Did you know that Region 359 is totally dependent on volunteers?
We Couldn't Do It Without Them!
Volunteer Signup form at eAYSO
| Each and every Saturday
during our Fall 2006 season, we helped over 1,500 kids enjoy the sport
of soccer.
On Saturdays alone the all volunteer staff is working at the Liberty Park soccer fields as early as five o'clock in the morning preparing the fields, setting up the refreshment stands, getting equipment ready, setting up the information center, and the list goes on.
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That just barely scratches
the surface of all the work that goes on behind the scenes. All year
long Board Members are hard at work getting ready for each season.
The volunteering doesn't stop there. On Fridays and Saturdays, there are a lot teams playing. Each team has a volunteer Coach, a volunteer Assistant Coach, and a Team Parent.
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| Don't forget the referees on
the fields. These men, women, boys, and girls put forth the effort to
attend either a four hour or eight hour class before they take to the
field. Then on game day, they will work anywhere from one to five
games.
Click here if you feel that you just can't be a referee!
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Why do these people put all this time into AYSO? The easy answer is because it is "for the kids". And it is. However, each of the volunteers also gets something back that you can't see or touch. It is a large measure of satisfaction.
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Parents, Please Volunteer!
Region 359 needs help from lots of grown-ups to make its program work. For every game we play, there are 20 kids and 13 adults directly participating.
On the adult side of the equation there are four adults in coaching roles, three as referee or assistant referees, two team parents, two parents bringing snack people for setting up or taking down goals. Add to this board members and special event coordinators and you’ll have to reach the same conclusion we have: We need at least one adult volunteer from every family.
How Can You Help? Here Are the Jobs!
Take a look at the following requirements and duties of each type of job we need to fill on a regular basis. Remember, we provide training.
[Coach] [Referee] [Team Manager] [Field Striping]
Coach
Positive Coaching is One of the Five Philosophies of AYSO
We expect coaches to take this seriously!
Practices
Here’s where you teach the game. Understand the level of your players. You can’t teach the whole thing in one season. Focus on one or two skills that are age appropriate. Reinforce and praise good performance. Be patient when correcting a player.
We want to advance the skills of all players, not just the stars. This is the reward of being a coach: seeing all your players shine after a season of hard work.
Games
Sure, everyone wants to win but not at the expense of excluding a player. We are here for the kids and to help them play the game. We want each kid to say they had fun at the end of a game and practice. It is the kid’s game. They should work hard to win. The coach wins if the kid’s learned something about soccer and sportsmanship, regardless of the score!
Limit your teaching during the game. That’s what practices are for. Give encouragement and take notes so you can work on skills at the next practice. This is the kid’s time.
Here are some rules to follow:
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Coaches must have a roster for each game and give it to referee.
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Players must play all positions. Rotations are made between quarters, never during the quarter (unless there is an injury).
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Players should be in the game at least three quarters. If you have too many players, you are required to balance it our. No player should play three or four quarters every week while others are playing two.
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Make sure your players have proper equipment.
Running Your Team
It is up to you to set a positive tone for your team. Always be respectful of your players, opposing players, other coaches and refs. Make sure your players and parents show the same respect at all times. Be enthusiastic. Work your team hard, but always have fun!
Get some help with your duties! Get a co-coach and as many assistants as possible. Let your team parent do the calls. Focus on positive coaching.
[Coach] [Referee] [Team Manager] [Field Striping]
Referee
Enforce the AYSO Philosophies of—
· Everyone Plays
· Positive Coaching
· Good Sportsmanship
A referee enforces the rules of the game—of course! But our refs are also responsible to see that the rules of our league are carried out.
Know Rules of the Age Division
Our younger players can’t follow all the rules. For the smallest ones, it’s a big accomplishment to know what end of the field is their goal. We adjust the rules accordingly. Refs who work in more than one division (many if not all of you) should know the differences and how to apply them.
Referee Duties—Before, During and After the Game
Before the game
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Arrive 15 minutes before game time
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Check field for any debris or holes (ask parents to help clear and fill)
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Line up players from each team to check for shin-guards (can not play without), rubber cleats or sneakers, no steel spikes, and no jewelry.
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Jerseys shall be tucked in (best way to monitor holding during play) and worn over any sweatshirts
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Confirm roster cards and monitor number of quarters played and track the goalkeepers
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Call captains to centerfield to flip coin, winner may selects which end of the field to attack, loser kicks off
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Keep the game on schedule. There are lots of games on Saturdays, and a delay early in the day will push back all of the games.
During Game
q Check roster cards at end of each quarter.
q If improper rotation, call coach to centerfield to correct. No player shall play a third quarter until everyone has played two. And no player to play fourth period until everyone has played three.
q If unsportsmanlike coaching from sidelines by coaches or parents, correct as necessary to keep the game from getting out of control. You may relieve coach of his position for the remainder of the game or ask a board member to remove an unruly parent if necessary.
Post Game
q Players and coaches shall line up at centerfield to shake hands
q Collect roster cards and turn in to Referee Coordinator
q Report any problems to Referee Coordinator
q Return the ball to the team that supplied it or to the referee shack where you picked it up
q Retrieve flags from Assistant Referees
[Coach] [Referee] [Team Manager] [Field Striping]
Team Manager
Team Managers Are Critical to a Successful Team
Scenario 1
It’s a hot, hot day. Five minutes to game time. The ref is calling for a team captain for the coin toss. Player Andy hasn’t shown up and the coach is juggling her roster for the first quarter. Another problem—Andy’s family was bringing snacks. The kids are already wilting. They at least need something to drink.
Scenario 2
It’s 11:30 Sunday morning. The day started off bright but the clouds rolled in and it’s started to rain. Your coach is at the park checking field conditions. It begins to thunder and the light rain intensifies. He calls you on a borrowed cell phone from the park. The game is cancelled.
Scenario 3
It’s the last game of the season. Your coach’s wife—who is also a coach—arrives from an earlier game and end-of-season ceremony with a nice gift she received from her team. Your team hasn’t planned anything and your coach suspects it.
Scenario 4
It’s a tough game against an opponent that never loses. True to expectation, your team is losing. There’s a “bad call” on a play. The opposing coach comes out onto the field to protest the call. Your coach goes out, too. A parent on your team starts yelling at the ref. Others join in.
Here’s where the team manager comes in. The coach can’t do it all (least of all, solicit a gift for himself). That’s why the team manager is so important. Here are the jobs:
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organize a schedule of parents for game day snacks
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arrange for a volunteer(s) for snack-shack duty
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act as back-up if the scheduled parent fails to show up (the coach in scenario 1 can’t go get snacks when the game is about to begin)
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help coach with calling when a game or practice is cancelled
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arrange end-of-season parties
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take up collection for small gift for coach or coaches
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help set a positive tone among the parents (We don’t yell at refs—period! But the coach in scenario 4 is pretty busy. The team manager could help to keep things calm.
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encourage parents to take part in practices (and take part yourself) if the coach needs your help
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make a team banner and bring it to all the games (or get someone to do it)
[Coach] [Referee]
[Team Manager] [Field Striping]
Field Striping We have more than fifteen fields that
need to be striped on a weekly basis (yes, even the week of the carnival).
We need a volunteer to head this effort. Starting this 2005 - 2006 season, we
have distributed a list to all of the teams listing striping assignments.
All we are asking is one hour of your time. Of course if you want to
stay longer, we'd surely appreciate it!
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Even if you don’t have one of these volunteer jobs and it’s not your week to brink snack or set up the goals, you still have a job to do as a parent.