The Tulips are 5th and 6th grade girls, mostly 6th. (My daughter Emilia is among the younger and is 11 and in the 5th grade).

Last spring, they were U-12, per my records. So now U13? They are Jamie Howell's old team, and some have played together since they were 5.

They will be playing PAL in the spring, and Viking in the fall. Practices have been on Wednesday afternoon, and the team seems to need to keep practicing on that day.

Practices have been at 4:00, but there is some reluctant flexibility on the time. In the past, there has been a second, optional practice on Friday afternoons.

Anyonhe who is interested should contact our team parent Linda Liebschutz liebsings@sbcglobal.net.

I like Kalwant's story.  It reminded me of when I was coaching an U-12 recreational team several years ago.  I thought I'd share a little bit with you, which you can share if you like.

I was helping a friend who felt I could handle coaching a team on my own.  I play but I don't really know that much about the game.  In the licensing class they talked about keeping things fun for the kids.  So I made that the priority.  I organized practices like probably anyone else with drills progressively building up skills and ended with scrimmages.  Still, I kept things fun.  I always trusted and supported their decisions.  I'm sure that was new to them.  I offered suggestions but never as corrections.  Soccer demands players make decisions all the time.  I don't think kids are given enough credit.  I've found that they usually make good decisions once we make sure they have all the info they need.  Lastly, I never yelled at them even though it was tough at times.

But when it came to the games, I was just there to be a cheerleader.  I supported them in every way, made very few suggestions, and cared most about them having a good time.

In the end they won 8 games out of 10, the last 6 in a row.  The year before they had been a losing team (with a coach who I heard had played pro).  They clearly expected the same with me since there'd be just enough players for the first few games.  But soon they all were showing up.  The good attitude carried over to the next year when they were forced to play against year-round teams.  They were trounced every game but they never complained.

In the end, the fun made all the difference.  People talk about playing to win.  Everybody aims to win, but people play because it's fun.  That's especially true for kids and we just need to remember that.

Good luck,
Tim Butler

Reply to: jsteinharter@jccsf.org
Date: 2006-01-27, 1:32PM PST

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco is seeking a Youth Athletic Coordinator. This position is primarily responsible for coaching/teaching youth sports classes, teams & camps, and also provides “hands on” support to the hourly coaches. This is accomplished through direction & modeling of philosophies, techniques & strategies. This position is also heavily involved in the summer vacation camps. In addition, this position will participate as a member of the youth sports program leadership team that includes the Youth Athletic Program Manager, the additional Youth Athletic Coordinator positions and the Athletic Program Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

o Act as “Head Teacher” or assistant teacher at a variety of sports classes for children age 3-12 years.
o Act as “Head Coach” for 2-3 competitive sports teams each season (soccer, basketball, baseball).
o Act as assistant coach for additional teams during weekday practices & weekend games.
o Prepare weekly practice & class lesson plans based on the program curriculum.
o Substitute for coaches/teachers as necessary.
o Act as Head Coach/Counselor for sports vacation camps (winter & spring break).
o Act as Head Coach/Counselor for 7 weeks of summer sports intensive clinics.

On site program support:
o Direct hourly coaches
o Provide instruction, coaching and correction as needed.
o Prepare and ensure sufficient equipment is available for program needs.
o Interact with non-JCCSF programs or personal to ensure the needs of the JCCSF programs are addressed.
o Transport equipment to program sites.
o Maintain communication with program participants regarding program information, philosophies and goals.
o Provide & model customer service based on JCCSF customer service standards.
o Assist in program administrative needs (mailings, registrations, promotions etc).
o Additional duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

o Experience working with children age 3-13 years.
o Some knowledge of early childhood development.
o Working knowledge of Soccer, Basketball, Baseball & various other sports.
o Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekends, evenings & mornings.
o Excellent communication skills.
o Some supervisory experience.
o Ability to transition smoothly between office role and program role.
o Current CPR & First Aid certification.
o Must have independent transportation, clean MVR & a valid Drivers License.
o Computer proficiency helpful.

HOURS: This is a year-round position, with a generous benefits package. Schedule consists of 20 hours per week during the school year (roughly Aug 15 to June 15), and becomes a full time (40 hour per week) position during summer sports clinics (roughly June 15 to Aug 1). Weekend hours required during school year. Occasional evening hours required. Staggered work schedule is possible. Weekly schedule will change four times a year. Vacations must be scheduled during program closures. Due to the nature of the team sports schedules we cannot guarantee two consecutive days off each week. Ability to work additional hours beyond 20 per week is preferred.

