Coaching Responsibilities

The basic responsibility of each coach is the conduct and administration of his/her team in accordance with the Dynamo Soccer Association guidelines.

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE:

1. Player Safety - Player safety is of paramount importance. Coaches are expected to use mature judgment regarding player safety during practices and games. Report any unsafe field or equipment conditions to the Fields or Equipment manager.

2. Each team coach and/or assistant coach must perform a physical inspection of the goals used in practice to verify the goals are securely anchored with anchor bolts. If a goal is not anchored, practice MUST NOT be held on that field and the President, Vice President, or Field Manager must be notified immediately. Officer Contact List

3. Report all injuries requiring medical attention, in writing, to the Association Vice President.

4. If possible, bring a cell phone to each practice. Since no phones are available at the Dynamo Soccer Complex this will provide a way to call emergency medical help or a parent if needed.

5. Assure control of all players at all times. This includes remaining at the field, practice and game, until all players have been picked up

6. Take a copy of each player’s Medical Information form to each practice and game.

7. Weather conditions such as lighting, very heavy rains and weather systems that threaten the safety of players must result in immediate cancellation or postponement of practice or games. 

8. Is there a threat of lightning? Dynamo Soccer has adopted the following IHSA minimum safety procedures called the 30-30 Rule
        30 seconds:
Count the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder. If this time is 30 seconds or less then the lightning is close enough to be a threat. Seek shelter immediately.
        30 minutes:
After seeing the last lightning flash, wait 30 minutes before leaving shelter. More than half of lightning deaths occur after the storm has passed. Stay in safe shelter until the threat has passed.

9. “Times Two Policy”
All teams must implement this policy to ensure that no less than two adults are present at any team function. Failure to implement the Times Two policy may adversely impact liability insurance coverage. Team functions include, but are not limited to, games, practices, picnics, etc. The adults present can be a combination of coaches, parents, board members, etc, and it is suggested that the adults not be related. While the focus of this policy is the child, it also provides protection for the volunteers as well in the event of misunderstandings. Under no circumstances should the activity take place if only one adult is present. It is recommended that volunteers not provide transportation for non-family members. In the past this was more of an insurance issue, but now has greater implications in regards to the intent of the Times Two policy.

10. Bring to the attention of the Coaching coordinator all situations that may become a problem.

11. Coaches will receive team rosters about 2-3 weeks before the first practice. Please call all players on your list as soon as possible, even if you do not plan to practice during the first week. It becomes a burden to other parents and players as well as the Dynamo Board members when kids are not called in a timely fashion; word spreads quickly when friends and neighbors have been called.

12. Provide to parents and players written practice information and game schedules as soon as the information is available.

13. Involve parents of players in the management of the soccer team in such areas as: assistant coach and telephoning and team parent.  It is indicated on the team roster those parents who have expressed interest in these duties. Select qualified assistants and make use of these people as resources to make your experience more enjoyable. Always have at lease one, preferably two, helper's at practices and games

14. Encourage players and parents to notify the coach when a player must be absent from a practice or a game.

15. Provide leadership appropriate for each occasion.

16. Create opportunities for players to learn and to develop soccer skills, sportsmanship, and the values of athletic competition.

17. Manage the care and use of team equipment provided by Dynamo and return all equipment to the equipment chairman at the end of the season.

18. Have practice and game strategies prepared before you arrive at the field.

19. Encourage each player to bring his/her own water to each practice and game, and soccer ball to each practice.

20. Control your sideline spectators during games and do not allow anyone within one yard of the touchline. Remind all parents/fans to sit on the spectator’s side of the field.

21. Do not argue with a referee, if there is a problem, speak to the referee after the game and report the situation to the Referee in Chief or the Association President. Coaches may make comments on the referee card at the end of the game.

22. Fruit or other foods between quarters or at half time is not recommended. Not only can eating during strenuous activity cause stomach cramps, but it greatly enhances the bee  population causing a safety problem at the Dynamo Fields. Supply plenty of liquids such as water or re-sealable sport drink type products.

23. Advise the Registration coordinator or Coaching coordinator of any players who quit the team before or during the season.

24. Have an end of the season team party. At the party make sure you thank all of the adult volunteers for their time and effort. Also make sure you tell each of your players that they played well and that they improved as the season progressed. Hand out awards supplied by Dynamo to all players. Please serve as positive role models and refrain from the use of tobacco or alcohol at team parties.

