VOLUNTEER COACH HANDBOOK

2026-27 RECREATIONAL PROGRAM

YOUR ROLE

• No playing or coaching experience is required to make a meaningful difference.
• Lonestar provides the curriculum, activities, resources, and support. The parent volunteer coach’s role is to create a safe, organized, positive, and enjoyable environment where every child can play, learn, and develop a love for soccer.

​

Coaches are not expected to:

• Be soccer experts
• Win every game
• Run complicated practices
• Manage every challenge alone
• Provide training outside the regular team schedule

​

You bring the encouragement. We’ll provide the soccer support!

RESPONSIBILITIES AND WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

​

• Make every player feel welcome, included, and supported.
• Communicate clearly through PlayMetrics.
• Follow the provided curriculum and season plan.
• Give every player opportunities to participate.
• Model positive behavior toward players, parents, opponents, and referees.
• Ask Lonestar staff for help when needed.

SUCCESS MEANS

​

• Players are excited to return each week.
• Practices are active, organized, and enjoyable.
• Everyone demonstrates the club’s core values of sportsmanship, leadership, integrity, discipline, excellence, and respect.
• Each player improves from where they began.
• Success is not measured by wins, standings, or goal difference.

GETTING STARTED AND TEAM COMMUNICATION

BEFORE THE FIRST PRACTICE

​

• Complete volunteer registration, background check, and required safety training.
• Download PlayMetrics and confirm access to the team.
• Review the roster, schedule, and player information.
• Confirm the practice day, time, and field.
• Send a welcome message through the team chat.
• Review the provided season plan and resources.
• Report roster, uniform, or scheduling issues to Lonestar staff.

THROUGHOUT THE SEASON

​

• Use PlayMetrics as the primary communication platform.
• Remind families about practices, games, byes, and changes.
• Ask families to update availability or communicate absences.
• If the regular coach is unavailable, another parent should step in.
• A game will not be rescheduled solely because the regular volunteer coach is unavailable.

PRACTICE MADE SIMPLE

PRACTICE STRUCTURE

​

• Arrival activity: Get players moving with a ball immediately.
• Warm-up: Approximately 5–10 minutes.
• Activities: One or two activities lasting approximately 8–10 minutes each.
• Scrimmage: At least 20 minutes of small-sided play.
• Wrap-up: Recognize effort, improvement, or teamwork.
• Families should communicate absences so coaches can plan appropriately.

PRACTICE TIPS

​

• Keep players moving.

• Use one ball per player whenever possible.

• Avoid long lines, waiting, and elimination games.

• Keep explanations short

• Give players time to explore and make decisions.

• Do not stop every activity to correct mistakes.
• If an activity is not working, simplify it or move on.
• Provide water breaks every 8–10 minutes or more frequently when needed.
• Let the game be the teacher!

​

FINDING ACTIVITIES

​

• For U5–U10 teams, coaches can find full practice sessions through the Season Plan link on their PlayMetrics team page.
• All coaches can find additional activities by accessing:
• PlayMetrics App → Library → Drills/Sessions (Filter by “Beginner”)

PLAYER EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

​

• Shin guards
• Appropriate soccer footwear
• Water
• No jewelry
• Ball

​

BEFORE EACH PRACTICE/GAME

​

• Check that the playing area is safe.
• Ensure goals and equipment are secure.
• Keep water accessible.
• Keep the sideline organized (e.g bags/water)

BALL SIZES

PREPARING FOR GAME DAY

BEFORE THE GAME

​

• Review the schedule in PlayMetrics.
• Confirm player availability.
• Send families a reminder.
• Arrive early.
• Introduce yourself to the opposing coach.
• Organize substitutions.
• Inspect player equipment.
• Keep water accessible.
• Begin with a simple ball activity for the warmup - 1 player, 1 ball
• Contact Lonestar staff if too few players are available to play.

GAME FORMATS AT A GLANCE

SHARED GAME-DAY EXPECTATIONS

FOR EVERY FORMAT/AGE

​

• Keep instructions short, positive, and age-appropriate.
• Encourage effort, confidence, teamwork, and creativity.
• Allow players to make decisions and learn from mistakes.
• Rotate players through different positions.
• Focus on development and enjoyment rather than results.
• Treat players, families, opponents, coaches, and officials respectfully.
• Take additional water breaks whenever needed.
• Keep the game moving and let the players play.