If interested in applying, please send cover letter and resume to jsteinharter@jccsf.org.

•  This is at a non-profit organization.
•  no -- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
•  no -- Please, no phone calls about this job!
•  no -- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
•  yes -- Reposting this message elsewhere is OK.

Reply to: jim.ketcham@sfuhs.org
Date: 2006-01-19, 6:20AM PST

Positions open:

Girls' softball assistant varsity coach
Girls' soccer assistant varsity coach
Boys' lacrosse JV head coach

University High School is a small, independent high school located in the northern sector of San Francisco just a few blocks from the Presidio. The school is academically rigorous and is routinely ranked in the top 20 high schools in the country.

The UHS athletic program is also very strong. The school has been selected the State Division 5 School of the Year 5 times in the past 9 years by Cal-Hi Sports.

The softball program started two years ago and won a league championship last year. The girls' soccer team was ranked 5th in the country in 2004 and returns two players who received All-American recognition last year. The boys' lacrosse program was ranked 2nd in Northern California last year and 4th in the West.

We ask all of our coaches to do their best to make playing sports at UHS a positive experience, a learning experience and a memorable experience. We want each team to have a seriousness of purpose, but to also have a great capacity to have fun. In most cases, our coaches and teams meet these expectations.

Each of these spring sports begins on February 6th and ends in May. Practices are in the Presidio after school Monday-Friday. There may be selected activities on some Saturdays through the season.

Interested applicants should email resume/background to address below. Questions: please call University High School Athletic Director Jim Ketcham at 415-447-3114.

•  Compensation: $2000 per season assistant coach; JV head coach $2500 per season
•  This is a part-time job.
•  This is at a non-profit organization.
•  no -- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
•  yes -- Phone calls about this job are ok.
•  no -- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
•  yes -- Reposting this message elsewhere is OK.

By Neil Hull, NSCAA State Technical Coordinator, Texas

As we progress in the game and in our coaching development, we tend to venture in and out of various coaching and teaching methodologies: whole-part-whole, rehearse-restart-replay and coaching in the game to name but a few. These methodologies eventually tend to fold, blend and merge into various elements of one's independent coaching philosophy.

I wish to offer another: Guided Discovery.

After recently reading Luis Lourenco's book, "Jose Mourinho," Mourinho talks in-depth about his "coaching bible" and his methods on guided discovery. Admire, respect or dislike his personality, there can be no argument that he is one of the most successful current club coaches. Lourenco's book follows Mourinho's journey with FC Porto through four championships and his evenutal move to Chelsea.

The methodology of Guided Discovery is based on questions and how those questions are framed to gain the answer from the player(s). The questions do not necessarily need to be verbal; they can be in the shape of a drill or tactical formation. Variables like age, ability and experience also dictate the difference in a coach's approach and application to this methodology. The skill comes from the coach knowing his players and their learning receptors (audible, visual, mental, etc.). It is the coach's position as the facilitator to create the environment to extract the response he is looking for from the player(s) or team.

When a player makes a mistake, the coach should not dismiss it as wrong. Offer your opinion as the correction, but ask, Why did you make that decision? Were there any other options available? What else can you see? Who is supporting you? How could you create other options? Can you show me? (and various other "leading" questions.)

As the player develops technically, physically and cognitively the game also becomes part of the education. After all, is there any better coach than the game itself? Within the planning and coordinating of a training session, the drill or small-sided game becomes the "question" and the players are able to continually provide different answers to the same question.

For example, when setting up an attacking practice to reinforce third-man penetration, the drill or small-sided game should be set up with this coaching question in mind: How can I as a coach create this session? The coach sets up his session, guides his players through his requests, explains how he wants his players to create third-man penetration through combination play and leaves it there. Then, he stands back, becomes a keen observer, offers the odd clue (guides), sometimes freezing the play and discusses, guides and tunes the team into the same wavelength. What combination could we use to create the channel and width prior to the penetrating pass? The players talk and discuss, eventually concluding with the idea of a "takeover." Show me. Obviously, there are other answers to this same question, but if it works, the coaching moment has been a successful one. There is no fixed solution. If tactics work, then tactics are correct.