25. Coaches mailboxes are located inside the door of the coaches’ room. Please check your mailbox before game day.

26. During games coaches are restricted to the sideline area, and must remain on only half of the playing field. Coaches are not to be on the parent side, or on the end line (with the exception of the 5-year old division, where a coach may offer support to their goalkeeper).

27. You have the obligation to the children to educate yourself in terms of soccer drills and strategies. This can easily be done by simply spending some time clicking around the links found on the Coaching Resources web page. Make your practices interesting, different, and practical. Attend coaching clinics when possible. Do your absolute best to help make this a great experience for our kids.

28. Practices may only be held on the Dynamo fields, and only at the times reserved for your team, unless you've made an agreement with another team to switch times, fields, etc. Make sure your athletes know on which field they'll meet you.

29. Make-up game policy
What about Make-Up Games for Rainouts?
Rained out weekday games can be made up by mutual agreement of the participating team coaches. Coaches will make sure a field is available by conferring with the appropriate age level practice schedule; a time shall be set, and the referee in chief Tammy Malmer (932-2853 or e-mail Malmertk@aol.com) shall be called to set up referees for the game. No games are to be rescheduled on Sundays. The association will reschedule a Saturday cancellation after the first rainout. Only one Saturday rainout will be rescheduled.

30. It is very likely that one of the children on your team is the child of the sponsor. Please be supportive of team sponsors at all times.

32. Organizational Documents

Making your first call to parents, what they need to know.
Practices will be held on Monday’s and Thursday's from 5:30 – 6:30 starting July 22 & 25
Shin pads must be worn for all practices and games.
Soccer cleats are highly recommended, (must not have a single toe spike)
Bring a resealable water bottle to each practice
Bring a ball to each practice (size ?) with the child’s name on the ball
Are there any medical conditions I should know about?
Practice on Field “A” down towards the end of the parking lot
Players are required to wear black on black checkerboard shorts with ALL black socks. . 
Visit the web site at dynamosoccer.org
My name is Joe Soccer, phone number 933-8880

Letter to parents, first practice
To:  All Parents
From:  Joe Coach 555-5555, Mary Assistant 555-5556
Re: Dynamo Soccer

Welcome to another year of Dynamo Soccer. We look forward to working with your boys/girls. Hopefully they will have fun, become more fit and become better soccer players by the end of the year. I am going to list some ground rules to make things easier for everyone involved:

1.  Shin pads must be worn for all practices and games.
2.  No jewelry is to be worn for practice or games to prevent injury.
3. Cleats are highly recommended. The least expensive ones are more than sufficient or ask a  friend for some hand me downs.
4. Please bring enough water for your child for games and practice. Better too much than not enough!
5. Each child should bring a ball to practice. Practices are designed for the boys/girls to get maximum touches and many drills need each child to have a ball. Please, do not bring any balls to the game! It is a great way to lose a ball!!!
6. If a medical condition (such as asthma) is affecting a boys/girls play, please let Mary or I know.
7. Please be on time for practice. Lateness not only affects the late boy/girl but the children who are on time waiting for enough players to start.  If you cannot make practice, please let me know.
8. Have the player arrive 20 minutes before the games so they can properly warm up. If your child cannot make the game, please try to let me know the night or two before if possible.  It saves me a huge amount of time when putting together the line-up if I know who will be absent.
9. PLEASE make your cheering during the game positive. Do not yell instructions to your child as they play. Do not get on the refs. Our referee program is developmental and they will make mistakes but it will be something the coaches will address in private with the ref's at a break or after the game. 
10. Soccer Homework - Dribble a soccer ball around your house 5 times everyday, circle every bush and tree in your yard, and use both feet.; Dribble a soccer ball everywhere you go… with parent permission; Start a “pick up” soccer game with your friends or friends.

Practices will be on __________ and ___________ at from _____ to _____. 
Very truly yours,
Joe Coach

Please visit the dynamosoccer.org web site.

Team rosters are great for parents. Use this type of format, make copies and have them laminated ( Learning Tree on Broadway in Bradley laminates) . Pass them out to parents at the first game so they know who's who. (table will not copy and paste)