The initial email or phone call should be brief and to the point. Track who you talk with and who replies to your email. Make sure
everyone knows the day, time and location of your practice, what gear to bring, and where & when your team meeting will be held.
There are many ways to accomplish this, click here to download a sample E-mail: Word or PDF
**If you make the meeting mandatory - you will get more to show. Everyone is busy and there will be some who cannot make it. Be
sure to schedule a separate time for each of these folks and don't miss a single one. All parent / guardians need to sign the forms
and hear the speech. Almost guaranteed, if you let one slide by then that will be the problem person later on in the season so be
sure to get to everyone.
The Team Meeting is one of the most important events of the season. It's one of the only times you will have the complete attention
of all the parents & players at the same time. It's very important to be prepared and organized for this event. Get your thoughts
together, use a check list to make sure everything is covered, and take your time.
Download the Team Meeting Checklist: Word or PDF
Most coaches have the initial team meeting in the 30 minutes prior to the first practice. We've found that it's almost impossible to
get all the parents to attend. They're either at work, have transportation issues, or perhaps the player was assigned to your team
after the team meeting. In either case, you should plan on having parents and players that need to get caught up with the rest of the
team. Make time for this and be sure everyone signs the forms - hears the speeches, etc.
Items to cover in your meeting:
Player & Parent Conduct discussions need to be a part of your season and preferably before the first game. It's important to
recognize that some parents and players have already experienced rules concerning behavior while participating in other sports
(baseball, football, basketball). We just need to make sure everyone is on the same page about soccer.
Tips on your Sportsmanship discussion:
The First Practice will be a time for you and the team to become familiar with each other. Its also a time for you to set the tone that
will hopefully last for the entire season. Consider the below items carefully and make sure the parents & players are on board with
these items from day one.
The First Game is equally important for tone setting with the parents and players. The efforts you make towards good
sportsmanship behavior on this day will hopefully last the rest of the season.
The End of Season Party can be a fun event for everyone. Some coaches ask for volunteers to organize the event and then leave it
up to the team to settle on the specifics while others like to do it themselves and just ask for volunteers to help in certain areas. It's
pretty much up to you but here are some things to consider:
For tips on how to communicate through potentially confrontational events, please read the "Conduct for Coaches" page.
Here's a little bit from that page:
everyone knows the day, time and location of your practice, what gear to bring, and where & when your team meeting will be held.
There are many ways to accomplish this, click here to download a sample E-mail: Word or PDF
**If you make the meeting mandatory - you will get more to show. Everyone is busy and there will be some who cannot make it. Be
sure to schedule a separate time for each of these folks and don't miss a single one. All parent / guardians need to sign the forms
and hear the speech. Almost guaranteed, if you let one slide by then that will be the problem person later on in the season so be
sure to get to everyone.
The Team Meeting is one of the most important events of the season. It's one of the only times you will have the complete attention
of all the parents & players at the same time. It's very important to be prepared and organized for this event. Get your thoughts
together, use a check list to make sure everything is covered, and take your time.
Download the Team Meeting Checklist: Word or PDF
Most coaches have the initial team meeting in the 30 minutes prior to the first practice. We've found that it's almost impossible to
get all the parents to attend. They're either at work, have transportation issues, or perhaps the player was assigned to your team
after the team meeting. In either case, you should plan on having parents and players that need to get caught up with the rest of the
team. Make time for this and be sure everyone signs the forms - hears the speeches, etc.
Items to cover in your meeting:
- Introduction: Your background and history with Soccer
- Statement of priorities: Safety - Fun - Player Development
- Confirm practice day, time & location
- Review equipment needs -- no shin guards = cannot play
- Review the league's No Jewelry policy
- Game arrival time = 30 minutes prior to kickoff
- Practice Arrival time = 5 minutes before kickoff
- Review game seating requirement -- opposite side of field
- Highlight and review a few of the items included in the "Parents Code of Conduct" form - obtain signatures. Though it is NOT
a requirement, all parents should readily sign and accept the terms of the Code. Report any issues with this to your AGC
before games begin. - Highlight and review a few of the items included in the "WWSC Sportsmanship Credo" and set clear expectations on how the
players and spectators are to behave during events. - Ask parents to verify the contact info on the Consent to Play Form
- Pass around the volunteer sign up form (coordinator of snacks, trophy, and post season party)
- Ask for assistant coaches as needed
Player & Parent Conduct discussions need to be a part of your season and preferably before the first game. It's important to
recognize that some parents and players have already experienced rules concerning behavior while participating in other sports
(baseball, football, basketball). We just need to make sure everyone is on the same page about soccer.
