Coach Guide

A guide for MTL Soccer coaches covering pre-season setup, roster management, and game-day responsibilities.

League Guidelines

MTL rec soccer is a volunteer organization, and the main goal is for the kids to have fun and get some experience playing soccer. A few things the league asks of every coach:

• Rotate players so everyone gets a fair chance to play
• Snacks: many teams have a tradition of families taking turns bringing snacks for the end of the game. Feel free to suggest it and set up a snack schedule — and ask about dietary needs so it’s inclusive
• Games start at the appointed time. You’re welcome to ask the team to arrive 15 minutes early to warm up — on the side or the far end of the field, so the prior game isn’t disturbed
• Coaches stay on the sideline, not the field (running up and down the side is fine) — referees are the ones on the field
• No one stands behind the goal, coaches or parents — it intimidates the kids
• Optional practices: most coaches don’t run them, but if you’d like to, email the league about field availability (put “field availability” in the subject line). Any practice must be optional, and please check the whole team’s availability before setting one — some families can’t do Saturdays due to religious observance, so ask first

Before the Season

Picking Up Your Team Bag

Within the last week or two before the first game, coaches need to visit the league house to pick up a team bag for each team they coach:

MTL League House

12 Old Indian Road, West Orange, NJ 07052

The team bag contains:

• Uniforms — jerseys, shorts, and socks for every player on your roster
• Shin guards — for Little Kickers and 1st/2nd Grade; extras may be available for older groups
• Goalie gloves — for 3rd/4th and 5th/6th
• Basic first aid supplies - be prepared and ready!
• Miscellaneous game items (uninflated game ball, markers, etc.)

Wait for an email for further instructions and the door code.

Concussion Training

Coaches will receive an email with a link to a digital training course on concussions. This is required — please complete it before the season starts. The MTL Volunteering safety page covers concussion signs, first aid, and weather calls in more depth.

Background Check

As a coach you’ll be expected to have a background check done, by filling in a simple form online, and you’ll be all set for multiple seasons.

Communicating with Your Team

• Message your team early through TeamSnap to give parents a heads-up on what to expect before the first game
• Include practical details: what to bring, when to arrive, what the format looks like
• Include an overhead photo of the field location for the first game, with the exact field your team will be playing on pointed out — this helps parents who are new to the program find the right spot
• Remind parents to set their availability in TeamSnap

See the Field Locations page for overhead maps of each site.

Roster Rules

• Do not give out a uniform to anyone not on your roster in TeamSnap
• Siblings and other non-rostered players are NOT allowed to participate in any of the activities

Sportsmanship

Please familiarize yourself with general sportsmanship expectations. Coaches set the tone — model positive behavior for players and parents. See the Game Day Guide for parent conduct expectations you can share with your team.

MTL follows a 24-hour rule: parents are asked to wait a day before raising a concern about a coaching decision, and nobody approaches a referee about a call. It protects you too — if a parent approaches you right after a game, “let’s talk tomorrow” is a fine answer, said kindly. The full rule, plus guidance on keeping games balanced, is on the MTL Volunteering sportsmanship page.

Uniforms

• Hand out uniforms before the session starts so play can begin on time
• Uniforms are the same as previous seasons — let parents know they can reuse shorts, socks, and shin guards from last season to avoid changing at the field
• Sizing can be tricky — ask parents if a child is small or large for their age, and arrange the uniform lineup accordingly so we minimize risk of poor fits.

Reporting

Any parent issue, player issue, or injury must be reported to MTLsoccer@gmail.com.

Game Day Checklist

• Arrive at least 10-15 minutes early (moreso for the first game)
• Hand out uniforms if not yet distributed
• Bring the team bag (first aid supplies etc)
• Consider bringing extra water in case a player forgets theirs
• Check the field for hazards (sticks, rocks, debris)
• Confirm player count with the opposing coach
• Clean up — don’t leave trash behind on the field, and aim to leave it better than we found it (a trash bag, a grabber, and a small cart if you travel heavy all help — see extras worth bringing)
• Have fun — keep it positive and encouraging

Reference

• Rules by age group — from the home page
• Referee Guide — what referees enforce
• Formations — recommended 4v4 lineups
• Field Locations — overhead maps and parking
• Using TeamSnap — availability and schedules
• MTL Volunteering — the cross-sport guide: League House, gear, sportsmanship, and safety