Training Sessions / Practices - COVID Edition

Updated: 10/2/20

Training Session Guidance

The head coach makes the call on the practice location and time. Ideally the head coach works with the majority and the assistant coach to find the best time & place.

Training Session Plan

• Stage 0: Cone Setup & Check-in
  • Setup your cones in a 6-7ft grid system, like this picture (here).
    • Feel free to write on the cones, placing numbers on cones can streamline your warmups and activities.
  • Setup cones in a slight arch, 7ft apart for player bottles / equipment and providing instruction.
  • Use the check-in sheet (here) before allowing players to place equipment at a player cone.
    • Parents need to be present for the check-in and confirm the player has the arrival items in the list.
• Stage 1: Technical Warmup
  • Stretches, your basic P.E. warmup... like dribble to each cone in your square having your ball touch each cone. Now again, getting your ball to balance on top of the cone.
  • Transition into ball mastery items like in the PDF below.

• Stage 2: Small Activity
  • Likely can be done in the same cone setup and grid, you can setup channels for movement of players from one square to another.
  • Review the PDF with Distanced Training Exercises, it will provide the best items to use.

• Stage 3: Expanded Activity
  • The PDF with Additional Ideas has activities and ideas that can work, but would need some additional equipment or additional work to set them up so you can maintain a 6' distance between players.

• OPTIONAL: Small-Sided Match (w/ face coverings)
  • Weather can play a role in this, and it is your choice if you want to do this. Remember that everyone must wear a face covering, if the modified game cannot be done in a way to maintain a distance.

Ultimate Soccer Game Idea

The game of ultimate frisbee would be the best similarity to this game. You could use a soccer ball, soccer goals, change movement rules, along with many other adjustments...

1. Attacking players, when confronted (at 6ft) by a defending player, must stop and get rid of the ball in 3sec or the defending team gets the ball.
2. Scoring is the same as soccer, older ages would have keepers, and no field players may enter the goal area.
3. Players must attempt to keep a physical distance of 6ft at all times. Fouls would occur for types of encroachment or any physical contact and would result in indirect free kicks at the spot of the infraction.
4. Substitutions are free flowing and players can leave the field at any location.
5. No offside rule.
6. Corner Kick, Goal Kick, & Kick Ins (replacing throw ins) would be used same as soccer. Distance of the opposing team for restarts would be the same as soccer.
7. Delays to the game could result in a change of possession and should be discouraged. For example, if the restarting team takes over 6sec to restart the game, this would would result in a change of possession, allowing the other team 6sec to restart play.
8. The field would be like soccer, with a half line, a goal area, & penalty area.

Training Session Duration

Each coach should ensure they offer at least one practice per week, again, ideally at a time & location that works for the majority. For fall 2020, you can offer 3 training sessions for about an hour each. If you wish, you can do masked scrimmages at the end of the practice.

Team's Training Session Equipment

Coach Brings...

1. Face Covering.
2. First Aid Kit.
3. Electronic Whistle if Desired.
4. Spare Soccer Ball(s). (each player should bring one)
5. Spare Pinnie(s). (each player should bring one)
6. 50-70 Disc Cones.
7. Soccer Ball Bag.
8. Emergency Contacts and Check-in Sheet. (Demo Sheet Here)
9. Hand Sanitizer.

Player Brings...

1. Face Covering.
2. Soccer Ball.
3. AYSO Issued Pinnie.
4. Hand Sanitizer.
5. Shin Guards.
6. Soccer Socks.

NOTICE: All equipment from AYSO is checked out to you or a player like a library book. Please keep it in good order. At the end of the school year, collect all checkout items (including player items) and return them at a designated drop off. You can contact the Equipment Manager to schedule a special return time.

Training Session Locations

Coaches...

