YMCA YOUTH SPORTS COACHES MANUAL YMCA Of Greater Omaha

Flag Football-Soccer-Volleyball 2015

Section I: WELCOME COACHES

A. Coaches Memo and Instructions ................ 1

B. Welcome YMCA Coaches, Goals, Character

Development, Unique Characteristics ...... 2

Section II:COACH EXPECTATIONS

A. Specifics About Your Sport ........................ 3

B. Parents Meeting .......................................... 3

C. Practice Plans .............................................. 3 D. Game Sites .................................................. 4

E. Fan Behavior ............................................... 4 F. Coach Behavior ........................................... 4

G. Officials ........................................................ 4 H. YMCA Staff ................................................... 4

I. Cancellations ............................................... 5 J. Email Evaluation.......................................... 5

Section III: Youth Sports Character Development

A. What is Character Development? .............. 5

Section IV: GAME POLICY & RULES ………. 6-9

A. Playing Rules

B. Court/Equipment

C. Cancellations / Severe Weather

Section V: FIRST AID…………………………………………10

Appendix:

Coach Behavior Policy

Fan Behavior Policy Practice Session Planning Form

Fun Manual!

* Be sure to read all

the information.

Have a great season!

Updated Feb 2015

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

Sport Director Contact Info

Armbrust Pam Peetz 402-896-4200

BG/Downtown Tom Stubby 402-393-2450

Maple Tom Stubby 402-393-2450

Sarpy Brett Gebhardt 402-339-9861

Southwest Ben Wittrock 402-334-8487

Twin Rivers Ben Wittrock 402-359-9622

2 0 1 5 Y M C A S P R I N G S P O R T S C O A C H E S M E M O A N D I N S T R U C T I O N S

► Please Read Carefully ◄

1. Welcome to the world of YMCA Youth Sports where everybody is a STAR!

2. Please call your team as soon as possible: (See Coach Expectations—page 3)

3. Teams can start practicing the week of March 16th or 23rd. Please be advised that there may be other teams present at your practice sites.

Please cooperate with them.

4. The last team at the gym or field for the night will need to make sure all equipment is picked up and return to the proper storage place.

5. Please supervise team members at all time. DO NOT leave practice ar-ea until all children have been picked up. DO NOT stay alone with a sin-

gle player where you cannot be observed by others.

6. Please read through the Coaches Behavior Policy (in the appendix). The YMCA will closely monitor coaches and any coach who does not follow

the YMCA coaching guidelines could be removed from our league.

7. Please discuss the Fan Behavior Policy (in the appendix) with your team members and parents.

8. Photo Day information is included in the picture packet. Please hand out individual picture taking and ordering information to your team mem-

bers. If you have any questions, please call Modern Images, 402-991-

7786.

9. You may be called to add late registered players to your roster. If you know of other children who would like to sign up, have them call the

YMCA before you promise them a position on the team. We may have other children from your area who have signed up before this child.

10. Please return all equipment to the YMCA at the end of the season.

Character Development Creed for Youth Sports Families and Players :

Today we will strive to be CARING, accept our RESPONSIBILITY, show RESPECT

to all others, and be HONEST in all we do.

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l. Welcome YMCA Coaches:

Thank you for volunteering your time. YMCA Youth Sports welcomes you...this will be one of the most rewarding and fun experiences you will be

involved with. As coach, you will have the opportunity to make a positive difference in a child’s life...a difference that will last a lifetime.

Your team will probably be made up with some fairly skilled players and some not so skilled players. Your practices may not always go as planned,

but have fun, relax, and remember the YMCA program is designed to provide an “experience” for girls and boys through sport. We don’t care how many

wins or loses your team accumulates. We care that every child leaves your practice, games, and season feeling good about themselves!

