South Eugene High School

Girls Soccer Program

Standard Operating Procedures

June 2019, V2

(Previous versions obsolete)

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Table of Contents Page

Vision/Mission Statement 2

Gender Statement 2

Program Introduction 2-3

Coaching Philosophy 4

Standards of Conduct 5

Injury Mitigation 6

Tactics 7

Summer Training 7-8

Squad Selection 8

Training 9

Contact 10

Attachments

Field Player Evaluation Form 11

Goalkeeper Evaluation Form 12

Player Assessment Form 13

Summer Workout 14

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South Eugene High School Vision Statement

South Eugene High School is a caring community that encourages students to be lifelong learners and contributors in an increasingly complex world.

South Eugene High School Mission Statement

This community pledges to be an active participant with students as they grow and develop both as individuals and learners in an increasingly complex world.

South Eugene High School Girls Soccer Program Mission

To create a safe, positive, and structured training environment in order to provide high quality training to holistically develop players for success.

Gender Statement

While every effort has been made to use neutral gender pronouns, any reference to a specific gender applies to all genders. This program adheres to OSAA Handbook Regulation 42 regarding gender and participation in interscholastic sports.

Program Introduction

The SEHS Soccer Program is vertically aligned - all squads regardless of Varsity, Junior Varsity, Junior Varsity II, or Freshman designation will train according to the standards, policies, and procedures detailed out in this document. Only the Varsity head coach can authorize deviations to the standards outlined and it will be the responsibility of the Varsity head coach to ensure compliance within the program.

Long-term Program Goals:

1. Win the State Championship2. Win the League Championship3. Concede as few goals as possible4. Be entertaining

Short-term Program Goals:

1. Have fun!2. Train efficiently3. Mitigate injuries4. Develop players5. Grow the program

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The four potential squad within the program: Varsity, Junior Varsity, Junior Varsity II, and Freshmen. Typically, the most apparent difference between each squad will be the increase in tactical/technical complexity, physical fitness, and intensity of play. While the program is working toward the goals listed above, each team may increase or decrease training priorities, as determined by the coaches, based on skill levels of the players that season. This is what would typically be expected of each squad but could change based on depth of talent:

The core concept of this structure is that each level is preparing players for success at the next: Freshman team would be preparing players for success at JVII, JVII would be preparing players for JV, JV would be preparing players for competition on Varsity, and Varsity would be seeking to lead the way forward for the program.

Varsity

1. Selection is based on needs of a particular position, exposure to other positions is limited2. Training focuses on position-specific skill refinement and conceptual expansion3. Competitive focus is winning with the goal of a State Championship4. Performing foundational skills at match-pace is expected, high intensity training

environment5. Internalization and expansion of tactical concepts, decentralized execution

Junior Varsity

1. Player selection is based on general skill and needs of a particular position, exposure to other positions is occasional

2. Training focuses on developing players in a few similar areas3. Competitive focus is on learning and developing with the goal of winning matches4. Performing foundational skills approaches match-pace, moderate intensity training

environment5. Further development and refinement of tactical concepts, moderately controlled execution

Junior Varsity II

1. Player selection is based on general skill, exposure to other positions may be common2. Training focuses on developing players in several areas of interest to find a specialty3. Competitive focus is on learning and developing with the goal of winning matches4. Performing foundational skills is generally at a training-pace, moderate to low intensity

training environment5. Development of tactical concepts, centralized execution

Freshmen

1. Player selection is based on general skill and interest in the sport, exposure to other positions may be common

2. Training focuses on providing foundational knowledge3. Competitive focus is on learning and developing 4. Performing foundational skills is generally at a training or introductory-pace, low to

moderate intensity training environment

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5. Introduction to tactical concepts, centralized execution

Coaching Philosophy

We are one team and one program. Varsity is not ‘better’ than JV, nor are players of one team ‘better’ than another. We all arrive here with different abilities, experiences, and contribute in our own way. It is the purpose of the coaches to recognize and hone individual and team skills through tailored training, and focus each individual to be the best player they want to be. There is a place for everyone within our program. If a player wants to have fun but doesn’t want to compete at the State level, Varsity may not be the best place for them. More experienced players should seek to mentor younger or less experienced players if that player shows a desire to learn. Mentorship is not a written requirement but rather a positive opportunity we should capitalize on if it comes up as a way to steward the program (mentioned in more detail below).

Student athletes are students first and athletes second. While the soccer program focuses on teaching the associated tactics, techniques, and procedures related to the sport, it is understood that many valuable life-skills can be forged within the program as well such as leadership, teamwork, stress management, and basic nutrition and fitness, to name a few. Coaches will utilize available opportunities to expand training beyond just soccer-specific tasks provided that it is appropriate, relevant, and aids in creating cognitive bridges between soccer and life.

