SAFESPORT Information and how to take the course Coming soon

You should first make sure that you have fun, because if you are having fun so will your players.

Look to find some information on how to coach the given age you are working with, coaching education classes and clinics can be found on the Coaching Education link. 

1st and 2nd Grade Parent / Coach Brochure (Information on playing time, rules etc.) CLICK HERE

3rd Grade and above Parent / Coach Brochure (Information on playing time, rules etc.) CLICK HERE

A good article by the Oregonian on Winning and pressure in the game CLICK HERE

Playing numbers on the field starting 2018/19
U7 | 3 against 3 no goal keepers 

U8 | 4 against 4 no goalkeepers

U9 & U10 | 7 against 7 including goalkeepers (Starting Fall 2014)

U11 & U12 | 9 against 9 including goalkeepers (Starting Fall 2014)

U13+ | 11 against 11 including goalkeepers

The Coaching Challenge
It is estimated that approximately 70% of children quit sports by age 13. The Youth Sports Institute cited the following reasons 

for kids playing and quitting sports in a 1987 study. Subsequent follow-up studies have continued to validate these findings. 

Good Coaches Strive to… 

• Understand the player's age and ability levels and plan practice activities accordingly.
• Provide for meaningful participation by eliminating lines and including every player in every activity.
• Develop technique in tactical contexts by playing small-sided games and the using relevant conditions to shape learning.
• Follow the 75/25 Rule by keeping drill-like activities to a maximum of 25% of the practice time.
• Balance success and challenge in the activities, by arranging for even-ability teams and making sure the field sizes and any conditions make sense to the skill level of the players.
• Provide for natural tactical transitions from attack to defense and defense to attack.
• Provide for natural and connected transitions between activities.
• Use competition as a motivational tool. What do the players have to do to win and how long is the game?
• Understand the value of limited feedback during natural stoppages.
• Understand the value of extended periods of uninterrupted play.
• Understand the value of excitement and positive reinforcement.
• Balance the volume of coaching information against the natural facilitation of discovery learning.
• Effectively match field space to the ability of the players.
• Vary the range of activities, while maintaining a focus on the key developmental aspects for the age.
• Study the players' body language for understanding and enjoyment.
• Study the players' body language to determine when to move an activity along.
• Show your enthusiasm when something good happens; temper your frustrations when the inevitable mistakes are made.
• Appreciate the slow pace of learning.
• Appreciate that mistakes are necessary and important for learning.