Springfield AYSO U6 Coach’s Guide

Brian Michaels

Regional Commissioner

541-337-0659

ayso.brian@gmail.com

Springfield AYSO Board Members:

Andrew Bevins, Marketing Consultant

Bobby Criswell, Game Scheduler

Jeff Paschall, Advisor

Carla Metz, Advisor

Jan Michaels, Referee Scheduler

Mike Oswalt, Website Administrator

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Coach’s Resource Guide

Thank you for being a Coach. My motivation is to enable

you to enjoy this experience so much that you will regret

that the season is over, you will recruit others to be a part

of Springfield AYSO and you will be looking forward to

next season.

Email me or call me if you’re having ANY problems. I am a

volunteer, but am committed to the future of this great

tradition.

Board of Directors – Open Positions*:

• Registrar

• Treasurer

• Safety Director

• Child Protective Volunteer Activate

• Coach Administrator

• Referee Administrator

• Equipment and Uniform Manager

• Director of Field Management

*to apply for any open position, please contact:

Brian Michaels.

*2 year minimum commitment required, lifetime commitment

preferred.

Divisional Information for U6 – U12:

• Training goals

• Strategies

• Game Day player rotational template

Divisional information U10 – U12:

• Team line-ups and formations

• Yellow Cards and Red Cards

Coach’s Guide disclaimer:

The information included in this packet is intended to answer

all the questions you may have from the beginning of the

season until the end. This guide is my personal project that I

have put together, based on my experience with Springfield

AYSO. I didn’t grow-up playing soccer and struggled

through many years coaching.

For those that have little to no experience, - I hope that you

find this helpful. For those that grew-up playing soccer and

have more coaching experience than I do – I hope that you

will email me ideas and corrections for the next printing of

this Coach’s Guide.

General Information for all divisions:

Although there are Coach’s Guides for each division, ALL of the

Coach’s Guides have the following information:

• Coach’s Calendar (Punch-list and deadlines to be aware

of)

• Divisional Information

• Team Organization

• Game Schedules and How to make scheduling requests

• Picture Day and Photography options

• Practice Fields and NO USE dates (due to school

events)

• Shutterfly – organizational tool for team communication

• Trophies and Season-Ending Parties

• Volunteer registration information

o The benefits of being a registered volunteer

o How to register as a volunteer

Seasonal Summary:

Coaches receive their rosters week of 3/9 and will contact

players by 3/17

Practices begin as early as the week of 3/17 or the week

after Spring Break

Jamboree schedule will be posted by April 1st

Default Picture Day will be determined April 3rd

Jamboree/Games begin on April 4th

Moderne Picture Day 8:30 – 1 PM; April 18th

Regular season schedule will be posted 4/8

Last games of the season on 5/16

Games are ALWAYS on Saturdays and ALWAYS at

Thurston Middle School for U5 - U12.

(U14 may have games in Springfield and Eugene)

Register as a Volunteer:

https://www.eayso.org/StartPage.aspx

Choose the last box: “I am new to AYSO and want to

volunteer”

Choose: “I want to do my part as an AYSO volunteer”

Fill out Name and Phone number

Login Email: __________________

Password: __________________

Security question

Zipcode:

Choose “Region 93: Springfield”

Personal Information

Volunteer Jobs

Under “Jobs NOT child specific”, choose a role

Agreement

Check all of the agreements

Sign and date

Regional information

Make a note of your Volunteer ID# - you will need this to log

in for training and be become certified in specific roles

Volunteer ID# _______________________________

You will need the following information available to you to

complete the registration form:

Driver’s license number

Two References – one personal, one professional

• Name

• Address

• Phone

Volunteer the right way Scheduling Information

scheduler@springfieldayso.com

If you have conflicts such as a day that you can’t play on or a

time that you need to be done by or start by, let the scheduler

know by the deadline. The deadline for the season is always

the Friday before the jamboree. This also includes but is not

limited to reasons such as….work schedule, tickets to a Duck

game, coaching 2 teams, coaching one team but have another

child on a different team. The scheduler will make every effort

to accommodate all requests.

