Parent Orientation Meeting

All coaches are encouraged to establish effective lines of communication with team parents early in the season by holding a parent orientation meeting. This may take the form of a casual discussion in your living room, or could be combined with a team picnic. Whatever the format, the time you invest will pay benefits for all concerned throughout the season. If a meeting is impossible, the following information could be put into a letter to parents/players, but a face to face meeting is preferable.

Purposes of a parent orientation meeting include the following:

• Enables parents to understand the objectives and goals of the program
• Enables parents to become acquainted with you, the coach
• Informs parents about the nature (and inherent risks) of the sport
• Informs parents of your expectations of them and of their child
• Enables you to address any concerns of the parents
• Establishes clear lines of communication between you, parents, and players
• Allows you to obtain parental support (assistant coaches, team parents, etc.)

• Hold it early in the season; preferably before the first team practice.
• Having the players present is optional.
• Prepare any handouts you would like to distribute, for example:
• team roster (with names of parents and players, telephone numbers)
• schedule of practices and games
• club rules
• team goals/rules
• summary or outline of the meeting
• Be prepared and be organized to conduct the meeting efficiently.

• Coach introduction
• introduce yourself and assistant coaches (or ask for volunteers at this time)
• give some background information about yourself (why you are coaching, experience)
• Coaching philosophy
• discuss what you consider to be the value of this sport
• discuss your methods for teaching skills (describe a typical practice)
• state the importance you assign to having fun and developing skills
• state the importance you assign to winning and losing
• discuss any team rules and guidelines, disciplinary procedures
• discuss your philosophy regarding player rotation, substitution, playing time
• Specifics of the program
• practice schedule (how many per week?, how long?)
• game schedule (how many?, when do they begin?)
• minimum playing time (what is the rule in your local club?)
• equipment required (e.g. shirts, socks, shorts, shin guards)

or recommended (e.g. ball, soccer shoes, water bottle)
• inherent risks (soccer is a contact sport, albeit a relatively safe one)
• medical insurance (OYSA insurance provides secondary coverage)
• Team management
• ask for volunteers as assistant coaches
• ask for volunteers as team parents (snack schedule, help with nets/flags)
• set up telephone tree and/or car pooling system

• demonstrate leadership and good sportsmanship
• treat each player fairly
• have organized practices and teach soccer fundamentals appropriate to the age group
• provide a safe environment (e.g. arrive at practice on time and remain after practice until every child is picked up by an authorized adult, ensure that the players’ equipment conforms to the club guidelines)
• contribute positively to the development of each player’s self-esteem
• help each player set individual and team goals that are realistic
• give parents a schedule of practices and games in a timely fashion
• allow each player to play half of every game at a minimum
• respect the referees, know the rules, and conduct yourself in a controlled manner on the field

• attend practices/games regularly, and to arrive on time
• bring proper equipment to each practice and game
• inform the coach in advance if it is necessary to miss a practice/game
• make each practice a challenge to improve
• work toward good sportsmanship and teamwork
• respect the referees
• be supportive of all teammates all of the time

• transport your child to and from practices/games on time
• be supportive of all the players (criticism does not improve performance)
• help your child understand that he/she is contributing to a team effort
• focus on mastering skills and having fun, not on winning
• avoid material rewards for your child (the reward is the fun of playing!)
• attend games and cheer the team
• refrain from criticizing opponents; be positive with all the players
• respect the referees (they will make mistakes, but they are doing their best; if you feel you are better qualified, see your club’s Referee Coordinator - he or she could easily find work for you!)
• refrain from coaching your child during games (try to understand and respect the difference between the roles of the coach and the parent)

Suggestions for Dealing with Parents

Coaching is exciting and rewarding, but occasionally you may experience difficulty with parents. Some parents may want their child to play more, others may question your judgment as a coach. Whatever the concern, a parent is generally just looking out for their child, often at your expense. Don’t be discouraged. There are some things you can do to open up communication and make dealing with parents a positive aspect of your coaching duties.

