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Frequently Asked Questions for Coaches

Do You Want to Coach?

 

If you are considering applying to coach in EWSC, but have some questions, please read the following FAQ:

 

 

What kinds of people apply to be soccer coaches in EWSC?

While a number of our coaches are professional coaches and trainers, the majority of our coaches are parents or other family members of players on the team. Many of our coaches have backgrounds in soccer or coaching other sports, but they all have a desire to teach children how to play the game and how to be a member of a team.

 

Do coaches have to have special licenses to coach in EWSC?

At the moment there are no special licensing requirements to apply to coach. We strongly encourage all of our coaches, however, to either have had or commit to getting formal training through MYSA coaching clinics. Even for coaching candidates with strong soccer-playing backgrounds, we believe that everyone benefits from expert advice on how to properly teach soccer to children.

 

I’ve got coaching licenses in other sports but not in soccer. Will I be required to get a soccer-coaching license too?

To repeat, we strongly encourage ALL of our coaches to either have had or commit to getting formal training in the form of a soccer-coaching clinic. Nearly all expert soccer coaches will tell you that properly teaching youth soccer is different than teaching most other North American sports. In order to appreciate this difference, we want you to have the benefit of training specifically designed for those who coach youth soccer.

 

Where do I find out more about coaches training?

The MYSA has a webpage listing upcoming coaches coaching clinics. These clinics are offered throughout the year and throughout the Twin Cities. Please check the link often as new courses are added frequently: http://www.mnyouthsoccer.org/coaches/clinics.cfm.

 

Which coaching clinics are right for this age group?

We urge you to attend at least the “Youth Modules.” After that, we strongly encourage coaches to attend either a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) “State Diploma” course or a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) “E Certificate” course. These courses, as well as the next level course, simply require your attendance and participation. There is no formal testing or grading at these levels.

 

What if I need more help?

EWSC provides plenty of resources to help our coaches. For example, Technical Director Colleen Carey will coach your team on several occasions throughout the season. You can contact Colleen or Coaching Director Skip Newton about lesson plans, lesson strategies, or any other coaching-related questions you may have. With the resources we put into coaching development, you should never feel like a ship adrift on the soccer sea.

 

Alright, I’ll get the license. What do I need to do to apply to coach an EWSC team?

Coaching candidates usually indicate their desire to interview by returning the application form prior to the dates of the interview. The candidate can submit more information, such as in the form of resume, if there are additional factors that you would like for us to consider.

 

I checked a box on the registration form that I want to coach, should I just sit back and wait to get a call?

No! You must take the next step and apply to head coach, which will provide us with some basic information about your candidacy.

 

Do I have to interview if I just want to be an assistant coach?

In nearly all cases, no. Rarely does a candidate for an assistant coach apply. But you still need to consent to a background check in order to be an assistant coach.

 

What happens after I apply?

We will contact you, preferably by e-mail, when we have scheduled the interviews to let you know the time and place of your interview. We will work with you to find a time that is convenient for everyone.

 

What are the interviews like?

We usually conduct short interviews and they are often one right on top of the other. We try our best to stay on schedule. Please be on time or we might have to reschedule your interview. You will usually meet with several members of the coaching selection committee to discuss your candidacy and any issues you may bring up. Every interview is a little different than the others.

 

Could my child’s placement on a team be affected if I decide to coach?

Absolutely not. The players are placed on appropriate level teams based on several factors. We do not consider coaching need together with coaching applicants as one of those factors.

 

Do you mean to tell me that if all the coaching applicants in an age group had children end up on the same team, you wouldn’t break up that team to fill all of the coaching spots in the age group?

That is correct. Our policy is to first place the player on their appropriate team. The coach follows the player, not the player follows the coach.

 

Why pick coaches before you pick teams then?

Candidates who interview prior to tryouts are invited to attend and observe the tryouts to gain a better understanding of the abilities of the players at the age group. Coaches are generally not assigned until critical team information is known.

 

I missed this round of interviews, how will I be notified about the next round?

Check this website. We will have notices posted in the weeks before tryouts in the winter and the summer, depending on the age group. The notices are posted generally in early January and in early July. This is the best way because we can’t really guess at who is interested in coaching next season. We have found that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to alert any of the new candidates if our only notification was an e-mail to the existing coaches.