AVOID

​

• Directing every movement
• Constantly shouting instructions
• Criticizing mistakes
• Emphasizing the score
• Leaving one player permanently in front of the goal

PLAYING TIME, SUBSTITUTIONS, AND LOW NUMBERS

• Every player must play at least 50% of the game.
• Plan substitutions before kickoff.
• Track playing time throughout the game.
• Substitute regularly.
• Give players opportunities to experience different positions.
• Goalkeeper minutes count as playing time.

​

WHEN A TEAM IS SHORT

​

• Share players between the two teams (rotate 3-4 players throughout the game so each guesting player plays the majority of the game with their own team.
• Create balanced teams with equal numbers.
• Do not play with one team having fewer players.

4V4

​

• Substituting halfway through each quarter is recommended.

​

5V5 AND 7V7

​

• Wait for a stoppage in play.
• Ask the referee for permission before substituting.
• An injured player may be replaced immediately.

​

​

PARENTS AND SPECTATORS

PARENTS SHOULD

​

• Encourage rather than coach.
• Remain off the field
• Allow players to make their own decisions.
• Treat both teams positively.
• Never address, criticize, or argue with referees.
• Share concerns privately with the coach or Lonestar staff - not on the team chat

7V7 SIDELINE ORGANIZATION

​

• Parents sit on the same sideline as their team.
• One team occupies each side of the field.
• Players, coaches, and parents remain on their assigned side.
• Coaches are responsible for modeling and reinforcing appropriate sideline behavior.

INJURIES, WEATHER, AND WATER BREAKS

INJURIES

​

• Stop play when a player may be injured.
• Check on the player calmly.
• Involve the player’s parent and Lonestar staff when appropriate.
• Never pressure an injured or uncomfortable player to continue.
• Adults may stop a 4v4 game whenever safety requires it.

WEATHER

​

• Lonestar staff decide whether activities are delayed, suspended, or canceled.
• Coaches should not independently cancel because of anticipated weather.
• Official updates will be sent through PlayMetrics.
• Follow instructions from on-site Lonestar staff.

HYDRATION

​

• Provide water breaks every 8–10 minutes and add more whenever conditions require them.

THE 4V4 GAME/NEW BALL METHOD

NEW BALL METHOD

​

When the ball leaves the field:

​

• The closest parent volunteer announces, “I have a new ball!”
• That volunteer rolls a new ball into an open area.
• The ball remains on the ground.
• Play continues immediately.
• Parent volunteers should be positioned around the field with spare balls.
• Do not call every minor foul, but stop play whenever safety requires it. Repeated physical behavior should be addressed calmly and privately.

GOALKEEPER ROTATION

Applies to 5v5/7v7/9v9

​

• Rotate the goalkeeper as often as needed.

• A simple approach is to change goalkeepers when making other substitutions.

• Players should receive opportunities both in goal and on the field.

• If nobody volunteers, the coach may assign the position.

• Avoid repeatedly forcing one player to play goalkeeper.

REFEREES AND FIRST-WEEK SUPPORT

• Many Lonestar referees are children or young players who are learning and developing.
• Referees may (and will) make incorrect decisions - Mistakes are a normal part of learning.
• Be patient and supportive.
• Allow the referee to manage the game.
• Never criticize, argue with, or shout at a referee.
• Never approach a referee about a decision or performance.
• Report significant concerns privately to Lonestar staff.

IF A REFEREE HAS NOT ARRIVED

​

• Notify an on-site Lonestar staff member.
• Do not delay the game unnecessarily.
• Work with the opposing coach to begin the game.
• A coach or parent may keep time and manage basic restarts until the referee arrives.

MANAGING THE GAME AND FINISHING WELL

LOPSIDED GAMES

​

When the goal difference reaches five or more:

​

• Coaches should work together to keep the game balanced.
• Encourage the leading team to pass, involve teammates, and try different positions.
• Avoid excessive celebrations or emphasizing the score.
• Keep the experience productive for both teams.

AFTER THE GAME

​

• Bring the players together briefly.
• Recognize effort, improvement, or teamwork.
• Thank the opposing team and referee.
• Collect balls and team equipment.
• Make sure players leave with their families.
• Clear the field promptly for the next teams.
• Report significant concerns privately.

GETTING HELP

​

Find an on-site Lonestar coordinator or email:

​

recreational@lonestar-sc.com

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

WE ARE LONESTAR