TYSA Coaching Guidelines & Expectations
Thank you for volunteering as a Head or Assistant Coach with TYSA!
Your time and dedication are essential to providing a fun, safe, and positive soccer experience for our players. Please review the key expectations and requirements below. We have linked several handouts below to help make your coaching season successful.
🔑 Key Information
Coach Requirements:
All TYSA coaches must complete the MYSA Coaching Requirements, including:
- Adult Registration
- SafeSport Training
- Concussion Training
Zero Tolerance Policy:
TYSA follows a Zero Tolerance Policy. Coaches, players, parents, and spectators are expected to show respect for referees, regardless of age or experience.
Equipment Requests:
Contact your Age Group Coordinator (AGC) for equipment needs.
Coach Credentials:
MYSA credentials must be worn at all practices and games.
🏃 Practice Expectations
- Coaches may choose whether to hold an additional team practice outside of the Elite UK training session. However, TYSA highly recommends holding at least one separate team practice each week.
- Access practice plans in the Coaches Toolkit for support and ideas.
- An Elite UK coach will lead one weekly practice session with your team.
⚽ Game Day Expectations
- All coaches must have completed MYSA requirements to participate in games.
- No more than three coaches are allowed on the sideline.
- Coaches must bring MYSA Adult Credentials and two roster copies to each game.
- Report scores promptly to your Age Coordinator.
⚽ Heading Policy
Grade 5/6 Division (Matches):
- NVYSL prohibits heading by players during matches in the Grade 5/6 division.
- Coaches are permitted to teach heading technique only during practice, under strict limits.
Grade 7/8 Division (Training & Matches):
- In Grade 7/8, heading training is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per week, with no more than 15–20 headers per player per week.
- During matches, Grade 7/8 players are permitted to head the ball without limit.
Grade 3/4 Division:
- NVYSL prohibits heading in matches in the Grade 3/4 division.
- Coaches must not instruct, encourage, or permit players in Grade 3/4 to head the ball in practices or games.
Penalties / Infractions:
- If a player deliberately heads or attempts to head the ball when prohibited, the referee shall award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the spot of the infraction.
- If the deliberate heading occurs inside the defending team’s penalty area, the indirect free kick is taken from the closest point on the penalty area line.
- Any goal scored as a result of a deliberate header in a division where heading is prohibited is disallowed.
🗓️ Season Schedule
- Each season runs approximately 10 weeks.
- Schedule changes must be approved by your AGC.
🌧️ Weather & Field Conditions
• Field updates will be posted on Tyngsboro Youth Soccer’s Facebook page each Saturday. Age Group Coordinators will also contact coaches directly with any updates.
• If fields remain open but conditions appear poor, the referee will make the final decision on whether games are playable.
👟 Player Equipment
- Shin guards are mandatory for all practices and games (must be covered by socks).
- TYSA jerseys are required for all games.
⚠️ Safety Policies
Jewelry:
- No jewelry, hard headbands, or hair beads allowed.
Casts:
- No casts permitted on the field. No exceptions.
🧑⚖️ Referees
- All games feature certified referees.
- Treat officials with respect and professionalism.
🙌 Thank You!
We appreciate your leadership, dedication, and commitment to making youth soccer a rewarding experience.
Have a great season!
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