Suggestions for a parents' meeting to start the season

Introduce yourself, your background, even your experience whether you have it or not so the parents know you and your perspective. And perhaps even share why you are coaching!

Getting the players to know each other is key. Getting the parents to know the players and each other makes the season way more enjoyable. This is a great opportunity for the players to introduce their own parents!

Explain that the league is all-volunteer and that if they see short-comings of it, they are welcome to offer their help!

You may need pictures of the players for their player passes. Get them now while everybody is in one place and standing still.

Make sure your players have uniforms, that they know where they are, AND they have tried them on! Often you'll find parents are surprised that they don't fit.

You probably still need an Assistant Coach and Team Manager.  Explain what you need and why and get other parents involved.

If all your players are there, pick a team name. Perhaps have them write names on paper, put them in a hat, draw three and then vote.

Discuss and decide the best method for communicating with the team whether it is e-mail, texting or a team app like TeamSnap or Shutterfly.

What are your goals for the season? Perhaps...

Have fun safely while learning the game of soccer and getting exercise.

Explain your approach to discipline. The soccer field is a great place to exercise "tough love." When kids are out of line, make them run! Making the whole team when one player is out of line is absolutely acceptable. Benching a "starter" for disciplinary reasons is also absolutely acceptable.

Lay down your priorities.

Here are a couple ideas...

Soccer is a privilege.

Schoolwork has to be done first!

Safety before winning.

Everybody getting to play trumps winning

Set your expectations for them on the sidelines: they cheer and encourage, but do NOT coach! They may drown out and even conflict with what you are trying to coach the team.

Educate them on your soccer strategy...especially if you are teaching Rondo and/or Out-of-the-Back. You don't want the parents yelling at the goalie to kick the ball when you want it to be thrown.

Bring up Picture Day and other important dates. If there is a City Cup on the calendar, tell them to keep those days open as the schedule won't come until much later.

Maybe ask for $30 per player to fund a team banner, if you want one, and year-end rewards, treats, etc.