Parent coaches are an essential part of EGSA!

Coaching for EGSA is a rewarding volunteer experience and it does not take much of your time. As a coach, you are a role model for your team's players and will help shape their love of the sport of soccer and of youth sports in general!

Parent coach information per division:

• Little Kicker division: Parent Coach Coordinators are expected to attend the foot skills clinic with their groups each weekend. You will, likely, attend this session as a parent anyway, so why not participate with all the kids? (Time commitment: < 1 hour per week, weekend only)

• U5/U6 division: Parent Coaches are expected to attend the foot skills clinic with their teams, which is held 30 minutes before the U6 games on the weekend. No team practices required. This is when the volunteer coaching bug really bites! The kids are enthusiastic and eager to play. All you have to do is allow them to have fun and see that they get equal playing time! (Time Commitment: 1 hour per week, weekend only) 

• U7 division*: Parent Coaches are expected to attend the foot skills clinic with their team. If the clinics are divided into gender, only attend on your child's day. Team practice is not required. (Time commitment is 1-2 hours per week, one weeknight and one weekend day) 

• U8 & older divisions: Parent Coaches are expected to attend the foot skills clinic with their teams and encouraged to hold a weekly team practice that focuses on technical skills, game play (throw-ins, goal kicks, etc), and teamwork. Use the Parent Coach Handbook below to help you quickly plan a practice. YouTube also has great drills and practice sessions from very talented youth soccer creators! (Time commitment: 2-3 hours/week including the weekday and weekend)

*A U7 only division is atypical for most seasons. U7 and U8 are usually combined.

Here are key characteristics that we look for in our coaches:

• Patience with children

• Enthusiasm and positive energy

• Commitment to players and EGSA's focus on player development and sportsmanship

• Willingness to learn - a coach is always learning!

• Humility, a sense of humor, and great sportsmanship

If you are interested in coaching*, you must register as a coach. Log into our registration system where you signed your kids up and select yourself as coach. The links can be found on our Register page.

The federal government, EGSA, and SoccerRI require a background check, concussion training, and SafeSport certification before you can participate in practices or games with the players. These certifications are online and links can be found in your profile after you register as a coach. You can save your training and come back to it later if you can't get it done at once.

*Travel League coaches are selected by the EGSA Board.

If you are already a recreational or competitive coach, Thank you! for your time and dedication to EGSA's players!  Be sure to check out the links below to some excellent resources for players and teams of all ages and abilities.

Parent Coach Resources

EGSA Recreational Coach Handbook

Contains weekly practice instructions by division. Choose the drills you think your team will enjoy or modify to suit your equipment and team size needs.

Concussion Fact Sheet

Use this fact sheet to reinforce the Heads Up training course throughout the season.

GotSport System Team and Schedule Access

Use the instructions below to view your roster, communicate with player parents, and view game schedules.

The MOJO App

Use MOJO Sport to manage your teams and get ideas for practices!

Download MOJO Sport from the app store or from here: https://www.mojo.sport/

MOJO is free! MOJO creates practices for coaches and allows parents to check in so coaches know who to expect! You can also add pics  and notes for games and practices.

MOJO offers a "Plus" service. You do not have to buy it.

GotSport access to teams, messaging, and schedule:

Game Rules By Division

Avengers

Game format

• 3 v 3

• Size 3 ball

• At coaches’ discretion, teams may play with less players or share players.

• 2 halves – 10 minutes each

• 5 minute break at half time

• Games start immediately at scheduled start time. No drills or warmups before games.

• One Referee - if no referee is scheduled, one coach referees or coaches can agree to each ref each side.

Substitutions 

• On the fly - do not stop play for substitution. Call player off and send sub in. 

Game Rules

• No offsides

• No fouls - referee can address any player that "fouls" with a statement like, "these are our friends, let's take care of them" rather than calling a foul.

• No throw-in’s

• No corner kicks

• No out of bounds on the sidelines (coaches encourage play within the sidelines)

• Back touchline out of bounds only – goal kicks rewarded

• On a goal kick, the opposing team must retreat to the half way line and stay there until the other team brings the ball over the halfway line or after 15 seconds has passed. Violations of this rule that do not impact the play of the ball and should not stop play.

• After a goal, the scored upon team starts with the ball at midfield

• A team that is behind by 3 goals or is clearly over matched, has the option of putting another player on the field.

