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Aim of the Competitive Program

WHAT WE INTEND TO DO AND ACHIEVE

1.     Attract strong and capable soccer players

2.     Help all players receive the best possible coaching and reach their full potential. Develop their technical, tactical, athletic and psychological abilities.

3.     Provide a suitable level of competition for all players in practices, games and tournaments

4.     Foster enthusiasm and a love for the game of soccer

5.     Develop sportsmanship

6.     Develop in our players, not just soccer skills, but also life skills such as responsibility, communication, leadership, confidence, etc.

7.     Provide opportunities inside and outside of soccer to develop our players

8.     Assist capable players to progress further along our “Player Pathway for Development”

Objectives of the Competitive Program

HOW WE INTEND TO ACHIEVE THE ABOVE AIMS

1.     Team practices are sessions led by a trained volunteer soccer coach. The combination of the Club’s philosophy and coaching curriculum along with the style of delivery will ensure improvement of our player’s technical, tactical and psychological aspects.

2.     Our competitive teams enter an appropriate league and appropriate tournaments as determined by the Club’s Competitive Coordinators.

3.     Our Club philosophy will promote fun and enjoyment. When players enjoy a sport they grow mentally and physically.

4.     Players will be taught good sportsmanship in a realistic manner, and will be encouraged to think about the way they act and to take responsibility for their actions.

5.     We will develop skills useful both on and off the soccer field. We will strongly enforce our “Players Code of Conduct”, our Club mentor program and will value our player input.

The club’s coaches will identify players capable of progressing above and beyond club soccer and refer them to the Nebraska State ODP Program for further and additional development opportunities. 

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WINNING

The BSC will promote playing to win within our competitive program. Players will be taught to strive to win and the value of working hard. However, it is necessary that this is done without hindering player development. It is also vital with each of our teams, but particularly our younger teams, that players understand that winning is not everything. We will address learning from our mistakes and taking credit for things that are done well even in a lost game. Therefore, our philosophy is to strive to win, but not at the expense of learning and developing. It could be said that competing to our capability level is more important to actually winning at youth soccer.

DEVELOPMENT

The development of our players (i.e. learning) is key to the program we offer. Quality coaching development and quality game development is how players learn and ultimately improve. It is also important within our philosophy to concentrate on developing individuals as well as the team.

ENJOYMENT

Sadly, enjoyment seems to have become a less significant factor in high-level youth sports such as competitive soccer. As part of our philosophy, we feel that it is key that our players enjoy what they are doing at practice, games and tournaments. A happy player is a player who will continue to play the sport. A happy player is a player who will give maximum effort for his/her team and club. Enjoyment is key as we work with players and it compliments development and their desire to win.

DEVELOP PLAYERS AND PEOPLE

Most of our players will go on to love the sport of soccer, and for few, it may become a profession. We feel it is our role to develop life skills such as responsibility, confidence, communication, leadership, independence etc in addition to soccer skills.

OTHER SPORTS

We do encourage players to participate in other sports. We feel a wide range of activities can be beneficial to young athletes. We are very flexible in coordinating various activities within our program. We do expect give and take between sports and a respect for the program we provide.

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

A technical foundation is essential in developing soccer players and teams, i.e. skill with a ball. Therefore training, particularly at the U11 age group, is devised to improve player’s technical. As our teams get older we will focus upon decision-making, positional awareness and tactical themes in addition to skills and techniques. However it is likely that if a player does not have good technical ability with the ball he will not have the required skills to implement team strategies and tactics

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The club’s volunteer staff will direct, manage and coordinate the competitive soccer program at BSC. In addition, they will serve as a coaching staff:

Their duties include:

•   Coordinate additional club practice opportunities, game opportunities and tournament opportunities

•   Assign weekend activities and game coaching assignments
 

Each team is assigned a volunteer soccer coach as HEAD COACH

•   Prepare and deliver all practice sessions
•   Responsible for team selections, substitutions and all aspects of the team
•   Coordinate and deliver team meetings when necessary or requested

Each team is usually assigned a volunteer ASSISTANT COACH

•   Assist the Head Coach and the Clubs Staff in delivering the program
•   Coordinate the team at games in the absence of the team’s Head Coach as directed
•   Assist at training sessions and offer guidance and help to players on the team
•   Assist the team to warm-up and prepare for games as directed
•   Coordinate rosters, schedules, team communications etc
•   Coordinate accommodation for travel tournaments
•   Coordinate team finances and accounts for events not covered by “set fee”
•   Coordinate any other team administration tasks as needed
 

THE LIAISON BETWEEN THE COMPETITIVE PROGRAM AND THE BSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS THE COMPETITIVE PROGRAM COORDINATORS

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PLAYING TIME

• League games: all players should be given 50% playing time but is not guaranteed
• Tournament games: based upon performance alone and there is no guarantee
• Playing time can be earned and lost by performance, attitude and commitment
 

ABIDE BY CODES OF CONDUCT

All Club members are expected to abide by the code of conduct relevant to them. If a member, be it a player, parent or coach, breaks the code of conduct it will be dealt with by the Clubs Disciplinary Committee and can lead to warnings, suspension and ultimately expulsion from the Club. If you ever have any concerns that a code of conduct has been broken please contact the competitive coordiators or board of directors immediately.

