House Division Coach's Responsibilities

1. Perform your background check through CJSA (Connecticut Junior Soccer Association)

This is done quickly by using the link to their home page www.cjsa.org
This is valid for 3 years.

2. What to do when the team roster is received from the Commissioner

Call the players on your roster as soon as possible. Every season the league is flooded by phone calls from players trying to find out why they have not been contacted by a coach when their friends have already received a call.
Remember! No one under any circumstances is allowed to be with your team if they do not appear on your roster.
In an attempt to be a "nice guy" some coaches have allowed players to join their team without first hearing from their division commissioner. This has the potential of seriously damaging the league liability – don’t do it.

3. What to tell the players on the first contact

Identify yourself as the coach of the team, providing your name and phone number and email.  If known tell them the name of the team (sponsor) and color of the uniform.
Tell them the dates and times of games and practices (no practices during Indoor Season or for the junior division). All players must wear shin guards. Either soccer cleats or sneakers are acceptable.

4. If the phone number provided is incorrect

First, look in the phone book. Most phone numbers are incorrect by just one number.
Next email bobpepi@aol.com who will check the original registration form for an alternative.  If you discover on your own what the correct number is, then pass it on to the league so we can correct our records.

5. If there is no answer when you phone

Reasons for no answer are numerous: parents may work unusual hours, families may be on vacation etc. It may require multiple attempts, over several days, at different times of the day to contact some players. This is another reason to contact your players as soon as possible. If numerous attempts fail then tell the commissioner. Every season the league receives calls from parents complaining they were never called. This is a poor reflection on the league. Be sure to let your commissioner know that you were unsuccessful in contacting a player so you are not held responsible.

6. If a player does not want to play on your team

Players may change their mind after registering and decide not to play the season. They can contact the league in writing at 146 Gaymoor Drive, Stamford 06907 and request a refund. Alternatively, they can apply the money as a credit toward the next season. Parents should inform the league of this decision. On next season’s registration form they should put a note saying that they paid the previous season and did not play.
If a player does not want to play because they want to be on another team, they should be informed that players are assigned to teams by the league in a random manner. Starting with Division 1, the league does not honor requests to play on a certain team, with a particular coach or with a friend. This is an attempt to ensure parity across the league. A division usually encompasses two birth years. Part of a team will therefore stay together for two years. At the end of that time the player moves up to the next division where the players are again randomly assigned to a new team.

7. Practice

A practice should be held at least once a week (no practice for the junior division). This is a recreational league, so the kids’ enjoyment is paramount.
Practices do not need to be held on a soccer field, any open space will do.
The more a player touches a ball, the more they learn. Request that they each bring a ball to practice, unless you have enough for your whole team.
Try to organize practices so that players are not spending a lot of time standing in line. The first part of practice should be spent doing drills or learning skills. Always finish off a practice with an inter squad scrimmage or against another practicing team. Remember kids want to play games.
Of you feel you need more help, the league runs coaching clinics and has an extensive video library. Contact your commissioner or check the SYSL web site.

8. Players not on the roster cannot practice or play with your team

The league carries insurance based on all players registered in the league based on their team assignments. The coach becomes responsible for any injuries incurred if they allow a player not on the roster to participate with their team. If you know a player who wants to participate instruct them to fill out a registration form and submit it to the league. That player will then be assigned to a team based on a team’s need. The player you recruited may end up on another team.