Coaching Handbook

‘The Cardies Way’

Congratulations on being selected as a coach for the upcoming football season at MHJFC.

The following support pack has been compiled to assist you with the many facets of coaching a junior football team.
It is designed to compliment your learnings achieved through the AFL accreditation and to be a practical source of
material to coach and develop your players.

Our aim is to provide you with a framework to approach coaching in order for your players to reach their full
potential. Also it will challenge you as a coach to develop your own skills in this area. Please note this is a suggested
format, it is your choice as to whether you use all, some or none of this material. We are however promoting the
MHJFC way of coaching and we have expectations that you will continuously improve as a coach. We have also
developed our first leadership pack which would be available for use with players (from Year 8 onwards) that you
believe are future leaders.

Our Coaching Co-ordinator is Tim Kerr and he is available to assist you with any support requirements. His mobile
is 0419 350 255. He is your resource to improve.

Finally both as parents with players at the club we are passionate about creating an environment for young people
that promotes their own personal development, physical activity, a sense of mateship and a love for our great game
of football. Let’s be the best coaches we can be……..Go Cardies !!

Martin Lawrence Rod Gardiner

President VP/Football Operations
MHCJFC MHCJFC
February, 2017 February, 2017
Introduction Mission, Vision &
Values

Code of Conduct Coaches Officials Players Parents

Player Match Day Rotations Selections Finals Club Rituals

Management

Contacts Committee

Resources Coaching Accreditation CompetencyFramewo Behavioural Support Training Leadership

rk
Roadmap Plan

Communication Players Parents

Training One Life
Plan
Our Purpose, Vision &
History Values

Purpose

To be a strong, inclusive club which helps our kids develop and have fun, through playing football.

Vision

To be leaders in positive culture, player development and participation from players, parents and
volunteers. Our brand is to coach, play and support in accordance with our values.

Values

Teamwork – we work together both on and off the field to achieve our best

Respect – for our club, all players, umpires, volunteers and administrators

Participation – in everything we do, we do it together as a club

 Code of Conduct

As a club we pride ourselves on our reputation of having strong values and the ongoing maintenance of that reputation.

To be read in conjunction with

Coaches To be read in conjunction with Officials the WA Football
the AFL Coaches Code
of Conduct Commission Officials
Code of Conduct
• Safety first. Be committed to the health and well being of players under your • Actively promote positive game day structures and the importance of E-Points
care. structures to the game.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all players. Refrain from any • Understand and adhere to By Law 1 – The Spirit of Junior Football.
discrimination based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability or sexual • Ensure parents, coaches, sponsors and trainers understand their role in fair play.
orientation. Be inclusive to all players. • Remember that children participate for fun.
• No verbal or physical abuse in any form • Modify rules of games that suit the ability of the players.
• Consider maturity and ability of each player • Ensure player and umpire relationships are continually positive
• Even playing time for all players • Ensure equal opportunity for all players
• Coach and teach the spirit of the game, fair play and sportsmanship
• Create a positive environment based on our clubs values
• Wear our club outfit on game day
• Represent our club demonstrating our values at all times
To be read in conjunction with To be read in conjunction with the
Players the WA Football
Parents WA Football Commission
Commission Players Parent/Spectators Code of
Code of Conduct Conduct

• Play in the spirit of the game. • Understand and adhere to By Law 1 – The Spirit of Junior Football.
• Never argue with an umpires decision. • Encourage children to participate, in accordance with the rules.
• Be a good sport. Acknowledge achievements of your opponents. • Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake
• Treat everyone as you would expect to be treated. • Applaud good plays by all teams.
• Have fun. • Understand that the team Manager is the only person they can speak to about any
• No swearing or inappropriate behaviour. issue.
• Play by the rules • Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches, managers and helpers
• Play for your team • Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not swearing, harassing players,
• Represent our club with pride coaches, umpires or officials.
• Understand that in some way you represent our club when spectating.
Player Match Day Rotations
Management