YMCA Youth Sports Program Goals:

To build self-esteem To teach social skills—values, communication, human relations

To teach physical skills, fitness, and health To develop responsibility and decision-making skills

To enhance leadership skills—in youths and adults To build relationships among peers and between parent and child

To support and strengthen family life

To create a FUN experience for children and their families

Unique Characteristics of our Programs: Cooperation, not competition

Age appropriate, progressive program Membership in community service organization

Leadership Development Youth Health Advocacy

Family Involvement

II. Coach Expectations:

A. Specifics About Your Sport: FLAG FB, SOCCER, VB

1. Call Your Team immediately to set up practice and make sure the players’ parents

know how to contact you—home/work/cell phone number, pager, e-mail, etc. 2. Set up a Parents Meeting prior to, or following, the first practice (refer to Section

B below.)

3. Determine a practice day/time for the season. Coaches must record their practice day/time/location with the YMCA. 1st-12th grade - teams may only practice once a week for 1 hour. Mighty Kickers & Kindergarten - practice before

games on game days (15-20 min. practice followed by approx. 40 min game). 4. Read your rules carefully—especially those designed for your age level. 5. The YMCA will provide game balls, flags, flag belts, goalie jerseys, and cones at the

games. 6. Safety First—set up strict rules about safety when organizing practice. 7. Support the officials—they may be a trainee gaining experience and trying to do

their best. 8. Coaches are responsible for their own behavior and the behavior of their fans.

Be a positive role model. Put the game in perspective (FUN), then you can relax

when you see things differently from the officials. 9. Incorporate Character Development discussions/activities. 10. Practice times/sites can be reserved, may be shared with other coaches/teams—if

needed, work cooperatively. 11. YMCA Philosophy is to give players equal playing time and a chance to play

many positions. Give your players a well rounded experience!

B. Parents/Meeting:

* We are depending on you to share this information with your parents.

Introduce yourself and other coaches; introduce team players and parents.

Discuss pertinent rules for your level of play. Describe your Coaching Philosophy/YMCA Philosophy—objectives for the season. Open Forum: allow questions/concerns from all parents/players.

Practice details—ask for help, equipment for players to bring, water, etc. Game Behavior—stress sportsmanship for all people involved; refer to Fan Behavior

Policy in the Appendix.

Establish a Call List to inform parents of changes/cancellations. Pop/Treat List—parents may bring pop/juice for after the game to hand out.

Handout to Parents—write/type info discussed, so even parents not attending will have a copy. Include important phone numbers.

C. Practice Plans (See example in Appendix)

1. Follow these principals for an effective practice: Plenty of activity

Maximum use of time, facilities, equipment Variety of activities/training exercises Progress from simple to complex

Safe, successful, non-threatening environment

Be organized, yet flexible with

practice plans

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Practice Plans continued...

2. When giving explanations, they should be:

Short Clear and concise

Given enthusiastically Directing attention to important cues

3. Good Demonstrations should be: Repeated several times

Done from several angles Clearly seen by all Technically correct (if possible)

D. Specifics about Game Sites:

1. Please dispose of all trash in the proper receptacles.

2. Only water or Gatorade allowed in gyms for participants.

3. Please encourage children to respect private property.

4. Stay off the floor/field after games have concluded as other games need to get

started.

E. Fan/Parent Behavior Policy - (see Appendix) review this policy with your parents

F. Coach Behavior Policy - (see Appendix) be sure to read this set of guidelines

G. Officials:

1. Have jurisdiction from the beginning until the end of the game. Their decisions are final.

2. May caution or eject a player/coach/fan for unsportsmanlike conduct.

3. May terminate a game if the game becomes a travesty. 4. We will not tolerate any abuse toward officials. Discuss problems or questions with

the Site Supervisor or call your YMCA Sport Director.

H. YMCA Staff:

A Site Supervisor will be present and visible at all game sites. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the site supervisor.

Any further questions may be directed to your YMCA Sport Director. Office

hours are Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Contact Info

Armbrust Pam Peetz Email: ppeetz@metroymca.org

BG/Downtown Tom Stubby Email: tstubby@metroymca.org

Maple Tom Stubby Email: tstubby@metroymca.org

Sarpy Brett Gebhardt Email: bgebhardt@metroymca.org

Southwest Ben Wittrock Email: bwittrock@metroymca.org

Twin Rivers Ben Wittrock Email: bwittrock@metroymca.org

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I. Cancellations

In case of bad weather, a decision on whether to play or not will be made according to the following schedule…

Y Sites: 7:15am (Saturday morning game times); 10:45am (Saturday game times of 12pm or later); 11:00am (Sundays)

Off-Site: 7:15am (Saturdays); 11:00am (Sundays) Cancellation announcement will be made via the branch websites, Facebook, and

Twitter.

