LEAGUE MANAGEMENT GUIDE: Learning to Train U8 U12

LEAGUE MANAGEMENT GUIDE: Learning to Train U8 U12 1

CONTENTS Purpose............................................. 3 LTPD Principles......................................... 3 U8-U12 in 2013......................................... 4 Defining a League........................................ 5 Realignment of Leagues from levels............................. 6 Introduction........................................... 7 Process and Responsibilities................................. 7 Process for League Entry................................... 8 We re a League How do we tier player pools?....................... 9 When should we Tier?.................................... 10 Ongoing Identification and Monitoring........................... 10 Who Runs the League?.................................... 11 Frequently Asked Questions............................... 12-13 Appendix ONE: Sample Club tiering.................................. 14-15 Appendix TWO: Timeline........................................... 16 Appendix THREE: District League Scenario................................. 17 Appendix FOUR: Sample League Application................................ 18 Appendix FIVE: Competition Review.................................... 19 Appendix SIX: Playing Up Guidelines................................... 20 2

Purpose With Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) principles removing promotion and relegation from the OSA Pyramid of Play for all competitive teams below U13, there is misunderstanding and confusion regarding how existing District, Multi-jurisdictional and Regional Leagues are to operate in this new environment. This OSA League Management Guide for Learning to Train provides a reminder of the Key Principles that guide playing rules and competition format for organizations that operate competitive environments for players aged U8 U12. When referring to competition we advise that the Game Organization Guide Physical Literacy (U8-U12) be used in conjunction with this League Management Guide Learning to Train (U8 U12). The Game Organization Guide identifies appropriate types of competition at each age. This guide provides some simple How To guidance to help make your league a success under LTPD by learning from best practices of a number of established leagues in Canada and overseas. As the current providers of leagues you know better than anyone the needs in your area, and this document helps you make changes based on LTPD principles without being over prescriptive. In subsequent documents the provision of league management for the Soccer for Life stage (U13 and above) will provide guidance for players at that age. LTPD Principles U8-U12 1. Training to Competition ratio is 2:1 or 3:1. Competition includes formal matches in festival and exhibition game play. 2. Physical Development at this stage is a steady growth from around 6 years of age through to the growth spurt at 11 or 12. 3. Schooling in Ontario means at the latter ages of this stage children are entering Grades 6-8 and have academic, social and personal pressures to deal with. 4. In these development stages children should be encouraged to participate in a range of sports. The Football Association (England) in its 2011 national survey of youth players (8-12) identified that players at this age don t see beyond the game itself. A season of 15 games has no relevance to them. Our Game, The FA, 2012 3

U8-U12 in 2013 At the heart of this competition, change is the critical need for our developmental competitive environments to be effective, engaging and most importantly FUN. U8 U12 is that fantastic golden age of learning and just as rewarding intrinsically for players and coaches alike. Three key principles guide this change in competition and reinforce the philosophy of the player being at the centre of all decisions made. 1. No Scores or Standings: Removing promotion and/or relegation within a league or between leagues as well as the removal of league standings is a paradigm shift in the way we run our leagues. The key outcome for the U8- U12 player as they move from Learning to Train into either the Soccer for Life or Training to Train stage will be a marked increase in their technical and tactical ability. 2. Principle of self-determination: Clubs can determine what level of play they wish to play at. By providing coaches the ability to regularly monitor their pool of players, players that they know well, positive changes can be made to ensure players are challenged and managed appropriately. 3. Principle of re-balancing: Leagues must allow for a Club to move a pool of players to another division allowing them a chance to play at an appropriate level of competition within a given season. The following changes should result from the leagues alignment with these principles: CURRENT 2014 Players are constrained by their age and team needs limiting their opportunity to develop appropriately. Players should be playing at a level which is appropriate for their ability, experience, physical size and age. A rigid schedule is created that often results in weaker teams losing by large margins and strong teams unchallenged. Leagues must regenerate the league schedule after the first few games as pools of players find their appropriate level. This may be timed to happen over the Canada Day Weekend or sooner where possible. Talented players are limited by their opportunities to be challenged by playing-up policies. Talented players will be able to play-up on occasions that are appropriately managed and monitored. (See Appendix 6 for guidance on playing up). Strong teams are able to dominate at their own age group and not be challenged. Clubs will now reflect LTPD-based pools of players and not fixed rosters. It is not encouraged for a whole team to move up an age group. As a Club, each player should be allocated to a tier based on their individual ability level (See Appendix 6 for guidance on playing up). 4