1. Pick a school or park location that is best for both coaches. (509J locations are closed to Youth Sports)
   NOTICE: Only grass fields are approved/insured. If turf is needed, (contact).
2. Check with the volunteers to narrow down the training session day(s) and time(s).
3. Confirm with parents to see if the selected date, time, & location will work for the majority.
4. Setup your practices in Sports Connect (Picture Guide: here)
5. See the info below for each location
   
   • Corvallis School locations are closed to AYSO Activities and Youth Soccer
   • Philomath area is first come, first serve.
   • Corvallis Parks are first come, first serve.
     • CTR:Arnold Park
     • STH:Avery Park (has bathroom)
     • STH:Bruce Starker Arts Park
     • CTR:Central Park
     • NTH:Chepenafa Springs Park
     • CTR:Chintimini Park (has bathroom)
     • CTR:Cloverland Park (has bathroom)
     • NTH:Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park (has bathroom)
     • CTR:Franklin Square Park
     • CTR:Garfield Park
     • STH:Grand Oaks Park
     • STH:Lilly Park
     • STH:Peanut Park
     • STH:Riverbend Park
     • NTH:Timberhill Park
     • STH:Tunison Park
     • NTH:Village Green Park
     • CTR:Washington Park
     • STH:Willamette Park
     • NTH:Woodland Meadow Park

Most of the time you will have luck of the draw in public spaces. AYSO has insurance for all parties involved in most locations, with a grass surface.

Info for Non-COVID Times

Training Session (Practice) Guidance

The head coach makes the call on the practice location and time. Ideally the head coach works with the majority and the assistant coach to find the best time & place.

Training Session Duration

Below represents the max of an active training session per week. Each coach should ensure they offer at least one practice per week, again, ideally at a time & location that works for the majority.

• 13U+ divisions - 2 training sessions per week for 1½ hours
• 11U divisions - 2 training sessions per week for 1 hour
• 09U divisions - 2 training sessions per week for 1 hour
• 07U divisions - 1 training sessions per week for 1 hour
• 06U divisions - 1 training sessions per week during the first 30min on game day.
• 05U division - training sessions/game one time a week

Many coaches schedule training sessions for 1½ hours per day to include the time for breaks and late arrivals.

Team's Training Session Equipment

1. Team Bag
2. First Aid Kit
3. Whistle & Lanyard
4. 1 Soccer Ball for every 2 players on the team
5. ~12 Disc Cones
6. Soccer Ball Bag
7. Pennies of 2 colors, one color for each player (7U and up)*
8. Game Lineup Card
9. 2 Goalie Shirts (09U and up)*
10. Uniform Bag
11. Insurance Forms

#10 Requires all primary volunteers registered (the top 4 in the list - referees, coach, asst coach, & team manager). Missing Equipment (here)?

* Indicates that it is AYSO equipment and is required that you return it, all other items are requested returns after the Spring Season. You can contact the Equipment Manager to schedule a return.

Training Session Location Reservations

First off, get it done now, or you will be stuck with what you can get.

1. Pick a school or parks location that is best for you. (parks & Philomath schools are first come first serve, so they can be riskier.)
   NOTICE: If you are looking to use a turf field, contact (here) before reserving the field.
2. Check to see if that school would be best for the addresses of the players on the team, or you can ask them. (you won’t appease everyone, but you can make it central enough for a good chance of attendance.)
3. Determine some days and times that work for you.
4. Check with the team to narrow down the training session day(s) and time(s).
5. See the info below for reservations:
   
   • Garfield Location: CLOSED for SPRING 2020
     
     • Email (here) with the following information:
       Name
       Phone number
       Division (ie 09U)
       Time of training session (ie 5:00-6:00)
       Day of the week (ie Mon and Wed)
   • Adams Area Location:
     • Email (here) with the following information:
       Name
       Address
       Phone number
       Email address
       Division (ie 09U)
       Time of training session (ie 5:00-6:00)
       Day of the week (ie Mon and Wed)
   • Corvallis School locations except Adams & Garfield
     • 509j Reservation Online (here) (PDF guide)
   • Philomath is first come, first serve.
     • Fall: The varsity soccer field is closed to AYSO. Teams need to share grass areas with the school sports teams that have first priority.
     • Spring: The school baseball and softball teams have priority to the grass areas and AYSO teams need to share the space with PYAC softball and baseball.
6. Ensure you get a confirmation on a reservation, or an agreement ahead of time. (AYSO provides insurance for all AYSO events, and the district already has those papers on file.)

Most of the time you can enter the online district form and they will notify you with the field confirmation in a week. In other cases you will have luck of the draw in public spaces. AYSO has insurance for all parties involved in most locations, but we recommend that you work with school district to find a location.