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Are you considering Volunteering as a Coach for SCN?

Coaching is one of the most rewarding experiences available.  Seeing the development of children, both in soccer and in life, and knowing that you directly had an impact on those children, is fulfilling and rewarding!

Read on to learn more about what Coaching for SCN is all about.

COACHING FOR SCN

OUR MISSION:

The Soccer Club of Newington provides an opportunity for children to play soccer in a community-based environment that strives to promote personal and athletic development while learning valuable life skills. Using soccer as a vehicle, the club strives to develop each child's self-image, respect, talent, and sportsmanship, while having fun playing the game of soccer.

SCN Responsibilities:

1. Goals

• Provide the children of Newington the opportunity to play soccer while promoting the sport of soccer in a fun and educational way.
• Help the children of Newington develop a positive self-image, respect for others, good sportsmanship, and developmentally appropriate soccer skills.
• Provide opportunities for volunteer coaches to develop their knowledge base and coaching skills, aiding in the retention and development of quality coaches.
• Every soccer player in our organization has the right to receive the best possible soccer training.

2. General Principles

• Player development is first and foremost. Results are secondary to development.
• From Pre-K to the U14 age group, training and development are more important than the game result.
• Respect the individual player. Allow each player to develop his or her individual qualities.
• If appropriate, allow players to ‘play up’.
• Tactically play all players in different positions.
• Skills training should be our main focus when working with youth players.
• Coaches should always consider what is best for the individual player.
• Allow the players to be creative.

3. Tips for the Youth Coach

• Do not put too much emphasis on the game results. Patience is key.
• When your team steps on the field they should do everything possible to win the game, however, your emphasis should be on the quality of play.
• Set individual and team goals. Periodically sit down with players individually to discuss their progress.
• As a youth coach, encourage your player to play at the highest level.
• Allow players to play in different positions on your team.
• Encourage your best players to play in demanding positions.
• Encourage players to attend train on their own.
• Have organized practices, which are fun, challenging, and competitive.
• The key to your practices should be repetitions of the fundamentals, however, try to present these exercises in different variations.
• Be excited about the game. If you are excited, the players will follow your lead.

Responsibilities of Team Head Coaches:

1. Safety

• Your first responsibility is the health and safety of all participants.
• It is recommended that you become certified in basic first aid and concussion training.
• Be prepared to handle First Aid situations as well as medical emergencies at all practices and games.
• Know and understand the Laws of the Game.
• Inspect equipment and field conditions for safety reasons.
• Utilize proper teaching and instruction of players regarding safe techniques and methods of play.
• Implement appropriate training programs to make sure players are fit for practice and competition.
• Supervise and control your players so to avoid injury situations.
• Part of player safety also includes hydration and dealing with extreme heat.

2. Player Development

• Attend all practices and games.
• Focus is mainly on ‘player centered’ development.
• Develop the players’ appreciation of the game.
• Keep winning and losing in proper perspective.
• Be sensitive to each player’s developmental needs.
• Educate the players about the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological demands of the game.
• Allow players to experience different roles on the field.
• Players need to have fun and receive feedback.
• Practice should be conducted in the spirit of enjoyment and learning.
• Strive to help each player reach his or her full potential and be prepared to move to the next level.

3. Ethics

• Strive to maintain integrity within our sport.
• Know and follow all the rules and policies set forth by club, league, state, and national associations.
• Work in the spirit of cooperation to provide the players with the maximum opportunity to develop.
• Be a positive role model.
• Set the standard for sportsmanship.
• Keep sport in proper perspective.
• Encourage moral and social responsibility.
• Continue your own soccer education!

4. Administration

• Check your email at least once a day.
• Ensuring that team parent volunteers have been appointed.
• Work with team manager to provide game/training reminders, links to schedules.
• Prepare and bring team rosters and player passes for games.
• Reporting game scores to the league after each game.
• Make arrangements for cover at practices and games if there is an absence or conflict.
• Notify the club Director of any games that you will miss.
• Coordinate with the club registrar when adding or removing players from your team mid-season.
• Send team updates to parents that include game analysis, what the team has been working on at training and what topics you will cover next. This should not take more than ten minutes to write, be brief.
• Provide an end of Fall and Spring Season review for the parents.

5. Additional

• Follow guidelines established by the club.
• Communicate SCN goals and policies to players and parents.
• Coaches are encouraged to obtain the highest level of training possible.
• Coaches should be familiar with the other teams and coaches in their age group.
• Attend coaches’ meetings and events.
• Plan and be organized.
• Encourage player and parent participation in club-sponsored activities and events.
• Controlling the behavior of parents at games and reporting any incidents of bad behavior to the club Director.

Responsibilities of Team Assistant Coaches:

• Attend practices and games and assume head coaching responsibilities in the absence of the team’s Head Coach.
• Assist the Head Coach. offer ideas and suggestions to improve team’s performance.
• Assist in communicating SCN goals and policies to players and parents.
• Attend coaches’ meetings and events.

CJSA and Club Requirements:

• Background Check
• SafeSport Certification.
• Concussion Certification.

This page is designed to provide resources to our volunteers throughout the club. Should there be a topic you have an interest in that you don't see here please contact [email protected] and we will try and track down useful information for you.