1. Have a parent meeting before the first practice to discuss your plans and expectations for the season. See the section: "Parent Orientation Meeting" for tips on how to do this well. Encourage questions from the parents and let them know that you have given a lot of thought to the upcoming season.
1. Express appreciation for their interest and concern. This will make them more open and at ease with you.
1. Always listen to their ideas and feelings. Remember, they are interested and concerned because it is their children that are involved. Encourage parental involvement. (If you have a preference for a certain time to voice these concerns, such as after practice, make this clear at the Parent Orientation Meeting.)
1. Know what your objectives are and do what you believe to be of value to the team, not to the parents. No coach can please everyone!
1. Know the club and game rules. Be prepared to abide by them and to explain them to parents.
1. Handle any confrontation one-on-one and not in a crowd situation. Try not to be defensive. Let the parent talk while you listen. Often a parent will vent their frustrations just by talking. Listen to their viewpoint, then thank them for it.
1. Resist unfair pressure. It is your responsibility as coach to make the final decision. This doesn’t mean that you can’t still listen to parents.
1. Don’t discuss individual players with other parents. The grapevine will hang you every time. Show the same respect for each player on the team that you want the parents to show toward you.
1. Ask the parents not to criticize their children during practice or a game. Don’t let your players be humiliated, even by their own parents.
1. Don’t blame the players for their parents’ actions.
1. Be consistent! If you change a rule or philosophy during the season, you may be in for trouble. At the very least, inform players and parents of any change as soon as possible.
1. Most importantly, be fair! If you treat all players equally and with respect, you will gain their respect, and that of their parents as well.

Coach Equipment

1. A large BAG for all of the items listed below!
1. Players' MEDICAL RELEASE FORMS - you must have these with you at all practices and games; verify that the emergency information is there.
1. MEDICAL KITS - A simple kit for games and practices is a good idea for every coach. A kit should include:

• Ice (and 'zip-lock' bags)**
• Band aids
• Vaseline
• Sterile pads
• Adhesive tape
• Elastic wraps
• Antibiotic ointment
• Bee sting relief ointment

4. PUMP and inflating needle - sometimes the game ball is as hard as a rock or too soft and may need a little "tuning"; the same goes for the balls kids bring to practice.
5. SHIN GUARDS - a spare pair of old ones will cover for a forgetful player!
6. SPARE SHIRTS (2) for your goalkeepers - having two extra shirts of different colors (each contrasting with your team shirts) insures that you will always have a keeper's shirt that contrasts with the opposition colors.
7. GOALKEEPER'S GLOVES - an inexpensive pair is a useful addition to your game bag.
8. BALLS - if possible, have a good quality ball available at the game. This will serve for team warm-ups and can be used as a game ball if none is provided. The leather or synthetic leather soccer balls are best; avoid the hard plastic-skinned balls which are unpleasant to kick or head. Each player should have his own ball and bring it to practice; but bring any old spares that you may have to practice because someone is likely to forget theirs.
9. CONES or pylons (about a dozen) to set up small areas for practice drills, as obstacles for dribbling drills, or to mark boundaries for a scrimmage field. Cones

of a different color (or with some added duct tape) will make a distinctive goal.
10. WHISTLE and a CLIPBOARD (for practice plans, medical release forms, substitution schedules) are helpful items.
11. WATER should be available during practice and at the game. Have the players bring their own water bottles (but keep an extra bottle in your bag or cooler for the occasional forgetful player). Alternatively, have your team parent organize a schedule among the parents to provide water and cups.
12. A simple SNACK schedule should be organized by the team parent for game days. Discourage turning snacks into a financial hardship for some parents. Orange or apple slices, or seedless grapes are good choices.

BALL

Encourage each player to have his or her own ball and to use it often, not just during team practice. Players will not derive maximum benefit from practice unless they each have their own ball for warm-ups and individual drills.

Soccer balls come in a variety of sizes, each designated by a number:

• size #3 - smallest standard size, for the youngest players (e.g. U-6 to U-8)
• size #4 - intermediate size, appropriate for U-9 through U-12
• size #5 - largest standard size, for U-13 to adult

SHIN GUARDS

An absolute requirement for games, should also be worn for all practices. The pull-on "legging" type with foam padding protecting the front of the leg from ankle to shin is an excellent shin guard. Those with plastic inserts offer additional protection, especially for the older player. Consider washability when selecting a shin guard.

SOCCER SHOES

Recommended, but not absolutely required by most clubs. Baseball or football type shoes with square or rectangular cleats are not legal for soccer. Soccer cleats for most recreational play must be rubber or molded plastic (no metal cleats), and no less than 3/8 inch in diameter. Check your club’s regulations, then check your players’ shoes for illegal cleats, protruding nails, or sharp edges, and rectify any problems before a referee discovers a violation and one of your players is forced to sit out a game.

WATER BOTTLE (with player’s name on it)

Fresh water should be available to your players at each practice and game. It is easier for the coach if each player provides his or her own water bottle.

SHIRTS, SOCKS , SHORTS

One or more of these items may be provided for each player by your local club. Be sure that you are aware of your club’s policies with respect to uniforms and inform your players and parents of any requirements.