Coach Hub
Game-day guides, troubleshooting, parent communication, logistics, and rules. Everything beyond the session plan.
Game Day Guide
Pre-game, halftime, and post-game. Pointers, not scripts.
Pre-Game
- •Walk the field for hazards (holes, glass, sprinkler heads). Move goals if needed.
- •Run a quick warm-up: light jog, dynamic stretches, then pick an idea from the Warm-Ups tab.
- •Go over the lineup. Tell each player their starting position.
- •Remind the team of one focus point from practice that week (not five; one).
- •Last thing before kickoff: the sportsmanship walkout and statement (see Pre-Game Sportsmanship below).
Halftime
- •Water first. Let them drink before you talk.
- •Start with something specific they did well: 'I saw two great passes to switch the field.'
- •Give one adjustment, not a lecture. Pick the most impactful thing you can change in 30 seconds.
- •End with energy: 'Let's keep doing X in the second half. Hands in.'
- •Never single out a player for mistakes in front of the group.
Post-Game
- •Thank the referees.
- •Quick team huddle: one positive, one thing to work on at next practice. Under 60 seconds.
- •Check the field: pick up cones, water bottles, trash. Leave it better than you found it.
Pre-Game Sportsmanship
Mass Youth Soccer’s pre-game procedure applies to every Mass Youth Soccer game, every age group. The home team reads the Sportsmanship Statement before every kickoff. It takes about two minutes.
The procedure
- 1
Line up at the halfway line. Once warm-ups are done, both teams and the referee crew line up at the halfway line on the coaches' sideline.
- 2
Walk across and face the spectators. Players, coaches and officials walk across the field and line up facing the spectators, 5 yards from the sideline.
- 3
Home team reads the statement. A representative of the home team reads the Sportsmanship Statement to all coaches, players and spectators.
- 4
Handshake, then back to the benches. The home team walks down the away team's line for the pre-game handshake. Everyone returns to the benches and the starters take the field.
Officials don’t have to take part in the announcement, but should join the walkout if they’re there.
Sportsmanship Statement
A representative of the home team reads this aloud to players, coaches and spectators before kickoff.
All participants deserve the right to play in an environment free from negative and distracting behavior.
Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated; the game may be stopped and sanctions applied for violations of policy or codes of conduct.
Please enjoy the game and do your part to create a positive soccer experience for all.
BAYS Game Day Admin
The league side of game day: rosters, guest players, home-team setup, and score reporting.
Before Game Day
- •Home team: email the opposing coach to confirm game time, location, and their uniform color, then tell your team which color to wear.
- •Remind them that no pets are allowed at Foxboro fields.
- •Pack two sets of pinnies for color conflicts. If there's a clash, the home team is the one that changes.
- •Confirm attendance with your players, and share the field address for away games.
At the Field
- •Arrive at least 30 minutes early for warm-up.
- •Bring two signed, printed copies of your official BAYS roster: one for the referee, one for the opposing coach. Electronic copies are not valid.
- •Guest players must be from your club, rostered on a current-season BAYS team, and eligible under the grade-group rules (see the Guest Player Policy tab). Bring two copies of each guest's own team roster with everyone but the guest crossed out.
- •Keep sideline adults to a maximum of three, all credentialed and MYSA-approved, with credentials visible at check-in.
- •Home team only: goals weighted with sandbags, corner flags installed, and three game-ready balls plus a pump on hand.
- •Before kickoff, both teams and the referee crew walk across the field and line up facing the spectators, 5 yards from the sideline. A representative of the home team reads the Sportsmanship Statement (see Pre-Game Sportsmanship above).
After the Game
- •Home team: submit the final score to your BAYS Section Captain by the end of the day.
Rescheduling a Game
Games can be rescheduled by mutual agreement. Agree on up to three possible dates with the opposing coach, then send the Referee Assignor both the original game info (BAYS game #, date, location, matchup) and the proposed new info. For a weekday reschedule, notify the Fields Director to check practice conflicts; BAYS games take priority over practices for field use. If a home game is canceled or moved, it's your job to tell the Referee Assignor so they can pull the ref from the schedule.
Weather (Games)
Only the Town of Foxboro (via field status alerts) or the assigned referee, within two hours of kickoff, can officially cancel a game for weather. Be ready to play in all conditions unless a field is deemed unsafe. This is different from canceling a practice, which is the coach's call (see the Logistics tab).
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