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General Guidelines for Coaches & Team Representatives
Overview
Coaches and team representatives are extremely valuable resources to their teams and to the league. The roles of the coach and team representatives depend upon the team skill-level, age of the team, and the general commitment of the team. They organize team registration, make sure that enough players will show up for games, organize practices, keep track of team equipment, manage substitutions, and address problems and complaints. Each team is expected to have two team representatives. Teams are not required to have a coach.
WAWSL wants to ensure that everyone has the best possible experience in the league, so we're offering some general guidelines for the coaches and team representatives. We hope this information is helpful in your respective roles.
The advice that follows is in these categories:
General Advice for Team Representatives
Team Rep Duties
Each team should have 2 team reps. One team representative cannot handle all the aspects of running a team. If a team rep is busy at work one week or on vacation, the other team reps can pick up the slack.
Player Registrations
It is the responsibility of the team reps to make sure all players register to play each season. Registration is done online and each player is required to register before an established deadline. Team rosters will be available to team reps and they should follow up with players who have not registered. A player may not play on a team with out registering or a team faces a forfeiture of the game an unregistered player plays in, regardless of the game’s outcome.
Committing to Play
Most players are going to miss games during the course of the season. If a player asks about paying less because they know they will miss many games, the player might consider skipping the season or playing as a substitute. Each team is limited to four substitutes and team reps are responsible for monitoring this option.
Team Bonding
The team that parties together stays together. Many teams plan Happy Hours and Fan Appreciation Days – these help to make your team stronger. Attending WAWSL-sponsored events and happy hours are a great way to party together without having to do the planning.
Finding New Players
For existing teams, if you’re looking to add skilled players to your roster, it’s best to network for better players. If players need to take a break for a season it’s a good idea to keep their contact information to see if they can play in a future season.
Getting Players from WAWSL
If your team is short-handed, you may request players from WAWSL. Prior to each season, WAWSL will hold new player practices which are advertised on the WAWSL website as well as local community websites. Players are then assigned to teams based on requests from teams. The earlier you put in a request, the better. It is important to do outside recruiting for players because teams are not guaranteed players. However, WAWSL will try to accommodate team requests.
Getting Goalkeepers from WAWSL
Most teams request a goalie from WAWSL's New Player Coordinators every season. However, WAWSL receives a New Player Form from one to three keepers per year at most. In a typical season, it is likely we'll have no goalies available. Always assume you will need to do your own searching for a permanent keeper. Post ads on the WAWSL Exchange, Craigslist, in local papers, even post flyers at local fitness clubs. The more places you ask, the likelier you are to find someone.
Avoiding Short-Handed Games
Many teams send out weekly e-mails or use Evite.com for game attendance, so that team reps can track players and follow up with any players who aren't responding. There are many online methods to keep track of your players and their availability (TeamSnap.com; RosterSpots.com; MyTeamCaptain.com; OrangeSlices.com). Use whatever works best for your team.
Uniforms (New Teams)
If you’re a new team, you will probably want to get inexpensive t-shirts for uniforms. Get 30 t-shirts for around $12 per shirt – you will find that the t-shirts tend to vanish quickly, as players leave the team and never return. By the end of the second season, your 30 t-shirts will dwindle down to 18. Trust us!
Uniforms (Older Teams)
Teams that have been around for a year usually get jerseys. Expect to pay $30 per jersey, and be sure to get a few extras “just in case”. If a player leaves the team – get the jersey back if you can. You should make it clear that the jersey belongs to the team – not the player. Some teams send dirty jerseys home with one player each week to have them washed and then brought to the next game. This is a great way to keep track of the jerseys and keep them in good shape.
Numbers on Jerseys
All players must have a numbered jersey. Referees may refuse to allow players without numbered jerseys onto the field. In the case of a color conflict, an alternate jersey can be worn and does not need to have a number. This is only in the case of a color conflict.
Emergency Contact Plan
Make sure you have a clear plan to spread the word about rainouts or emergency re-schedules. Games may be moved to another field or changed to a different time with little notice, despite everyone’s best intentions. If your players show up for a cancelled game on a rainy, cold day – you’ll hear the complaints.
Phone & Email Contact Information
Each season it is a good idea to get updated contact information for each player so you know the best way to get a hold of players quickly. If your team uses e-mail, and you’re sending an important message, make sure that people send you a reply, to confirm that they received your e-mail.
