All Coaches Must Complete SafeSport (online Training)

All Coaches Must go Through a Background Check

You are the leader of the team.  While at games you and your team are representing HOVSA.  It is important to be respectful to the Refs - they always have the final ruling on any calls.  Never argue with a ref or make rude comments to them.  Many are young and doing the best they can.  If you have a legitimate complaint, consider filling out a "Game Incident Report" on the East Central Soccer District website.  This same report can be used for praises and positive feedback.

Make sure you have all player and parent information with you at all games and practices. 

If there is a life threatening situation, please call 911, immediately followed up by a call to the parent/ emergency contact.

If the situation is not life threatening, please call parents/ emergency contact.

Any emergency situations should (after the fact) be communicated to a HOVSA Board Member.  Try to relay as much information about the situation to us as you can, and as is necessary.

The large center field is reserved for Little Chute High School soccer teams.

There are other groups that rent fields from the Village of Little Chute.  It is important to work with the Registrar or Coaching Coordinator to set up and adhere to your schedule.

Do not argue with other groups that may have rented space.  Just move to another field to carry out your practice and then follow up with Registrar or Coaching Coordinator to figure out the field conflict. 

Coaches shall hold at least one practice per week (older players may practice up to 2 times per week). 

Consistent weekly practices tend to work best for families (as they can prepare their schedules more easily).  Sign up for your practice time with the HOVSA Registrar or Coaching Coordinator.  We turn all game and practice times in to the Village, so that they have an opportunity to still rent out fields when HOVSA is not using them.  If you plan to change times/ day-of-the-week, please alert Registrar or Coaching Coordinator. 

In the even that you do need to reschedule a practice, please make sure it is communicated to your team and most importantly to the parents.  Do not depend on the players to tell their parents. 

A practice is generally 1 hour long (although may be up to 2 hours for older players once school is out for the year).  It should include warm ups, skills training, scrimmaging (and conditioning for older players).

You and your team should plan to arrive at least 15-30 minutes before game time to warm up and get organized. 

For Home Games - you will need to put the flags out on the corner of the fields.  Also put game balls out (1 ball by each goal, and 1 at midfield).

Introduce yourself to the Refs.  Hand them the envelope that contains their payment.

For teams 12U and older - Officials will need a completed game/ player roster before each game.  They will use this to check in players.  Upon completion of the game, referees will record the score and get a signature from both coaches.

Refs will likely come over and do an equipment check prior to the game.  When doing so, players should stand in a straight line.  The Ref will walk down the line looking for shin guards and players will need to show the bottom of their cleats (note that soccer cleats do not have a front cleat like baseball and football cleats).  They will also make sure that players aren't wearing jewelry.

When the game is over - the teams shall line up to meet the opposing team with 'High Fives' and say 'Good Game'.  10U and older should line up with goalies first.  Coaches shall be at the end and also participate in this ritual.

Referees have the power to stop a game to have a spectator, player or coach removed from the field area.

Spectators:  The ref will ask the Home Field coach to remove the parent/ fan who is disrupting the game.  Referees have the power to ask or demand that a spectator leave.  They have no direct control of anyone who is not a player or coach.  In brief, the referee engages in a version of Ask/Tell with regard to a spectator, but only through the coach.  In other words, if a spectator is causing a problem, we are to ask the coach to control any spectator whose behavior is unacceptable.  If the association of this spectator with one team or the other is unclear or disputed, then we engage both coaches.  The coaches must find ways to control the problem either through their own actions or with the assistance of other spectators or, if necessary, through recourse to external authorities.  If one or both coaches and/or additional spectators or the intervention do not resolve the problem, then the only remaining option is to suspend the game or terminate it altogether.

Players:  The ref will ask the Home Field coach to remove the player who is disrupting the game. That player should gather up their gear and leave the gaming area with a parent/ emergency contact.  The player may not stay and "watch" the game.

Coaches:  If a coach is told to leave the game for whatever reason, just do it.  Do not argue or carry on.  All disagreements can be addressed at a later time (if so desired).  If the coach refuses to leave the gaming area, the referee has the ability to end the game immediately and aware the win to the opposing team.  Reminder that you set the example for your players and should conduct yourself in a positive manner. Likewise, players set the example for the fans/ spectators - a positive attitude should be encouraged.