2010 WSSC Fall Coaches

Please join us in thanking the nearly 300 Volunteers that have registered to serve with us during the 2010 Fall Season!  Our programs could not exist without their outstanding leadership and selfless service.

Click HERE to view the names of our awesome volunteers


 

Sponsors and Partners

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Coaching Education Opportunities and Resources

Coaching Education Opportunities

Interested in becomming a better soccer coach? Here are some links to several upcoming clinics and education opportunities:

(2) WSSC Clinics you won't want to miss!!

  • Friday, May 31st from 6:00-8:00pm at Walt Hundley - Age Appropraiate Soccer Training. What, Why, and How we should teach technique and tactics to the players of various ages.
    -- Master Coach and Seattle Reign Assistant Coach, Sam Laity
  • Friday, June 7th from 6:00-8:00pm at Walt Hundley - Coerver Coaching
    -- Coerver Northwest Direction and Highline Premier Technical Director, TR Stoneback

Online Coaching Education from Washington Youth Soccer (WYS):

Online coaching modules make coaching education easy by using visual demonstrations via video or animation, combined with printable exercises and one page practices sessions. WYS offers a comprehensive learning process that makes it simpler for a coach to see, read and implement the individual exercises and age appropriate development for U6, U8, U10 & U12 coaches in your own time and in the comfort of your home: http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/technical_zone/coaching_education/online_courses/

Age Appropriate Training sessions from WYS:

We also want you to be aware of our Age Appropriate training sessions which are 8 weeks' worth of pre-planned training sessions for age groups U6, U8, U10 and U12. Each week includes four different activities and is specifically designed to provide training based on the needs of that age-group. Additionally, each activity is in print and video format - coaches can see the training exercises in action with the videos and then print the diagrams out to bring to the field: http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/technical_zone/coaching_tools/age_appropriate_training_sessions/

Upcoming Clinics in our Area:

  • PSPL Coaching Summit (May 31-June 2) which isn't really a licencing session, just coaching education with different high level guest coaches. http://www.pugetsoundpremierleague.com/Coaching/index_E.html
  • The WSYSA coaches education page has the course schedule: http://www.washingtonyouthsoccer.org/coaches/coaching_education/course_schedule/ There is an E license course in North Tacoma May 17-19 and one on Vashon over Memorial Day weekend. And a "D" license course in Olympia for the ambitious starting April 19 and April 26 (two weekends). Need an E License typically to participate.
  • NSCAA Level 6 Course in Fall City April 19-21. This used to be called the Junior VI Advanced Regional.
    http://www.nscaa.com/education/level-6-diploma For the harder core, there is the National License course on Bainbridge over two weekends, http://www.nscaa.com/education/courses/national. July 12 and 19. The unique thing about the National License is while they recommend you have previous education, they don't require it. Depending on who you talk to it's the equivalent to the D license or between and D and a C although I lean towards the former. The NSCAA doesn't require quite the level of particiaption that the USSF licenses do which makes them less demanding physically. The biggest difference is that the USSF D license and the NSCAA Licence is that the D license is around $100-$150 whereas the NSCAA National License is over $600.
 
Spring Season 2013

Hello WSSC Coaches -

Thanks for serving with us during the Spring Champions League Season. Please attend the 3/28 coaches meeting (Mandatory); if you are not available, please send a team rep. Equipment pickup and coaches gift will be distributed.

Questions? Please review the spring season page (including the FAQs) and direct questions to wsscboard@gmail.com

 
Coaches Corner

Hello WSSC Coaches -
Most of the information on this page is also listed in the Coaches Handbook, which is distributed at the coaches meetings prior to the fall and spring seasons.

Please direct questions to wsscboard@gmail.com

As the weather gets a little cooler and school is right around the corner, it means that our Fall soccer season is almost here! With our Fall season at WSSC almost upon us, and practices starting to fire up in earnest this next week, I would like to remind all of our coaches about some of our guidelines at WSSC for conducting your teams practices.

WSSC reserves practice times at many fields in West Seattle. You can find our WSSC practice field reservations on this page (scroll down page).