We try to schedule all games to start between 8:30 am – 1:00

pm if possible. This isn’t always doable if there are coach’s

requests that prevent that or if we have too many teams and

not enough field space. That is usually a U-10 or U-12 issue

since we don’t have as many fields for those leagues. Also,

during the spring season, Easter usually falls on one of our

weekends. When that happens, we will not schedule any

games until 12:30pm due to the Easter Egg Hunt at Splash.

Doubleheaders will always be a part of Springfield AYSO. We

want each team to get in at least 7 games in addition to the

jamboree and we only have 6 weeks to do it. Also, for any

league that has an odd number of teams, doubleheaders are

mandatory to make sure that no teams have byes.

Occasionally, a team may have 2 doubleheaders if it’s

necessary to make sure everyone gets 7 games.

Doubleheaders will always be back-to-back to avoid having to

be at the field for more than two hours.

The jamboree is for U-6 through U-10. It is meant to give

coaches and players a chance to get used to what a typical

game is like. It is also used to evaluate all teams so when we

are scheduling we can try to match the stronger teams together

a bit more as well as the beginning teams. Please get your

jamboree results to the scheduler by 6 pm on the day of the

jamboree. The more results we get, the easier it is to schedule.

Trophies:

Best case scenario: your Team parent will choose the trophies for

your players, collect money and have the trophies inscribed with

their names and have them ready prior to last game of the season.

Here is a list of trophy companies in our area. I have purchased

from a number of these. You might consider going down to their

showrooms to see the quality first hand:

Willamette Valley Awards

2147 Main Street, Springfield, OR

(541) 747-1281 http://wvawards.com/

Cascade Engraving & Awards

18 Hayden Bridge Way, Springfield, OR

(541) 746-3410 () · cascadeengraving.com

Royal Awards

364 West 7th Avenue, Eugene, OR

(541) 686-8484 ()

Delp's Awards

1010 Tyinn St # 4, Eugene, OR

(541) 686-5515 () · delpsawards.com

Team Pictures

The ‘default’ photo company is Moderne Studios. We will

announce a “Picture Day” for teams using Moderne;

however, the following companies have be used by various

Springfield AYSO teams over the years and their pricing

information is included in your Coach’s Guide:

Jan Hampton

Vicki Oswalt

Brad Kinzer

Use Shutterfly Team

Share Sites This Season

With AYSO Team Share Sites, you can easily send

practice and game reminders, schedule snack duties,

include a calendar and safely add pictures, videos and

more.

Your Region will need to set a Shutterfly Release Date in

eAYSO. Coaches will receive activation emails for their

Team Share Sites after this date. Once you activate, you'll

find your Team Share Site pre-filled with player rosters and

parent information from eAYSO.

Activate your site by Apr. 10 and you'll automatically be

entered to win a free photo book! If you need assistance

with this, let us know or visit our Shutterfly FAQ for

Coaches.

Division Information

AYSO Divisions:

U5 – under 5 years (Co-Ed)

• Ball size 3 – Provided to each player

• 50 minutes each Saturday –

Combination of fundamentals, practice

and scrimmaging

• Wear shin guards and soccer cleats

• AYSO T-Shirt provide

U6 – under 6 years (Co-Ed)

• 5 vs. 5 players

• Ball size 3

• Games are 4 ten minute quarters

with a 5 minute halftime break

• No Goal Keepers

• No use of hands

U8– under 8 years (Gender Specific)

• 7 vs. 7 players

• Ball size 3

• Games are 4 ten minute quarters

with a 5 minute halftime break

• Goal Keepers (may use their hands)

• No heading or slide tackles

Field Agreements Field agreements are established each season. It is Springfield AYSO’s intension to provide soccer goals at all of the Springfield Elementary

Schools and Middle Schools. At this time, only those schools that are noted have goals on their fields. We are in the process of fund-raising

to add soccer goals to the remaining schools

AYSO goals are intended to be SHARED by all AYSO teams. It is all of the coaches responsibility to work together to make the best use of

the goals. If more than one coach has scheduled a practice on the same field, it is expected that each team will use one half of the field and

the other team will use the other half. For the sake of the program and the players, work together to find the best solution.

