COACHES

Welcome, SSA Coaches!

Thank you for your dedication and service to the Stephenville Soccer Association and our broader community. Your role as a coach is vital—not only in developing young athletes but also in shaping character, teamwork, and sportsmanship. We deeply value the time, energy, and passion you bring to the field, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

This page is thoughtfully designed to serve your needs as a coach, offering resources to help you grow in your role and foster the development of your players.

Your Role as a Coach

Coaches at SSA fulfill two essential roles:

1. Role Models and Leaders
You are a symbol of guidance and integrity for our players. Your influence helps shape their character, encouraging them to be their best selves while enjoying the spirit of teamwork and fair play. Winning and losing are part of the game, but our true goal is to uplift every child who steps onto the field.

2. Teachers of the Game
While SSA is a recreational league, we strive to cultivate a love for soccer and build foundational skills. As a coach, you help players learn tactics, techniques, and fitness in a fun and supportive environment. Your efforts contribute to creating confident, capable soccer players who enjoy the game and grow through it.

We're Here to Support You

Just as you support your players, we’re here to support you. This section of our website provides helpful tools, guidance, and structure to make your coaching experience successful and enjoyable—for you, your players, and their families.

If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your commissioner. We’re committed to helping you thrive in your role.

To get started, download our Coaches Welcome Packet below. It contains everything you need to begin your journey as an SSA coach.

Coaches Welcome Packet

Team Schedules

Helpful Links

Field Maps

GotSport Help Desk

NTX Soccer Tournaments

Contact SSA

Black Out Date Request Form

Schedule Change Request Form

Important Documents

Code of Ethics for Coaches

Age Specific Playing Rules

Understanding Referee Signals

Concussion Information

Sit-Out Verification Form

Guest Player Release Form

SSA Info / Commissioners

Ways to Play

Set your practice schedule (1 to 2 practices per week)
Contact players at the beginning of each season and communicate with the families of practice times.
Maintain open lines of communication with parents - Coaches must create and maintain GroupMe for team communication
Maintain an open line of communication with the age-group commissioner.
Coaches must complete a background check & complete a three hour “abuse awareness and prevention” training course in “Safe Sport.”
Help to govern your team parents during games - Yelling at the referee, opposing players, and opposing parents is not permitted at the SSA complex.
Supply your own training/coaching/practice equipment - SSA does not supply equipment for coaches: balls & cones; run practices.

Coaches Page

Volunteer to become a coach through GotSport when you register your child for the season. There will be write-in response opportunity where you can type and communicate your interest in being a head coach, assistant coach, or team manager. If you do not have a child that will be playing in the upcoming season, please reach out to us through this website and we can help you register and create a got sport account. THANK YOU for helping and participating with our league.

Coaching youth sports is a considerable commitment. We ask that coaches provide a minimum of 2 hours of practice per week plus a one hour game. Preparing and planning practices is additional time and load that differs for all coaches. If you need or desire help designing practices or discussing tactics and formations, please submit the communication survey and we will reach out to help you asap.

We understand that sometimes our referees make incorrect calls. We ask that you are gentle and gracious with our referees. Moving forward we hope to improve our referee training and communication between all coaches and refs. Please work together with the SSA league, other coaches, and the refs to improve. Yelling and screaming at our refs during a game is neither constructive nor does it model the behavior we want our children to follow.