Defining a League The new league model at each age group from U8 to U12 will provide tiers for ability levels and movement within those tiers. It is important that we see these realigned leagues not as systems of promotion/relegation. In fact, a brief review of league definitions doesn t refer to promotion/relegation; An association of sports teams that establishes rules of play, decides questions of membership in the league, and organizes matches between the member teams. Webster Dictionary A group of athletic teams organized to promote mutual interests and to compete chiefly among themselves Dictionary.com The new league model encompasses those players previously described as Competitive, Rep, Select or All Star players who would compete in inter-club competition. By bringing these players together in a development-focused environment we can provide them with every opportunity to achieve their ambitions in soccer and ensure a lifelong love for the game. Inter-club competition will still exist but the environment will be player and not team focused. Clubs will group players together of a similar ability based on their Tactical, Technical, Physical and Emotional capacity at any given time. The technical leader within the Club (Technical Director, Club Head Coach, etc.) must have the technical oversight to ensure player development and enjoyment are the key focus of any player movement and this will be assisted by ongoing evaluation of the players in collaboration with Club coaches. Through regular contact with the Club s technical leader a coach is then empowered to ensure developing players aren t left unchallenged. Note: Inter-club recreational leagues provided for Clubs that cannot sustain an in-house league are not the focus of this guide, but could be reflected with a suitable division in a District league, for example. If you have played soccer long enough you have been the team that was much better than the opposition and lost. You have also been the team that was outplayed by the opposition and won. The won-loss record does not accurately show how the game was played, how players performed or how well the coach prepared the team to play the game Sam Snow, Director of Coaching, US Youth Soccer, 2012 5

Realignment of Leagues from Levels The current structure of soccer in Ontario provides for 7 levels of competition. The graphic provides some guidance on the age groups playing at each level and the league opportunities available for competition for 2014 onwards. This format will assist coaches, players and parents in understanding the level of soccer they participate at. The format will also ensure that resources are provided for at the appropriate level of the game. Soccer is an adult game designed by adults for adults to play. Adults enjoy the game so much that we have shared it with our children. Yet adults err when we bring our adult performance and outcome- based thinking into the developing player s world. Sam Snow, Director of Coaching USYS 6

Introduction These development leagues will exist for U8-U12 age groups and sit outside of existing recreational soccer leagues that are typically known as house league. These leagues may be run by a District Association or an existing League provider which will be discussed between the District Association and its membership. It will be required of any league offering a particular age group to offer both male and female divisions. The OSA Development and Recreation Matrices provide the parameters for competition formats. It is important to recognize that this age range participates in competition where no scores or standing are kept. Process and Responsibilities CLUB DISTRICT Step 1 Expresses an interest to enter the league Step 2 Expression of Interest acknowledged Step 3 Club confirms player numbers internally and applies for places in the league Step 4 Place request acknowledged Step 7 Review, feedback and appeal by Clubs Step 5 League assesses all requests across age groups, gender and tiers Step 9 Coaches appointed to teams (April) Step 6 Places identified with Clubs Step 8 Places finalized Step 10 Schedules released (May 1) Step 11 Season Starts (late May) Step 12 Re-balancing in first month Step 13 League program continues (to September) 7

