Valley United Soccer Club

• Place the emotional and physical well being of your players ahead of any
personal desire to win. Improvement in play and enjoyment of the game for all
players at all levels are the goals of VUSC.
• Provide a safe environment for the players. Be on time for practices and games
and do not leave an event, game or practice site until all of your players are with
their responsible guardian or parent. Inspect all fields and equipment to ensure
safe playing conditions.
• Understand that you are a role model. Set the standard for acceptable behavior
by exhibiting exemplary behavior at all times. Your actions reflect not only on
yourself but also on your team, the City of Apple Valley, Valley Athletic Assn and
Valley United Soccer Club. A team and club’s reputation is built on positive
behavior, courtesy, sportsmanship and playing ability.
• You are responsible for the proper behavior and conduct of your assistant
coaches as well as players, parents, and supporters. Encourage all to applaud
good plays by either team. The use of profanity or vulgar language is
unacceptable.
• Teach players how to win and lose gracefully - be humble, generous, and
gracious in victory; courteous and dignified in defeat.
• Be enthusiastic with all players, motivating and encouraging. Provide the
opportunity for players to develop skills at multiple positions. Provide all players
with the opportunity to start in a game.
• Communicate effectively and regularly with parents.
• Know, and abide by, the rules of soccer, and teach these rules to your players.
Do not try to seek an advantage by circumventing the spirit of the rules.
• Respect and support the referees. Before games, introduce yourself to the
referees. Opposing coaches should meet and exchange greetings to set the
proper tone for the game. After games, the teams and coaches should meet and
congratulate each other in nothing less than a sportsmanlike manner. Thank the
referees and ask your players to do the same.
• Be properly prepared for practices and games (eg, have correct equipment and
know your game plan ahead of time) and insist that all players are also prepared
(eg, with complete uniforms and proper equipment).
 

We stress these points:
Your example is powerful, for better or worse. If you are always organized and
prepared, if you insist on fair play, if you concentrate on your players' enjoyment of
the game and their overall, long-term development, and if you support the referees,
your players and parents will notice. If you encourage (or allow) your players to play
outside the rules, are overly concerned about the results, or are overly critical of the
referees or your own players that will also be noticed.
 

Think about what you're doing during the game! Uphold the spirit of the game! If
you follow the expectations described above, the spirit of the game will be alive and
well in Apple Valley and will grow, along with the enjoyment of all.
 

What Are People's Expectations of a Coach?
by Byron & Catherine Pulsifer, © 2004
 

In talking with people, and from our own experiences, the following are
expectations of the type of attitudes coaches should have:
 

- A genuine interest in people
The best coaches really care about people. They have a sincere interest in
people.
 

- Enthusiasm
“The real secret of success is enthusiasm.”
Walter Chrysler
Those coaches who have enthusiasm for what they are doing influence the rest
of the team.
“Nothing great was ever achieved, without enthusiasm.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

- Sense of Humor
We all enjoy working with someone who has a sense of humor. At times the
workplace can become a stressful place, and a sense of humor lightens the
environment.
“Humor and knowledge are the two great hopes of our culture.”
Konrad Lorenz
 

- Fairness & Integrity
One of the most important qualities people look for is fairness and integrity in a
coach.
When I know the way I am treated is the same as my co-worker, it brings
cohesiveness to the team. There is no second class in the team.
Everything is upfront and put on the table. There are no hidden agenda’s.
Honesty is one of the important values of a coach.
 

- Willing to listen, not just hear
A good coach is one whom I can go to and discuss issues that are bothering me.
The coach knows how to ask questions to get to the root of the problem. The
coach does not necessarily accept the first reason; they listen and question to
get to the heart of the problem.
The coach does not get upset or "fly off the handle" as I am talking. They listen.
They then help me to see the issue clearly or where I went wrong. They teach
me to learn from my experiences and push me to find my own answers. There is
no fear in admitting mistakes or what went wrong. The coach will help me identify
a solution.
 

- Patience
With changes to the working environment, it is extremely important that a good
coach has a lot of patience. I know that if I don’t understand something I can go
to my coach and they will help me. I also know if I didn’t get it the first time the
coach will patiently re-explain the issue or process to me.
Clear expectations
As a team member I need to know what is expected of me. A good coach
communicates the expectations clearly. Team members are clear on what is
expected. There is no confusion on what the end result is to be.

   Developing players:

• who enjoy the game of soccer;
• possess soccer skills, and;
• want to continue to play

   is the key goal.  At the young ages, winning games does not necessarily accomplish this.  U9-U12 are called "Developmental".

   The coach’s long term goal is to prepare the player to successfully recognize and solve the challenges of the game on his or her own. It is vital that the coach approaches soccer with this in mind.

   The most fundamental skill in soccer is individual mastery of the ball and the creativity that comes with it. This should be a priority in training and games, especially in the early years. As this skill is mastered, the rest of the game becomes easier - both to teach and to learn. Practices should be built around facilitating the development of the skills necessary to move and control the ball well.  As these individual skills and the creativity to make them come alive in the game are developed to a level of competence, the finer points, first of passing skill and later of team organization can be taught.

Summer Season at-a-glance:

• Nov-Dec: club-wide training led by pro trainers once per week.  Coaches do not need to attend, but are encourage to learn by observing the drills run by the pro trainers. 
• Jan-Feb: any U9-16 players may continue pro training for a fee.  Some coaches may start practices for older teams.
• Mar-Apr: coach-led indoor team training, typically once per week though teams may add gym time.
• Mid-Apr: outdoor training begins.  Games being in May and it is best to have at least 9-10 team practices before the first game.  Teams begin 2-3 practices per week.
• May-Jul: during the regular season, teams should meet 2-3 times per week, including games.  Older teams may meet more often.  The youngest teams are done by the beginning of July.

Coaches of younger teams will need to plan practices and game plans during March-July.  See the spreadsheet below for examples of schedules for young teams.