Many independent teams would like a paid coach, or some kind of soccer professional, but are unsure on where to start, so SFYS created the 'coach connection' program to connect independent teams with experienced coaches.
So far it's working ok - we have some successful connections, but it needs a little more traction. Please mention the program to the next coach you meet or the next team you know that is looking for a coach.
With the exploration of a paid coach comes the ask of what to pay them:
Begin with the ideal coach licensing baseline:
- SFYS requires all coaches to have the ‘grassroots’ license for coaching.
- Anything above the ‘grassroots’ is commendable, anything recent should be preferred, as it demonstrates continued updated education within the shifting environment of Youth Soccer! For example, a D license from the 1900’s is not as relevant as a D license from 2022.
We also recommend education along these lines:
- ‘Grassroots’ license is the minimum required license for Rec and UH.
- SFYS in-person training also counts here.
- ‘D’ license for lower level 9v9 and 7v7 travel / UH teams.
- An NSCAA National Diploma is also a good level of education for this level.
- A national youth license is also ideal here.
- ‘C’ license for 9v9 teams at UH/travel or lower level 11v11 teams.
- An NSCAA Advanced National Diploma also suffices here.
- ‘B’ license for 11v11 teams at travel/UH teams.
- An NSCAA Premier Diploma also suffices here.
- ‘A’ license for NPL/MLS Next/ECNL teams at ages 16+
Notably, an A license could be amazing with 5 year olds. A coach may also not be able to go through the coaching license pyramid and you might find a knowledgeable and experienced grassroots coach, so please do ask lots of questions of your prospective coach.
Pay, hourly or seasonally, should be determined between both the team and the coach. All of the team should be in agreement.
- Determine the expectations, level of involvement, and even outcomes for the season. Examples: Just practices, just games, all and then some? Everything should be clear.
- Do you have requests on their style of coaching? Someone who shouts a lot, or who is quiet and watches / takes notes. What tools do they use (whiteboards etc.)? What will a typical practice look like: lots of small-sided games? Conditioning? Homework and game reflection? You probably cannot change a coach's style, but you can outline your preferred style.
- How much is your team willing to pay?
- $10 per player, per week? $80-$100 total, per player, for the season…
- $1,000 for the season, split equally between the team?
- What is the coach asking for?
After all of this, are you ready to put the team out there?
Once you have submitted the Coach Connection form, and begin to connect, our recommendation would be to invite the coach out to deliver a practice, evaluate, poll the players, and decide from that.
Please remember - all coaches must be rostered and background checked.
MOST RECENT
-
Need Jerseys? - Limited Time Only!Discontinued uniforms are on sale in the SCORE Store!For as low as $8 per jersey! Includes Back Number and Front Chest Black or read more... COACH
-
What We Say Matters: Messaging to KidsLanguage I hear from coaches on the pitch, almost every weekend: "get in there!" "shoot!" "pressure" "so-and-so, you take the read more... PLAYSFYS
-
Fall Season CommunicationsFall 2024 Season Overview & Logistics Registration Requirements Fall 2024 All Family Communications Emails are sent via read more... SFYSYAC
-
Draft Schedule is Live for Fall 24!Hi, SFYS Families! Ready for a FOG GOLAZO! morning followed by a sunny, beautiful Community Soccer day at Fort Scott in the read more... LOCAL SOCCER
-
Summer Update #2Email sent via SQWAD Wed 24 July 2024(edited to add additional links to FOGGOLAZO!) Happy Summer, SFYS Families! It’s been a read more... SFYSYAC