ISSUES, CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS

•   Firstly, individual players are encouraged to speak directly to their Head Coach with any problems or questions they may have
•   If a parent member has an issue they should contact the Head Coach directly as they see fit by email, telephone or personal contact
•   If the matter remains unresolved contact should be made with the Director of Coaching & Development
•   Alternatively, contact can be made with the Competitive Coordinator
•   After going through the due process outlined above without satisfactory resolution a member may approach the Board of Directors

SUBSTITUTION & PLAYER POSITION STRATEGY

•   Players will play for a prolonged period of time
•   Players will rarely play any more than 2 positions in any one game
•   Substitutions will tend to be made half-way through each half and at half time
•   In extreme weather conditions substitutions may be more regular
•   At U11 players will normally play in all positions at suitable times
•   At U12 players will rotate positions but skilled position assignments develop
•   At U13 and above players will play predominantly in skilled position assignments

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PLAYERS CODE OF CONDUCT

At BSC we believe that soccer is not just about playing the sport but can also help develop social skills, responsibility, confidence, independence, character etc. Our players are old enough to start taking responsibility for themselves and their own actions and are expected to abide by the following:

•  Attend scheduled practices and games and arrive on time. If you are unable to attend call or email your Head Coach in advance. Again, we are willing to work around other sports and activities
•   Put in maximum effort and focus at practice and games in order to improve yourself and your team. To aid your individual development as a player, practice on your own time and make efforts to attend extra sessions.
•   Show respect for referees and do not question their decisions. It is your job to concentrate on your performance as a player. Leave the calls to the referees.
•   Listen to your coaches. Do as you are asked to do and ask questions if you do not understand why.
•   Take care of your appearance. If you look good you play good accordingly. At training sessions, players must wear the suitable clothing. At games the BSC uniform must be worn and shirts should be tucked inside shorts.
•   Pack your own bags for practice and games. You are responsible for having the correct equipment, clothing and a pumped up soccer ball.
•  At games and in particular at tournaments, look after your bodies; eat healthy, refrain from eating meals and drink plenty of water and/or sports drinks in the 90 minutes immediately before kick off time. Get rest between games. Change out of your shin guards and shoes to sandals between and after games and generally stay fresh where possible.
•  Do not hesitate to ask coaches for advice on any matter. Speak to your Head Coach about your progress and how you might improve and feel free to express your opinion. Coaches are here to help you.
•  Display good sportsmanship before and after games regardless of any provocation. Two wrongs do not make a right. Sportsmanship is as much how you act when you win as it is when you loose – do not gloat.
•  High School players are expected to partake in the clubs mentor program, attending a training day and then working with the U8/U10 recreational program players

PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT

Having a child capable of playing competitive soccer at Blair Soccer Club puts parents in the unique position of being able to sit back and relax. Instead, you are able to watch the soccer development of your child knowing that their soccer development is in capable hands. In line with the program philosophy and to assist the coaching staff in developing enjoyment and improvement in all our players please abide by the following:

•   Encourage your child and encourage the team at all times. It is great when spectators cheer, get excited and enthusiastic and give words of encouragement. Please do not yell and scream in a negative manner
•   Remember our players are kids and treat them accordingly.
•   At games or practice never attempt to coach or give advice on how to play. Our players are told to listen only to their appointed coaches. As a spectator you do not know the instructions the players have been given.
•   Please be tolerant of the referees’ decisions. Everyone has a right to agree or disagree with decisions but it is not for spectators to be confrontational with referees and spectators have no right to ask referees for an explanation of decisions.
•   Re-iterate and positively promote the Club philosophy to your child and others. When discussing games with your child pay particular attention to performance and learning from mistakes. Don’t focus just upon winning or loosing.
•   Discuss with your child the players’ code of conduct so that they understand their responsibilities.
•   Support the program. The commitment outlined herein is necessary from all our players, i.e. commitment to practice, commitment to games and commitment to tournaments. Particularly with our younger players this becomes a commitment from the parents.
•  If you wish to discuss issues regarding your child’s development please do so with your team’s Head Coach at a convenient time, i.e. not in the middle of practice or between games or immediately after games. We do encourage players to discuss such issues themselves which is all part of them taking responsibility and developing confidence.
•  Represent the BSC in a favorable light.

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

Being a coach of young evolving minds is without doubt an important and highly responsible position. It is also important that coaches act as responsible role models and treat the players the right way. In line with the program philosophy we expect all coaches to abide by the following:

•   Coaches will primarily be motivated by the physical / emotional well-being, development and enjoyment of players and not by the personal desire to win.
•   Coaches will be approachable to players and will encourage players to express their own opinions. Coaches will be prepared to explain their actions and decisions to players.
•   Coaches will treat players with respect and adhere to the Club philosophy.
•   Coaches will coach players by explaining principles of the game. A coaching style that revolves around shouting and bellowing at players is not acceptable.
•   Coaches will make every effort to be positive to both individuals and teams. Coaches will utilize encouragement and positive reinforcement rather than criticism where possible.
•  All coaches will work under the guidance of the Director of Coaching to ensure a suitable curriculum of learning is followed at practices and games.
•  Head coaches will provide verbal and written evaluations for players and assistant coaches.
•  Assistant coaches should be involved in training sessions acting as an assistant to the Head Coach, working with individuals who may be struggling and working under the guidance of the Head Coach.

Coaches will refrain from questioning refereeing decisions and if they do it will be in a respectful manner that does not set a negative example to players.