Coaches
Coach a Team
“A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life.”
– John Wooden
Parent-coaches are the lifeblood of Lincoln Youth Soccer. Whether you are a former pro, or just starting your coaching journey, we encourage you to volunteer. Why?
- Because a positive soccer experience can be the single most important factor in a young person’s life.
- It’s a great way to give back to the sport, our families and the community.
- It’s a blast getting to know the children, families and other coaches.
- You’ll receive support from LYS with resources, opportunities for education and regular coach training.
- Our Director of Coaching, along with your fellow coaches, will be there lending a hand as you ramp up.
- Some of our top coaches had very limited soccer backgrounds before taking the leap.
- Your kids are only young once! Don’t miss this opportunity to be a role model for them. Please raise your hand, volunteer, and make a real difference in the lives
of our LYS children and families.
To get the ball rolling please contact your club.
Coach Resources
LYS Coach Wiki
LYS is maintaining a growing list of resources on our wiki page. Visit our wiki for:
- Practice Plans
- Blogs and Podcasts
- Best Practices
- Coach Code of Conduct
- Blue Sombrero Instructions
- Tips and tricks
Please refer to our LYS Coach Guidelines
Head coaches will have access to edit and add content to the wiki. Contact Mark Janes for a wiki account.
Books
- Great Soccer Drills book by Ron Quinn – the person who put together the National Youth License Course, and his drills cover a wider age group and are all inclusive, fun, and taught through discovery method.
- Coaching 6-and-Under Soccer: A Baffled Parent’s Guide (Paperback) by David Williams (Author), Scott Graham (Author)
- Soccer IQ by Dan Blank teaches coaches and players about how to think when playing soccer
Online Practice Plans
- Washington Youth Soccer (practice plans and videos)
- 1000 Touch Drills
- 99 Skills to Soccer Ball Mastery Coerver Coaching App
- Soccer Specific is a big resource, but some content requires a free login
- PYSA coaching practice plans by age
- US Soccer Standard Practice Plans
- Hillside Games and Activities
Curriculum
- Player capabilities PYSA Curriculum
- PYSA Coaching Manual
Youtube Channels
Other Resources
- Free Certificate Service (Sample contact Mark for template)
- End-of-Season Patches
- FIFA warm up and injury prevention
Tournaments
Lincoln Youth Soccer clubs register players for fall and spring leagues and are not considered a year-round soccer club. However, some teams may seek additional soccer opportunities in the off-season. Here is a list of tournaments that are recommended for LYS developmental and competitive teams. Coaches and volunteer parents can organize their own participation in these or other tournaments.
Most tournaments are open for U-9 to U-19
- Rogue Memorial Challenge Medford (May)
- Festival of Balloons Tigard (June)
- Capital Cup Salem (July)
- Adidas Clash at the Border Portland, Vancouver and Camas (June)
- PCU Summer Classic Portland (July)
- Adidas Beaverton Cup Beaverton (July)
- Mt Hood Challenge Portland (July/August)
- FCPortland
- Portland Cup (July)
- Soccer in the Sand Seaside, Oregon (June)
- Youth Academy Cup (November)
Year Round Soccer Opportunities
Soccer Summer Camps
Summer camps in the area include:
Portland Pilots Camps (find youth camps under men or women’s soccer)