Club Rotations Policy

Rotating children through a variety of positions will ultimately improve their experience and assist with the development of
different skills. Rotations however need to be mindful of the ability of the individual and the requirements of the position. Focus
on setting each child up for success not set them up for failure. The following should be seen as a guide to assist with player
development and enhancing the enjoyment of playing.
To ensure all players continue to develop their skills in multiple positions the club provides the following coaching guidelines for
the respective age groups:
Auskick
All players included in all activities through all positions.
Year 3 through Year 5
All players rotated through all three zones (backs, mids and forwards) every game (minimum of one quarter of playing time per
zone).  
Year 6 through Year 7
All players must get at least two full quarters of playing time every game and an equal amount of playing time over the course of
the season. Through these years coaches might consider developing players within specific zones being mindful of how a game
unfolds. As an example, in a game where one team dominates its important to consider rotating players to even their chance of
being in the play. Through these years, coaches need to be mindful of evening up a one sided game (in consultation with the
opposition).
Year 8 through Year 12
Even time for each player through the course of the season with each player playing at least half a game. Where more than 25
players exist with one team, all players should share the need to not play on a particular week and this should NOT be based on
ability. Coaches through these years should commence development of skills for each zone allowing players opportunities in
other zones if they want to be considered.
Player Playing Up
Management

Club Playing Up Policy

Due to player unavailability (sickness, injury or absent) the rules allow for players from lower age groups to play in one year
higher matches. However if a player ‘plays up’ on 5 occasions through the home and away season they then are considered part
of the higher level playing squad (and can no longer play in their original year games).

Careful consideration needs to be given to players when playing up as to their overall ability to compete at that higher level and
their personal development.

The overall objective of the club is to provide one full game to each player each week where squad numbers allow. Accordingly
‘playing up’ should not be considered by the coach/manager when they have enough players to field a full team on that day
(enough players to fill each position on the field).

Further the coach/manager need to formally advise the Committee when a player has played 4 ‘play up’ games in order for an
understanding and review prior to the 5th game being played.

At all times approval of the players parents and guardians ‘playing up’ needs to be received. Also playing up should generally be
regarded as a back up for unavailability of players on match day and NOT a planned outcome for younger players to participate
in higher age games and or finals.
Player Selections
Management
Club Selection Policy
Selection of children where team numbers exceed the allowable number of players can be a particularly difficult issue to manage.

Where this situation exists, for the home and away season the club advocates an even time selection. That is, players share the non playing time
evenly.

Also when at a particular age group there are enough players for additional teams, those teams must be selected to have equal football ability.
That is, you do NOT pick a best team and a second team. This will erode the spirit of junior football and can turn players away from the game.
It is also advised to mix players into different teams that come from the same school.

Finals

Situation may exist where a team reaches the end of the home and away season (having had an even time selection) but needs to participate in
the finals.

During finals however the coach may be required to select 25 players from a larger number to represent the club on finals day. It is suggested
that the criteria is based on

•The overall effort of the individual specifically in regard to the Clubs stated values;
•Overall effort through the season, including at training and game day;
•Players who are injured should never be considered for selection.

It is advised that where player numbers exceed positions required the coach and manager clearly articulate the above policy to parents and the
commencement of the season both verbally and in writing.
 Player Club Rituals
Management
Game Day Our Club

Arrive 30 - 45 minutes prior to bounce down Common award day at end of the season

Help each other with warm up drills and Jumper presentation night
preparation
Team photo
Be ready to play from the first siren
Pizza Night/Quiz Night
Listen to the coach and captain
Medals for junior teams/certificates for more
Sing our club song respectfully after the game senior teams

Always acknowledge your opponent at the end Melbourne trip for Year 6
of the game
End of season function
Contacts Officials
 Resources Coaching
Framework

 Identification of natural leaders

Leadership  Evolution to self coaching
 Set standards and enforce team rules Leadership
 On field leadership and motivation
Support Pack
 Role model for others
 Using football metaphor for future success

 Kicking
 Marking Skills &
Skills  Handball
 Our Competency framework Training
Mission
&  Play the ball (not the player)
Vision Teamwork  Encourage others
 Stay in position and follow our team rules and structure
 Represent our club with pride

 Coach and Parents

 Our Club
Values Respect  Your team mates
 The umpire and their decisions Behavioural
 Your opponents (and shake their hand) support

 Have a go !!
Participation  Train hard
 Practice at home
 Have fun
 Sing our club song loud !!
 Be a good sport
Coaching
See next page
Roadmap
Resources Coaching
Roadmap

Player Self
Correction &

Professional/Semi Professional
Development The coach will….. Mentor &
Specialisation Support
Holistic Player
Selection
Development

Youth/Seniors Sense of Values based Game

Fair Play coaching Statistics Coach &
Leadership Guide
Team Rules Reward and
Group
Penalty based
Game Plan Competency Framework incentive

Juniors/Youth Captaincy
Teamwork Introduce
Scoring Introduce Teach &
winning/losing
Develop Introduce Show
Basic Skills Values Club driven rituals

Auskick/Juniors Reward based

No scoring No Specialisation Instruct &
incentives only
Focus on Lead
Introduce
Inclusion having Even time playing
Basic Skills
Fun
 Resources Accreditation

Each coach must achieve and maintain Level 1 accreditation as a mandatory minimum.
Accreditation provides you membership to the Australian Football Coaches Association which
runs coaching development sessions from time to time. The Club encourages all coaches to
continue their coaching development and take advantage of the courses and development sessions
offered by the association.