Points to remember:

  • Try to practice where you play your games--it will help spread out our teams around all of our West Seattle fields.
  • SHARE THE FIELDS!!! A team can not occupy an entire field for their practice--if no other team shows up, then it is fine to use the entire field, but be prepared to run your practice on a half or 1/3 of a field space. 3 teams can effectively use 1 field to run each of their practices--plan ahead! We all need to work together to share all of our fields.
  • Please allow older teams to practice in front of the full size goals. If you coach a younger age team, please allow teams that use the big goals to practice in front of the big goals.
  • Please do not schedule scrimmages during WSSC practice field reservation times. If you are the only 2 teams on a particular field, then please have an impromptu scrimmage! Be aware that if other WSSC teams show up to use the field, you must share the field! As stated earlier, 3 teams may have to use one full sized field for their practices--keep that in mind when planning a scrimmage. If you can find field time outside of scheduled WSSC practice times, please set up your preplanned scrimmages at those times.
  • No air horns or dogs at games.
  • Walk the pitch before each practice and game to note drains, irregular surfaces, garbage, dog "treats"--things that could inhibit your team during training/games.
  • Thank you all for stepping up and coaching with WSSC this fall--we could not do it without all of you! You are making a huge impression on all our young players that they will remember for the rest of their lives--be a good influence and example!


Thanks for making WSSC thrive and have a tremendous Fall season!

Scott Jones
VP of Coaches WSSC

 
No lights at field?

What to do if the field lights don't come on?

  1. FIRST, confirm that WSSC has the field reserved. View the Practice field reservations posted on this page.
  2. CALL the Seattle Parks Field Lights hotline at 1-855-330-8400. This number is staffed by a vendor, Skylogix. (If no response, call Parks Duty Officer, 206-992-4583)
  • Identify yourself by full name and role in the organization.
  • Share the field location, time, and our field reservation schedule.
  • Please communicate with other field users present at the site to reduce the calls to the hotline.
  • Please notify wsscboard@gmail.com of the outage and result after practice
 
Fall 2012 Resources and Events

Fall 2012

Updated November 27, 2012

Coaches --
We at the WSSC want to thank all of you for your countless hours of service helping to create a great soccer experience for all our kids here in West Seattle-we would be nothing without you folks!

  • Download PRACTICE FIELDS reservations.
    Note: some fields are reserved for club training and camps.
  • Mandatory Coaches meetings
  • District Team Home Field and Game Time posted on District Teams page.
  • Entering a tournament? Please plan ahead! View guidelines here.
  • Master coaching (NEW FALL 2012) -- player and coach development (U-6 to U-8). WSSC is partnering with Master Coach Online (MCO) to provide an age and competence appropriate program for our entry-level (U-6 to U-8) players and coaches. Learn more.
  • U.K. Soccer International Online Coaching Curriculum (all ages) -- Access 1000+ age appropriate activities that will assist in making you a better coach.
  • Fall Kickoff Jamboree (U-8 to U-11) -- view Jamboree page for more information.
  • Rules -- please review the rules page.
  • Sports Participation Policy - Seattle Parks, 2002 (PDF). This document lists guidance for use of athletic fields in Seattle. Please note: NO AIR HORNS at fields
  • Summer Coaches Game was held Saturday, Aug. 25, 1-3pm at Hiawatha field. Please join us for the next game (will announce to coaches).


Summer 2011 Coaches Game - view past coach game photos

 
Soccer Game Strategies – Can Players Really Hear You?

By Jeff Haefner

As a coach, I made this mistake and I still see thousands of other coaches make this mistake too… You see soccer coaches continually shouting instructions and yelling at their players on the side lines. We’ve all done it. But before you shout instructions from the side line again, stop for a moment and ask yourself a few sobering questions:

  1. Can your players really hear you during the action of a game?
    If you’ve ever played soccer or any sport, you know it’s hard to hear your coach during the action of a game.  There are just too many other distractions, noises, and things going on. Whether you like it or not, a player’s hearing can be selective during a game.
  2. Can your players really process what you’re saying?
    During a game, players are making approximately two decisions every second. That’s right… TWO decisions every second! This can be challenging even for an adult — so for youth players this can be paralyzing. You want to make your coach happy, your parents happy, and you want to do well. You need to decide which way to run, how to kick the ball, whether you should pass it, where your teammates are at, and so on. Now you add a coach yelling at you on the sidelines. Youth players simply can’t process everything. And it is even sometimes tough for adults. But youth players are different because they have not developed mentally, physically, cognitively, or spatially. This makes it nearly impossible for young kids to truly process what a coach is saying on the sideline.
  3. Are you setting a good example for your players?
    Some coaches that yell on the sidelines tend to get emotional during the action of the game. They sometimes scold their players and sometimes scream at refs in a very insulting manner. Even though this is common practice, this behavior displays a very immature and poor example for your players. That’s not how adults act in the real world. So why is it ok for us to yell and scream in sports? I think that is a great injustice to sports (in particular youth sports!)

Young kids are very impressionable and look up to their coaches. In fact, over 20 years later I can still vividly remember countless statements and comments that my coach made to me and other players. I guarantee the players you are coaching will remember things you say for the rest of their lives.

