Bainbridge Island Youth Soccer Club

To maximize success on your team, it is essential that everyone involved is clear about your goals, expectations, and coaching philosophies at the outset of the season.  Other aspects such as costs, playing time, and time commitment (tournaments) should also be communicated. 
None of these are prescribed by the club, but rather tailored by the skills and interests of each individual coach.  An example set of goals, expectations and coaching philosophy used for a 2005 U11 select team is presented below.  It should be noted that each of these are fluid from one season to the next as players grow and expectations change given their maturity.  What is most important is that these are developed and communicated to participants before the season begins.

• Create a respectful, positive, healthy and soccer learning environment;
• Foster the development of a positive mental attitude and good sportsmanship;
• Improve each individual player’s technical skills and conditioning;
• Improve each players understanding and appreciation of team play and field spatial designation.

Example Coaching Philosophy:

Create a Positive Experience

• The experience of each player has an influence on her future level of enthusiasm for soccer and for team sports in general.

Develop Skills, Pride and Confidence

• Girls at this age want to learn by doing. Laps, lines and lectures will be kept to a minimum.
• Practices will be designed to incorporate the maximum combination of stimulation, skill development and team play.
• Positive encouragement and mistakes will be skillfully and tactfully corrected so as not to jeopardize anyone’s enthusiasm.
• Foster individual and team goal setting and achievement.
   

Success is not Defined by Winning or Losing

• Success is showing improvement, giving our best effort, implementing during games what we practice and demonstrating good sportsmanship at all times 

Playing Time and Positions

• All girls will play in games.  While everyone plays a meaningful amount, playing time will be determined based on skill, effort and attendance.
• Experimentation with all positions (including goalie) at some point during the season as necessary.

Example Expectations:
Coaches

• Create a respectful, positive and healthy soccer environment;
• Be prepared and organized for each practice and game;
• Teach competitive soccer, teamwork and good sportsmanship by developing each players’ skills and understanding of the game;
• Be a good listener to players and parents.

• Bring your best attitude and effort to all practices and games;
• Show respect for your coaches and teammates;
•  Take seriously the opportunity to learn about competitive soccer by listening and paying attention to the coaches;

• If you cannot attend a practice or game, let a coach know at least a day in advance;
• If you need to leave a practice early, let a coach know;
• Reinforce at home the concepts of “hard work” and “team work” during the season;
• Refrain from coaching kids during games and never talk to referee’s during games;
• Communicate concerns with the coaches directly.