By coaching in this method, the game or drill creates the question, the guidance from the coach helps the players create and discover the answer and continually makes the players think for themselves.

When Mourinho utilizes this method he talks of removing the "transmitter" (coach) and "receptor" (player) system and places both on the same pathway, discussing and coming to conclusions together; after all, the starting point of confidence is knowing that job one is to achieve on the field.

From the U.S. Soccer Communications Center:

U.S. SOCCER SPRING NATIONAL COACHING SCHOOLS

TAKE PLACE APRIL 1-9, 2006

Limited Space is Available; Don't Miss the Opportunity

to Earn a Nationally Recognized License, Learn From Some the Nation's Top Coaches

(February 17, 2006) – U.S Soccer's National Coaching Schools have been providing high-quality coaching instruction for over 35 years, and this April you will have a chance to take your coaching education to a new level.  The spring courses are set for the first week of April, giving every coach a chance to obtain a nationally recognized “A” or “C” level license and increase their knowledge of the game.

The “A” and “C” License levels will take place from April 1-9, 2006 at U.S. Soccer's National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.  The Home Depot Center is an ideal location to hold National Coaching Schools as it is the nations' most complete athletic training facility featuring state-of-the-art facilities for professional athletes in soccer and other top sports. 

Participants at U.S. Soccer's popular National Coaching Schools will have a chance to learn from some of the nation's top-level instructors, including current and former National Team, MLS and WUSA coaches.  There will be field and classroom sessions every day, as well as field and written exams to test your levels with the best in the country.

As always, space is limited for these select courses.  Registration is underway, so apply now to ensure your spot. More information on the National Coaching Schools is available at ussoccer.com or by contacting the U.S. Soccer Coaching Department at 312-528-1219 or coaches@ussoccer.org.  The 2006 Spring Courses Application can be viewed here .

Available National Coaching School Courses

School                                      Date                             Location

National “A” Audit Course           April 1- 8, 2006              Home Depot Center (Carson, Calif.)

National “A” License                   April 1- 9, 2006              Home Depot Center (Carson, Calif.)

National “C” License                   April 1- 9, 2006              Home Depot Center (Carson, Calif.)

The 2006 National Coaching School Summer Schedule will be available soon.  Check ussoccer.com for the release of the summer schedule.

I.F.C. soccer club is seeking an experienced, licensed coach for 2006 season starting March 5th . Must have experience with adult players - age range between 21- 30 years old.

•  22 game sessions: Games are played in SF (Polo Fields) anytime between the hours 9-3 pm
•  22 practice sessions: Practices are on Wed nights- Fields vary depending on availability
•  Compensation: $45 per each session

The San Francisco Viking Soccer Club is seeking coaches for the girl's and boy's Developmental Travel Team Program.

Philosophy and Mission of the Program

The foundation of our Travel Team Program is individual player development. We believe that having fun and developing as a player are inseparable and we promote a spirit of cooperation and competition.

Our Travel Teams foster the physical and mental development that is necessary to excel at soccer in a healthy, character-building environment that encourages each child to achieve his or her highest potential. Winning games is not the mission of the travel program.

Our mission is player development in a competitive arena.

Coaching Objective

To develop and instill the important life values of individual and group effort, group trust and loyalty, sportsmanship and soccer playing skills of the San Francisco Viking Travel Team player in the most learning efficient and positive playing environments available.

Pay

$900.00 per month for 10 months.

Periods of non-payment are 2 weeks in December, the last two weeks in June and all of July.

Requirements

•  You must have a minimum of a California Youth Soccer Association “D” license or the equivalent.
•  Attend a coaching course within a two-year period that is paid for by the club.
•  Coach two 1 ½ to 2 hour practices per week and 1 or 2 games on Saturday and/or Sunday. Away games may be as far as Mountain View.
•  Attend monthly club coaches meetings.
•  Attend or have attended a Positive Coaches Alliance Double Goal Coach workshop.
•  Be willing to spend time communicating and educating parents through weekly emails and other communication vehicles (conversation, phone etc.).
•  Possess normal adult organizational skills such as reading and writing emails, returning phone calls and emails promptly, and following up on verbal agreements.
•  Have the physical ability to demonstrate and play the game of soccer.
•  Must commit to the program for a minimum of one year.