Process for League Entry The OSA has developed a generic League Application Form (Appendix 4) building on best practices currently in evidence and providing flexibility for District Association needs. Throughout the application process it is assumed that District Association, Multi-jurisdictional and Regional Leagues will know their Clubs and be aware of: which clubs can comfortably provide teams in an age group current field capacity and limitations struggling teams within a division, and the optimum number of tiers for their locale. (Example, District A may require one tier at U12 boys where District B requires 3 tiers at the same age group) This knowledge will assist in drawing up appropriate tiers of ability and provide fluidity in player movement. Tiers: 1. Should have between 6 8 teams (giving them the ability to play each other twice comfortably). 2. If a league has more than 12 teams they should consider tiering or zoning the District (see Point 5). 3. Provide maximum player movement within a Club so a Tier 1 player who may need to build confidence, be recovering from injury or be new to the Club can play within a Tier 2 or Tier 3 team of the same Club. 4. Vice versa, permit a lower tiered player who is performing well to participate in Tier 1 games. 5. Take into account recommended travel time for players within a league. The Development Matrix provides details on travel times for each age group and District or Multi-jurisdictional leagues can consider an east-west or northsouth zoning to best serve the needs of the player. When applying to enter a league a Club must consider the number of competitive teams they had previously offered at a particular age. Appendix 1 is an example of a current situation where a Club currently offers competitive teams in a District and Regional league at all of those age groups. In the new format they would identify a Tier 1 and Tier 2 team to be entered into the District League. We should measure success NOT by the number of kids who make it to a high level from the Club, but that it should be done on a basis of legacy and enthusiasm. The best argument for success is around numbers of kids from all levels who want to be involved, have fun and play the game, so the best indication of success is that these kids are involved the next year. Dr. Martin Toms, Senior Lecturer, School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham 8

We re a league, how do we tier the player pools? Tiering is an essential part of this league format ensuring appropriate and meaningful competition environments for players by allowing coaches and Clubs the flexibility to focus on player development instead of results and standings. Tiering is an effort to move away from rigid divisions and team structure. The following is a proposed process for adoption by a league. Step 1 Open call for Affiliated Clubs to submit team applications to the league (create form) a. Clubs produce a squad of players compliant with the Development Matrix. b. Clubs are permitted to enter one team per tier (see Appendix 1). This is recommended as a first step. Subject to demand, an additional team could be entered in the same tier. This will depend on District and Multi-jurisdictional League demand and capacity. Step 2 League reviews all applications, tiering requests, volume, geography, schedule gaps (blackout days, byes) etc. c. Establish the size of each tier d. Identify natural tiers first by geography then by additional criteria such as previous league placing (in the previous system) e. Address any challenges (outliers, duplicates etc.) f. Create Draft 1 of Divisions by March 15th Step 3 Final Divisions announced in late March. Age U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 Gender Male Female Mixed Last Season District Regional Recreational Geography East-West North-South City Centric District wide 9

When should we tier? Tiering is positively encouraged for the 2013 Outdoor Season. It will be mandatory for Clubs and leagues from 2014 onwards. If you are preparing to run an LTPD aligned league in 2013 we would suggest the recommended timeline (Appendix TWO) provides appropriate time for tiering to be completed. Club Application for Slots: A Club must apply to the League using a standardized form (Appendix FOUR) that identifies each age group, gender and proposed tier of competition. Clubs must base this on historic registrations for those age groups over past years. The Club will apply for slots based on the number of teams at an age group, gender and ability. Where a Club has not entered a team at that age group before, they are able to apply at the tier they feel is appropriate and progress reviewed on an ongoing basis. Ongoing Identification and Monitoring Ongoing Identification and Monitoring previously referred to as tryouts should not be a situation our players experience or get put through until U11. Up until then players play without unnecessary pressure and continue to develop technical, tactical, physical and social/emotional skills. By the time players reach U11 Technical Directors should have an ongoing identification and evaluation process in place that Club coaches can be trained to use. This evaluation process should be as stress free as possible for players and crucially: a. Include identification in meaningful competition as well as in training environments. b. Offer open sessions for any player who has a desire to demonstrate their ability to participate within the proposed age group. c. Identify a maximum number of players at each session combined with an appropriate ratio of players to coach (16:1) to provide a more responsible evaluation process. d. Ongoing identification and monitoring should be conducted under the guidance of the Technical Director or Club Head Coach. Our challenge as adults is simple to help young people fall in love with the game The Football Association, 2012 10

Who runs the League? Here are three organizational charts outlining different models for the running of the league. District and Multijurisdictional Leagues are encouraged to work with a model that suits them best, or a league may choose to develop their own model. Each model engages the membership slightly differently, but it is important to note the role that Technical Directors (District and Club) and Club Head Coaches play in the running of the league. Administration may be run from within the District Association, as currently happens in four Districts or it may be run by an existing league. Note: Leagues can and have been built on the focus and passion of Technical Directors within their District Associations. While a clear link exists to the District Association Board it has helped with the format of each event that these committees are able to make decisions based on player development. 11

