Code of Conduct
Coaching License Courses
Forms
Notes for New Coaches
Soccer Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
 
 
Code of Conduct

The Board of SC Norfolk has approved the following Code of Conduct:

Coaches will:
  1. Before, during and after the game, be an example of dignity, patience, and positive spirit.
  2. Act as an ambassador to the sport of soccer, representative of the club, and a positive role model to the players in all interactions
  3. During the game be responsible for the sportsmanship of the players, parents, and spectators. This may mean asking an adult or spectator associated with your team to be less vocal or leave the field if they consistently cause interruption, violate our Parent Code of Conduct, the BAYS Zero Tolerance Policy, or if reasonably requested by the other team coach.
  4. Communicate in a timely and open manner with parents, providing sufficient advance notice of matters that may impact them or their schedules.
  5. Not offer alternate soccer programs that will directly compete with or attract players away from existing S.C. Norfolk programs, and thus make it difficult for S.C. Norfolk to form teams.
  6. Not take or use club information, player personal information, mailing lists, equipment, or other club artifacts after the end of a season or on leaving the club.
  7. Foster and maintain a harmonious relationship with coaches of opposing teams.
  8. Learn, understand, and adhere to the BAYS Zero Tolerance Policy. If there is a problem with the referee, use the BAYS formal procedure for lodging a complaint
  9. Be mindful and supportive of young referees that are part of the BAYS development environment, and graciously accept that mistakes will sometimes be made – even if the decisions cause a game to be lost.
  10. Take a player out of the game long enough for him/her to calm down if the player is being disrespectful, irresponsible, overly aggressive, using or foul or abusive language, or deliberately using rough play.
  11. Treat all players on your team equally and fairly. Adhere as closely as possible to the club policy of equal playing time for each player, given that opportunities to substitute occur at varying times and players have different rest requirements due to fitness or health reasons.
  12. Report any incidents in a timely and complete manner that may affect our club.
  13. Understand that the development of individual players and the development of teams is more important than team wins and losses.
  14. Provide a safe, fun and educational environment that is focused on the development of individual players and team(s) assigned to you.
  15. Play each player in different positions to make them a complete player. Players interested in a favorite position should be encouraged to play several positions to develop skills and decision-making in all aspects of the game. i.e. Children in goalie position should not always play goalie, they should play no more than half a game in goal.
  16. Provide end-of-season individual player evaluations in the form requested and within the stated timeframe upon request from the Player and Coach Development Coordinator

Downloadable Copy of Coaches Code of Conduct

 
Coaching License Courses

S.C. Norfolk strongly encourages each coach and assistant coach to obtain a coaching license. S.C. Norfolk will reimburse the cost of both the 'F' and 'G' level courses. Courses are conducted under the oversight of MYSA, and course details/curriculum can be found at http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/coachcourses.html.

Schedules of available courses are regularly updated on the MYSA website at http://www.mayouthsoccer.org/courseschedule.html. Courses are conducted periodically at the discretion of towns that have volunteered to host them.

To enroll in a course, simply contact the designated town representative and follow his/her requirements.

To receive reimbursement of either the 'F' or 'G' course fee, either:

  1. Submit a receipt to S.C. Norfolk at their mailing address, and a check will be issued to you
  2. Submit payment details (name, address, date of course) to S.C. Norfolk at their mailing address, and a check will be issued directly to the training organization on your behalf.
 
Forms

Injury Report Form – must be completed at the end of a game where an injury has occurred to a Norfolk player. Please submit the form to Vin Rodger.

Player Evaluation – must be completed at the end of the season to report on player performance. These evaluations are the primary means for determining team placement in subsequent seasons. Please submit all evaluations to Vin Rodger.

 
Notes for New Coaches
  • Organize yourself

    Have practices planned in advance, objectives of each practice clearly understood by yourself, game day procedures completed and ready - 2 copies of team roster completed and signed, player medical release forms, your ID card, cell phone, local emergency numbers (for home games), player list and their positions finalized, equipment bag complete (first aid kit, pinnies, goalie gloves, cones), game ball pumped up, etc.

  • Confirm an away game in advance.

    Call the coach listed for your away game the Wednesday or Thursday before the game to confirm times, and get any specific directions.

  • Select different team captains (2) each week. The captains will:
    • Lead the team players for the pre-game warm-up and stretching exercises
    • Attend the center coin toss and follow the referee’s instructions about the toss
    • Lead the team at the end of game line-up for congratulating the other team
    • Go to the Referee and thank him/shake his hand for the game.

  • Communicate with the parents

    Keep parents informed of any changes throughout the season, and provide sufficient notice for them to alter their schedules.

  • Game Etiquette
    • Coaches occupy one side of the field, with each coach using one half of the field. Respect other coaches by staying within ‘your half’ i.e. don’t cross the centerline into the other coaches space.
    • If the opposing team is losing by more than 5 goals, consider starting to hold your team back. It can be devastating for other team players to be beaten so convincingly. Remember we are in this for the kids – even those on other teams. Some ways to hold back might include:
      • Allow your weaker players to play longer before substitution
      • Place players in positions they don’t normally play to provide them an opportunity to play new positions they made be unfamiliar with.
      • Field 5 instead of 6 players
    • If a player is injured and not seen by the Referee:
      • Call out to the referee to indicate the situation
      • If the referee does not hear you, instruct one of your players to deliberately kick the ball out of play to stop the game.

    Team Management Ideas

    Jeff Pill is a renowned coach and contributor to youth soccer in the USA. Here he presents guidelines on managing your youth soccer team. These materials are available online at www.eteamz.com/soccer/pills/discip.htm or on this web site here.

 
Soccer Resources

Massachusetts Youth Soccer Newsletter - Monthly

Internet Soccer Clinic - www.soccerclinics.com

Drills for youth soccer - www.teamdiscovery.com/soccer

Jeff Pills drills - www.nhsoccer.com

Soccer ROM - http://www.soccerrom.com/

Coaching magazine - http://www.worldclasscoaching.com/samples.asp

Frequently Asked Questions
1.Where can I find the rules of soccer?
2.How are the team divisions and sections determined?
3.Why can’t I see the rankings of my U09 or U10 teams?

Where can I find the rules of soccer?
The complete rulebook can also be reviewed at the BAYS web site. The rules for the six-sided games we play are slightly different than full-sided soccer.

How are the team divisions and sections determined?
Based on the number of registered players and their skill levels, S.C. Norfolk will request team divisions and sections that should provide a competitive environment with teams of similar skill levels. Even though S.C. Norfolk makes these requests, it is BAYS who ultimately decide on the division and section that we play in. We do not always get the levels we request.

Why can’t I see the rankings of my U09 or U10 teams?
It is BAYS policy not to rank these teams.