San Carlos United - Junior Coach Program

 

Overview 
A SCU Junior Coach is a current SCU soccer player who assists the coaching staff of a younger SCU team.  A Junior Coach supports the club by assisting in camps, clinics, practices and games.  

 

Benefits 
This program benefits many parties in the San Carlos United Soccer Club.  Junior Coaches benefit by giving back to the soccer community, increasing their knowledge of the game by completing the Junior Coach training course, and by serving in a leadership role that instills responsibility and commitment.  Younger players benefit by seeing the technical and tactical level of older kids, by being motivated to continue their soccer experience, and by having more fun in practice.  Coaches benefit by having technically qualified players demonstrate proper technique, and having an extra player to even up numbers and raise the level of the game.  Finally, San Carlos United itself benefits by deepening the connections within the San Carlos soccer community, preparing potential future coaches and referees, recruiting new players and retaining current players.

 

Program Overview

The program runs primarily during the Spring and Fall Seasons, but may include Winter and Summer Clinics or Camps.  Junior Coaches may work with teams from U6 to U13.  In order to maintain an age gap; Junior Coaches must be at least 3 years older than the players they are working with.  There are two levels of the Junior Coach Program: Level I is the beginning level and Level II is the experienced level.   

 

Level I Junior Coach:

• Level I is the for the beginning Junior Coach and will provide excellent training as well as experience to the new Junior Coach.  
• Must be at least 13 years old and an active SCU player
• Apply for the Junior Coach Program by completing the online application
• Complete the Level One Training Course which will include an introduction to coaching, role of the Junior Coach and positive coaching curriculum. There will be a test at the end of the training and candidates must receiving a passing score of at least 70% or higher.  This course will be 2 hours long and applicants will be notified of course dates.
• Once the Level I Training is completed, the Junior Coach may sign up to assist at a SCU clinic or camp
• After a Level I Junior Coach gains experience at a camp or clinic, they may be assigned to assist a team during a season.
• Level I Junior Coach do not receive coaching cards, nor should they be listed as assistant coaches on rosters.  In no circumstances, should Junior Coaches be the only team official present on game day, or asked to run a practice without other adults present.  
• Junior Coaches are encouraged to attend home games, but will remain on the parent side during the game.
• Level I Junior Coaches are volunteers and may earn community service hours (please check with your school on eligibility).   A Junior Coach may request a letter of recommendation from the coach which may be used for high school or college applications.
• If the Junior Coach is at least 16 and has shown a high level of ability at Level I, the coach may recommend they advance to Level II.
• Junior Coaches are also encouraged to take the San Carlos United Refereeing Course.

 

Level II Junior Coach

• Level Two Junior Coaches are experienced Junior Coaches who have gained experience as a Level I Junior Coach and are at least 16 years old.  
• Complete the Level One Training Course.
• Level Two Junior Coaches must complete the USSF Introduction to Grassroots Coaching Education Course and USSF 4v4 Course, 7v7 Course or 9v9 Course (all Online Courses). In addition, they must complete a Level Two course.  Applicants will be notified of course dates.
  
• It is encouraged that Junior Coaches also take the San Carlos United Refereeing Course.  
• Once candidate has successfully completed all requirements, the Junior Coach may be assigned to work with a team and/or clinics and camps.
• Junior Coaches assigned to a team must commit to working at least one practice a week and attending most home games.  In no circumstances, should Junior Coaches be the only team official present on game day, or asked to run a practice without a coach present.  
• Level II Junior Coaches will be paid $13.50 per hour while they are working at practices, games and/or camps/clinics.  A Junior Coach may choose to volunteer and receive community service hours instead of payment.
• A Junior Coach may request a letter of recommendation from the coach which may be used for college applications.

 

Guidelines 
Junior Coaches should behave in a responsible, adult manner and act as role model.  They should see their role more as an assistant coach and leader, and not as a player.  They should instill respect for the game and teamwork in the players.  Junior Coaches are there to assist coaches, not to do the job of the coach.   Junior Coaches will be provided with feedback during the season and evaluated by the coach at the end of each season.   If there are any issues with a Youth Coach not following these guidelines, they may be removed from the program at any time.

 

If you have any questions about the Junior Coach Program, please email juniorcoach@sancarlosunited.org