The truth is that kids learn a lot from sports. So as coaches we need to be careful about the example we set for kids. Like it or not, you’re in a powerful position that requires careful thought and responsibility.

So how should you give instruction to players during games?
I think that if you look in the mirror and answer the three questions above, you’ll come to the conclusion that yelling on the sideline doesn’t do much good (especially while the game is in action).

So the next time you are on the sideline, think twice about yelling at kids during the game and consider these general guidelines instead:

  • Provide instruction when the players come out of the game or when the action stops. Your efforts will be much more effective. When you sub players or have dead ball situations, use that time to talk with the player one on one.  Teach them, make the game fun, and set a good example!
  • If you say anything during the action of a game, keep it positive. Words of encouragement are good for those players than can hear – and it’s also good for the players on the bench and parents who are usually right on top of you in a soccer match.
  • If you feel that you must provide instructions during the action of the game, it can be effective to have a few key concepts that you can instruct the players during a game situation. For example, the coach can shout “out wide” and the players will remember they are supposed to get the ball to the sidelines not up the middle. You can also use short phrases like “don’t bunch” or “down the sideline” on throw-ins, and “not in the middle” when they are clearing the ball.
  • Above all else, keep things positive during the game! It’s a proven fact that too much criticism will hurt a players confidence and slow their development. And nothing looks worse than an out of control coach yelling and screaming on the sidelines. It does no good and actually has a negative effect.

 
10 Tips for the Well-Organized Coach: Presentation Matters

10 tips for the well-organized coach: presentation matters
By Don Norton Jr.

One area of coaching that is occasionally overlooked is how we present ourselves to our players at training. I do believe in the old adage that you "never get a second chance to make a first impression." By present ourselves, I am referring to how we look, the words we use when speaking, and the overall preparation that went into our session. The coaching schools in the United States and across the world stress to their candidates the importance of being prepared for every session and never "winging it."

Here are my 10 Rules for every training session:

1. Arrive 20-25 minutes before every session, well groomed and wearing appropriate soccer gear. I have always told my players that if they arrive on time, they are late. They know that means they need to get to training before it is scheduled. (I do realize young players don't drive themselves ...) When I blow my whistle all my players have water, their socks are pulled up, shinguards on and their shirt is tucked in. They are ready to train.

2. Check the field to make sure that it is safe to train upon. I always walk around and check all areas of the field and make sure that the goals are properly secured and that there are no holes in the nets. The environment that my players train in must be safe.

3. Carefully empty the ball bag, bibs and lay out all my cones for that day's session. I never waste time putting cones down during training. Having cones laid out makes for a smooth transition from one activity to another, saves valuable time, and shows my commitment to the session. We all ask a lot from our players and we must give back just as much. Being prepared for every session is a given. And yes from time to time I will stop play and quickly "adjust" the distance of the cones that I laid out.

4. I welcome every player with a smile and a handshake. I am a role model. The words I choose when speaking are important. I know that my player's experience in training and in the games can have a lasting impact on them.

5. Start every session on time. I bring all my players together and they know that "if I can't see your face, you are in the wrong place." I take the sun and position my players so that there no distractions. I give a very brief age-appropriate talk about the day's activities and off we go. "No lines, no lectures and no laps." In every session we play small-sided games. I try to have a relaxed tone to my sessions, meaning players are never afraid to make mistakes and are encouraged to "try moves." Training is where mistakes are made, confidence is born and a love for the game blooms.

6. Have my training session written down on a notecard that I carry with me. Coaches of all levels across the world carry them. If I need to refer to it, and I often do, it's there for me.

7. Deliver coaching points to my players using the PIP method. Positive -- "I loved your run down the flank." Information -- "Don't forget to lock your ankle and get your hips square when shooting." Positive - "Keep up the good work." I try to never "over coach," meaning I don't stop play often and strive to always have a theme and flow to training. I am always reminded ofAlex Ferguson's quote that "talking too much is a big danger for a coach. The words get lost in the wind."

8. Have our assistant coach lead parts of every training session. I value "my colleagues" knowledge and want him to know that I respect his talents. Former Scottish national team head coach Craig Brown spoke at my SFA course and said "I never referred to our assistants as my assistants, but as my colleagues as a sign of respect." There is no better way to show him (and the players) your confidence in his abilities than to have your colleague lead parts of training. No egos allowed; it's not about me, but always the team. The beauty of the game is that every coach brings his own style and unique perspectives to training and games. I believe that a player needs to hear different voices throughout his soccer career.