Our District Association is geographically huge; can we create zones to reduce travel? Yes, District Associations may consider moving to geographical zones (East & West, North & South) as a result of the league s popularity. This allows for more teams at the U8 and U9 ages travelling shorter distances. If our league is using a festival competition format, does our Club have to host a competition day? It would be our expectation that every Club in the league would be required to host a day of competition, however we recognize that some Clubs may be limited in their field capacity. Where necessary a Club can re-host. When would Clubs appoint their coaches? With schedules, player numbers and tiers identified by March 29th this leaves April and much of May to ensure coaches are qualified and appointed to teams. Coaches will also know if they will work in L2T and can qualify sooner. Do we have to deal with more changes to coaching qualifications? Coaching Qualifications will remain the same, i.e. FUNdamentals or Learning to Train (as appropriate), Respect in Soccer and Making Ethical Decisions. Please refer to the Development Matrix for further details at each age. 12

Who is going to run this league? Do we need to hire staff as this will need to be budgeted for? The league may be run by the District Association where a staff member is employed in the office. Additional tasks have also been picked up by the District Technical Directors. We strongly recommend that an experienced Administrator oversees the running of the league with appropriate input to ensure LTPD compliance. We don t have enough teams at a particular age group to play in our District, what can we do? There are four possible options for you and these need to be discussed actively with the District Association. 1. You can request the ability to Play Out of your District; 2. See if there is potential for your District League to work with a neighbouring District to offer specific age groups; 3. Play up in the lowest tier of a higher age division or 4. Play down an age group in the highest tier of a lower age group. How many fields are Clubs going to need to accommodate so many players? There are excellent examples of efficient field use. For example, multiple micro and mini pitches can be accommodated on one full-sized field. Remember that festival formats on weekends will require most space. Outside of the festival format they re not on weekends so little will change. How do we know we have the technical criteria aligned with LTPD principles? Technical Directors and Club Head Coaches in Clubs will be well aware of LTPD implementation across Ontario. A District Association can create a Technical Committee to lead the technical requirements of the league. Where do players go after U12? This is a very common question and requires a detailed explanation. Up to U12 the focus has been on development, giving each child the maximum opportunity to grow as a player. The majority of players will then move into the competitive stream that will take them through to adult leagues and beyond. Others will move into the OPDL environment. More information on this environment will be coming shortly. How many Leagues can a District Association sanction? District Associations should work on the assumption that each age group (U8-U12) is provided for with a male and female division of 1-3 tiers each. It is then at the District Associations discretion whether the District should be split due to geographic size. In such a situation for example a U12 Northern Tier 1,2 and 3 and U12 Southern Tier 1,2, and 3. Appropriate competition weekends may allow these Clubs to cross over during the season. How many players can we have on our roster at each game? As per the Development Matrix the following is required: U8: Maximum of 10 U9/U10: Ideal 9, maximum of 12 U11/U12: Ideal 12, maximum of 16 When would we hold try outs? We now refer to try outs as Ongoing Identification and Monitoring. Stand-alone events are no longer required. If the indoor season is used for development purposes then players can be pooled, developed and assessed through the winter months. As the outdoor season approaches the Club will have been able to monitor player progress and ability. Can a player play up and on their own team on the same day? Provided that they do not exceed the maximum time identified within the matrices for their age. For example, if a player is U8 (30-45 minutes max) they can play up to the U9/U10 and on their own team on the same day as long as their playing time does not exceed the time outlined for U8. They cannot play-up to the U9/U10 playing time of 45-70 minutes max. 13

