Coaches Resources

Game RSVP Tool: This is an example of what can be used so coaches and families can plan ahead of time. Feel free to use, modify, or ignore. 

Game Lineups and Subs Tool: This is a tool to help plan lineups, subs, playing time, etc. Feel free to use, modify, or ignore.

Weather Policy for Practices

  • Soccer can be played in the rain and on wet fields! On rainy days, always assume that the fields are open unless:
    • The city has closed the fields, which you can check on here.
    • An NSC rep lets you know that the fields are closed.
  • Weekday closures are usually made by the city by 3 p.m. While it can occur later, note that the city closes their offices at 430pm. 
  • If the city has not closed the fields, and it is raining, it is up to you whether or not to have practice. 
  • It is the coaches responsibility to inform their team of any field closures or practice cancellations.
  • Thunder and Lightning Policy
    • ​When thunder is heard or when lightning is seen, the following procedures must be executed:
      • Suspend play and  participants should go inside a vehicle with a solid metal top
      • Do not permit people to stand under or near a tree; and have all stay away from poles, light towers, antennas, towers, and underground watering systems.
      • After thunder and/or lightning have left the area, wait 30 minutes after the last boom is heard or strike is seen before resuming play or competition.

Game Reschedule Protocol

  • Whichever team needs to reschedule is the one that needs to lead this process (whether your game is home or away). Once completed, both teams will receive an alert from the league about the postponement and/or reschedule.
  • If the other team needs to reschedule:
  • If NSC teams need to reschedule:
    • The league only allows each club's Coaching Director to submit the requests to the league, so I'll do that part, but each coach needs to do the following first:
    • Step 1: You need to email the other team to let them know you need to postpone/reschedule and to find a new date/time together. You can check the schedule here to sort by dates, fields (venues), etc. 
    • Step 2: Submit your request to me using our NSC Game Reschedule Request Form. This is for internal NSC use and helps us keep track of and submit requests more efficiently. 
    • Note that all requests must be submitted 96 hours before the game, regardless of the reason (i.e. Saturday games must be submitted no later than Tuesday at midnight). Requests after the 96 hour period will unfortunately be denied by the league.
    • Approved postponements are to be rescheduled between both teams, If no mutual date can be agreed, the team which submitted the original postponement request will forfeit that game at the end of the season (per league rules).
    • Additionally, scheduling referees for the season can sometimes be challenging. The league works hard to create sets of 2–4 games in a row, which referees are more likely to accept. Ideally, you're able to find a time that is in a row with another game. But if you can't make that work, that's ok.
  • A note about refs for the fall:
    • With high school sports in session, many referees have weekday games and practices.
    • ​A large portion of our referee pool consists of high school students, and several others officiate high school matches.
    • Midweek availability is limited, so re-scheduling to weekdays may mean we cannot provide referees.
    • ​Sundays are the best option for re-schedules during the Fall season.

How to Reschedule Weather-Cancelled Games

  • First, the coaches from both teams need to agree on a reschedule date/time, and then the home team Coaching Coordinator would let the league know the new date/time.
  • If a game gets rained out and one team never responds to the other team about rescheduling, then the team that offered a new date/time would get a forfeit win.
  • If a game gets rained out and both teams offer at least one day to reschedule the game but they can't agree on a date that works, then the game would remain un-scored and neither team would get any points.

Bad Weather Protocol For Games

  • Check your team's game schedule. Players and coaches should arrive at the field unless your game has been listed as POSTPONED or TBD
  • If a game is cancelled prior to kick off, the Coaching Director and/or the league will email coaches.
  • What happens if we get to the field and it's not safe for play:
    • If the field is deemed to be unfit for play on or after kick off by either the referee and/or the field coordinator, the HOME coach or field director should call the RSL on (413) 707-2500 and inform the league.
    • Parents should not call this line to ask if the game is on.
    • Do not call Roots Athletic Center - they will not be able to help. The Roots Soccer League is the only contact that will be able to give you up-to-date information.
  • Any game that gets abandoned due to weather after it reaches half time will be final and not be rescheduled.

You Don't Have Enough Players for a Game?

  • The league allows for teams to have guest players for a game through the use of a pass carding process.
  • To get Player's MYSA ID Cards, contact the Coaching Director at [email protected] or Hank at [email protected]
  • Handwrite the guest player onto your roster. You must make sure you bring that player's MYSA ID Card (this is the only time player cards are required)

Game Day - What Do You Need?​

  • Coaches must bring and wear their MYSA Approved Badge/ID Card (coaches only) and two Official Rosters to EVERY game.
  • If your game is at Florence Fields and you're the first game, then you'll need to put out the corner flags (found in the tall wooden shed on the corner of the field - by the main parking lot and street). If there are no games after yours, then please put the flags away.

​Game Day Team Check-In Protocol

  • Check jersey #'s are on roster/correct (you can hand-write these)
  • Give the referee the rosters
  • Referee will keep one roster and give you the opposition's roster
  • If you're the home team, then follow and read the code of conduct pre-game policy

Issues and Complaints

Training Resources

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