U10 – under 10 years (Gender Specific)

• 9 vs. 9 players

• Ball size 4

• Games are 4 twelve minute quarters

with a 5 minute halftime break

• Goal Keepers (may use their hands)

• No heading or slide tackles

• Offsides is called

U12 – under 12 years (Gender Specific)

• 11 vs. 11 players

• Ball size 4

• Games are two 30 minute halves

with a 5 minute halftime break

• Goal Keepers

• Heading and slide tackles are permitted

• Offsides is called

U14– under 14 years (Co-Ed)

• 11 vs. 11 players

• Ball size 5

• Games are two 35 minute halves

with a 5 minute halftime break

• Goal Keepers

• Offsides is called

What was the player's age on July 31st of the CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR?

Elementary Schools

Field Description No Use Date

Centennial U10 Soccer Goals. MUWTF 5 PM to dusk

Douglas

Gardens MUWTF 5 PM to dusk

Mt. Vernon U10 Soccer Goals. U T 5 PM to dusk

Page U10 Soccer Goals. MUWTF 5 PM to dusk Field #2

Ridgeview U10 Soccer Goals. MUWTF 5 PM to dusk

Not to interfere with baseball fields

Riverbend MUWTF 5 PM to dusk

Thurstons No agreements in place

Walterville U10 Soccer Goals. MUWTF 5 PM to dusk

Yolanda U10 Soccer Goals. MWF 5 PM to dusk

Middle Schools

Field Description No Use Date

Agnes Stewart

No agreements in place

Briggs U6 Soccer Goals U8 Soccer Goals U10 Soccer Goals. U12 Soccer Goals MUWTF 5 PM to dusk

Hamlin No agreements in place

Thurston U6 Soccer Goals – 3 sets U8 Soccer Goals – 3 sets U10 Soccer Goals – 2 sets U12 Soccer Goals – 1 set MUWTF 5 PM to dusk Only the U8 and U12 fields are available to AYSO Mon – Fri 5 PM to dusk

5/14, 5/15, 5/26, 5/27

Safe Haven Training The purpose of Safe Haven is protect

the players by ensuring that

volunteers have important guidelines

that are specific to children’s soccer

programs.

Most of this is common-sense and

some of this will be new to you.

Take your time and consider how

important it is to you that your

player’s coach has done this training.

Online Training Courses are available at: http://www.aysotraining.org/.

Preparation checklist:

You will need your AYSO ID#

You will be taking quizzes throughout the course followed by a test at the end

Role Specific Courses:

Referee Training

Coach Training

Management Training

Annually by all volunteers:

Safe Haven – to be completed annually by all volunteers

Coach’s Training begins with Safe Haven Record time: 15 minutes

Recommended time: 60 minutes

Now that you’re a registered volunteer, invest some time now to make practices and games easier for your and more fun for

the kids

Training begins here . . .

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Teaching Goals: • play in your area, not the entire field

• Near the goal – try to keep the ball out of the center of the field.

• Throw-ins – as quick as possible either up the line or toward the goal.

• Offense – center the ball toward the goal

• Defensive Throw-ins – Shadow other team when they throw in

Parents’ game responsibilities: • Encourage our players • Give consistent directions • Make a ‘tunnel’ at the end of each game

U6 Basics:

Practices: • Twice a week • 45 – 60 minutes

Games: • 4 – 10 minute quarters • 5 minute halftimes

Staff: • 1-2 Assistance

• Offense/Defense • Offense/Defense/Bench

• Team Parent • Communications • Ordering Trophies • Collecting money

Regional Commissioner info: • Brian Michaels •541-337-0659 • ayso.brian@gmail.com

Formation: 2 – Defense 1 – Mid-field 2 – Offense

Practice Agenda: • Stretching – 5-10 minutes

• Allows time for everyone to arrive • Ask “ice-breaking questions” –(get to know them)

• What school do you go to? • What’s your favorite subject? • What’s your favorite color?

• Run a lap (“to the fence”, “around a tree” , etc.) • Early in the season – without a ball • Later in the season – while dribbling their ball

• Skill training – 10 minutes • Demonstrate • Watch • Practice

• Game that reinforces one of the skills – 10 minutes • Skill training – 10 minutes

• Demonstrate • Watch • Practice

• Game that reinforces one of the skills – 10 minutes • Scrimmage

• The game is the BEST teacher!