If you are interested in being a coaching candidate for this program:

•  email your coaching resume showing your coaching experience and listing dates and locations.
•  email references from teams and parents.
•  email a short letter explaining why you are interested in this program and your personal youth soccer coaching philosophy.

To Toby Rappolt/Director of Coaching

toby@sunsetsoccer.com

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Shin guard manufacturers, it is time to retool if you want to make product for high school and college players.

Taking a page from the football equipment playbook, both the NCAA and National Federation of High Schools have adopted NOCSAE-generated standards for new soccer shin guards, effective with the Fall, 2007 season. The standards were developed by NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, the same group that developed the universally adopted safety standards for football helmets) at the request of the two governing bodies.

According to Gregg Hartley, VP at SGMA and a member— along with Ken Nimmons of Schutt—of the NOCSAE board, both the NCAA and NFHS requested the rules be developed by NOCSAE as a way to assure standards of protection of soccer shin guards for these two levels of play. The standards do not apply to other organizations—such as AYSO and recreation leagues as well as professional leagues.

“This is the first time that NOCSAE has ventured outside of head gear and it did so only at the request of the NCAA and National Federation,” Hartley reports.

When the standards were introduced to the industry at the Soccer Industry Council of America meeting at the National Coaches Show in Philadelphia last month, many manufacturers present expressed concern about the associated costs in compliance, including retooling and the licensing fees that will be charged.

According to Hartley, there will be a five-cents per pair fee to be paid to NOCSAE for the right to carry the mandated “Meets NOCSAE Standards” seal.

He admitted there is some concern that either the NCAA or NFHS will go beyond the NOCSAE fee and charge a licensing fee of their own for the right to use an “NCAA/NFHS-approved” line as well. Hartley says there has been no indication from either body regarding such a “marketing” cost and that it was beyond the scope of the NOCSAE involvement.

While the NOCSAE standards are mandated beginning in 2007, “manufacturers do not have to adopt the standard,” points out Hartley. “But if they want their products to be used in high school or college they will have to adopt them.” He stresses that product in the pipeline now is grandfathered, but starting in Fall 2007 the shin guards must carry the NOCSAE seal.

For details on the multi-page standards document, go to the NOCSAE web site at www.nocsae.org.

http://www.jean-carlos-chera.com/

Coaching Corner: Coaching and the Clock
By Jimmy Graham, Regional Technical Director

One of the most valuable tools in coaching soccer, and probably the most underused, is the clock. The game of soccer is a timed event, and, depending on the time expired in that event, a team's philosophy and tactics may change.

As I watched my team concede a late goal for the second successive week, a goal that either lost us a game that we should have tied, or caused us to tie a game that we were wining, I realized that it was my fault. We had not practiced how and when to change our “game,” nor had I made it clear to the team how we would change our philosophy depending on the score and time left in the game. We were still playing our usual high velocity, high testosterone; go-for-goal type of game, when we had the game won with minutes left on the clock.

I had, as I suspect most of us have, focused so much on the development of the players' personal skills and tactics, that I had neglected to rehearse the way we should change how we play at different times in the game, as different circumstances presented themselves.

I also came to the conclusion that I could still help develop the skills and tactics of the players ­­­­– in a more realistic environment – by introducing the clock into our training sessions. We find this useful for experimenting with how we would change, but also if we would change. For instance we could be winning by a comfortable margin. Would this be a good time to give some “fringe players” more playing time and keep playing the same way?

Anyway, the bottom line is I now use the clock in all my training sessions. I use it to condition drills, practices, game-like activities, and I introduce the clock at some point in all activities during a practice.

Over time the players have become very aware of how and when to change within the game depending on the circumstances.

Here are some factors to consider:

Key Points

Practice and the clock as a tool
Pressure Training – Limited time to perform a task
Tactical training – Small sided games. E.g., play best of 5 short, timed games (call out the time remaining as games progress)
Playing philosophy: does it change, if so how and when?
Recognition of the changing situation

The game and the clock
Have we prepared for each challenge a particular game may pose?
Winning
Losing
Tying
Home or Away, etc.

Use of the clock in practice for younger player
Timed games - Players get accustomed to working with the clock.
Practice using the clock as a Condition: X amount of time to score so many goals, or team keeping possession for X amount of time.

In conclusion, have fun, be inventive, but be aware of failing to use time as a factor in training soccer players.

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