COACHING INFORMATION
Practice information
Our practices are structured based on the play-practice-play instructions from US Soccer. This means that our practices begin with a game, deviate from that game into focused training on a specific aspect of play, and then return to a game in order to implement that focused training.
As players get older and into State League competition, our practices should emphasize high intensity possession with tactical instructions reinforced in scrimmages.
Game day information
In our club, our overarching theme is development over results. Therefore, all players on the team should be playing in matches regardless of skill level with youth teams. Positive reinforcement is most effective for getting points across and should be used even when things are going poorly.
As players reach State League competition and high school ages, priorities shift and results become more important. We do still want to develop players, so in games outside of State League, all players should be playing. This information regarding lack of play time should be communicated early on to prevent frustrations.
General responsibilities
As coaches, our primary responsibilities include:
- Keeping players safe by preventing risk of concussion, preventing return to play if a concussion is suspected, and getting all players to safety during storms
- Instruct players in fair and appropriate play by teaching proper tackling, preventing aggressive behavior, and preventing the use of vulgar speech on and off the field
- Maintain a positive learning environment through continued positive reinforcement, providing individual instructions as appropriate, and managing teammate communication
- Demonstrate professionalism through being respectful towards opponents and officials, preventing poor behavior of our players and parents, and dressing appropriately
- Continuing education to become better coaches through progressing towards a D level licensure with Tennessee Soccer
US soccer coaching resources
You can find several documents that help with providing player instructions through the digital coaching center by clicking the link here.
Practice plans
You can find an assortment of play-practice-play training plans through the digital coaching center by clicking the link here. You must log in and have an active subscription of $25.00. If you sign up for a class, then you should have this subscription for a full year.
Director of coaching resources
Director of coaching practice plans
Director of coaching individual drills
Required forms to coach
Tennessee State Soccer Background Check - requires a driver's license and social security number
US Youth Soccer SafeSport Training - access code is YC3E-6P5G-YYIL-CS2M
HeadsUP Concussion Training - requires an account to complete the course
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW TSSA and NRSA policy REQUIRES that :
(1) Any youth athlete who shows signs, symptoms, and behavior consistent with a concussion shall immediately be removed from the activity or competition for evaluation by a licensed medical doctor, if available, and if not, by the coach or NRSA leadership personnel. In determining whether a youth athlete suffered from a possible concussion, the centers for disease control and prevention's concussion signs and symptoms checklist shall be utilized. (The CDC Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist, which is the State designated evaluation tool, is located here: CONCUSSION CHECKLIST.)
(2) No youth athlete who has been removed from play due to suspected concussion shall return to practice or competition until the youth athlete is evaluated by a health care provider and receives written clearance from the health care provider for a full or graduated return to play. The Concussion Return to Play Form has been approved by TN Department of Health and should be used in practices and games.