JLYSL Coaching

We hope that JLYSL coaches will find this section of the website to be a useful resource for information about coaching techniques, philosophies, education and certification programs. As a coach you are encouraged to contribute any appropriate content that you believe is worth sharing with your colleagues.

The Jack London Youth Soccer League is committed to improving the youth soccer experience. To help maintain and strengthen a positive coaching culture, the League has partnered with the Positive Coaching Alliance, an organization providing education for parents and coaches in youth sports.

JLYSL currently requires all coaches to hold at minimum, a USSF F-license when coaching at the U10 and older age groups.

This requirement is not intended to prevent people from volunteering their time to coaching youth soccer. The objective of coach certification is to ensure that all coaches have a minimum baseline understanding of how to structure practices and drills so that their players get the maximum fun out of the game.

If you are a new coach, do not let your lack of certification stop you from volunteering; there will be plenty of opportunities within JLYSL and CYSA to attend an F class between now and Fall season. If you have been coaching for more than one year and you have not obtained your F-license, please attend the next possible session.

Once your team is registered in Sportability, you will automatically be added to the mailing list and will receive regular notices and updates when classes or other coach education events of interest are scheduled.

Resources

CYSA:
The Association website will show you all of the classes currently scheduled throughout the NorCal region. There are also good descriptions of the course content, time commitment, etc.

JLYSL:
Each of the JLYSL member clubs are responsible for hosting at least on F-class each calendar year. Advanced classes (E, E/D, GK) are hosted by the clubs as demand warrants. Courses will be posted on this page when they are scheduled.

Bay Oaks:
Andy Bonchonsky's Coaching guide is an excellent resource you can start reviewing today. Andy is the BOSC and de-facto JLYSL Director of Coaching.

District IV Coaching Policy (MS Word)

FIFA Laws of the Game (PDF)

JLYSL Rules of Play

Ed Schriger
JLYSL Coaching Coordinator

Continuing Education and Training

Beyond the F-license there is a series of courses coaches may attend in order to continue their education and development. The CYSA Coaching PDF describes the CYSA coaching program in full.

Throughout the season, JLYSL and its member clubs may offer additional clinics and educational programs so that coaches have an opportunity to develop their skills. As a registered coach you should be receiving communications about these events from your club coaching coordinator. Please refer to the JLYSL calendar to stay on top of current events, clinics and programs.

Coaching Clinics Available in other Leagues

If you are anxious to increase your expertise in coaching, and you simply can't make it to any of the Clinics being arranged by the affiliate Clubs of Jack London Youth Soccer League, you might want to try to attend a Clinic in a neighboring League. Visit the CYSA North website for a listing of Clinics being offered all over Northern California. You're sure to find a location and a date that will work for you!

Sideline Behavior
All JLYSL coaches are reminded that the League has a policy regarding sideline behavior. Generally speaking, there is ZERO TOLERANCE for any abusive behavior toward a player, coach or referee by any coach or spectator present at a game. All in-game comments should be positive in nature and made in respect for the game and its officials. Referees have complete authority to eject coaches, spectators or players from the premesis or, in worst cases, terminate a match, if, in the referee's judgement, the sideline behavior rules are flagrantly violated. The League disciplinary committee will have discretionary responsibilities for applying these guidelines for player discipline.

Details on both the Sideline Behavior Policy and the League Disciplinary committee are found in the JLYSL rules of play.
Coaches are also reminded to familiarize themselves with the FIFA Laws of the Game and to keep a copy of the rules with them at all times. Discussions with referees concerning application of the Laws should be held AFTER a match in a civil manner.