Issue 1.0
Approved 10/8/2023
PURPOSE
To clarify the responsibilities of a volunteer player coach in the Penn Trafford Soccer Club.
SCOPE & APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all coaches and assistant coaches participating in Penn Trafford Soccer Club programs. It also applies to any member of the club who volunteers to coach tournaments, leagues or events not officially sanctioned by the club using club players.
The Six Tasks of a Coach
US Soccer states that coaches take on many roles when leading a team. Youth coaches need to understand their roles within the overall player development process. Our misguided desire to win at all costs at the youth level often comes at the expense of individual player development. Coaches who understand the player development process and the differences that exist between age and ability are more likely to positively influence and affect the development of a player. With this in mind, the role of a youth coach can be summarized as:
A. Service as Facilitator.
a. Set up conditions and environment for learning
b. Players need to have fun and have positive feedback
c. The coach should be enthusiastic
d. Practice should be conducted in the spirit of enjoyment and learning
e. Activities need to be geared toward achieving success.
B. As a positive role model.
a. Demonstrate respect for team members, opponents, referees, parents, spectators and opposing coaches.
b. Demonstrate a responsibility to the game itself.
C. Understanding who they are coaching.
a. Recognize that children/players are not defined by chronological age only. They mature and develop at their own pace. There are also growth differences between genders.
b. Treat each person as an individual.
c. Recognize that their athletes’ needs are different and they participate for different reasons at any level.
More recently, US Soccer has stated that the coach has six tasks he/she shall focus on:
1. Coaching Games – Create an environment which supports and guides players toward giving their best contribution to the game in order to further develop and score more goals than the opponent.
2. Coaching Training Sessions – Facilitate an environment which supports and guides players on the field in order to develop them to their full potential as well as prepare players/the team for the game.
3. Leading the Team – Create an environment of inclusion and engage players based on agreed upon team behaviors and goals.
4. Leading the Player – Give players individual, unconditional attention and mentor them to fulfill their potential.
5. Managing the Performance Environment – Influence off-the-field circumstances and persons in order to create the best possible conditions for the development and performance of the players.
6. Leadership – Demonstrate coaching actions which are guided by a player-centered philosophy in order to accomplish defined team and player goals.
The Penn Trafford Soccer club expects the following from its youth coaches:
The Six Tasks of a Coach @ Penn Trafford Soccer Club
1. Coaching Games – All assigned players through 9v9 (U12), shall play approximately 50% of the time. This includes scrimmages. All assigned players must be invited to
all games and scrimmages unless prior approval to deviate has been communicated by the board. Players should rotate positions throughout the season into spots where they can be successful. The coach shall act as a positive role model and demonstrate understanding of who they are coaching. Coaches shall not at any time yell at their players, opposing players, opposing coaches, spectators, assistants, or officials. Coaches are explicitly forbidden from contacting PA WEST, US SOCCER or the
STATE REFEREE COMMITTEE regarding the outcome of a match (aside from uploading their game day roster to the age group coordinator) or perception of unfairness
by referees. All home games MUST be played at the fields and facilities of PTSC or a board approved secondary location without exception. Coaches are not permitted to
cancel or reschedule any scheduled games without board approval. PTSC will not sanction any event that is not offered to every child on the roster. Teams may not
register as PTSC, nor may they wear a PTSC uniform or PTSC badge for unsanctioned events. No modifications to the PTSC uniform are allowed under any
circumstances. PTSC coaches shall show good sportsmanship and respect our opponents by not running up the score in games.
2. Coaching Training Sessions – All training sessions MUST be conducted at the fields and facilities of PTSC or a board approved secondary location without exception.
No coach may mandate more than 1-2 training sessions per week for U6-U8 or 2-3 sessions per week for U9 and above. No practice session shall be scheduled in
excess of 1.5 hours for any age group (camps open to all members are an exception). When PTSC makes a decision to close its facilities due to weather, it is expected
that no practice shall take place at ANY PTSC approved facility. Coaches shall stay positive during training and make our children feel successful.
3. Leading the Team – Coaches shall be inclusive and focus on player development for ALL players under their responsibility. PTSC Strongly Discourages coaches from
making “select teams” from the children in their care. This practice is antithetical with being inclusive and developing all children falling under the coach’s responsibility.
US Soccer deprioritizes tournaments and events with champions through 9v9 so that coaches focus on player development. PA WEST does not report scores until U12 in
order to place the focus on development.
4. Leading the Player – Existing members are a coach’s responsibility to train and develop. No coach at PTSC shall discourage a player’s participation on their team
regardless of perceived skill at any time. Teams formed by the board are final. No coach shall actively recruit non-members or players outside of the Penn Trafford district
to improve competitiveness of their team at the expense of a member. No coach may club pass players at the expense of primary rostered players. No player shall be
embarrassed or humiliated for lacking certain qualities or skills. All coaches are expected to wear the club issued shirts without modification and present a professional
appearance at games and practices.
5. Managing the Performance Environment – Coaches shall encourage informal soccer activities as well as accommodate other soccer team needs and other activities.
No coach shall force a child to make a decision between soccer and other activities or between PTSC and a classic team. No child shall be punished in any form for
activities outside of soccer requiring them to miss some practices and/or games. Any spiritwear, reward, party, outside event, etc. shall be open to all players of the team.
If a coach suspects or witnesses abuse, it must be reported to the proper authorities per our mandatory reporting policy. Coaches shall respect Safe Sport policies with
respect to communicating with and transporting players.
6. Leadership – PTSC coaches shall encourage player development over winning. The coach shall act as a role model when representing the club.
Corrective Action
Coaching can be a demanding (and extremely rewarding) job when done properly. It is appreciated that as volunteers, sometimes we miss the mark despite our best intentions. PTSC maintains the right to implement corrective action(s) when required. Corrective actions may range from simple coaching, withholding coaching reimbursement through dismissal from the club in accordance with procedures in the PTSC constitution and Bylaws. PTSC reserves the right to implement discipline beyond what is recommended or assigned by PA WEST or its affiliation. PTSC has zero tolerance for abuse of officials, spectators, coaches, players, board members or any other individual serving in capacity of the club or our neighboring clubs.