Everson Soccer Academy lesson plans
ESA LESSON PLAN (TIGER KIXX - U5) 
ESA LESSON PLAN (RECREATIONAL U6)  
ESA LESSON PLAN (RECREATIONAL U7)  
ESA LESSON PLAN (RECREATIONAL U8) 
ESA LESSON PLAN (RECREATIONAL U10) 
ESA LESSON PLAN (RECREATIONAL U12)  
ESA LESSON PLAN (RECREATIONAL U14) 

United States Soccer Federation Player Development Initiative - PDI
US Soccer PDI Intro - Why is US Soccer asking its member associations to do this?
US Soccer PDI - 4v4 - 6U, 7U, 8U 
US Soccer PDI - 7v7 - 9U, 10U
US Soccer PDI: Formations for Small-sided Play 7v7, 9v9
VIDEO  - Coaching With The Build Out Line
US Soccer PDI  - 9v9 - 11U, 12U
CJSA adoption of US Soccer PDI
7 v 7 Soccer Positions

United States Youth Soccer
United States Youth Soccer - Endless resource of helpful information for administrators, coaches, parents, including presentations from past NSCAA conventions

Social Media - Follow for news and education 
Twitter - @cjsa
Facebook - Connecticut Junior Soccer Association

Coaching Education
NSCAA (now United Soccer Coaches) - online coaches foundations course, this is a GREAT course for new coaches or those that have not participated in any coaching education in a while $25
US Soccer entry level F license - 2 hr online course
How to write a training session - US Youth Soccer
I volunteered to coach, NOW WHAT?

Connecticut Junior Soccer Association
CJSA Sanctioned Tournaments
CJSA Coaching Education Courses
CJSA recommended concussion training - FREE

Websites with Resources
Changing the Game Project - Great articles for Coaches and Parents about giving the game back to our kids
Michigan Youth Soccer - Resources for all age groups, including player characteristics, curriculum's, videos and training sessions
Illinois Youth Soccer - Recreational Exercises
CJSA - Coaching Education resources 
United States Youth Soccer - Coaching Sessions
Massachusetts Youth Soccer - Coaching Sessions
Alabama Youth Soccer - Parent Resources
Alabama Youth Soccer - Coach Resources

Hi Everyone, in attempt to get some fitness and training together, here is a list of training initiatives that I obtained from youtube.

I hope it helps your daughter or son improve their soccer skills!

30-20-10s These are great soccer conditioning as they replicate the pace of the game. Warm-up at an easy jog for 2-5 minutes before you start the 30-20-10s: Jog for 30 seconds – moderate run for 20 seconds – full out sprint for 10 seconds. Repeat this sequence for 10 minutes, working up to 45 minutes by pre-season. 

• 600 touches in 10 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJEzLH37Z2c Very good!
• 1000 Touch technical workout: using the moves shown below.

The Daily 1000: every day get 1,000 touches on the ball (approx. 10minutes 50 BALL TAPS, BASIC ROLLS (10 each foot)

1) Inside Roll - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvmW6aMukHM

2) Half roll over touch - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMgVBR3yprY

3) BELL TOUCHES (50 touches side by side) 

FOUNDATION SKILLS (10 each)

1) Inside-Outside with foot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saqzjDfoafk

2) Triangles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbACfNamPBo

3) Vee PULL-BACK SKILLS  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8vi6Q0VRNg 

Do sequence with one foot then switch (4 times each foot )

1) ‘Wave’ Pull, Instep Push http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itS_kXTPdCM 

2) Pull a Vee  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW76Kmec1sk

3) Pull & Take with Outside of foot - Pull back

4) Pull & Roll Behind (‘pull back’) 

TURNS: from moderate speed turn 180 degrees and explode/accelerate for 3 touches. Then bring it back down to moderate pace for the next turn (4times each foot) 

1)      Pull Turn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZFO1rDCIfo

2)      Drag-Back ‘Pull back’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taY4bU93eNQ

2a. Pull back and go - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2LYTKRgMN8

3)      Inside Chop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96WT8S9Us4w 

4)      Outside-Cut  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP6ynCW22jI

5)      Cruyff   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjsl6ZjYPlU

6)      Step-over Turn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6KbOc5-N_M

7)       Step-On Shield & Turn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7CEM5G0FPU 

TAKE-ON MOVES explode/accelerate after the move for 3 touches. Then bring it back down to moderate pace for the next move (4 times each foot)  

1) Hip Swivel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZRy7Sj4m_4 

2) Roll-Touch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMgVBR3yprY 

3) Roll-Push http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdqVZtsbCTg 

4) Inside-Outside  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saqzjDfoafk 

5) Stepover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0p56uVdehE 

6) Rivolino http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY7hOeip08M 

7) Body Swerve/Drag Scissors  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kacoluv-NwY  

8) Scissor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vENehfAMTc 

9) Double Scissor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI_msFJ7Yj4 

10) Freestyle Soccer moves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le830YXP_5s 

Juggling: Spend ten minutes juggling the ball, pulling the ball onto your foot trying to get 50-100 consecutive juggles, then switch feet.  Recommended 6 days a week (6000 touches/week). 

Passing - BALL & A WALL Spend another ten minutes passing against a wall. Use both feet. Use one touch, two-touch, and three-touch pass backs. Pass back with both the instep and inside of feet. Include fake kicks. Keep feet moving and your weight on the balls of your feet. Receive balls with your body square behind the ball and work on accuracy with your passes.