Coach Handbook Revised April, 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Vision Statement 3. Mission Statement 4. Coach Communication 5. Team Meetings 6. Player Development Philosophy 7. Style of Play 8. Player Recruitment 9. Travel 10. League Registration Options 11. Child Safety Policy 12. Team Training and Tech Sessions 13. Game Day Procedures 14. Playing Time 15. Guest Players 16. Multiple Rostering 17. TRSC and Nike 18. Uniforms 19. Club Logo and Spirit Wear 20. Team Equipment 21. Financial Assistance 22. Weather Related Cancellations 23. Misconduct and Disciplinary Procedures 24. Issue Resolution Procedure 24. ISC Coaches Code of Conduct 1. Introduction At Interstate Soccer Club (ISC), the players are the true essence of the club. Our goal is to provide a quality soccer organization. We believe that with quality players and coaches we will be able to put out a very competitive product. This manual is a working document. It will give you guidelines as to what ISC expects at all times from you as a person and a coach. We are not just looking for soccer players but rather young men and women who are well rounded, positive additions to today’s world. At ISC, we are determined and committed to offer the best opportunities for our players, on the field so they can make a difference off the field as well. 2. Vision Statement Interstate Soccer Club strives to be a leader in competitive youth soccer for the Siouxland area. 3. Mission Statement The mission of Interstate Soccer Club (ISC) is to introduce the game of soccer to youth of all ages and skill levels with the purpose of providing the opportunity for each player to develop to their highest potential. ISC strives to maintain an environment that embodies the core values of integrity, leadership, perseverance, respect and teamwork while enhancing self-esteem, promoting self-confidence and cultivating a lifelong passion for the game. 4. Coach Communication Communication is paramount to being a successful coach. Parents want more communication as opposed to little or no communication. With the aid of your team manager(s), keep your players and parents informed through email, texts, website updates, team apps, Facebook, etc. As a coach, have an open-door policy where players and parents feel like they can come to you if there are concerns. Parents, players and coaches need time to reflect and process performance following a game. Therefore, parents are asked to refrain from approaching coaches to discuss game-related issues/concerns for a period of 24 hours after the game. Parents are asked to refrain from approaching coaches prior to, during and immediately after trainings. Coaches need to be allowed to use this time to properly prepare for their training sessions. It is understood that individual coaches will be available and communicate how best they choose to receive the communication from parents and players – whether phone call, personal visit, email and/or text. It is understood that individual coaches will be available and communicate how best they choose to receive the communication from parents and players – whether phone call, personal visit, email and/or text. If a coach is having difficulty with a parent not abiding by this rule, please contact the Director of Coaching. 5. Team Meetings It is highly recommended that you have Team Meetings prior to the fall season, prior to the spring season (if applicable) and at the end of each season to provide feedback to and receive feedback from families. Topics covered should be training days, times (including arrival times), locations, attendance expectations, gameday/tournament expectations (including arrival times), player expectations, coaching philosophy, communication preferences, team fees, and introduction/assignment of team manager and/or treasurer. Additional team meetings should be held if there is an issue affecting the entire team. Please contact the Director of Coaching to attend these meetings to be able to immediately address those concerns. 6. Player Development Philosophy Our primary focus at ISC is to help each individual player develop, grow, and mature as soccer players, athletes and people. It is a long-term process that cannot be rushed. There is no guarantee that a player will reach his or her potential, but we must give the players an opportunity to become the best that they can be. There is no magic formula, no shortcuts to successful development. Coaching at the youth level is not about collecting or recruiting players to win team championships. It is about working the players and coaches to improve performance by creating age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate environments that are safe, healthy, challenging and competitive. We need to understand who we are coaching. These players are not mini-adults, they are children. Each age group has different characteristics that affect the way we teach and communicate. For all ages, winning is not the end all be all. While learning how to compete and (win and lose) are important, it is the acquisition of skills and life lessons which remains our highest priority. Since players develop at different rates, this is not just for those who are the most advanced for their age. Nor is it just for the best athletes or the most committed soccer players. It is why we should set individual challenges in front of each player. Such a philosophy means sometimes taking unpopular stands regarding team formation and player placement. It means being honest with parents about the growth and development of their child. It requires us as coaches to challenge each individual player, while not forgetting about the needs of the player vs. that of the team(s) and the club. To accomplish these goals, we must all be committed to understanding the game and learning more about how we can coach, direct and lead. In this way, coaches need assistance, players need direction and parents need guidance. Working together, it is the coach’s responsibility to promote and develop ISC players through the many offered ISC activities. This includes tech sessions, indoor season, camps, goalkeeper trainings, tournaments, etc. All for one, and one for all. 7. Style of Play The ISC style of play articulates how the true game of soccer should be played. It is possession oriented, technical, and trains players to be comfortable with both feet. Coaches should guide all players into decision making, not rely solely on athleticism, and accept short term losses to promote long term development. 8. Player Recruitment Within ISC: Our members (coaches, administrators, parents and players) will not directly contact the players, parents or coaches on other teams within ISC with the purpose of convincing them to move to another team within the club. Any player movement will occur only during the club-identified team creation time-frame. Under special circumstances, (e.g. player developmental or scheduling) with the approval of the impacted players, parents, coaches, and DOC, team player movements between teams may be allowed outside the defined team creation time-frame by petitioning the DOC directly under the direct supervision of the Director of Coaching. Note: Players can be moved from one team to another within the club as long it is developmentally appropriate and with the approval by the Director of Coaching. Furthermore, there is to be no recruitment of players by club organizations at ISC sponsored functions. These activities include but are not limited to: league games, league tournaments, and tryouts. Violation Procedures: 1. ISC members are to report recruiting effort to the Director of Coaching if they become aware of it. 2. The Director of Coaching, President or designee will contact the involved individual and explain/remind them about our policy and the potential problems that arise from such recruitment. 3. If such recruitment efforts continue after verbal contact has been made with an individual, a letter will be sent to the state soccer association. 4. Club coaches wishing to recruit or visit with the parents of potential club players may contact ISC via email or phone to obtain telephone numbers and follow up with their recruitment in that manner. Outside of ISC: Our members (coaches, administrators, parents and players) will not directly contact players, parents or coaches on other club teams. Neither parents nor players will be a vehicle for a coach to attempt to illegally recruit players (meaning you cannot call or try to generate interest for players from another club). If a family from another club asks, you may communicate general information about your team and team formation events. Members (coaches, administrators, parents and players) who violate this policy will be responsible for all sanctions by the state soccer association and Interstate Soccer Club. Please report any contact you or your player receives other than a casual conversation or general information to the ISC Board at [email protected]. ISC wants to promote a fair and level playing field where players and parents are free to make the best decisions for their families during open enrollment periods. 9. Travel Please work with your team manager/treasurer regarding travel expenses. Hotels are not always necessary. Currently it is ISC policy to pay $0.20 per mile for mileage and for mangers/treasurers to reimburse coaches for hotels when necessary. Travel is a big component of the Interstate Soccer Club. Traveling allows our players and teams to compete against a wide variety of teams and participate in higher quality games than can be had if we continuously play against our local club teams. When traveling to a tournament, coaches must remember that they are representing Interstate Soccer Club and should act accordingly. Running in the halls, excessive noise, kicking soccer balls indoors and similar behavior is unacceptable.