Introduction
Family & Friends Coaching Pathway
There is nothing more important to this program than investing in the people and resources within our community. If you even, think you might want to be involved and have some soccer playing or coaching background then LETS TALK! Parents, recent graduates, friends and family in our community can play a valuable role in volunteer and paid positions as coaches, trainers and game managers.
The Arden – Christos Partnership budget includes subsidies for beginning and continuing coaches’ education.
To join our growing community, please contact us.
Best Practices
- Coaches should conduct Parent meeting before start of season
- Coach must collect player contract forms and turn in to Commissioner
- County Commissioner will collect coach’s pledge forms for all coaches
- Ensure all coaches (head and assistant) have successfully completed background check per county volunteer database
- Prepare team roster using county-provided Excel form
- Submit updated roster/forms for any roster additions
- Check AAYSA website weekly for updates and changes
- Carry copy of roster with you to all games
Complete Background Check HERE
Field Lay-Out
When is it too hot?
In deciding when it is too hot to play sports depends on the heat index. In modifying or cancelling sports practices, keep in mind the following:
- Hot, dry weather can be extremely dangerous. Because sweat evaporates very quickly in such conditions, your child won’t feel sweaty, and neither you nor your child may recognize how much water he or she has lost.
- As the relative humidity increases, the effectiveness of sweating in cooling the body decreases.
- When the relative humidity is high, sweat drips off the skin so that the cooling benefit of evaporation is lost even at cooler temperatures, resulting in a build-up of body heat.
Some groups have issued guidelines for modifying or canceling practice based on the heat index (air temperature and the humidity). One of the strictest is the one issued in 2009 by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association:
Heat Index under 95° All sports:
Provide ample amounts of water. This means water should always be available and athletes should take in as much water as they desire.
Optional water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action
Heat Index 95° to 99° All sports:
Provide ample amounts of water. This means water should always be available and athletes should take in as much water as they desire.
Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action
Contact sports:
Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact
Reduce time of outside activity. Consider postponing practice to later in the day
Re-check temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index
Heat index 100° to 104° All sports:
Provide ample amounts of water. This means water should always be available and athletes should take in as much water as they desire.
Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action
Alter uniform by removing items if possible
Reduce time of outside activity as well as indoor activity if air conditioning unavailable
Postpone practice to later in day if possible
Contact sports and activities with additional equipment
Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety. If necessary for safety, suspend activity.
Re-check temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index
Heat index above 104° All sports:
Stop all outside activity in practice and/or play, and stop all inside activity if air conditioning is unavailable.
Link to Heat Index App:
COVID-19 Precautions
No high fives
No arms around players
– Sideline cones spaced out for each player 3 yards apart. Players should place their bags, water, etc. at the cone and return to their cone during breaks. The player should remain at their bag until they return to the field or leave. Important
that coaches reinforce this throughout the training sessions.
– No sharing of water/drinks.
– For safety purposes parents should stay in their vehicle or in the parking lot keeping social distance. Not on the field or in the bleachers.
– We recommend all coaches and players wear a mask until they enter the field of play.