GREYSTONES UTD AFC CODE OF ETHICS PROGRAMME CODE

GREYSTONES UTD AFC CODE OF ETHICS PROGRAMME CODE OF CONDUCT AND GOOD PRACTICE FOR COACHES

Club Ethos The Greystones Way – Our Philosophy/Ethos We believe, at Greystones Utd AFC, that a football player playing at Grassroots, School or Youth level, will develop much better and quicker as a player and a person if we create a fun, safe, open and active learning environment, where each individual player is challenged at their ability level and developmental age. Our Player Development Program: All coaches and managers agree to coach our players ‘The Greystones Way’ which covers all Technical, Tactical, Physical & Psychological aspects of the game, with skill development based training sessions with lots of ball contact. We ask our players to come up with answers themselves and problem solve during our sessions, rather than the coach constantly adapting a command style. Each one of our coaching sessions in our Development Program has a topic, which incorporates a natural progression in all of the following: • Warm up (every player has a ball). • Unopposed drills. • Opposed drills – incorporating some fitness work. We aim to provide a “Can Do” environment that encourages the feeling that there is no fear in making mistakes, which will help in building up a player’s confidence and with the mental aspect of the game.

Coaching to a player-focused model based on enjoyment and skill development to reduce the emphasis on winning at all costs Player development and players enjoying football is the core philosophy central to our ‘Player Development Plan’. Whilst understanding that kids are naturally competitive, we need to focus on and understand the importance of player development versus simply winning matches. Winning at all costs inhibits player development and can lead to a sense of frustration and failure. The match result is secondary to the quality of play and the enjoyment of playing. It is essential that young players are free from the constant pressure of winning and are allowed freedom of expression on the pitch. As players get older, the process will become increasingly more team-efficient, with a greater onus on results. The player and parent agrees that a player signs for Greystones Utd AFC and not a specific team within the Club and the team they play for will be determined by the Club through its assessment program.

The Role of the Coach Players need to learn from their mistakes and should always be encouraged to try again. If young players are criticised for losing the ball or discouraged from trying something new, they will not learn. Players need coaches whose focus is on player development - helping to build confidence, motivation, freedom of expression and thereby creating a positive learning environment, making playing and training enjoyable for the players. Coaches who just dictate to players all through the game undermine their confidence, hindering development. Young players must learn to play as part of a team according to simplified guidelines when attacking (eg. creating space, building up and creating scoring opportunities) and when defending (eg. defend together to win the ball back quickly). They must learn to deal with all elements of the game: team-mates, opponents, the officials, the laws of the game, weather conditions, the score etc. The task of the coach is to facilitate the players to help them learn, play and enjoy the game.

Key principles in coaching • Motivate your players, whilst coaching always in a positive way. This helps build self-confidence and self-motivation. • Praise and encourage your players to have the freedom to express themselves. • Let players make their own decisions on the pitch. Constantly instructing them on what to do does not help their development. Coaches must accept that mistakes are part of the game and part of player learning and development. • Focus on the quality of play (when attacking, defending and in transition) rather than on winning games. • Set development ‘goals’ in what you want to achieve with your team/players. For example, “Today we will be focussing on attacking play. ” • Engage with your players by asking questions. Talk and discussion will help create improved awareness in their role, on and off the field. • Encourage your players to show respect for the opponents and match officials (no comments) and to play by the rules. • Encourage your players to work together and achieve team objectives.

Placement of Players (9 & 11 a side) Players will be placed into one of three squads depending on Technical ability and Commitment to the Club: ELITE: • Players should be competent in all four aspects for football: Technical, Tactical, Physical & Psychological. • Players need to commit to training at least twice a week and choose playing or training for the Club if there is a clash with another sport. • Players will be encouraged to attend any trials for Emerging Talent and/or League Representative squads. • Players must have a willingness and understanding of a hard work ethic. PROGRESSIVE: • Players should have a good level of the four aspects for football. • A willingness to progress onto the next level. • An understanding of what needs to be worked on to get there. • A certain commitment to the Club towards training and matches. DEVELOPMENT: • Players looking to develop their strengths in the four aspects of football. • Players will be coached and encouraged to progress to the next level.

Movement or Borrowing of Players Any movement of a player between squads shall only be done to help that player’s development, and this will be done through continuous assessment through the season by player records and match analysis. Recommendations can be made by the managers but the final decisions will be made by the Development Officer and the Director of Football after discussion with all parties involved, including the Club’s professional coaches. Player movement can only be done during the off season or in a transfer window. Player movement to help fulfil a fixture: A player can play for another squad if a squad is missing a player but only within the following guidelines: • The request must go through the Director of Football, Development Officer and the manager of the team that the player is registered with. • Under no circumstances should the player or their parents be contacted directly. • The player or players being requested can only be from a squad playing in the same League and has to be from a younger age group. • No side movement within the same age group.

FUNdamental Stage: The 7 – 11 Age Group This age group consists of squads for non competitive matches in either 5 a side or 7 a side format and will be coached under the following guidelines: • Squads will have 12 to 14 players. • Squads will be divided into colours rather than graded as A, B, C etc. • Training sessions for 5 a side should be based on Control, Pass, Move drills, special awareness and freedom to try in the attacking areas. • Training sessions for 7 a side should include all of the above, plus the basics on the transitions, ie. quick reactions when we lose the ball and/or when we win the ball back and the understanding of formations, defensive-minded or attack-minded players. • Positive motivational words should be used at all times. MATCH DAY It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure: • White GUAFC or plain shorts and socks are worn for matches. • All players get a minimum 50% to 70% playing time. • Full rotation of players in different positions including being a sub.

U 13 to U 16 Age Group: Learning to train with a purpose. Stage 2 Coaching should now focus on the individual, the units and the team, with match-realistic formation-based sessions. Squad sizes should be 16 to 17 with all players getting a minimum of 20% game time. All players need to understand the roles of the starting 11, the finishing 11 and the role of being a sub. Training sessions should be planned and include Phases of play and small-sided games based on formations. The starting 11 should be picked based on attendance and attitude in training, along with their performance in the previous match. Records need to be kept on all of the above. While more focus needs to be given on discipline to the style of play and formation we are playing, the freedom to try and express themselves on the pitch should never be taken away from the player. We need to be conscious of over-coaching or coaching the natural flair out of the player. Long term objectives and short term goals should be set and reviewed on a quarterly basis.

U 17 + Group-training for Senior Football This stage is the platform to prepare young players for Senior Football. Squad sizes should be 17 to 18, with players getting a minimum 20% game time. Training should be based on Phases of play from match analysis of previous games and also for preparation for next opponents. An understanding of different formations and systems of play need to be included. The understanding of tactical substitutions should be worked on. The Starting 11 should be based on Attendance, Attitude and Strategies. Players should be encouraged to train with the senior squads if requested.