ALL COACHES ARE REQUIRED BY THE NATIONAL AYSO PROGRAM TO HAVE THE PROPER AGE LEVEL CERTIFICATION AND HAVE COMPLETED THE
SAFE HAVEN PROGRAM.



Applications for EXTRA PLAY Coaches interested in coaching ages U10 or U12 B & G are being accepted through Aug 21st. If interested, please complete the attached form and mail to:

Region 503 Extra Play Coordinator

198 N. Nevada Way
Gilbert AZ 85233
(click here for Extra coach application form)

We are now accepting applications for our Tournament coaches for the 2011 season. 
If interested, please complete the below application and mail to:

Coach Administrator - AYSO Region 503
198 N. Nevada Way
Gilbert AZ 85233
(click here for tournament coach application form)

Ask The Coach

Coaches have to deal with all sorts of scenarios week in and week out. Each week John will address a question that has been sent in by an AYSO coach. If you have a question that you want answered please e-mail John (heycoach@ayso.org).

Question: With the new season here, I’m afraid some players on my team will be out of shape and struggle in practices and games. How can I get them into shape?

• Answer: First of all, reject the old-school approach for kids. Running laps will only increase the chances that they'll avoid physical activity, because that's not fun and it can be humiliating. However, all coaches must understand that conditioning is part of training, so instead of running laps, let the kids play! That's right–just let them play.

  One idea is to have the kids play small-sided games in short intervals. For example, you can set up 2-v-2 games that last for a few minutes and then give the players a short rest before starting another 2-v-2 game. It's like circuit training. After a little rest, the kids may be more eager to play again.

  You can also introduce variations of small-sided games. Take your best player and pair him or her up with the out of shape child. Tell them the aim is that both players score. The players will try hard to score and won't even realize they're "working."

  The beauty of soccer is that it demands physical exertion but can be so much fun that it doesn't feel like exercise.

Question: My daughter has a coach who screams so much at the players that it’s becoming dangerous. He screams at them whenever there’s a one-on-one battle, and many girls dive right in. Players are getting hurt. How do you deal with a coach like that?

• Answer: First of all, I don’t want any screaming at children from coaches. Screaming has no place in youth soccer. It takes the fun out of playing and it doesn’t help create better players.
  
  The scenario you describe is, of course, particularly disturbing. When players face a one-on-one battle they need to focus on the ball. To be screamed at only throws off their focus. It is simply counter-productive, and, as you point out, dangerous.
  
  The defender wants to keep her ground and make a move for the ball at exactly the right time. If the defender prematurely lunges at the attacker, the defender is giving the advantage to the attacker. For a coach to scream at a defender to make the first move makes no soccer sense.
  
  A defending player’s first aim is to prevent the attacker from moving past her. It's a matter of proper body positioning and can be trained during practices. (Lead with the shoulder, one foot in front of the other, so you can shuffle laterally.)
  
  That’s a matter of soccer technique. Most important is that this coach is out of control. And he might not even know it. It’s true! The screamers often don’t even realize they’re screaming. They get caught up in the moment.
  
  So the first step is indeed to talk to the coach: “Do you realize you’re constantly screaming at the players?” That alone might make him reflect on his behavior.
  
  If this doesn’t work, and the coach actually believes that this screaming approach is acceptable, it should be addressed by the administrators of the league.

    
    
   NO PARKING IN THE REAR/SOUTH SIDE OF DOBSON HIGH SCHOOL
  
  Park ONLY in the front of the school
  
  This year we do not have the access to park in the rear parking areas of Dobson High School.  Gates will usually be locked preventing any parking in the back.

  Should the gate be unlocked for a weekend school activity, and you decide to park in the rear area, you are taking a chance that the gates will be locked behind you while you’re attending a game, and you will be unable to remove your vehicle from the parking area until the school opens on Monday.  No AYSO volunteer will be able to assist you in getting the gate unlocked.

  
                          SHORT SIDED SOCCER

WHAT IS SHORT-SIDED SOCCER?

Short-sided soccer is about what is best for young soccer players. It's for AYSO coaches, referees, administrators, spectators, and anyone else concerned with the development of 5 to 12 year old soccer players.

• Children ages 4 and 5 play a short sided game of 3 versus 3 - Coed
• Children ages 6 and 7 play a short sided game of 5 versus 5 - Girls & Boys are separated
• Children ages 8 and 9 play a short sided game of 7 versus 7 - Girls & Boys are separated
• Children ages 10 and 11 play a short sided game of 9 versus 9 - Girls & Boys are separated

WHY SHORT-SIDED SOCCER?

Because young players need special consideration. Little research or attention has been given this critical period in the development of the under-12 year old players, but most educators agree the early learning experiences are the most important and result in the result in the most retention.

 Traditionally, youth soccer programs are viewed from an adult perspective, using the 11-a-side game as a reference. But we need to remember these important points about young players:

• Children must be treated as children, not as mini-adults.
• Children are essentially self-oriented and only relate naturally to a friend or two, not to grougs of six or more.
• Children cannot sustain prolonged activity and function best with frequent rest periods.
• Children have a limited span of attention, so frequent activity changes are necessary.
• Children focus best when learning activities are fun.
• Almost 70 percent of AYSO coaches are first-time coaches-parents with little free time. Short-sided soccer is a way to ease adults into coaching as well as te ease children into playing.
• Be creative and remember, children play games to have fun. Short-sided games help ensure children have fun and at the same time, maximize their learning opportunities.

Parent Release form


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