Newton Girls Soccer Intramural Program – Important Information

 

Contents                                                        

www.newtongirlssoccer.org                          

Intramural Mission and Team Make-up         

Preparing for the Season                                

Practices and Games                                      

 

 

www.newtongirlssoccer.org for most information

•         NGS contact information (e-mails for key NGS contacts)

•         Field Status (also 617-928-6061)

•         Calendar

•         Schedules

•         Field layout and directions

•         Coach names

•         Coach information (all available under IM Coaches section on www.newtogirlssoccer.org)

–        NGS Curriculum (password protected)

–        Grade Guidelines (required reading)

–        MYSA Coaches Code of Conduct (required reading)

–        Team roster and schedule template

–        Substitution charts for 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades

–        Team award template for end of season

–        Equipment and IM jersey ordering (available soon)

–        Practice plan – template (available soon)

 

Intramural Mission and Team Make-up

 

Intramural Mission

Provide an open, non-competitive opportunity for girls to:

•         Learn soccer skills,

•         Have fun, and

•         Be part of a team

 

Team make-up Philosophies – Teambuilding, fun, friends

•         No swapping teams except:

–        Extenuating circumstances

–        ONLY by GC

•         Friend requests, both request each other

•         Each team has at least 2 schools represented

•         Each girl has at least 1 girl from her school (unless a mutual friend request)

•         For the fall season – change teams from previous seasons

•         For the spring season - similar teams as previous fall

•         Try to group elementary schools by area

•         Each team has at least 1 coach

•         Reasonable team strength balance

Preparing for the Season

 

Parent Expectation Setting and Communication

•         Start season with parents meeting – to set expectations

–        Your goals for the season - why you are coaching

–        Roles of head and assistant coaches

–        Arrival times: Games and practices

–        Parents must inform you if daughter will miss practice/game

–        Discuss sideline behavior (cheering, zero tolerance refs, etc.)

–        Encouragement of their children

–        Healthy snacks

–        Medical information you need & parent’s cell phone numbers

–        Review schedule handout

–        Handout of information for season (see templates)

•         Over-communicate - weekly emails

 

Coach Training

•         Licenses required for all NGS IM Coaches

•         Guidelines for license courses

–        1st – 2nd Grade: G-license (for U6 and U8)

–        2nd – 4th Grade: F license (for U8, U10, or U12 teams)

–        3rd Grade+: E license (for experienced coaches of U10, U12, and U14 teams)

•         NGS pays the fees

•         Involvement with MPS coaching sessions (DOC program)

 

Fields

•         HOTLINE: 928-6061 (and on NGS site)

•         Practice fields: Basic rule is to avoid Weeks, Warren, and Brown Complex, especially busy times (Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun)

•         Avoid using lined fields for practice

•         Avoid using game field goalmouth

•         Permit required (in bag)

•         Report non-Newton usage (please!) to Mike Stoller & Kevin Kee

 

Equipment

•         Equipment coordination: see equipment person on NGS web site contact page

•         Equipment location: Brigham House – 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands

•         Equipment request form on newtongirlssoccer.org

•         Bag: Balls, Pinnies, Cones

•         Jerseys (for girls new to NGS) or $20 for replacement

•         J-Hooks required (Grade 3+)

 

 

High School Coach Volunteers

•         Each season we typically have 10-15 high school coach volunteers that can assist IM coaches/teams

•         Please contact the High School Coaching Volunteer coordinator ()  if you are interested in a high school volunteer


Practices and Games

 

Coaching Approach

•         Plan practices – use Index cards & the NGS Curriculum

•         Focus on fun: Not training college prospects & its why the girls play!

•         Maintain structure, discipline, set consistent rules

•         No Lines, No Lectures, No Laps

•         Say something positive to each girl … corrections should be done privately

 

 

Practice Outline

•         Start with warm-up games and stretching (5-10min)

•         Skill development for the day: Push Pass, Dribbling, Lace Kick (15-30min)

•         Scrimmage, with focus on the day’s skill development (15-30min)

•         Cool down (5min)

•         No Lines, No Lectures, No Laps

•         Find another team to partner with for training and/or scrimmage

 

 

Game Situations

•         EQUAL PLAYING TIME FOR ALL PLAYERS, ALWAYS!

•         No focus on the score!

•         How to handle lopsided games

•         No instructions to players on the field

•         Focus on sportsmanship – cheer for the other team

•         Coaches/Team on opposite side of field from parents!

•         Zero Tolerance Policy – REFS RULE!

•         Coaches Code of Conduct

 

 

Player Safety

•         Always have ICE and Basic First Aid Kit

•         Girls’ Safety: Jewelry; Socks over shin guards; Water bottles (extra), consider mouth guards

 

 

Fields

•         Clean up fields after games and practices!

•         Walk the field to check for safety (e.g., rocks)

•         Plastic bags

 

 

Director of Coaching Program

•         MPS coaching for team and coaches

•         IM Coordinator: see Director of Coaching Coordinator on NGS web site contact page