Zero Tolerance

All individuals responsible for a team and all spectators shall support the referee.
Failure to do so will undermine the referee's authority and has the potential of creating a hostile environment for the players, the referee, and all the other participants and spectators.

No one, except the players, is to speak to the referee during or after the game.

Exceptions:
Coaches may ask questions before the game, call for substitutions and point out emergencies during the game, or respond to the referee if addressed.

Absolutely NO disputing referee decisions - during or after the game, no remarks to the referee to watch certain players or attend to rough play.
DO NOT address the refree in an aggressive / abusive manner.
No criticism, sarcasm, harassment, intimidation, or feedback of any kind during or after the game.

If there is an issue with a referee, please document any issues to the Dover Sherborn Referee Coordinator, Chris Browne (cejb@verizon.net) or Chris Ward-Jones, the Dover Sherborn Director of Coaching (cwardjones@mpsbr.com).

Game Day

Enjoy the game! You have coached and taught the players, now let them play. Observe the play, give minimal advise from the sideline...some encouragement and constructive comments is all that's needed.

Never criticize the referee during the game. If you have an issue about a rule or laws of the game (you should never be questioning a judgement call), speak to them after the game...set a positive example for the players and parents.

Pre-Game:

Be organized. Know your players strengths and weaknesses. Come prepared with a starting line up.
Everyone should be ready for warm-ups 30 minutes before the game.
Ensure all players are prepared for the game - shin guards covered by socks, all jewellery & bracelets removed, shirts tucked into shorts.
Use the warm up to prepare your players for the game ahead. Get the ball involved as quickly as possible so the players can get a feel for the ball and accustomed to the playing conditions (the field, weather conditions etc). Give goalkeepers good preparation by giving them lots of service to the hands and encourage footwork.
Keep teamtalks short and sharp. Tell the players their positions and a couple of good things they will need to do to have a successful game.

During The Game:

Ensure that you as the coach assign the player positions. DO NOT allow players to dictate where they play.
Have a substitution plan with equal playing time.
Ensure that ALL players rotate positions.
Provide tactical information from the sidelines - ask open-ended question to provoke thought (i.e. "How could you help your team mate who has the ball?", "Where is the space?", "Are you in the best position right now?") rather than give instructions ("Kick it", "Boot it", "Shoot it"). We want to develop players who think and make good decisions for themselves.
Encourage players to be creative, expressive and to try something out of the ordinary without the fear of failure. Players learn from their mistakes.
Have players stand on sideline with you, away from midfield. When preparing to enter the field for substitutions, players stand at midfield and wait until the referee signals them to sub in. Coaches do NOT step onto the field or stop play for substitutions.
Parents sit on the OPPOSITE side of the field, not on the side with the players and NOT behind the goals.

Set a positive example for the players. Stay calm and stay in one place. Do not cross midfield; stay on your side. Encourage the players. Examples: "Great try" or "Good idea".

Parents and players hearing you identify a "well done play" by the opponent also goes a long way!

Remember not only are the parents watching there children during the game, they are also watching you.

Half Time Talk - keep it short and sharp. Quickly identify good things, areas to be improved and how to achieve improvement.

Post-Game:

Give opposing team a cheer. Shake hands - sportsmanship. Also shake hands with referees.
Talk time to de-brief and reflect on the game with the team. Don't get hung up on the negatives; start with the positives and brush upon areas that could be improved.
Leave on positive terms.
Remind players of next game or practice.