Dismissing a Coach
Ultimately, the team reps are the guardians of the team’s interests. Thus, if the team wants to get rid of their coach, the team reps should handle this difficult task.
Handling Complaints from Your Players
Take a deep breath, count to ten, listen and then respond calmly. Know the WAWSL Constitution and FIFA's Laws of the Game: you can rely on these to resolve most game-related complaints. If you need help with recurring complaints or other conflict resolution, contact your Division Director.
Handling Praise from Your Players
You are very lucky to be receiving praise. Thank them in return.
GENERAL COACHING ADVICE
for Team Reps and/or Team Coaches
It is entirely at the discretion of each WAWSL team whether or not they have a dedicated coach. WAWSL does not advertise for, provide, or recommend individual coaches to any team. If you are interested in coaching a WAWSL team, you must contact a team directly. The League will not respond to requests for a team by any prospective coach.
Selecting Team Reps
A coach needs at least two team reps to help run the team. Find team reps that are also on-field leaders, who can be trusted to coordinate team registration, resolve problems, and keep a level head. Many teams are a lot like their team reps – which means if you want to win games, select good on-field players to be your team representatives. They can help find other good players for your team.
Positioning Requests
Know your players' preferences, and encourage flexibility. Having players who flat-out refuse to play all but one position sometimes creates problems with team morale and cooperation. Players who are willing to play more than one position also come in handy when you are short on players for any one game, or when you come up short on players who prefer offense/defense, etc.
Team Bonding
The team that parties together stays together. This is particularly true in a team’s first season. Generally, new teams lose a lot of games in their first season – but have a lot of fun on Saturday nights after the game.
Starting the Game with 11 Players
The referee will start games on time – but many players will show up just at the opening whistle. Ask players to arrive a half hour before the start of a game to warm up and organize the line up. One way to get players to the field early is to start the first 11 people who show up at a game. Another idea is to select your goalkeepers from the last 4 people to show up at a game – this will get players to the field early.
Referee Relationships
Please show proper respect to the referee at all times. Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players and fans. Referee abuse will not be tolerated!
COACHING ADVICE: Third Division
Playing Time
Most of the time a coach is worrying about getting players into the game while retaining a reasonably strong line-up. Generally, in the Third Division, players have the expectation that everyone will get "equal time" on the field.
Practices
In the Third Division, most teams and players want regularly scheduled practices. Make sure that you have an understanding with your team, through your team reps, regarding practice expectations. Remember that it’s a recreational league, and players do have jobs. On the other hand, it’s not fair for players to expect the coach to only handle game-time substitutions. A good coach will also want to teach new players skills at regularly-scheduled practices.
Goalkeepers
You are lucky if you have a permanent goalie. Most Third Division teams have to rotate field players at goalie. Figure out a system where everyone has to play keeper – and change goalies on a regular basis during the game, so that people don’t get stuck at goalie.
The First Season
You will lose a lot of games the first season just because players are getting used to each other. But new teams generally have a lot of fun anyway. Try not to lose your best players during the first season – the team will naturally improve over time.
The Second Season
The good news is that teams generally win more games. Be aware of the "second season blues" – some players will lose interest in the team. There may be more internal dissention because of the team’s desire to win more games – generally at the expense of weaker players. Look to the team representatives to handle these problems.
COACHING ADVICE: Second Division
Playing Time
Most of the time a coach is worrying about getting players into the game, while retaining a reasonably strong line-up. Generally, in the Second Division, players have the expectation that they will play at least fifty percent of the game, but that stronger players will get some more playing time than weaker players.
Practices
In the Second Division, a few players want to practice. More players say they want regular practices, but don’t actually show up. And the majority of players just don’t want to practice – generally because they play on other teams. Make sure that you have an understanding with your team, through your team representatives, regarding practice expectations.
Goalkeepers
Find a permanent goalie. If you don’t have a permanent goalie, establish a plan that will meet the needs of the players and the goals of the team.
COACHING ADVICE: Premier & First Division
Purpose of the Team
Premier & First Division players want to win regional and national tournaments. These teams participate in the league to gain eligibility for these tournaments, because WAWSL is sanctioned by the US Soccer Federation (which means around $400 per year goes from the team to WAWSL to the state association and eventually to the USSF).
Practices
Make sure that you have an understanding with your team, and your team reps, regarding practice expectations.
Playing Time
In the First and Premier Divisions, players should have the expectation that the best players will be always be on the field.
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