👟 Coaching with Blanchester Youth Soccer

Coaches are the heart of Blanchester Youth Soccer. Volunteering your time helps develop young players, strengthens our community, and makes the season fun for everyone. Coaching is 100% volunteer work, and while rewarding, it does require training and a background check for the safety of all participants.

📲 Registration

As of January 2024, all coaches must also complete the referee test.

🧾 Required Trainings (Free of Charge)

The following trainings are mandatory for all coaches. If you are ever prompted to pay, please contact Jamie before proceeding.

Background Check

• If you are a teacher, speak with a board member before completing the SAY Soccer background check.

• When registering, select “A Volunteer”.

• Choose the club Blanchester.

Concussion Training (~30 minutes)

• Best completed on a computer.

• Select the course: National Federation of State High School Associations – Concussion in Sports: What You Need to Know.

• You will need to create an account (save your login info for future use).

• Certification is valid for 3 years.

SafeSport Coaches Training (~3 hours)

• Best completed on a computer. 

• Requires account creation (save your login info).

• Training takes about 3 hours the first time.

• A refresher is required in years 2, 3, and 4, and the full course again in year 5.

📤 Submitting Certificates

All coaches must provide copies of their completed certificates:

• Background check

• Concussion training

• SafeSport training

Certificates can be submitted by hard copy, email, or text to the Coach Coordinator.

🌟 Optional Training

For those new to soccer or looking for extra guidance, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) offers an excellent introduction to coaching.

• This training is not required.

• Cost: $20 (covered by you).

• Learn more at the NAYS website.

🏅 Coaching Responsibilities

Being a coach means being a mentor and leader to your team. Along with teaching soccer, coaches help players grow in teamwork, respect, and confidence.

📜 Code of Conduct

• All coaches must agree to and follow the Coaches Code of Conduct (PDF).

🗂 Required Paperwork

Coaches are responsible for collecting player paperwork and turning it in to the Coaches Coordinator.

The Coaches Coordinator will make copies of all required documents. Coaches are expected to have these items on hand at every practice and game:

1. Concussion Certificate

2. SafeSport Coaches Training Certificate

3. Player Emergency Medical Forms

4. Spectator Code of Ethics

5. Player Code of Ethics

6. Official Team Roster

📊 Game Score Reporting

• Coaches must report all game scores (home and away) to the District Representative within 24 hours of the game.

• The District Representative submits home scores to Five Points and verifies away scores.

⚽ Field Lining

• Fields are set up at the start of the season, which requires many hours of work.

• Fields are typically mowed weekly, and it is mandatory for coaches to maintain their field lines.

• If you are unsure how to line the fields, please ask a Board Member or another Coach for help.

Safety, Consent, and Sportsmanship

Blanchester Youth Soccer is a contact sport. Players, coaches, and parents/guardians should recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion and take appropriate precautions.

🏥 Medical Consent & Hold Harmless

• The Blanchester Youth Soccer Organization is to be held harmless for injuries on and off the soccer field.

• All players must have a completed Medical Consent-Hold Harmless  form on file.

😷 COVID-19 Guidelines

• COVID-19 symptoms are similar to the flu and should not be ignored.

• If a child has a fever, cough (not allergy-related), sore throat, shortness of breath, or has been in contact with anyone who tested positive within 10 days, they must stay home.

• Parents/guardians are required to sign a COVID-19 Hold Harmless Waiver

❤️ Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness

• Ohio law requires parents to be informed of the risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Syndrome.

• Learn more here: Lindsay's Law

⚽ Sportsmanship

• Players, coaches, and spectators (parents, grandparents, friends) are expected to be respectful on and off the field.

• Concerns should be directed to a coach, referee, or board member.

📄 Codes of Conduct & Ethics

• All players must review and sign a Players Code of Conduct form during the 1st or 2nd practice each season.

• A parent/guardian must sign the Spectator Code of Ethics form before the first game each season.

• These forms are required every season.

Players Code of Conduct

Spectator Code of Ethics - Updated January 2024

🌧 Rain

• Games and practices are played in the rain.

❄️ Snow

• Games and practices are played in the snow.

⛈ Thunder and Lightning

• If thunder is heard or lightning is seen, the game or practice is immediately suspended.

• Everyone must move off the field for 30 minutes from the last thunder or lightning.

• If an earlier practice is affected, the session may be shortened.

🔥 Heat

We follow OSHA/NIOSH heat safety guidelines using the Heat Safety Tool App.

• Red Zone (Danger)

  • Practices and games are canceled or rescheduled according to OSHA/NIOSH guidelines.

• Orange Zone (Warning)

  • Extra water breaks are required.

  • Coaches may request additional breaks, and both teams must participate.

Game adjustments for heat

1. Download and use the OSHA NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App.

2. During games:

   • Allow water breaks close to halfway through the quarter at a dead-ball situation with the clock running.

   • Push game times later in the day or reschedule if needed.

   • Rescheduled games are usually played on weekday evenings.

3. Only Board Members may approve rescheduled or delayed games.

Coaching Equipment

🎒 Equipment Provided to Coaches (Passers, Wings, Strikers, and Kickers)

• Ball bag

• 1–2 practice balls

• 1 game ball

• Practice cones

• Pinnies

🛒 Recommended Items to Purchase

• Whistle

• Clipboard for paperwork

Some coaches prefer to purchase their own bags, balls, pinnies, or cones to use year after year and across multiple teams. This is completely acceptable, and there are no required colors for pinnies or cones if you choose to bring your own.

If you are unsure how to run practice SAY has great resources with a full Season of Sessions , video drills, and printable drills.