Appendix ONE This example shows Club A and Club B in Ontario. Club A is a large Club that offers many recreational teams as well as some current competitive teams at the District and Regional level. They have made the assumption that these teams will continue at this type of level for 2013 and have applied to their local District and Multi-jurisdictional leagues for similar places this coming season. The table reflects where multiple teams currently run in an age group and assuming they will continue in 2013 as player pools, as opposed to teams. Club A (Large) Gender Age Group In 2012 In 2013 Male U12 (2000) CESL L41A U13 Regional/District/Club U12 (2000) CSL L3 U13 Regional/District/Club U11 (2001) CESL U12 CESL Tier 1-3 U11 (2001) CESL U12 CESL Tier 2-3 U10 (2002) CESL U11 CESL Tier 1-3 U10 (2002) CESL U11 CESL Tier 2-3 U9 (2003) District League U10 District League Tier 1-3 U9 (2003) District League U10 District League Tier 2-3 U8 (2004) District League U9 District League Tier 1-3 U8 (2004) District League U9 District League Tier 2-3 U7 (2005) Within Club program U8 District League Tier 1-3 Female U12 (2000) CGSL U13 Regional/District/Club U12 (2000) CGSL U13 Regional/District/Club U11 (2001) CESL U12 CESL Tier 1-3 U11 (2001) CESL U12 CESL Tier 2-3 U10 (2002) CESL U11 CESL Tier 1-3 U10 (2002) CESL U11 CESL Tier 2-3 U9 (2003) District League U10 CESL Tier 1-3 U9 (2003) District League U10 CESL Tier 2-3 U8 (2004) District League U9 CESL Tier 1-3 U7 (2005) Within Club program U8 District League Tier 1-3 14

Club B is a medium sized club that offers fewer teams playing competitively at each age group. They will follow the same process and assume all their teams will continue to play competitively in 2013. Club B (Medium) Gender Age Group In 2012 In 2013 Male U12 SRSL Division 3 Regional/District/Club U11 SRSL Premier HMJDCSL Tier 1 U11 SRSL Division 1 HMJDSCL Tier 2 U10 HMJDSCL Premier HMJDCSL Tier 1 U9 HMJDSCL HMJDSCL Tier 1-3 U7 Within Club program District League or HMJDSCL Tier 1-3 Female U12 SRSL First Regional/District/Club U11 SRSL Premier 1 U10 HMJDSCL HMJDSCL Tier 1-3 U9 HMJDSCL HMJDSCL Tier 1-3 U7 Within Club program District League or HMJDSCL Tier 1-3 15

Appendix TWO Key Date November December 14 2012 January 18 2012 March 1 2013 March 15 2013 March 29 2013 April May 3 2013 Task League AGM present new format Survey existing leagues and Clubs for readiness and interest League Application provided to all Clubs Club Applications for Team Slots deadline (PHDL is Feb 17, SCARDESO is April 27th) League Review and draft League w/ Tiers League Tiers finalized and announced Clubs prepare Coaches and Managers Host Coach Education Courses for compliance Schedules distributed May 25 2013 Season Kick Off (Match Day 1) June 1 2013 Match Day 2 June 8 2013 Match Day 3 June 15 2013 Match Day 4 June 17-19 2013 June 20-21 2013 Realignment Panel sitting June 22 2013 Match Day 5 June 29 2013 July 6 2013 Match Day 6 July 13 2013 Match Day 7 July 20 2013 Match Day 8 July 27 2013 Match Day 9 August 3 2013 August 10 2013 Match Day 10 August 17 2013 Match Day 11 August 24 2013 Match Day 12 August 31 2013 September 7 2013 Match Day 13 September 16 2013 Match Day 14 September 23 2013 Match Day 15 Realigned Schedules distributed Canada Day Weekend No Games Civic Holiday Tournament Weekend Labor Day Weekend Tournament Weekend Notes regarding the timeline 1. Long weekends have been blocked out for family time. However, flexibility in squad movement allows for players to move if a particular weekend is lower in participants. 2. Leagues should consider the use of artificial surfaces or domes at the start and end of the season to maximize the season length. Please refer to the Development Matrix for further details. 3. Leagues are encouraged to host Coach and Manager Sessions as well as Parent Information Evenings prior to the season start. 4. The dates identified as game days are Saturdays for example purposes only. 16

Appendix THREE District Situation 1 District A currently has a league running for U8, U9 and U10 age group teams (male and female). In 2013: a) These age groups will move on to create U9, U10 and U11 age groups b) U8 will also be created again with the U7 s from 2012 c) The League will also add the U12 age group by drawing down the U12 age group from its related Regional league. District League U12 (drawn down from Regional League) U9 (existing) U11 (existing) U10 (existing) U8 (from Club environment) District Situation 2 District B has no league running at any age groups: a) Creates divisions for U8, U9, U10 players, consider collaboration with neighbouring District Association b) Assess provision by local Regional league to draw down U11 and U12 teams 17

