As such referee errors are NOT to be questioned during the game. The referees
“judgment” is often-times very difficult, but must nevertheless be respected by coaches, players and
parents. If you wish, you may speak discretely to a referee in order to clarify issues at the end of a quarter
or the game. However, if you have a question or a problem with a referee’s conduct, it is requested you
contact the Director of Referees .
GAME SCHEDULE Every attempt should be made to play all games as scheduled. We are limited in the
number of fields available and the amount of time they can be used. Poor weather is generally not a valid
reason to cancel a game, unless it would create an unsafe condition for the players or if the fields could be
severely damaged. This determination is generally to be made by agreement between the coaches who are
present on the field prior to the scheduled start of the game.
If due to weather or any other unforeseen circumstance, a game must be rescheduled, it is your
responsibility to contact the Director of Referees and the Schedule Coordinator for notification of the
canceled game and to reschedule. Also, be aware of whether you were to be responsible for set-up or takedown of nets, and then make appropriate arrangements to assure your responsibility is covered.
COACH TRAINING WOYSA offers both introductory and advanced coach training. The bylaws of
WOYSA suggest each coach attend at least one training session per year. However, becoming a skilled
youth soccer coach is an ongoing self-education experience. There are many books and video tapes
available on the subject of coaching youth soccer. The Public Library is one valuable resource, and the
Board of Directors can guide you to other resources if you wish. Also, the WOYSA Board will help
sponsor your participation in Official Licensing Clinics conducted each year. Regardless of how you do it,
you should make a purposeful attempt to improve your coaching skills through some form of ongoing selfeducation.
6. PRACTICE Your Division Director will give you notice when practice can begin. You should plan to
conduct at least one practice session with your team each week of the soccer season. Only through
continued exposure to skill training and teamwork will your players develop an appreciation for the game
and experience the rewards of continued skills development.
7. BORROWED PLAYING FIELDS Each of the fields where we practice and play are provided at no
cost to WOYSA by the participating Towns or School Districts. If we abuse the fields through uncontrolled
wear and tear, excessive litter or other reasons, we will lose the privilege. Therefore, please urge your team,
parents and spectators to respect the fields. After the game or practice, have your team collect and remove
all litter, whether they brought it or not. Try to leave the field in at least as good condition as you found it.
8. SAFETY Of primary concern to everyone in WOYSA should be the safety of our children. You must
at all times exercise your best judgment with respect to matters of safety both during practice and games.
First aid kits are provided for every coach, and should be kept in good repair. WOYSA will re-stock when
supplies are used. Please return them at the end of the season. If a player is injured during a game, the game
must then stop immediately while the player is attended to. Instruct all remaining players to sit down on the
field until the referee signals the game to continue. If a player suffers more than a minor injury, then it
should be reported to your Division Director immediately. If you feel a player should not participate in a
practice or game because of health or safety reasons, you must exercise your best judgment and do what is
correct under the circumstances. If a parent or other disagrees, you may suggest they speak with a WOYSA
Head Coach or Board Member.
9. EQUIPMENT WOYSA provides each player with a uniform, and each coach with several soccer
balls for practice and games. Each child must provide his or her own shin guards and cleats. Although
cleats are not required, they are helpful. Only rubber cleats are allowed. A child will not be permitted to
practice or play in a game at any time without wearing shin guards. Each child should be encouraged to
bring a soccer ball to practice for personal drills and to promote practice at home.
10. FUN The primary goal of WOYSA is to promote fun and learning in the same setting. Each coach has
his or her own individual style. However, regardless of how it is done, a good coach will make each and
every child’s soccer experience one which will be remembered as “FUN” above all else.
COACHES: GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN AND THANKS AGAIN !!!