WAYS GUIDELINES FOR COACHES

Prioritize a positive playing environment and good sportsmanship

Winning is nice but we ask that the primary goal for all coaches is to teach the kids about putting forth your best effort and displaying good sportsmanship. Keep in mind that kids learn important lessons when they lose. Ideally teams win as many games as they lose. Please check you own competitive juices at the door!!

The challenge of multiple coaches – who takes the lead?

One coach needs to take the lead for each team. The first coach listed on your roster is our recommendation for the “head” coach. This person is listed as the contact person for your team in the BAYS book, as well. However, please work together to fully utilize your individual talents and interests and availability!

WAYS playing time policies – IMPORTANT!!

• U9, U10 and U11 age groups - all players get equal playing time. Coaches should endeavor to play all players at all the positions including goal.
• U12 and U14 age groups - all players play at least ½ of the game. Coaches should endeavor to play all players at a minimum of 2 different positions.

The game is for the kids!

We recommend only two coaches on the game sideline.

Please help us to avoid the worst case scenario: multiple coaches on a sideline all yelling out at the kids while they are playing!! Players get confused and upset when they hear a constant barrage of what can be mixed messages from different coaches. It is not helpful to them and not fair to them.

Regardless of how many coaches are on the sideline,

ONLY ONE COACH SHOULD BE SPEAKING TO PLAYERS WHILE THEY ARE ON THE FIELD.

> Remember, the best time to coach is when players are off the field, not on! It is critical that you let the kids make their own decisions especially when they have the ball.

> Please reign in your enthusiasm and let the kids play!

Parent control: COACHES COACH and PARENTS CHEER

Let parents know that for the kids’ sake, parents must limit their involvement to cheering, NOT coaching or criticizing. Do not hesitate to remind parents as necessary.

Kid control: practice and games. A frequent challenge for coaches is managing the behavior of your players. You have volunteered to coach, not babysit at practices! If a child becomes an ongoing problem at practice and is not responding to your efforts to bring him/her under control, do not hesitate to call the parents to discuss the situation. If you are at wits end, please also do not hesitate to call a Commissioner or the President to get suggestions or assistance.

BAYS Zero Tolerance Policy

This policy states that no player or parent is to direct any comments to the referee at any time before, during or after a game. Coaches may only ask for subs or point out an injured player on the field. Violating this policy will result in action by WAYS, including dismissal as a coach or spectator if the circumstances warrant. WAYS has a referee feedback button on our website. Communicate concerns about any referee this way, not on the field. The actions of both your players and parents are your responsibility. Please make the Zero Tolerance Policy clear to all at the beginning of the season. Should a parent become a problem during a game, please address them directly. If the problem persists, contact a WAYS Commissioner or President.

WAYS

Recommended Reading List

For Coaches and Parents

The Fulfilling Ride: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Athletes Have a Successful Sport Experience, Greg Dale Ph.D. (Duke University)

Whose game is it, anyway?, Richard Ginsburg Ph.D. (Harvard Medical School, MGH Sport Psychology Program)

Just Let the Kids Play. How to stop other adults from ruining your child’s fun and success in youth sports, Bob Bigelow (former NBA player from Lexington, MA)