The "OAK RIDGE RECREATION & PARKS ROSTER FORM AND MEDICAL RELEASE - Soccer"
must be completed for each team as soon as possible in the season. Teams cannot
play their first home game before submitting the form to the city. The form in pdf
format may be downloaded by clicking
here.
Preventing Blowouts
No one wins when a game becomes a blowout. No matter which end your
team is on, it's a lost opportunity to gain skill, have fun, play
fair, and often, be safe. Here's the interesting thing: With no
adults around, blowouts never happen in sandlot games. Why not?
Kids have an instinctive sense of fair play and competition. A
blowout is simply no fun. So if one team is running away with a
game, kids just automatically swap players to balance the teams
and continue play. It would be a sad irony if, by providing adult
role models as coaches, we actually undercut sporting play.
Most coaches and refs understand the AYSO philosophy and set
an example to ensure that players' soccer experience is one of
fun and enjoyment (winning is only part of it). Ask yourself:
Could you deliberately put your team in position to lose to improve
the competitive level of the game for everyone? The AYSO Coaches Code
stresses the fundamental AYSO philosophy of sportsmanship and respect:
Enthusiastically support and practice the "Everyone Plays," "Good
Sportsmanship," and "Positive Coaching."
Common Courtesy and Balanced Games
Keep scores close.
NO 7-0 or worse scores.
Pull back. No one should know you have instructed
your team to pull back. Just do it quietly and
discretely; treat everyone with respect. Look your
players in the eye and ask them how they'd like to
be treated if they were on the other team. They will
get it.
Tips for Pulling Back (While Respecting the Opponent
and the Game)
Some techniques are better than others because they still
allow your team to play all out and gain important skills
that will help them next week (when the soccer shoe might
be on the other foot). Try to avoid restrictions that are
completely foreign to the game itself. They can actually
be more of a slap in an opponent's face. Here are ways that
you can coach skill, respect, and sporting play while
preventing the game from getting away:
Out Of Comfort Zone. Put your players in unfamiliar
positions (e.g., forwards play as fullbacks). Let your
weaker and less experienced players take goal and corner
kicks and throw-ins. Teach them where to kick or throw
the ball, but be ready to accept that the other team may
capitalize on their mistakes. This strengthens your players
while avoiding a blowout.
At the next quarter break or substitution, very quietly
tell your players:
To successfully pass the ball at least 4
times (more for older kids) before they can shoot. As
soon as the other team touches the ball,
regardless of whether possession changes, the
count starts all over again at 0. Be ready to call
over players who don't pass and just continue trying
to score; moving them back is perfectly okay
One touch passes
players must cleanly control ball before shooting
Outside Box, Header, or Back Pass Shots Only
At least one drop, give-and-go, etc.
Left Foot Only. Use only left
foot (or right foot for lefties)
Play keep away. Concentrate on passing.
No more shots.
Count a point for every minute they maintain
possession or for every group of 5 passes they make
Decrease size of zones (where players can go)
Play down one. Discretely pull a good player over
to the side, effectively pulling him/her out of the
game, keep him/her distracted by explaining some technique
or tactic you want him/her to work on. Try to teach him/her
something. Don't let him/her to rejoin the fray until
you're sure your team won't score.
Play down one. Discretely pull a good player over
to the side, effectively pulling him/her out of the
game, keep him/her distracted by explaining some technique
or tactic you want him/her to work on. Try to teach him/her
something. Don't let him/her to rejoin the fray until
you're sure your team won't score.
You may even want to play short for part of each
period. Just be discrete about it don't be insulting to
the other team.
Offer to swap or provide players to the other team. Don't
hold onto all your good players. Be fair about it. Let
them pick. So what if your players turn around and beat
you? Who really cares?
Being On The Losing End of a Blowout
Ignore the score and tell your kids to be nice and have fun
Play everyone where they want. If they all want to
be forwards, fine; is 0-8 any different from 0-10?
Keep a fictitious score (e.g., count number
of successful passes, drops, or crosses)
Compliment and reward your kids for being good sports
and not giving up. Encourage your kids to be positive
in their comments to their teammates and the other team. Be
sure to shake hands after the game; leave all bad
feelings on the field.
Should Players Run Laps?
I have players who hate to run laps, to the extent that it keeps them from coming to practice. Some coaches say that running laps builds up the stamina to outlast the other team during a game. I think it puts me at odds with what we’re out here for – letting them have fun. Is running around the field necessary?
•No. Running laps is not necessary. That kind of running doesn’t replicate the physical challenges posed by a soccer game, it wastes time that could be spent with the ball, and running laps isn’t fun for the kids.
The best way to get players physically fit to play soccer is by letting them play soccer - and small-sided soccer is the best thing a coach can do to work on conditioning.
Playing small-sided games will actually get them to run more than they do during the official games because with a small number of players on each team, players are much less likely to stand around waiting for the ball to come to them. In small-sided games, such as 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4, players are always in the middle of the action. This means they’re moving and getting an aerobic workout.
A soccer game requires players to alternate between sprints, jogs and recovery. Players sprint for the ball or to keep track of opponents. They jog to get into position. They recover when the opportunity presents itself, such as when the ball goes out of bounds. A good soccer practice replicates this.
There are so many ways to keep players moving and improving their aerobic fitness while getting touches on the ball that you don't need to resort to running laps. You can find a variety of fun practice games on our Coach Training Games page.
So remember, no laps and lots of small-sided games.
Ask the Coach
Coaches have to deal with all sorts of scenarios week in and week out. Each week John will address a question that has been sent in by an AYSO coach. If you have a question that you want answered please e-mail John (heycoach@ayso.org). To read John's questions/answers, please click here.
