Coaching Expectations.

Playing youth soccer holds inherent risks, but as a coach, they are responsible for regularly inspecting the fields and equipment used for practice and competition. Our children’s safety is our number one priority!

Coaches have a lot to communicate. Coaches must not only interact with players and their parents, but also with the coaching staff, referees, administrators, the BPSC President and Director of Operations. Coaches must communicate in a way that is positive and that demonstrates that they have the best interests of the players at heart.

When teaching the fundamental skills of soccer, BPSC coaches must keep in mind that soccer is a game, and therefore, coaches want to be sure that your players have fun. We ask that coaches help all players be the best they can be by creating a fun, yet productive, practice environment. To help with this, coaches must use an innovative “games approach” to teaching and practicing the skills young players need to know. Additionally, to help players improve their skills, coaches need to have a sound understanding of offensive, defensive and reconversion skills.

Coaches must introduce the rules of soccer and incorporate them into individual instruction. Many rules can be taught in practice, including offensive rules as well as defensive rules. Coaches should plan to review the rules any time an opportunity naturally arises in practices. The most important rule is “The Fair Play”.

A BPSC coach’s responsibilities include determining starting lineups and a substitution plan, relating appropriately to referees and to opposing coaches and players, and making sound tactical decisions during games. Remember that the focus is not on winning at all costs, but on coaching your kids to compete well, do their best, improve their soccer skills and strive to win within the rules. You must also teach young players to lose. The way one responds to losing is just as important as the way one responds to winning.

We want coaches to help players be fit so they can play soccer safely and successfully. We also want players to learn to become fit on their own, understand the value of fitness, and enjoy training. Thus, BPSC coaches will not make BPSC players do push-ups or run laps for punishment. BPSC wants to make it fun to get fit for soccer, and make it fun to play soccer so that children will stay fit for a lifetime. One of our core values is “Improving Lives”.

Character development includes learning, caring, being honest and respectful, and taking responsibility. These intangible qualities are no less important to teach than the skill of kicking the ball. BPSC asks our coaches to teach these values to players by demonstrating and encouraging behaviors that express these values at all times. Coaches must stress to children the importance of learning their assignments, helping their teammates, playing within the rules, showing respect for their opponents, and understanding that they are responsible for having a role in every play-even though they may not be recognized individually for their efforts.