Throw ins- “up the line”

Offense –

“to the goal”

Near the goal –

“to the outside ”

Throw ins - “to the goal”

Defense –

“send it”

Throw ins- “to the goal”

Throw ins- “up the line”

Teaching the basics at the U6 Level – starting with what they understand The concept of “offense” and “defense “ are somewhat foreign to 5 yr. olds. An alternative way to teach the concept is to incorporate the use of something more familiar to children. In this example, animals are being used. The ‘Octopus’ (Keeper) is highly discouraged by AYSO for the U6 level; however, there are two situations that using an Octopus makes some sense: 1. The other team is scoring at will 2. You have a player that is having a ‘sad-day’ and isn’t

willing to do much more than stand in one spot.

Puppy Dogs stay on the land

(Offense)

Frogs Land and Sea (Mid-Fielders)

Dolphins Stay in the sea

(Defense)

Octopus Stay in the cave

(Keeper) Keeping the directions simple: • Defensive directions: either “send it” (kick it hard) or “to the outside” • Throw ins: either “Up the Line” or “To the Goal” • Offensive directions: either “to the goal” or “send it”

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Your team is kicking-off: • Frog/Puppy Dog is kicking the ball (must be kick forward) • One Dolphin front, one Dolphin back

Your team isn’t kicking-off: • Puppy Dogs are playing in the puddles • Frog is swimming • Dolphins are deep in the sea

Ball is deep in your area: • Puppy Dogs are waiting on shore • Frog is helping dolphins • Dolphins are trying to send it to Puppy Dogs

Your team is about to score: • Puppy Dogs are trying to score • Frog is helping Puppy Dogs • One Dolphin is flipping at the surface and one Dolphin is swimming deep

My Name is: _________________________________ My Player is: ________________________________ My coaching experience is . . . . I am (all that apply) Safe Haven Certified U6 Coach Certified U8 Coach Certified U10 Coach Certified Springfield AYSO Mission Statement or your own Springfield AYSO intends to bring the highest quality recreational soccer program to the Springfield Area. While I am running our first practice, I will pass around a sheet for you to fill out so that I will be sure that I have your contact information. The best way that we’ve found to stay in contact with everyone is through emails and texting, so please print clearly. I’d hate to have to cancel a practice or change a practice and for you to one that didn’t get the message. General Practice Schedule: • Days: ________________________________________ • Time: ________________________________________ • Place: ________________________________________

Bring to each practice

Filled water bottle

Shin guards

Cleats

Soccer ball, size ________ (U6/U8 Size 3; U10/U12 Size 4)

Please have your child use the bathroom before practice starts

Please do not have your child wear sweat pants to practice. When they get wet, it is very difficult to run and move easily. And your child will be colder in wet pants than if they were wearing shorts. • We will practice rain or shine (practice will be cancelled if it is hailing or thunderstorms) Season Summary may be found at: SpringfieldAYSO.com and the Facebook Page: Springfield AYSO Season Summary Jamboree schedule will be posted by _____

Jamboree/Games begin on _____

Regular season schedule will be posted by the following Wed.

Last games of the season on _____

Games are ALWAYS on Saturdays and ALWAYS at

Thurston Middle School for U5 - U12.

(U14 will have games in Springfield and Eugene)

The Jamboree is a series of 2-4 short games for players and coaches to evaluate their skills compared to the teams that they will be playing. Sometimes players think of practices as a time to not be serious until they see that other kids are taking it seriously and playing to your potential is MORE fun that just goofing around.

Game Day: Filled water bottle, needs to be on the team side of the field prior to start of game

Shin guards, covered by socks

Cleats

AYSO game jersey

Tank top layered under team shirt Please do not have your child wear sweat pants for games

Girls: Hair should be pulled back from face, no metal clips/barrettes or hard plastic headbands

All jewelry (including earrings) need to be removed prior to start of game

Eyeglasses should be worn with a strap

• During the games, players and coaches for both teams will line one side of the field and parents/spectators will need to remain on the opposite side

• Please arrive at the field 15 minutes prior to game start time for warm ups

• Have your child use the bathroom before coming to the field

• Games are played rain or shine

• If your child will not be present at a game, please let me know as soon as possible

First Team Meeting

Pictures • Team pictures will be scheduled late and I will have more information to you in the next 3 weeks.

