Coaches’ night has just concluded, now what do I do?
Review your roster, and call the parents of each of your players. Introduce yourself, and provide some basic facts:
> Practice will begin in a couple of weeks, once you get the location for practice
> The Club’s Jamboree and Picture Day is scheduled for August 22 at Katherine L. Albiani Middle School in Elk Grove
> Players will need cleats and shin guards to practice
> The Club will provide balls for each player (they should be available prior to your first practice)
> Recreational Soccer is all about fun; all players will get equal playing time
> The first game will be Saturday, September 6. The specific time will be announced later. Games will continue every Saturday, through November 10
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When can my team begin to practice?
Teams may begin to practice August 3. You will be assigned a practice field and practice night by the
Pleasant Grove Club Field Coordinator. Make sure you sign up for a field and practice night with the Club’s
Coordinator Juan Hernandez. Sign up sheets will be available at Coaches’ Night. If you miss the event, contact Juan Hernandez.
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When do the soccer games begin?
The season opens and games begin September 12. The games are scheduled by the Elk Grove Soccer League,
and we anticipate that our Club will receive a list of games via email around Labor Day. We will forward the lists to each team immediately thereafter. You can also check the Club website for periodic updates.
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How often should I schedule practices?
Practices should take place a minimum of once and a maximum of twice each week. Practices should last for 1 hour or 1 and ½ hours in length.
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Do I need to be licensed or have some basic training to coach in the Pleasant Grove Soccer Club?
Minimum education requirements to
coach have been adopted by all soccer clubs within Elk Grove Youth Soccer League (EGYSL). The policy has to be written but it is verbally approved that all coaches must obtain, at a minimum, a basic F License through the Elk Grove Soccer League or a neighboring League by the second year of coaching. If taken through EGYSL there is no charge to the coach. We
also strongly encourage you to take a Grade 9 Referee Course in order to understand the basic rules of the game. A course schedule is provided in your binder
as a handout and on our website.
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Do I need to be fingerprinted in order to coach?
Yes. The League currently requires coaches and assistant coaches to be fingerprinted, and they are subject to a criminal history check. The Pleasant Grove Soccer Club will provide opportunities for you to be fingerprinted at Coaches’ Night and at the Jamboree on August 22.
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What basic documents do I need to have with me on game day?
Coaches must arrive on game day with their team roster, player medical releases, team passes, and a game card. The referee may not allow you to play if you do not have your team passes (provided to you by the Club, with each player’s name and picture). (Player cards are usually not provided by the League or required for U6, U7, and U8 age groups.)
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Do we play in the rain?
Yes. Teams must show for every game, rain or shine.
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What is a game card?
Game cards are provided by the Club/League to each team. The home coach initiates a game card for each game, records each player’s names and jersey number, and passes it to the visiting coach for completion. The card is then passed along to the referee to record the game score. (Game cards are not usually provided by the Club/League or required for U6, U7, and U8 age groups.)
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What side of the field do we occupy?
The home team occupies the south or east side of the field.
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Where can I read the basic game rules appropriate for my players’ age group?
You’re in luck. We have provided the Basic Rules for each specific age group in your coaches’ binder. You can also find the Basic Rules on our Club website.
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What is the protocol before the game begins?
Your team may practice on the field before the game if time permits. Most importantly, you should introduce yourself to the referee and the opposing coach. Ask the referee some basic questions, such as preferences for substitutions, whether a coin toss will be used to determine team goals, etc.
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As a coach (or a parent), can I walk onto the field while the game is in play?
No. You may never walk onto the field while the game is in play.
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If a player appears to be hurt, can I as a coach (or one of my parents) walk onto the field?
No. You may only enter the field of play if invited by the referee.
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As a coach (and as parents) where do we stand or sit during the game?
Spectators must stay in the technical area (10 yards each side of center, approximately 3 yards off the touch line).
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During the game, what can I do (or my parents do) if I disagree with the referee’s call?
Nothing. The referee is in charge of the game. Spectators must conduct themselves in a supporting manner with no negative comments to players, coaches, or referees of either team. Disruptive spectators may be directed by a referee to leave the area, which is defined as movement to the nearest sidewalk. If the coach or the parents disagree with the referee’s calls or conduct, they may (after the game) complete a written report to the Club. A form is available on our website.
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What does it mean to run up the score?
Recreation soccer is more fun than competitive. Teams are monitored by the League for significant imbalances. "Running up the score" is a term used in recreation sports to describe the activity of scoring more points than are necessary to win the game. Running up the score is considered poor sportsmanship. A 6 point lead in recreation soccer is considered “running up the score.” Coaches will receive a warning about running up the score from the Club Scorekeeper, and may receive additional reprimands and sanctions from the League if the practice continues. Consult with the Club’s Coaching Coordinator or Scorekeeper to implement various techniques to keep the score fair.
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What is the League’s scoring policy for U6, U7, & U8 teams?
To help equalize scores for U6, U7, and U8 team, the League requires that a team which is behind by 4 points may add an extra player to the field. If the score differential exceeds 6 points, the team that is behind may add a second player to the field; (maximum of 2 additional players). These additional players must later be removed if the score differential comes within 4 points (one player removed) and below 2 (last extra player removed).
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When the game is over, do I need to tell anyone the score?
Yes. On or before 7:00 p.m. after each Saturday game, you must report your score to the Pleasant Grove Soccer Club’s Scorekeeper Erin Bass by phone or email or go to the Club’s website where a link is provided to report your scores.
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Do I need to report scores if my team is the visiting team?
Yes. All teams need to report their scores to the Club Scorekeeper.
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Why do both teams need to report scores to the respective Club?
Both teams report scores to their respective Club Scorekeepers in order to maintain a check and balance system. The scores are then reconciled with the League Coordinator. Sometimes, scores get reported inaccurately. A winning team can become the losing team as a result of the scores being transposed.
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If the paid referee is keeping score, why do I have to report my score weekly?
It is much quicker and more efficient to have coaches report their scores versus the referees. The referee’s score card is the official score of the game. The referees turn their score cards in at their weekly referee meetings. The score card is generally used to resolve scoring issues when coaches report scores that conflict with each other.
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Standings are not reported on the website for my team’s age group (U6, U7, and U8). Do I need to report my score?
Yes. Scores must be reported to the Club’s Scorekeeper every week.
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Why are scores kept if they are not tabulated for weekly standings?
Even though standings are not tracked for all age groups, games are monitored for score differential (running up the score). Coaches will be contacted by the Club Scorekeeper if continual abuses occur. Coaches may be sanctioned by the League for repeat offenses.
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When are paid referees used versus volunteer referees?
Volunteer referees or parent referees are used at the U6, U7, and U8 age levels. The Club/League will assign paid/trained referees for all other age groups.
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I have more questions, who do I ask?
Email the Pleasant Grove Coaching Coordinator Jason Mitchell .
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