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Mill Valley �Soccer Club

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MVSC Recreational Coaches Guide�Fall 2024

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  1. Introductions
  2. Policies
  3. Playing Formats
  4. Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest
  5. Code of Conduct
  6. Referees
  7. Pre-Season Checklist, Coaching Resources & Uniforms
  8. TeamSnap
  9. MVSC & MISA South
  10. End of Season Tournaments
  11. Q & A

Agenda

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Director of Premier Rec: Wendy Verret

Kindergarten Boys & Girls - Jon Bontz�1st Grade Boys & Girls - David Parkinson�2nd Grade Boys & Girls - David Parkinson�3rd Grade Boys & Girls - Scott Douglass�4th Grade Boys & Girls - Jon/Cory�5/6th Grade Boys & Girls -Sam Baker�7/8th Grade Boys & Girls - Chris Chouinard�High School Boys & Girls - Amanda Reeves

Other Premier Rec Committee Members:

Jon Bontz, Dir. of Operations�Rick Fullerton, Dir. of Coaching & Player Development�Cory Mason, Operations Coordinator

Premier Rec Committee

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Founded in 1978, the Mill Valley Soccer Club, a non-profit, volunteer run organization, promotes and develops the character of young athletes through the sport of soccer.  

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By cultivating the growth of each player, enhancing his or her abilities and encouraging the achievement of individual goals, we strive to foster sportsmanship and the spirit of fellowship among all our members.

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MVSC is committed to providing facilities, coaches, and opportunities for its players that will assist them in achieving their goals.  Key among these are opportunities for individual skill development, health and fitness, teamwork and fun.  We encourage each player to experience the thrill of competition at the level that meets their goals, enjoy the camaraderie of friends, and learn important life lessons through the shared experience of sports.

MVSC MISSION

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Character and life lessons

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Health & Fitness

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Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Camaraderie

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Player & Team Development

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FUN!

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Core Values

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2014 study George Washington University (Amanda Visik) on Why kids play?

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#1 to have Fun

“What Makes Playing Fun?”

#1 Trying Your Best

#2 Being Treated with Respect

#3 Getting Playing Time

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#4 Playing Well as a Team

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#6 Exercise

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#48 Winning

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#63 Playing in Tournaments

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#67 Earning Medals or Trophies

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https://www.mvsc.org/premier-rec/premier-rec-resources/premier-rec-policies

  • Problem Solving Chain of Command: �Parent > Coach > AGC > Dir. of Premier Rec > MVSC Board
  • Fields: Share, rotate goals at practice, clean-up, Friends Field Grid
  • Rainouts & AQI: Please refer to our home page
  • Premier Rec Laws of Soccer
  • 50% playing time requirement at every game.
  • During games, coaches must remain OFF THE FIELD unless expressly invited by the referee.

Premier Rec Policies

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Playing Formats

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Amended Game Formats

For the following age groups, amended game formats may be implemented by Coaches and Game Facilitators, if both teams have 3 or more subs and both coaches agree at the field:

  • Kindergarten: Play 4 v 4 on both fields, or 3 v 3 on one and 4 v 4 on the other
  • 1st grade: Play 5 v 5 (add goalkeepers)
  • 2nd grade: Play 6 v 6
  • 3rd grade: Play 6 v 6 (only when two Mill Valley teams play each other)

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  • K - 6th Grade: No intentional heading
  • 7th Grade and older: Heading in games permitted.
  • If removed from play due to head injury, no re-entry until cleared by Medical Professional
  • Neither Coaches, Referees nor Parents make this decision during a game.
  • Website Link

Concussion Protocol

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  • Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating.
  • When SCA happens, the person collapses and doesn’t respond or breathe normally.
  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Signs & Symptoms of potential heart condition that puts an athlete at risk for SCA:
    • Fainting or seizure, especially during or right after exercise
    • Fainting repeatedly or with excitement or startle
    • Excessive shortness of breath during exercise
    • Racing or fluttering heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
    • Repeated dizziness or lightheadedness
    • Chest pain or discomfort with exercise
    • Excessive, unexpected fatigue during or after exercise
  • Additional information on our website

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

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Website Link

All players, parents, families and coaches must:

  • Know the Laws of the Game and play by the rules.
  • Treat all coaches, parents, spectators, officials and players (including opponents) with respect and courtesy.
  • Never challenge or argue with a Referee.
  • Never use foul or inappropriate language.
  • Support an alcohol, drug and smoke-free environment.