Miscellaneous •Dogs are NOT ALLOWED at practices and games – please tell your family and friends if they will be attending AYSO events

Players I have listed on my roster are:

1. 9.

2. 10.

3. 11.

4. 12.

5. 13.

6. 14.

7. 15.

8. 16.

Volunteer Opportunities Your Help would be greatly appreciated and it will add to both your experience and your child’s. On the sign up sheet, I’ve asked you to put a heart next to your name if you can help in the role of Team Parent and put a plus-sign next to your name if you can help with practices. Team parent

o Schedules pictures

o Plans the end of season celebration

o Orders participation awards • Assistant Coaches • Regional Volunteers should contact Springfield AYSO

Players Name Parents Name Email Cell (for texting)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Player/Parent List Put a heart next to your name if you can help with Team Parent duties

Ties shows and pumps up balls at practice

Builds Shutterfly

Organizes end of year celebration (party? Trophie/Awards)

Co-ordinates Picture Day

+ Put a “+” next to your name if you can help with practices

• Ideally, we should have three coaches on Game Day – Forwards, Defense and

Bench

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Coach’s Area

Organizing your Coaching Staff

Offensive Coach – best time to reinforce coaching strategy is when your forwards are

‘resting’ (i.e. while your team is on defense)

Bench Coach – your role is to keep the benched player’s heads in the game. Be aware

of the game in case an injury substitution is needed. Try to answer their questions and

allow the Offensive and Defensive Coaches to control the game

Defensive Coach – best time to reinforce coaching strategy is when your Defenders

are ‘resting’ (i.e. while your team is on offense).

Coach’s Area

Coach’s Area

Offensive Coach – best time to reinforce coaching strategy is when your forwards are

‘resting’ (i.e. while your team is on defense)

AND you’re the Bench Coach when you’re team in on defense.

Defensive Coach – best time to reinforce coaching strategy is when your Defenders

are ‘resting’ (i.e. while your team is on offense).

AND you’re the Bench Coach when you’re team in on offense.

If you are the only coach, I would suggest that you look for some one that comes to

practices frequently that you might be able to utilize as a Bench Coach

This is YOUR area

Not HERE

Not HERE

Friends and Family of both teams Friends and Family of both teams

Other team’s area

Not HERE

Not HERE

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If you are both coaching the Offense . . . who’s coaching the Defense?

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Positions Goals

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Matthew M X RD X

Thomas RF M X LD

Ben LF LD M X

Steve X RD X RF

Sam X RF X RD

Isaac RD X LD M

Cameron LD X RF LF

Riley X LF RF X

Game Day Information Date: _________

Player Development means that every player should

play every position and have EQUAL playing time

over the season in ALL positions

• Offense

• Mid-Field

• Defense

• Keeper – maybe not on game days, but try to

make this up to them during practices

• Bench

Although this may not be entirely possible, it’s the

ideal and whoever sat out the most this game,

should play more the next game.

Remember: This is about teaching players to be a

part of a team. It’s not about winning – oh, I want to

win, but I want to win by 1-2 goals and I want ALL

my players to feel successful. This frequently

means that it’s more about my planning and strategy

than their ability. Challenge yourself to use all your

players equally.

Field of Play

Only this ball is out

of play or a GOAL! Players should play the whistle and play with integrity

• If the ball is clearly out of play, your players should be trained

enough to know that they should stop

• Play doesn’t stop until the ENTIRE ball crosses the line. Unlike

football, if ANY portion of the ball hasn’t crossed the line, there’s

no goal and the ball isn’t out of play.

More things to consider:

• Be prepared to take notes during the game – they will

be useful during next week’s practice

• Coach’s children must NOT be given preferential

consideration.

• Match strong players and weak players in each area

• Decide which quarter each player will be sitting out. A

good time to sit out is after a player has been a mid-

fielder (they should be tired)

Be flexible in the 4th Quarter of the game

• Bench any player that hasn’t sat out a quarter

• If you winning, put your best players on defense or

sitting out.

• If you’re behind, try to put together a line-up that takes

advantage of each player’s strengths

13

Positions Goals

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th

Game Day Date: _________

Notes:

* next to things that we need to work on at practice

Recommendation: fill in roster make 8 copies

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