The basic concept is to still have individual teams, each with a dedicated manager. This person is responsible for communicating with the team, dealing with player issues (uniforms, etc), and managing the team during games. There will be 2 (or more) age group coaches. These coaches will manage all practice sessions. Each session will be attended by multiple teams (4-8). Each team will have its manager and also a demonstrator (if possible). The coach will demonstrate the skill, talk about what is trying to be accomplished, and then the managers and demonstrators will work with their individual teams to master the skill. Imagine a wheel with the coach in the center and the teams surrounding them like the spokes of the wheel.
The U6 teams will practice once a week for 30-45 minutes at JLRA. The U8 teams will practice once a week for 45-60 minutes at JLRA. Both age groups will play on Saturdays. The U6 game time slot will no longer include a pregame practice time.
What problems will this help?
1) U6 & U8 have the most teams due to small team sizes and large overall numbers. At this age the players are just starting and their parents usually don't have the confidence to coach a team. This way TSA only needs to find a couple of skilled coaches for the whole age group and a “not skilled yet” manager for each team.
2) The age groups will be taught consistent skills in a consistent manner. This should improve the skills of all of the players and help even out the teams. Eventually there will be a consistent curriculum that builds through the age groups. This should improve the quality of all of the players.
3) The team managers are also being trained. By helping in the skill sessions they are learning how to coach a practice session. By the time the players reach the U10 group the need for coaches is reduced (more players/team = fewer teams) so a manager should be ready to step up as a coach.
4) Team managers still place the players on the field during the games. By having a manager instead of a coach during games the manager is less likely to try to coach from the sidelines during the game, reducing the “holler” factor, reducing confusion of the player, and returning the game to the kids by just letting them play.
Why not do it for U10 also?
At U10 the player has a choice to play for CFFC or stay in the recreational league. This reduces the number of skilled rec coaches needed. The larger team size also makes it more difficult to manage multiple teams during a practice session. We will still offer support to the U10 rec coaches, we just won't have someone else running the whole practice session.
We may offer an Academy program for U10 & U12 goal keepers, both rec and CFFC. More on this later…