Parents & coaches may call the Sports Hotline at 402-661-7150.

NOTE: Coaches will be notified of make-up games for cancellations as game

schedules allow.

J. Evaluation Participants and coaches will receive a Benchmark email at the end of the season.

We welcome your comments as they are beneficial to improving the quality of our programs.

III.Character Development: A. What is Character Development?

Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, and Caring.

Sports skills are important, but teaching kids about life is what YMCA Youth Sports is really all about.

Have fun!

Specifics About Your Sites

Please remind parents to drive slow inside the parking lot and to remember they may not be able to park right by the front doors. Do Not Park on Grass Areas or on the Curves of the Driveways! All cars must be parked in a park-

ing space!

Do not walk across the gym floors/fields to get to another court/field. Please walk around.

Program participants and their families are limited to gym and bathroom are-as only.

Children must be supervised. Unsupervised children who are misbehaving will

be returned to their parents and/or asked to leave.

Please respect all property and park in designated areas.

Game Sites: YMCAs, Churches, Millard Public Schools, or Omaha Public Schools.

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I V . P l a y i n g R u l e s

Please see the YMCA of Greater Omaha Rule Book for more specific information.

15-20 min. pract ice fo l lowed by approx.

40 min game per week

Mighty Kickers (Ages 3-4; Coed Teams)

Kindergarten (Ages 5-6; Coed Teams)

1 Pract ice per week / 1 Game per week

1st Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

2nd Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

3rd Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

4th Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

5th Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

6th Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

7th Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

8th Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

9th/10th Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

11th/12th Grade (Boys & Gir ls Teams)

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INSERT : Rules for Speci f ic Sport —page 13 -15 S p r i n g S p o r t s Al l Grades & Div is ions

Court & Equipment

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM:

To promote good sportsmanship, basketball skills and knowledge, fair play,

and having FUN!

FLAG FOOTBALL:

Grade Divisions Ball Size Kindergarten Pee Wee

1st & 2nd Grade Pee Wee

3rd & 4th Grade Junior

5th & 6th Grade Junior

7th & 8th Grade Youth

Grade Divisions Field Dimensions Kind. & 1st/2nd Grades 20x40yds

3rd Grade and Up 30x50yds

SOCCER: Grade Divisions Ball Size Grades MK-2 use #3 ball

Grades 3-6 use #4 ball

Grades 7-8 & HS use #5 ball

YMCA furnishes game equipment. Officials will be assigned to games in grades 1-8.

Grade Divisions Field Dimensions Mighty Kickers 15x20 yds

Kindergarten 20x30 yds

Grades 1 & 2 30x40 yds

Grades 3 & 4 40x60 yds

Grades 5-8 50x90 yds

Fields size may be altered slightly for space and safety issues.

VOLLEYBALL: Grade Divisions Ball Size Grades 1-6 Volley-Lite Volleyball (weights 198 to 227 grams)

Grades 7-HS Regulation Size Volleyball

Grade Divisions Court Dimensions Grades 1-2 30 feet by 30 feet (marked off by cones or tape)

Grades 3-4 30 feet by 40 feet (marked off by cones or tape)

Grades 5-HS 30 feet by 60 feet

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INSERT : Rules for Speci f ic Sport —page 13 -15 S p r i n g S p o r t s Al l Grades & Div is ions

Court & Equipment

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM:

To promote good sportsmanship, basketball skills and knowledge, fair play,

and having FUN!

Bench/Field Protocol: Mighty Kickers & Kindergarten - 1 coach is allowed on the field.

1st Grade & Up - 2 coaches allowed on the bench or in the bench area.

1st-2nd Grades - Coaches may stand in bench area to instruct players.

3rd-High School - Coaches must be seated (volleyball) or standing in the bench area (flag football

or soccer) at all times unless calling a time out or substituting players.

