Coach Mid Season Blues

We've lost our third game in a row (with the same team that took the league title last year), I can't figure out why we can't seem to score even though we have a ton of shots on goal, in the last game one of my players broke his collarbone, I'm getting overwhelmed with the number of players we have trying to do both JV and varsity at the same time, and to top it all off I've been fighting a sinus infection for six weeks now.  And the list doesn't end there.

Needless to say I'm feeling kind of depressed and wondering why I am doing this.

So here's some advice for those of you who are not the coach and are part of the program:

• Write your coach a quick thank you note.  He needs your encouragement.  Or stop your coach look him straight in the eye and tell him that you appreciate his work.  If there is something specific, positive, that you have seen, tell him.
• Ask your coach if there's anything you can do to help. See if you can find something to take off his plate.  This may be helping him during the game helping to keep the bench of wiggly players quiet, helping to collect and manage balls and pennies, or even to help in the practice. You'd be surprised at how much you can help.
• Pray for your coach.  Pray that he would have wisdom to solve the problems he's facing, pray for his family, and pray that he would have peace with the decisions that he makes.

Here's a great example: I had one parent offer to take the JV guys and run part of a practice.  Oh man that was helpful!  They hadn't coached any soccer that I knew of, but stepped in to be part of the solution.  Not only was that help impressive to me, but they were in tune with what was going on.  Them paying attention really meant a lot to me.  Another example: I had the JV guys sit on the spectator side of the field during a critical game in order to reduce the chaos.  I was unsure if that was the best way to do things but had to do something. I think one parent didn't agree with that, but rather than complaining or holding a grudge, they offered to help at the next game.  Super helpful, I mean a real breath of fresh air.

If you're a coach, here's some advice:

• Don't try and think about the whole season all at once.  The temptation is to think about where your team will be in the league standings, who you will play in the playoffs, should you coach next year, what will you say at the banquet, and the list goes on.  One thing at a time.
• Keep those people that support you close 
• Remember that you don't need to do this alone. Rely on your assistant coach.  Surround yourself with good advisers. And listen to them.
• Remember that it's up to your team ultimately.  You can only take them so far and past that, they need to own the game themselves.  You can't win the games for them.
• Pray for wisdom.
• Take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep, watch what you're eating, and get some exercise.  Take your vitamins.  I'm serious.
• Your family loves you.  Rest in that love.
• God has put you here.  Be good with that.

This is the hard part of the season.  You can do this.  You probably only have another four or five weeks to go.  Finish strong!

The Game: Team Area

Okay, we're well into our season!  Four league games with a 2-1-1 record.  Very disappoint lose yesterday, but good learning experience.

Something to make clear to your team and families: the team area has specific rules around who can be there.  The NFHS rules say that the only people to be on the team side of the field are team members, officials (timers, score keeper, stat person), and coaches.  It's a good idea to make sure that it is clearly communicated to families that no one other that those people should be there.  The only special case should be those people that the coach invites over.  That's it.  No parents.  No photographers.  Having people over there can be very distracting during high energy times.

I do sometimes ask a parent I can trust to come over and keep the bench in order.  This year I have 24 players for an 8v8 game, so you can imagine how antsy those players get, especially those in the 10-13 age range!  I also have someone who films the game over there.  Make sure he's out of the way of the officials and ball boys.

Note that some of your biggest offenders of this may be board members who feel they have the right to be anywhere during a game.


So here are my recommendations:

Draft a policy statement that says that only players, officials, coaches and who the coach invites shall be allowed on the team side of the field.

At your first board meeting of the year, put this topic on the agenda and get agreement.

Put this in the parent/player handbook you distribute at the start of the year.

Tell the parents at the parents meeting.

After the first couple games, post it on your Facebook page.

Bottom-line: the coach is in control of the team area.