9. Bring all players together at the end of training and very briefly summarize a few points about the session and make some "house-keeping" points if needed. I always want to leave my players on a positive note. Coming to training and playing the world's greatest game should always be something that all players relish. I am the last person to leave the field.

10. Evaluate the session in my Log Book later that day. I grade myself regarding what went well during the session, were my objectives achieved and what could I have done better. We all learn from our mistakes and every coach has had training sessions that they wish they could do over. Even though we have a plan for our training being flexible is important. Sometimes our players lead training in a different direction that is to be expected. I begin to prepare for the next training session.

(Don Norton Jr. is the men's assistant coach at Rowan University. He has the USSF "A" license, FA Ireland "A" license (UEFA "A" License), Scottish FA "A" Certificate, NSCAA Premier Diploma and USSF National Youth License. He is a NSCAA associate national staff coach and a USSF state coaching school instructor for the New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Associations. His writings have been published in various soccer magazines. He has a BA from Gettysburg College and a MA from Rowan University.)

 
Schedule Pictures For Your Team

Hi WSSC Coaches,

We are very excited to report that Legends Sports Photography Northwest is returning to take team and individual pictures for the WSSC. Team scheduling (Coaches) and picture ordering (Parents) are available ONLINE!

The coach is responsible to schedule the picture time for the team. All teams and players will be photographed at scenic Hamilton View Point on Saturday, September 29th, or on Sunday, October 7th. Please follow these simple instructions:

  • To schedule for Saturday September 29th, click here,
  • To schedule for Sunday October 7th, click here

Then follow these steps:

  • Click on the open date on the calendar (9/29 or 10/7)
  • Register you and your team
  • Select an open time that works best for your team - first come, first served!

Remember to choose a time prior to your match or another convenient time and to allow plenty of time for travel - especially if you are playing outside of West Seattle. Teams that play games on Saturday should choose the Saturday session, and teams that play matches on Sunday should choose the Sunday session. If it is not possible to schedule pictures on your game day you may schedule on the alternate day as a last resort.

The system will send you an email confirming your team's picture time. As soon as you have confirmed the time and date, please notify your team parents. We will send the links out shortly for your team parents to order pictures online instead of filling out the picture envelope.

Our picture coordinator is Rennie Dennehy (dnrdennehy@clearwire.net). If you have any questions, please contact her.

Thanks,
Tim McMonigle
WSSC Board

 
Related topics
 
Fields by Age Group

Game Fields by Age Group

Fall 2012
U-06 - Madison MS
U-07 - Madison MS
U-08 - Riverview North
U-09 - Highland Park
U-10 - Riverview South
U-11 - E.C. Hughes (Association teams)
U-11 - Walt Hundley (District teams)
U-12 and older - Delridge North and South, Hiawatha, Sealth Stadium, Walt Hundley

Fall Practice Fields. WSSC teams are encouraged to practice at the fields where their games are held. See list of Fall Practice Fields reserved on left of page. BE SURE TO CHECK RESERVED TIMES -- this can change from week to week.

Other Fields and Practice Venues:
- Alki Playfield
- Fairmont Park
- Roxhill North


 
Training Opportunities

Coaches Training - 2012

Saturday, 8/18, 10:30am to Noon, Free Coaches Clinic for U-08 and U-09 Coaches
Walt Hundley Playfield; RSVP Requested by 3:00pm Friday at wsscboard@gmail.com
 
Friday 6/8, 6-8pm, Coerver Coaching Clinic
TR Stoneback will lead this clinic and he is the director of Coerver NW.  Coerver is a coaching method inspired by Wiel Coerver, which emphasizes individual ball skills, speed, and small group play to teach and improve the skills of your soccer player. Coerver techniques are used by professional and national teams worldwide, and have become a foundation of many youth soccer teams. Check out www.coervercoachingnw.com or any of the youtube videos on Coerver coaching to get a taste of this style of soccer. Great stuff!

Friday 6/1, 6-8pm, Coaching clinic
Sam is a NSAA Master Coach, has interned with the Sounders and Real Madrid, and is a coach and Junior Academy Director. Sam will show how to develop an effective training session, help team tactical development using 4v4 format with small sided goals, and will hold a Q and A session at the end of the clinic. Want a good way to get your U-7’s to stop bunching up?  Ask Sam. Want a good way to instruct you U-15’s how to score off of corner kicks? Ask Sam. Bring your questions and enthusiasm, and let’s all learn something!

 
State Tournaments - Rec Cup and Founders Cup

Please see the Tournaments page for a list of teams entered in the State Rec Cup and Founders Cup. We will also be posting the game fields and times, and tournament rules. Go WSSC!

 
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