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EDWARDSVILLE YMCA
7 on 7 YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

COACHES' PACKET
Also see Football Official Rules

Included in this packet:

1. YMCA Philosophy of Youth Sports & YMCA Mission
2. Team Roster
3. League Schedule
4. League Rules
5. Coach's Checklist & Resources
6. Parents Packet
7. Season Evaluation


Any Questions? Please feel free to contact the Recreational Sports Director at the Edwardsville YMCA - 656-0436 x 20.


The YMCA Philosophy of Youth Sports:
The YMCA's youth sports programs are not just another sports program. We have a mission, and that mission is stated in our Seven Pillars of YMCA Youth Super Sports.

Pillar One - Everyone Plays. We do not use tryouts to select the best players, nor do we cut kids from the team. Everyone who registers is assigned to a team. During the season everyone receives equal practice time and plays at least half of every game.

Pillar Two - Safety First. Although kids may get hurt playing sports, we do all we can to prevent injuries. We've modified each sport to make it safer and more enjoyable to play. Coaches make sure the equipment and facilities are safe, and they teach the sport as we've prescribed so that the skills taught are appropriate for athletes' development levels. And coaches constantly supervise their players and stop any unsafe activities.

Pillar Three - Fair Play. Fair play is about playing by the rules - and more. It's about coaches and players showing respect for all involved in YMCA youth sports. It's about coaches being role models of good sporting behavior and guiding their players to do the same.

Pillar Four - Positive Competition. We believe competition is a positive process when the pursuit of victory is kept in the right perspective. The right perspective is when adults make decisions that put the best interests of the players before winning the contest. Learning to compete is important for youngsters; a learning to cooperate in a competitive world is an essential lesson of life. Through YMCA Youth sports we want to help kids learn these lessons.

Pillar Five - Family Involvement. YMCA youth sports encourages parents to be involved appropriately in their child's participation in our sports programs. IN addition to parents being helpful as volunteer coaches, officials and timekeepers, we encourage them to be at practices and games to support their child's participation. To help parents get involved appropriately, YMCA Youth Super Sports offers parent orientation programs.

Pillar Six - Sport of All. YMCA Youth Super Sports is an "inclusive" sports program. WE offer programs to all youngsters regardless of their race, gender, religious creed, or ability. We ask our adult leaders to encourage and appreciate the diversity of children in our society and encourage the kids and their parents to do the same.

Pillar Seven - Sport for Fun. Sports are naturally fun for most kids. Sometimes when adults become involved in children's sporting activities they over-organize and dominate the activities to the point that it destroys kids' enjoyment of them. If we take the fun out of sports for young athletes, we are in danger of the young athletes taking themselves out of sports.

YMCA Mission:
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

COACHES' CHECKLIST

Coach's Meeting:
___ receive and review informational packet
___ review team roster.
___ review league schedule
___ ask any questions needed to begin coaching

Practice Sessions:

  • Call coach(s)/ assistant coach(s) on roster
  • Check the condition of both equipment and facility for safety hazards before beginning practice.
  • Call all parents / team members on roster informing them of the team's practice sessions - giving adequate notice.
  • Allow for as much practice time per individual as possible; avoid making players standing around waiting.
  • Emphasize in all practice time the YMCA Sports philosophy that "Everyone Wins."
  • Teach the skills of the sport and the importance of physical fitness and living a healthy lifestyle.
  • Encourage parent involvement by providing opportunities for parents to help during the practices and games.
  • Maintain a positive attitude and enthusiasm toward practicing.
  • Inform the other coach(s) on the team if you cannot attend a practice, making sure that he or she has the appropriate lesson plan and other necessary information.


League Games:

  • Ask team members to arrive early enough for an adequate warm-up prior to the start of the game.
  • Give a brief pre-game talk.
  • Put the importance of the game in its proper perspective.
  • Remind players of the skills they've been practicing and encourage them to concentrate on performing those skills rather than on what their opponents may do.
  • Emphasize the need to thank and play as a team and not to criticize teammates.
  • Demonstrate and stress the importance of respecting the official's decisions.
  • Support all team members before, during and after all games and practices.
  • Schedule playing time for team members in accordance with the YMCA Youth Sports philosophy:
  • Every team player plays - regardless of the score.
  • Team members have opportunities to play different positions.
  • Encourage all players to have FUN!!


YMCA COACHES QUESTIONAIRE

The following questionnaire is being given to each YMCA 7-on-7 Touch Football Passing League Coach. Please return the questionnaire to the Edwardsville YMCA following the football league session. You can mail the questionnaire back to the Edwardsville YMCA 1200 ESIC Drive, Edwardsville, IL. 62025. You can also drop it off at the front desk of the YMCA, attention Jake Colson, by the deadline. Thank you for your feedback!


1. How many years have you coached a YMCA 7-on-7 football team? ___________


2. Please list the age group of the league you coached during the fall 2002 season.
____________


3. Rate your coaching experience at the beginning of the fall season.
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
Inexperienced Experienced


4. Did you feel that a Skills Clinic should be held before the season to help to your coaching experience and to the team?
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
not needed would greatly help


5. Please make any comments or suggestions on how we can provide training for coaches. (use back of the page for extra space)


6. Rate the job that the referees did this season officiating your league games?
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
poor excellent


7. What is your opinion on the quality of the field / facility that you played on?
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
poor excellent


8. What is your opinion on the rules that were used for the 7-on-7 Touch Football Passing League?
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
poor fair good


9. Do you feel we should hold overtime in the case that two teams have a tie game?
YES NO

10. Which do you think should have priority when organizing teams for our league?

Keeping schoolmates/friends together Making teams the same size


11. Please rate the YMCA youth 7-on-7 Touch Football Passing League program, keeping in mind the philosophy and objectives of the YMCA and this league.

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
poor excellent


Thank you for your feedback, good and bad, concerning the YMCA Youth Sports programs. We are very dependent on the coaches to let us know what is working, and what is not. We appreciate you taking the time to help improve and help our programs grow.