Welcome to Jim's Corner - Thoughts & Information from Jim Finnerty our Director of Coaching

1/25/08

Jim is asking all coaches to evaluate their players twice a year.  Click here to see the criteria they'll be using for their evaluations.

1/22/08

Dear Carolina Select Families and Coaches,

A new season is here and we as coaches met after last season and tried to cover the major issues for our Club and come up with ways we can make this Club a better place for our players, families and coaching staff.

My dream for this Club is to offer a healthy environment for youth players to develop, have fun and have a chance to play at the highest levels. For our parents to feel confident that their child is safe and they both feel part of a community. For our coaching staff to feel support, learn from our staff and be given the opportunity to grow as a coach.

I think we have some great families involved in this Club and I am proud to part of Carolina Select. I also think we can come together and make this a better place for our youth players.

Below you will find the minutes from our coaches meeting.  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Thanks,

Jim

Coaches Meeting

1. Parent Code of Conduct
2. Parent Meetings
3. Evaluations
4. Guest Playing
5. Playing Up
6. Weekends Off
7. Coaches Staying With Teams
8. Playing Time

1. Parent Code of Conduct: We want our coaches to meet with the parents before each game to remind everyone to support every player on the team and not give direction to the players. Best not to say anything during the game but if they need to clap or say good job that is fine.

No parents are to be on the team sideline, even the team managers. Make sure the players have all water or anything else they may need before they come to start warming up. Do not come over before the game, at half time or after the game.

If a parent has an issue with a coach they must wait 24 hours to contact the coach to set up a face to face meeting. You can contact Jim Finnerty immediately to talk about the situation.

2.      Parent Meetings: A coach will hold three meeting per season with the parents. A

pre-season meeting, an update meeting in the middle and an end of season  

            meeting.

3.      Evaluations: Coaches will give the players two evaluations a year. One after the first season and then one at the end of both seasons.

4.      Guest Playing: If you will be having a guest player on your team, explain to the parents why you are doing this and make sure the guest player knows they will not get much time.

            If one of our players will be guest playing, make sure the coach of that team lets   

            Jim Finnerty know.

5.      Playing Up: One Coach, Parent, or Director of Coaching can not make this decision. If interest comes for a player going up, the coach of the team the player plays on, the coach the player wants to go to, and the DOC will meet and make a decision that is best for the child. 

      6.   Weekends Off: Weekend in which teams do not have games scheduled, the coach      

            will hold a voluntary practice. 

7.      Coaches Staying With Teams: We will have certain coaches stay with these age 

      groups; U10-U12, U13-U14, U15-U16, and U17-U18. For example, if a coach is   

      with a U12 team they will have to put in a written request to stay with that team

      and move up with them to U13.

8.      Playing Time: At the U10-U12 age groups the playing time will be equal. A 

      coach can adjust this playing time if a player is not working as hard as they can on 

      the field. The one thing a player can control on the field is their work rate.

      At the U13-U14 age groups playing time is earned in practice and during games.

      Effort and good attitude will improve a players time on the field.  

At the U15 and up age groups playing time is earned.

10/31/07:

Players - please read the following excerpts from Mia Hamm & Aaron Heifetz's book, "Go For The Goal - A Champion's Guide to Winning in Soccer and Life".  I have read this book and pulled out things that I thought would be beneficial for our players.  It is a great book and a must read for the serious player.

Click the topics below to read Jim's favorite parts

Click here to order a copy of "Go For The Goal" on Amazon.com

Parents - please read the following article, "The Vision of a Champion", by Anson Dorance.  It gives great insight into the parent/coach/player relationship. 

Click here to read "The Vision of a Champion"

Jim would like to hear from you!  If you have questions or comments about anything club or soccer related, please email or call Jim at: jim101719@yahoo.com or 803-370-4288.