The training environment should be positive, fun, and challenging. But not impossible. In order to grow and develop, we must push the boundaries of our comfort but not so far as to create undue

stress where the ability to retain new information and make connections between concepts breaks down. In this learning zone, failures and mistakes are training opportunities which can be coached positively to maximize retention.

Training should replicate match conditions. The intent of equipment and standards in accordance with the OSAA regulations should be adhered to in practice. That means wearing shinguards, correct boots, socks, etc. during training. We should seek to replicate in training the physical and mental fatigue experienced in matches.

We are all stewards of the program. Its future is shaped by our attitude and performance every day. Players on JV, JVII, and Freshmen squads will inherently look to the Varsity players as models for how to be and act, in school and on the field. Older and more experienced players should recognize this and act accordingly but it is the responsibility of each individual player to be the best they can every day. Each player can be the best ‘them’ by following the “five rights”: Be in the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment, in the right uniform, with the right attitude. This will maximize learning potential and training time for coaches.

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Standards of Conduct

As representatives of South Eugene High School on and off the field, student athletes will be held to the highest Standards of Conduct:

1. Honor Code. A student athlete will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do.

2. Drugs and Alcohol. A student athlete will not participate in, nor be audience to, any illegal drug or alcohol related activities.

3. Hazing. Students will not participate in nor tolerate the hazing of any other person for any reason - hazing is the infliction of humiliation, isolation, stress, or physical discomfort, often in the spirit of “initiating” a newer or younger member or members into the program.

4. Social Media. Your conduct on social media will be treated the same as your conduct face to face. Be aware that people’s perception of your behavior will reflect upon South Eugene High School, the Girls Soccer program, and yourself. Be mindful of how your comments, likes, etc. will be interpreted without typical social cues like facial expressions and inflection. There have been numerous cases where social media follows individuals for years and is reviewed by potential employers/recruiters.

5. Academics. Players must maintain academic eligibility to guidelines published by South Eugene High School at a minimum. You should not be failing any classes the term prior to participation. As players are students first and athletes second, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 to continue participation in the program. If a student falls below this threshold or is failing any class, they will be placed on academic probation and will be barred from practice and matches until the student’s teachers confirm their grades have progressed to an acceptable level.

Violations of the Standards of Conduct may be grounds for removal from the program and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

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Injury Mitigation/The Warm Up

This program will follow the guidelines of FIFA 11+ but may not follow the exact exercises as some may be substituted for others during the training year. We recognize players often have club soccer commitments and will have regular scheduled check-in’s with players to ensure any issues are diagnosed and treated early. Players are encouraged to conduct these drills at home over the summer in order to condition their body. Use of FIFA 11+ as a warm-up has statistically reduced non-contact injuries 30%-50%. Players should limit/cease training three to five days prior to the first day of tryouts in order to allow the body adequate time to recover.

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Tactics

South Eugene will foundationally play a 4-3-3 formation with an inverted central midfield. This will consist of two central fullbacks, two wingbacks, a defensive center mid, two attacking center mids, two outside forwards (wings), and a central striker. Players should also be familiar with formations the 4-3-3 can rapidly become such as the 3-4-3, or 4-5-1 (of which the 4-2-3-1 is a derivative) with the dropping of the attacking wings to play a more traditional wing role and potentially a standard central midfield with two defensive mids and one attacking mid. The actual formations selected for each match

will vary depending on player abilities and opposing team strategies. Players should always strive to be flexible.

Concepts such as the counterattack and counterpress will be important to know. Advanced players can begin familiarizing themselves with some conceptual novelties such as the regista and the False-9.

Understanding field layout and numerology will help in tactical training.

Summer Training

On-field Summer training will be available for any player within the program to help prepare for tryouts and the fall season and build camaraderie in the off-season. A calendar/outline for summer training will be provided at the preseason meeting in May, or upon request to interested players. Training will be on Tuesday and Wednesday each week from 0900 to 1100. Participation in summer training is voluntary and will carry no weight in the squad selection

during tryouts.

An at-home workout plan will be provided to players as a way to individually build core strength and endurance and requires little to no equipment. Individual skill workout plans will be provided upon request. The simplest is often the most effective: getting daily, quality exercise and touches on the ball will increase your performance and potential for the fall season. Ball touches (top and side-to-side) as well as setting up a basic slalom to dribble through is great training.