MVSC Code of Conduct

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Rec Goalkeeper Training (Website Link)

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  • K & 1st: No referees. Coaches should manage crowd control and ref the games. Game day facilitator will assist the coaches.
  • 2nd & 3rd: Volunteer Parent Referees. Every team should appoint a volunteer. Training to be offered before 1st games. Game day facilitators will assist the parent referees as mentors at early season weekend games at Boyle Park.
  • 4th - HS: USSF Licensed Officials.

In all games, referees (whether volunteer or licensed) should be respected at all times, and trusted to do their best in keeping players safe while enforcing the Laws of the Game.

The only words a referee ever needs to hear: “Thank you!”

Referees

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  • Coaches:
    • Balls and equipment handout TODAY
    • Complete US Club Soccer SafeSport & Background Check process
    • Complete LiveScan Fingerprinting - California Law
    • Attend required DEI training offered through PCA - Sept. 8 @ 6pm via Zoom. Registration link will be sent prior to the training.
    • Review Coaching Resources
  • Players:
    • For practice, wear grey or white shirt, or your MVSC Practice T-Shirt
    • Bring plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen
    • Shin guards required, UNDER socks, not over
    • No jewelry, no exceptions - No Starter Studs Allowed
  • Communication:
    • Communicate weekly with families
    • Host a team meeting before your first game
    • TeamSnap for communications, availability & scheduling

Pre-Season Checklist

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  • Website Link to Practice Plans
    • YouTube is great if you’re looking for something specific
  • Links with Pro Trainer and Volunteer Coach contact info
    • K- 3rd Grade
    • 4th - High School
  • 4th grade and older – If possible, attend your team’s pro coached practice; reach out to them as a resource
  • Gameday Pro Coach Facilitators (for K, 1st, 2nd and 3rd)
  • MVSC Director of Coaching and Player Development
    • Rick Fullerton: rfullerton@mvsc.org

Coaching Resources

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    • U.S. SOCCER GRASSROOTS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY:

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At the grassroots level, children learn and develop to their full potential through game-like experiences in an enjoyable environment that supports individual growth.

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US Soccer Grassroots

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  • Purchase of uniforms is not required, but can be purchased from Soccer.com.
  • Any previous MVSC Red or White jersey is fine.
  • If player does not have a uniform:
    • Any RED T-shirt for HOME games
    • Any WHITE T-shirt for AWAY games
    • HOME team is listed first on game schedule
  • Players should bring both jerseys to every game

NOTE: If playing a TIBURON team, please wear WHITE, regardless of home or away.

Uniforms

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All teams have a TeamSnap account. DO NOT change your team’s name in TeamSnap.

Game Schedules:

  • K-4th games have been populated. Schedule HERE.
  • 5th-HS games should be loaded by the coach. Schedule HERE.

Practice Schedules:

  • Should be loaded by the coach. K-3rd Practice Schedule. 4th-HS Practice Schedule.
  • NOTE: 1st-3rd grade should ONLY input the volunteer coach practice. The Pro-Coach practice is an opt-in training session, and not all kids participate.

Communication can be done directly through TeamSnap.

TeamSnap

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TeamSnap cont.

Make sure you select YOUR account not your child’s for managerial rights

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TeamSnap cont.

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Click “Schedule” to add practice, event or game.

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TeamSnap cont.

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Fill in the information below and “save”.

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TeamSnap cont.

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“Messages” to communicate. “Assignments” if you do snacks

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  • K - 2nd Grade play in-house league
  • 3rd & 4th Grade play interleague with CMFC & TPSC
  • 5/6th & 7/8th play in MISA South with CMFC & TPSC
  • High School plays in MISA with 9 other club in Marin & Sonoma�
  • All MISA or MISA South matches require a MISA Roster Card, to be supplied before your first game.

MVSC and MISA South

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  • No practices on Labor Day (9/2) or Halloween (10/31)
  • K & 1st will end season on 10/26
  • 2nd, 3rd & 4th Grade - “mini” Jamboree on 10/26 or 10/27
    • 3-4 short games in round robin play over 4 hour period
  • 5/6th Grade - Jamboree, seeded Tournament
    • 3 games on 10/26 & 10/27
    • Top teams in each flight play Championship on 11/2
  • 7/8th Grade - single elimination tournament on 10/26 & 10/27, with Championships on 11/2 or 11/3
  • High School - single elimination tournament on on 10/19 & 10/20, with Championships on 10/26 or 10/27

End of Season

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Measuring Success

  • Did I do a good job as a coach this year?
    • Did the players have fun?
    • Were they given the opportunity to grow as people and soccer players?
    • Did I model and support appropriate conduct and life lessons through sport?
    • Do they want to come back and play soccer again?
    • Did I have fun as a coach?

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If you can answer “yes” to these questions then you did an excellent job as a coach!

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Q & A

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