Number of Officials (preferred): Mighty Kickers - 1

Kindergarten - 1

1st Grade & Up - 2 (flag football)

- 1 (volleyball)

1st-5th Grade - 1 (soccer)

6th Grade & Up - 2 (soccer)

Officials Uniform Flag Football: Black & White Referee Shirt

Fox 40 Whistle

Black Pants or Shorts

Black Tennis Shoes (preferred); White Tennis Shoes (acceptable)

Officials Uniform Soccer: Black & White Referee Shirt or Yellow Officials Jersey

Fox 40 Whistle

Black Pants or Shorts

Black Tennis Shoes (preferred); White Tennis Shoes (acceptable)

Officials Uniform Volleyball: White Referee Polo Shirt

Fox 40 Whistle

Black Pants or Shorts

Black Tennis Shoes (preferred); White Tennis Shoes (acceptable)

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Dangerous/Severe Weather :

A. Weather can be very unpredictable (i.e., ice, snow). If there is severe weather, please continue with CAUTION. We are more concerned with

safety of all participants than completing a game. Discuss concerns with other coaches/site supervisors/officials.

B. It is not a policy to cancel games because of a little rain, a little cold, or a

little snow. Furthermore, parents are encouraged to make individual decisions for their own child when outdoor weather elements

become a concern, as to whether or not to attend any particular game/practice even if the game/practice is not officially canceled.

Cancel lat ions :

A. In case of bad weather, a decision on whether to play or not will be made according to the following schedule…

Y Sites: 7:15am (Saturday morning game times); 10:45am (Saturday game times of 12pm or later); 11:00am (Sundays)

Off-Site: 7:15am (Saturdays); 11:00am (Sundays) Cancellation announcement will be made via the branch websites, Facebook, and

Twitter.

Parents & coaches may call the Sports Hotline at 402-661-7150.

NOTE: Coaches will be notified of make-up games for cancellations as game

schedules allow.

B. Coaches will be notified of make-up dates. Please explain to your parents

that game cancellation information will be given to the coaches who will get the information to the parents.

V. First Aid Reminders: By James R Guest, M.D.

Abdomen—these occur as a blow from the ball or another body

A. Allow the player with the “wind knocked out” to regain breathing on their own. B. If pain from a blow lasts more than five minutes, or if it worsens; if player can’t

straighten up or walk without pain; or if there is shoulder pain, further evaluation is needed.

Fractures

Fractures usually occur with a fall. When a fracture is suspected in the lower

extremity, it should be splinted before the player is moved. The upper extremity fracture may be cared for on the sideline, until the player can be checked by a medical

professional. Ice should be applied. Clues to a break include the dynamics of the fall, tenderness along a bone, or an obvious deformity.

Recreational flag football, soccer, and volleyball are relatively safe sports to play. Most

injuries will be minor and involve either the head or lower extremity. The purpose of this information is to help with on the court management. It is not intended to replace formal training, nor does it prescribe treatment.

Head Injuries—occur when the head hits head, body, ground, equipment, or the ball

If Unconscious:

1. Check the airway, clear it if necessary 2. If not breathing, begin CPR 3. Send for help

4. If breathing, don’t do anything until help arrives except to stabilize the neck so it does not turn.

5. When consciousness returns, proceed with the following. If Conscious:

1. Check alertness

2. Ask questions, first general then specific to determine mental condition 3. If the questions are answered correctly, they may leave the court/field provided

they have had no numbness or tingling and can move all extremities. Have them

slowly rise to their feet. If dizzy, faint, or unable to stand on their own, have them lie down again.

4. Check for slurred speech, confusion, numbness, ringing or fullness in the ears or memory loss. If any of these occur, they need to be checked immediately by a medical professional.

Face

A. Stop nosebleeds with direct pressure or pressure right beneath the nose. B. Check for angulations of the nose, which may include a break

C. Check for loose teeth. Dental attention may be needed.

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Coach Behavior Policy

Fan Behavior Policy

Practice Session Planning Form

YMCA Youth Sports Coach Behavior Policy

YMCA Youth Sports Coaches have the potential to influence a great number of people. We want you to be a positive role model for youth by

maintaining an attitude of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, HONESTY, and CARING.

