COACHES CORNER I would like to thank all the volunteer coaches and assistant coaches for their time and dedication. Almost all of these fine volunteers were able to come to our fall education classes to become updated for the age group they were coaching. Many re-applied as volunteers to get all their paperwork in order when we accidentally lost them and they were wonderful in getting us the volunteers from their teams. Here is what we need to do for the spring session. All Coaches & Assistants—Couple of items that need to be updated. #1—PLAYERS NOT PLAYING IN SPRING—Please look at your fall rosters and contact all your kids to confirm that they are coming back in the spring. Please have your quantity of openings on your team to be turned in at the coach’s meeting. If you cannot make the meeting please plan on e-mailing me your list or faxing it to 810-982- 1914. I will forward on to the registrar so that she can fill those openings. If you need your fall roster, send me an e-mail and I’ll either e-mail you back or fax it to you. #2—TRAINING—Training schedules for coaching classes are on the calendar. If you need to take a class please call or e-mail me immediately and I will register you online. This way I know which classes you will be taking as well as the class. If you need a Safe Haven class you can go online at www.aysotraining.org. Please get me a copy of the certificate so I can update our education records. All coaches and assistants must have both the Safe Haven class and the age appropriate coaching class. #3— U10 & Higher Coaches & Assistants—Every coach in the U10 division and higher should take the Regional Referee course so that they may become better acquainted with the rules of the game. Education has been vital to everyone having more fun on the field. See calendar for dates and times. Come join us. Remember—The kids may not remember what we say or what we have tried to teach them, but they will always remember how we made them feel. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!! If you have any questions before the season regarding coaching, classes, etc., please contact me. It is usually better to use e-mail since it never seems like I’m home much. Communication is the key. Let’s work together to make this a great season for everyone!!!!!

Dave Denny AYSO Purchaser and Equipment Manager david.denny@stjohn.org W: 586-466-5236 H: 586-727-5331

A new link for great ideas www.jbgoalkeeping.comI . In order to try and improve our communication with our coaches, we are trying out a new, mass-voice mail system. This is a system in which we can send out a recorded message to all of our coaches with the touch of a button. we hope that between this new system, e-mails and a regularly updated web site, we will be able to keep you as up to date as possible. Thanks for all of your help and support!

Bad Weather Days Although soccer games are generally played in the rain, if the weather appears severe on a day where your team is scheduled to play, you should contact the opposing teams coach to discuss what is going to happen. If either coach wants to play, the game goes on. If you aren't certain what the weather is going to be by game time, you should plan to show up at the fields and make the decision at game time. If you decide to cancel the game early, please contact the other team coach and the referee you have scheduled. Game Cards When filling out your Game Cards, please list players numerically by jersey number, not alphabetically by name. Since the referee doesn't know your players by name, it's much easier for him/her if the players are listed numerically. Coach Clinics The U6, U8, U10 is a shortened course for learning the basics of coaching and specifics for the younger division players.  This course introduces the AYSO philosophy, basic skills, how to conduct a practice session, and how to prepare for a game.  This clinic is for all new coaches, especially new coaches in U6 and U8. The Youth Course U12 is a 1-day course (8 hour).  The classroom session is about 4 hours.  Field sessions take about 4 hours.  We will be showing and teaching fundamentals of coaching, AYSO philosophy organizing your team, improving basic skills, improving group play, and strategies and tactics. The Goalkeeper Clinic teaches the basics of positioning, awareness, leadership, communication, distribution, and includes some practice games.  The mechanics for ground balls, low drives, high balls, and crosses will also be reviewed. The Intermediate Course is for any coach who has completed the Youth Coaching Course.  This is a 2-day course where we discuss player skill development and demonstrate drills that will improve your players "team" play! The Advanced Course is for any coach who has completed the Intermediate Course.  This is a 2-1/2 day course.  This course stresses coaching techniques of observation and evaluation, tactical decision making, and dealing with the more experienced player.  This course utilizes small group play to create match pressure situations to work on advanced topics such as combination passing.