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.
- •Set up team bench area: bags and water on one side, parents on the other.
- •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).
- •Confirm sub rotation plan with your assistant coach.
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
- •Have players shake hands with the other team and the referees.
- •Quick team huddle: one positive, one thing to work on at next practice. Under 60 seconds.
- •Thank the parents. Remind them of next practice/game time.
- •Wait 24 hours before giving individual feedback to parents. Emotions cool, perspective improves.
- •Check the field: pick up cones, water bottles, trash. Leave it better than you found it.
BAYS Game Day Admin
The league side of game day: getting credentialed, rosters, guest players, home-team setup, and score reporting.
Before your first game: get credentialed
Every sideline adult must complete MYS registration and a CORI background check, SafeSport, and concussion training, then carry a MYSA coach ID card. The referee checks credentials at roster check-in.
Registration & risk-management steps (PDF) →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.
- •Redline (cross out) any players who aren't playing, and hand-write jersey numbers if they're missing.
- •Guest players must be registered, age-eligible, and on your guest player pool roster. Write them in with full name and jersey number.
- •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 walk to the spectator sideline and a coach or player reads the Mass Youth Soccer “Respect the Call” sportsmanship message.
After the Game
- •Home team: submit the final score to your BAYS Section Captain by the end of the day.
- •If it's the last home game of the day, store the corner flags and move the goals off the field.
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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