Specific Guidelines:

1. Harassment & verbal criticism of officials is not allowed. The Sport Director

or site supervisors are available for constructive comments during or at the

end of games.

2. In order to protect YMCA volunteers and participants, at NO time during

a YMCA program should a volunteer leave a child unsupervised or be

alone with a single child where they cannot be observed by others.

3. Never touch a child in a manner that could be interpreted as abusive or

would make them feel uncomfortable.

4. Treat each child on your team and opposing teams as individuals and be

sensitive to their own personal feelings. Profanity, inappropriate jokes,

sharing intimate details of ones personal life, and any kind of

harassment in the presence of children or parents is inappropriate.

5. Effective coaching experts agree that instructions should be given at

practice. An over-abundance of instruction at game time only serves to

confuse players.

6. Mannerisms can be just as offensive as foul language, i.e. throwing

things, flailing movements, foot stomping, and tone of voice. This

behavior is not allowed.

7. Smoking or use of tobacco in the presence of children, as well as,

possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during

YMCA programs are all prohibited.

8. Volunteers shall not abuse children including:

Physical abuse—strike, spank, shake, slap

Verbal abuse—humiliate, degrade, threaten

Sexual abuse—inappropriate touch or verbal exchange

Mental abuse—shaming, withholding praise, cruelty

Policy Enforcement:

1. Individual may be

given a warning for

inappropriate

behavior.

2. Individual may be

asked to leave the

game(s). Game(s)

may be terminated

and/or individual

may be asked not

to return for other

Youth Sports activ-

ities. 3. Other sanctions as

deemed necessary

may be enforced.

Thank You for coaching YMCA Youth Sports!

Please Remember: 1. Your attitude and actions are on display for your team, your team’s parents, plus opposing

teams. 2. You are a role model—volunteer coaches should appear clean, neat, and appropriately attired.

You should treat all children equally—regardless of sex, race, religion, or culture.

3. Coaches must use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement—rather than competition, comparison, and criticism.

4. YMCA Coaches should be involved for the kids:

To teach skills & knowledge about the game

To teach sportsmanship, teamwork, and character

To provide a fun, low-key environment for all

To promote friendships and family togetherness

5. Coaches should give high priority to the objectives above—focusing on winning & recognition can destroy positive outcomes.

6. YMCA Recreational Leagues are low-key and should be more relaxed. Higher competition and intensity are available in other leagues.

Thank You for coaching YMCA Youth Sports!

YMCA Youth Sports Fan Behavior Policy

YMCA Youth Sports Department is asking for your cooperation as a spectator. We want everyone involved: To feel comfortable enjoying youth activities. To have fun. To learn in an environment that is positive & free of

stress.

Youth Sports

Mission Statement: The purpose of the YMCA Youth Sports Program is to provide the

children an opportunity to participate in various activities

and to: Have fun Build character and values

Develop sportsmanship Make new friends

Promote teamwork Learn lifetime fitness Strengthen self-confidence

Learn skills To promote an atmosphere that

strengthens family relationships and Judeo-Christian values. To provide an opportunity for

individuals to be of service to others through volunteer

experiences.

Specific Fan Guidelines:

► Encourage your children during games/

practice. ► Keep comments positive

► Leave coaching to the coaches. (You may be asking your child to do

something the coach has told them not to do).

► Take any concerns regarding the game to the Program Director or site supervisor.

► Do not interrupt the game. ► Be examples of good sportsmanship for our

children to model. ► Criticizing the officials will not be allowed.

► Negative behavior toward the opposing team

will not be allowed. ► Please do not say or do anything that you

would not want your child to say or do. ► Help us make this a positive and fun

experience for both teams. ► Coaches are responsible for fan behavior.

Policy Enforcement: Individual may be given a warning for inappropriate behavior. Individual may be asked to leave the game(s) and may be

asked not to return for other Youth Sports activities. Other sanctions as deemed necessary may be enforced.

YMCA YOUTH SPORTS PRACTICE SESSION PLANNING FORM

Practice Session # Location Date

Performance Objectives

Leader Time Component Activities Equipment Notes

Warm-Up

Skill Development

Play

Character Development

Discussions

(This can be done before or after skill practice)