• Coaches can agree to swap players to even up the game. An astute player can be the hero for their friends and help their team.

• One coach from each team is allowed on field to help players learn to go the correct way. All other coaches should help from sidelines

Equipment

• Shin guards (required)

• Cleats

• No jewelry

Scores and Standings

• No scores are recorded and no standings kept

Referees

• One center referee

• Keep game flowing - referee can address any player that "fouls" with a statement like, "these are our friends, let's take care of them" rather than calling a foul.

• If a child repeatedly "fouls" the coach should address the behavior.

U8 (1st & 2nd grades)

Game format

• 5 v 5 (Four field players and a goalie)

• Size 3 ball

• If both coaches agree, they can play with less players or share players. Each team must have the same number of players

• 2 halves - 20 minutes each (can divide into quarters with 2 minute water breaks between on hot days)

• 5 minutes break at half time

Substitutions 

• Anytime the ball is out of play

Game Rules

• No offsides

• Kickoff: players must be 5 yards from the ball 

• No fouls - referee can address any player that "fouls" with a statement like, "these are our friends, let's take care of them" rather than calling a foul.

• Throw-ins – second chances given for improper throw-ins. The referee or coach can provide instruction.

• On a goal kick, the opposing team must retreat to the half way line and stay there until the other team brings the ball over the halfway line or after 10 seconds has passed.

• A team that is behind by 4 goals or is clearly over matched, has the option of putting another player on the field. Coaches can agree to swap players to even up the game. An astute player can be the hero for their friends and help their team.

Equipment

• Shin guards (required)

• Cleats

• No jewelry

Scores and Standings

• No scores are recorded and no standings kept

Referees

• One center referee

U10 (3rd and 4th grades)

Game format

• 7 v 7

• Each team must have the same number of players. 

• Size 4 ball

• 2 halves – 25 minutes each

• 5 minutes break at half time

Substitutions 

• On goal kicks, after goals, at halftime, injury resulting in stoppage of play

• On throw-ins for team with possession. 

• If one team substitutes, other team may do as well. 

Game Rules

• FIFA rules modified for youth play by USYSA

• No offsides

• Slide tacking is NOT allowed – call a free kick

• No headers

• A team that is behind by 4 goals or is clearly over matched, has the option of putting another player on the field until lead is reduced to 2 goals

• Coaches are encouraged to swap players or adjust numbers so both teams are having fun.

Equipment

• Shin guards (required)

• Cleats

• No jewelry

Scores and Standings

• No scores are recorded and no standings kept

Referees

• One center referee

U12 (5th and 6th grades)

Game format

• 7v7

• If both coaches agree, play with fewer players. Each team must have the same number of players. 

• Size 4 ball

• 2 halves – 25 minutes each

• 5 minutes break at half time

Substitutions 

• On goal kicks, after goals, at halftime, injury resulting in stoppage of play

• On throw-ins for team with possession. 

• If one team substitutes, other team may do as well. 

Game Rules

• FIFA rules modified for youth play by USYSA

• No offsides

• Slide tacking is NOT allowed – call a free kick

• No headers

• A team that is behind by 4 goals or is clearly over matched, has the option of putting another player on the field until lead is reduced to 2 goals

• Coaches are encouraged to swap players or adjust numbers so both teams are having fun.

Equipment

• Shin guards (required)

• Cleats

• No jewelry

Scores and Standings

• No scores are recorded and no standings kept

Referees

• One center referee

U13 and up (7th grade and older)

Game format

• 9 v 9

• If both coaches agree, play with more or fewer players. Each team must have the same number of players. 

• Size 5 ball

• 2 halves – 35 minutes each

• 5 minutes break at half time

Substitutions 

• On goal kicks, after goals, at halftime, injury resulting in stoppage of play

• On throw-ins for team with possession. If one team substitutes, other team may do as well

Game Rules

• FIFA rules modified for youth play by USYSA

• Offsides

• Slide tacking is NOT allowed – call a free kick

• Minimal headers allowed

• A team that is behind by 4 goals or is clearly over matched, has the option of putting another player on the field until lead is reduced to 2 goals

• Coaches are encouraged to swap players or adjust numbers so both teams are having fun.

Equipment

• Shin guards (required)

• Cleats

• No jewelry

Scores and Standings

• No scores are recorded and no standings kept

Referees

• One center ref