Coach Responsibilities

WYS Coach Responsibilities

Review the information below for responsibilities including:

WYS basic expectations of a coach
What to do prior to start of season
Responsibilties during season
Field set up and break down
How to reschedule travel games

Basic Expectations of a WYS Coach

Always exemplify honesty, integrity, fair play, and sportsmanship regardless of the impact you might have on the outcome of the competition.

Maintain a professional demeanor in your relationship with players, parents, referees, and opposing coaches—treat them with respect and dignity.

Accept that you serve as role model—actions and words. You should be an example of dignity, patience and positive spirit.

Prior to Start of Season

Coach's Checklist

Review coach's checklist and complete all mandatory items, including CORI check and concussion training.

Select Asst Coach

Coaches will be notified if a parent has volunteered to be an assistant coach, however it is the Head Coach's decision. Travel teams have one head coach and up to two asst coaches. 

Attend Coach's Meeting

Meetings are typically held a couple of weeks prior to the start of each season.

Get Coach's Card

Travel coaches (head and assistant) must have an updated coach's card with picture. Cards are coordinated through WYS Travel Coordinators.

Complete BAYS Rosters

Travel coaches must complete BAYS rosters by filling in player numbers, signing, and bringing two copies to every game (one for referee; one for other team's coach). Contact Travel Coordinator for details.

Communicate with Parents

WYS uses TeamSnap for team communication, practice/game schedules and more. Automatic game/practice reminders are sent to your roster. You may also use the Messaging feature to email your team.

During the Season

Communicate with Parents

TeamSnap sends reminders to parents before games and practices, including directions to Away games. Travel teams: always verify that last minute game changes are reflected in TeamSnap schedule.

Hold Practices

Kindergarten: 1 hr on Saturday (30min practice/30min game)

U8 (Gr 1-2): 1 MYSA practice for first 8 weeks; optional weekly practice after MYSA ends

U9 & U10: 1 MYSA practice for first 8 weeks; weekly practice for entire season encouraged

U11 & U12: 2 practices per week strongly encouraged

Attend Games

Attend games; designate an assistant to cover any games you cannot attend.

All Players Play

Strive to ensure ALL players on the roster play at least half a game.

Rotate Players

Players need to be rotated into different positions throughout the season with the goal to build an all-around player that knows the skills needed for each position (offence/defense/midfield).

Rotate Goalie Position

Have at least 4-6 players that rotate through the goalie position throughout the season.

Secure Nets

Prior to the start of each game, coaches should make sure that nets are secure and report any field hazards to the referee and opposing coach.

Concussion Actions

During the game follow the actions outlined in the concussion training. If any doubt, player should not play.

Respect Referee

During the game, do not address the referee at all. If you have a complaint, or if you think the referee was unfair, biased, unfit or incompetent, report your opinion to WYS Referee Coordinator after the game.

Player Sportsmanship

During the game you are responsible for the sportsmanship of your players. If one of your players is disrespectful, irresponsible or overly aggressive, take the player out of the game at least long enough for him or her to calm down, and explain that their action is not acceptable.

Parent Conduct

During the game you are responsible for the conduct of the parent/guardian of your players. It is important to explain acceptable player and parent behavior in a preseason meeting and during in-season communications.

Communicate with Coaches

Before all games, travel coaches should communicate with the opposing coach a few days prior to the game to confirm time and location. Update TeamSnap with any last minutes changes.

All Kids Picked Up

After games and practices please ensure all players are picked up to the best of your ability. Don't leave kids unattended waiting for a guardian to pick them up.

Thank the Referee

After the game, always thank the referee and ask your players to do the same. Referees—especially young and inexperienced ones—are like your own son or daughter, and they need time to develop. You play an important role in helping them to improve by letting them concentrate on the game.

Send Game Results

Travel coaches must email final game score to their BAYS Division Coordinator weekly.

Promote WYS Programs

Help promote WYS programs to parents. Information will be provided.

Smile for the Camera

Encourage all players to attend team photo session. WYS will notify WYS community and will update Team schedules on TeamSnap with dates and times.

Complete Player Evaluations

Coaches and Assistant Coaches should complete player rankings and evaluations within two weeks after the end of the season. Travel Coordinators will provide forms.

Field Set Up and Break Down Responsibilities

Travel coaches with the first and last game of the day are responsible for field set up and break down respectively. Field Coordinator will send out a weekly schedule to coaches.

Field Set Up

Field set up includes:

  1. Place nets into position
  2. Secure nets with sand bags
  3. Put out corner flags

Field Break Down

Field break down includes:

  1. Pull nets off field into tall grass and lock together
  2. Put sand bags in storage shed 
  3. Put flags in storage shed
  4. Lock storage shed

Don't forget to lock shed!

Rescheduling Travel Games

Travel coaches are responsible for rescheduling home games if they cannot be played at the assigned time due to weather, conflicts, vacations, etc.

Coordinate with Opposing Coach

Coordinate with the other team's travel coach on new date and time

Secure Field Location

Contact WYS Field Coordinator to obtain field location

Secure a Referee

Contact WYS Referee Coordinator to arrange referees

Watch for Field Use Conflicts

Games take precedence over practices, but please be courteous and communicate with other WYS teams if your rescheduled game interferes with their team practice.

Notify BAYS Div. Coordinator

Email your BAYS Division Coordinator (or Section Captain) with rescheduling details.

Know Field Responsibilities

Arrange set up (and break down) of field goals and flags etc. on rescheduled game day.

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