Tips on your Sportsmanship discussion:
- Ask the parents to visit "www.gowestsidewarriors.com" and to complete the Parents review. Ask them to print the page with
the confirmation code and bring it to you at the first game. - Review highlighted portions of the WWSC Sportsmanship Credo with the Parents
- Let the parent / guardians know up front that when you see or hear about a member of the team behaving in an
unsportsmanlike manner that you will be taking steps to make sure it does not happen again. This will show how serious of
an issue it is to you, and you will gain their respect right out of the gate. - Tell both parents and players they can expect coaches to confront them on sportsmanship issues that arise during games
and practices. Everyone needs to be familiar with the Rules for Spectators or Code of Conduct for Parents.
The First Practice will be a time for you and the team to become familiar with each other. Its also a time for you to set the tone that
will hopefully last for the entire season. Consider the below items carefully and make sure the parents & players are on board with
these items from day one.
- Drop off and pick up location IS ON THE FIELD and NOT IN THE PARKING LOT.
- Parent / Guardian presence is required unless the coach says it's OK to depart and come back
- Have your warm ups on auto pilot so that players know exactly what to do when they get to the field for practice & games.
Follow the rule of "Get them moving & keep them moving". A good part of your first practice should be devoted to this. - Discussion sportsmanship with the players. Make sure they know bullying and profanity will not be tolerated
- See more on practice at the "Prepare for Practice" page
The First Game is equally important for tone setting with the parents and players. The efforts you make towards good
sportsmanship behavior on this day will hopefully last the rest of the season.
- For safety reasons, to prevent injury and increase motivation all players need to be on time for pre game warm up activities.
- Players arriving late may have reduced play time on a case by case basis with consideration towards the weather conditions
and ability to warm up on the side lines. - Parents and family guests need to stay in the designated spectator area
- Parents and family guests should refrain from talking to the referees
- Parents and family guests can cheer on both teams with positive comments but should not call in directions or attempt to
coach from the sidelines - See more on games at the "Prepare for Games" page
The End of Season Party can be a fun event for everyone. Some coaches ask for volunteers to organize the event and then leave it
up to the team to settle on the specifics while others like to do it themselves and just ask for volunteers to help in certain areas. It's
pretty much up to you but here are some things to consider:
- Rewards (Trophy / Medal): Some of your players may be new to organized sports. Many have not received a medal or
trophy before and are looking forward to getting one at the end of the season. It's very important that ALL players receive a
reward of some kind at the end of every season. - Location: Your local favorite pizza joint is a good place to start. A team party at a local indoor soccer ring or picnic at the park
with green field to play around on can also be fun. Get creative and mix it up from season to season. How about a pot luck
dinner? - Date & Time: The final team party does not have to be right after your last game. Some prefer to have it on a normally
scheduled practice evening before or after the last game. It's up to you. - Food: Instead of pizza, try a pot luck dinner. Many of the local indoor soccer locations will allow you to rent the field for part of
the party then move your event to a party room for a pot luck dinner, or pizza delivered. - Cake: We love Costco!
- Speeches: It's not uncommon for the coach to give a few words for each player during the award ceremony. It's also OK to
say a few words about the team in general without going into details about each player. Depending on your own personal
style and how much time you have it's pretty much up to you.
For tips on how to communicate through potentially confrontational events, please read the "Conduct for Coaches" page.
Here's a little bit from that page:
- It is highly suggested to approach the discussion by TRYING TO PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES. Ask a lot of questions
and don't make demands. Word the discussion in a way that makes ownership of the problem both yours and theirs at the
same time. SHARE THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION. As long as you show respect and understanding in the
beginning of your conversation then you most likely will get the same in return.
| We have prepared a New Season Checklist for you. Please feel welcome to download the file and customize it to fit your needs. Download New Season Checklist .xls Download New Season Checklist .pdf |
- The Initial Email or Phone Call
- The First Team Meeting
- Player / Parent Conduct & Sportsmanship Discussion
- The First Practice
- The First Game
- Your End of Season Party
| Milestones of the Soccer Season |
| "Strong leaders communicate well; successful coaches deliver what the team needs to know. Know the milestones of the soccer season and provide the information before they need it." |
| Coaches New Season Checklist |
| Communications |