Coaches are the life blood of every sport and help coordinate team activities, like practices and encouraging the players to do their best. No experience is necessary. We are a recreation club, so coaching certificates are not required, but if you have a certificate or game playing experience, then that is great and I am sure the players will benefit. Each coach will have a team assigned to them. Since LOWER and UPPER teams play on different days, it is okay to manage/coach two teams. You get a uniform shirt and can have a key to the club’s soccer shed. The word COACH appears below the club logo on some of the shirts.
Over the past several years, the national trend has been to increase the size of the soccer fields. But, we are a recreational club and are doing just the opposite. Our playing fields are smaller (28 yards by 32 yards) and allow the kids to run the distance much easier, than playing on a much larger field. The game is faster and more enjoyable for the players and spectators.
We have two divisions; Lower (grades 1-3) plays games on Tuesday nights and Upper (grades 4-6) plays games on Thursday nights. The field is reserved for our use from Monday through Thursday, from 5:45 pm to 8:45 pm. The field can be used on other days and times for practices, but is not reserved and will be shared by the school, Humbolt Recreation and the neighborhood.
Coaches can work with the parents and setup their own practice times. Monday and Wednesday nights are the two most common nights for practices. Several coaches can get together and hold a ‘joint practice session’, which would greatly benefit the first-time parent/coaches and also help the players to develop their soccer skills.
During games, the LOWER team coaches are usually on the field with the players, to help guide and make play suggestions. A parent can be selected to help rotate the players on and off the field. Each player should get an equal amount of playing time. Upper team coaches can go on the field, but usually stay on the side lines.
There is a wealth of FREE SOCCER KNOWLEDGE on the web and you do not need to buy books or videos. Here are some web links to soccer practice routines and some have videos to explain the routines. Be careful, some sites will try and get you to buy something, but buying is not necessary.
www.soccerxpert.com/free-soccer-drills.aspx
www.sportsmomsurvivalguide.com/soccer-coaching-drills/