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Priorities of Work for Summer:

1. Fitness: strength and endurance for competition and injury mitigation.

We have limited time during the fall season to improve overall fitness. You should arrive to tryouts in the best physical and technical shape you can in order to start the season at full-speed and to mitigate injury potential.

2. Individual Touch on Ball: dribbling, turning, passing, trapping, crossing, etc.3. Tactical/Technical Education and refinement4. Small-team play5. Full-sized match play

Squad Selection

Selection is merit-based and each position will be earned, not given.

Player performance will be evaluated using a weighted system for tactical, technical, physical, and character skills and attributes, with a separate matrix to focus on keeper skills. These tasks will be organized within a matrix and weights will be clearly marked. Coaches will evaluate players on a level of 1 – 10 for each skill or attribute: ‘1’ being “needs further development compared with peers” and ‘10’ being “superior to the majority of peers”. This skill rating is multiplied by the task weight for a task score based on the coach’s priorities for the season. The sum of their task scores comprise the overall score out of 2500 available points. This final score will be used as the primary means of determining squads for the season but will not be only means and ultimately the head coach will make the final determination regarding squad level for each player. Squad sizes will be determined based on number of players trying out combined with the overall players skill score to field an appropriate number of teams.

Participation in club soccer is not a prerequisite for any squad level and will carry no weight in squad selection.

The selection criteria will be distributed to players at the preseason May meeting but is available on the SE Athletics Varsity Girls Soccer team site under “Files”. Criteria is subject to change at the coach’s discretion but all efforts will be made to ensure players know what they will be evaluated on and how it will be scored well in advance of tryouts. The format of tryouts (drills, specific fundamentals emphasized, etc.) will not be distributed.

Squad Selection for 2019/2020 season will take place over three training days: a double, a single, and a double training session. Each player registered for tryouts will receive a number and safety pins for the tryout sessions the morning of tryouts. These numbers will be pinned to the right leg portion of the player’s shorts. Each player will be responsible for the care and maintenance of their number throughout the duration of the tryout sessions and will be turned in at the end of the tryout sessions.

Please refrain from wearing club-specific gear during tryouts, this prevents any bias during evaluation time.

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Training

Season training will revolve around matches, that is, the day prior to a match should be for preparation and following a match should be for recovery and those days should focus on tactical/technical refinement with minimal conditioning, whether by intent or result. The post-match training session is the best opportunity to address issues which came up in the match the day prior as it will still be fresh in the minds of the players.

The majority of conditioning should have been completed via the summer training plan, the fall training days are too short for substantial improvement in overall fitness to take place.

Once the training session starts players need to be focused and ready. Phones shouldn’t be checked until training is over, unless prior arrangements have been made with the coach. Chit-chat about the school day and upcoming school events should be saved for after training is over. Once training starts, the switch has to be ‘on’. Conversely, talk from players about drills, tactics, mechanics, etc. is welcome and encouraged and shows internalization of material and teamwork through the development of others.

The training plans and focuses will vary in design day-to-day, but should generally be designed in an ever-increasing scale. An individual task can be taught, then incorporated into a small-sided session where it is applied to a more complex situation, then incorporated into a larger game-like environment to solidify its point.

At the end of every training session, a cooldown will take place where, arguably, the most valuable physical training takes place: stretching.

Additional Duties

A high functioning team is one with a shared workload. Players may be tasked with duties such as managing the water cooler, technical area, medical supplies, and team equipment. The most common additional duty is that of the Team Captain. The Team Captain(s) is(are) the motivating force, the inspirational light, the calm during chaos. They speak on behalf of the team and assist the coach in ensuring tactical priorities and standards are met and maintained. From overseeing the setup of a technical area prior to a match to overseeing the conduct of their team during a match, the team captain has the additional authority, as delegated by the coach, to guide the team toward the accomplishment of the team’s goals. The team captain is the point of contact for the whole team to be able to address, anonymously if need be, and present any issues to the head coach. The team captain is the only authorized point of contact to address referees or opposing players for the purpose of mitigating conflict during matches.

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Contact

Issues may arise during the season and specific people will collect comments, questions, or concerns to anonymously relay to the head coach for review. The team captains will collect and communicate any team-specific issues directly to the head coach via email primarily or text if it is time-sensitive. The Team Manager will collect and communicate issues from parents and communicate them to the head coach via email primarily, then text or phone call depending on immediacy of need. Having a point of contact to collect and filter issues as they come up will aid in reducing any emotional response to a situation.

For further, please contact the undersigned at blachly_d@4j.lane.edu.

Sincerely,

Dean W. Blachly

Varsity Girls Soccer Head Coach South Eugene High School

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