Appendix FOUR: Sample League Application 2013 U8-U12 Player Development League Application Form Application Deadline: 12 Noon, March 1st, 2013 FULLY completed application form must be submitted by your Club with all Entry Fees payable by CLUB CHEQUE ONLY and sent to: District Address, Town, Postal Code. Age Group: Year of Birth: Gender: Tier Request: TEAM INFORMATION Team Name: Team Number: Team Manager: Address: City: Postal Code: Phone (Home): Fax Number: Email: CLUB INFORMATION Team Name: Team Number: Team Manager: Address: City: Postal Code: Phone (Home): Fax Number: Email: COACH Name: Address: City: Postal Code: Phone (Home): Phone (Work): OSA Registration No.: Email: Respect in Sport No.: Coaching Level: Laws of the Game: HOME FIELD Park Name: Address: City: TEAM OFFICIALS INFORMATION ASSISTANT COACH Name: Address: City: Postal Code: Phone (Home): Phone (Work): OSA Registration No.: Email: Respect in Sport No.: Coaching Level: Laws of the Game: FIELD SCHEDULER Park Name: Address: City: Date Paid: Cheque# Club or Personal Cheque (circle) Staff Initials: 18

Appendix FIVE: Competition Review Often a game of soccer forces children to conform to adult norms rather than making the game relevant and realistic to the child. The introduction of Mini Soccer to Ontario in 2006 challenged our conventional thinking of the game for players U10 and younger. This document in conjunction with the OSA Game Organization Guide provides the next logical step in that progression for players U8-U12. The following areas have been identified by the Canadian Sport 4 Life Expert Group to assist Leagues, Clubs and Associations in the reflection and assessment of their competitions. From the CS4L Provincial Scorecard; All sport organizations support competition but not all put effective policies and programs in place to support the intentional use of competition. Competition programs support CS4L objectives when policies ensure periodized, developmentally appropriate, meaningful competition at quality events, and when competitions are affordable and accessible and enhance system alignment between national, provincial and community sport organization goals. This CS4L table identifies the 11 criteria by which competition can be assessed in its relations to intentional and developmentally appropriate competition. 19

Appendix SIX: Playing Up Guideline Ontario Soccer Association and its Player Development model support the philosophy of continuing to challenge its member players. Players that choose to be considered for potentially playing up an age group must meet the following guidelines for selection: Technical Ability A player must demonstrate a high degree of individual skill which must be transferable to competitive participating players within the age group the player wishes to participate in. Playing Time Guideline It is required that teams implement an equal or minimum playing time policy for those participating under age players. This guideline should be subject to the discretion of the coaching staff as it pertains to the health, safety and eligibility (code of conduct) of the individual player. (This policy is as per the Canadian Soccer Association s LTPD Model) Under 6 to Under 12 - equal playing time Physical Ability A player must meet or exceed other players within their age group in physical strength, technical skill and speed, and have the ability to blend in with players of the intended age group. Mental Ability Player must meet or exceed other players within their age group in game awareness and general knowledge of the game. To include the mental strength that will be necessary when dealing with older and physically superior opponents. Social Ability Player must be able to interact with players within the intended age group on and off the field (games, dressing room, training and social gatherings). The selection of an underage player will ONLY be supported by the Ontario Soccer Association if the player meets these guidelines. These guidelines have been developed to address individual player circumstances to ensure that specific windows of trainability are not missed; adherence to LTPD s national game structure; and to temper coach/ parent aspirations of a player s perceived development. Only in exceptionally rare cases a team may be afforded the opportunity to play up although each member of the squad must be evaluated for their readiness as described above. It is recommended that this evaluation occurs on a weekly basis and it should not be assumed as the right environment for the group. Playing up is rare in these development stages and if not managed well can be detrimental to player development. Decisions should be made by qualified Technical Directors or Club Head Coaches. Other OSA resources available OSA Game Organization Guide - Physical Literacy (U8-U12) Development Matrices (Recreation and Development) A Guide to Festivals in Ontario