Relevant courses are available from March through to June and are provided free of charge to each
coach.

Courses include:

Auskick/Junior (Orientation)
Level 1 (Junior)
Level 1 (Youth)
Level 1 (Seniors)
Level 2 (Youth/Senior)
Level 3 (High Performance)
 Resources CompetencyFramewo Abridged version. To be read in conjunction with ‘Skill
rk Development Curriculum’ WA Football Commission.

Skill Type Y3 Y4 Y5 Y6 Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10 Y11 Y12

Kicking                    
Preferred Foot                    
Non Preferred Foot                    
Drop Punt                    
Torpedo                   
Banana/Checkside                   
Snap                   
Kicking (Accuracy)                    
Stationary Target                    
To a Lead                   
On the Run                   
For Goal - set shot                    
For Goal - on the run                    
For Goal - snap shot                    
Handball                    
Preferred Hand                   
Non Preferred Hand                   
Basic backspin                   
Marking                    
Chest                    
In front hand                 
Overhead                 
Pack                  
Picking up the ball                    
Stationary ball                   
Ball approaching                    
Bouncing                    
Touching the ground                   
Preferred Hand                   
Non Preferred Hand                   
Tackling                    
Side                    
Rear                    
Front Fall                   
Coaching Strategy                    
Emphasising fun                   
Keeping score and winning                    
Game Plan                    
Resources Behavioural Support

• Use the values of Teamwork, Participation and Respect to form the basis of
your coaching style
• Write to parents emphasising the themes as a basis of coaching (letter
format provided)
• Guide each discussion with players around these themes with particular
emphasis being on on-field behaviour
• Rotate 3 new footballs at training marked with each theme to single out
player that demonstrates best theme behaviour
• End of Season awards are based around player that has shown best
behaviour around the 3 themes – receives football from club
• Individual player certificates re-enforce themes and personalises the
experience (example shown)
Resources Training
Plan

• As a coach you need to develop your own set of training plans. These are a
set of short activities that build up competency in a particular skills
• Players will enjoy variations to these activities and the introduction of
competition will ensure player focus.
• Indicatively the lower the year the greater emphasis on the activity being
fun is required.
• At all years it is essential that warm up activities are undertaken in order to
minimise injuries.
• As players develop, consider involving them in the actual running of an
activity.
• Our very best coaches have a training plan and a particular skill in mind
prior to the commencement of training.
• For your reference, some indicative training activities can be provided.
 Training Session Pro Forma - example
Time Skill being developed Training Activity Duration Comment
6:00 pm Warm Up One lap of oval 5 min Run as a team
6:05 pm Stretch Stretches 10 min Captain to lead
6:15 pm Handball Handball Cross Over 10 min Focus on calling
6:25 pm Drink Drink 2 min Rehydrate
6:27 pm Pick up/handball Roll/Pickup/Hball 15 min Three stations of players
6:42 pm Field kicking Moving ball end to
end 20 min Players run in pairs

7:02 pm Drink/vest Drink 5 min Rehydrate

7:07 pm Game simulation Scratch Match 20 min Simulate game day

7:27 pm Address players No issues 3 min Ensure all know game

day arrangements
Resources Leadership

A Leadership pack is available for Cardinal Coaches. Indicatively this should only
be for Year 8 onwards. It uses the model shown below, using YouTube videos and
a series of questions. An answer pack is available for parents.

Respect Be a great Helping other

(Treat others how you
want to be treated) Sport Players
(Representing your club) (Share your skills and
knowledge)

Be the Player Fair Play Role Model

(Reach every standard (What does it mean (Show others the way)
then do something more) to you)
Communication Players

• Communication to your players is an essential skill. The manner and style

that you employ to be a successful communicator will vary according to
the age of your players.
• Some key things to consider are
• Be organised; time spent getting organised will cause a distraction
• Enforce only one person is talking at one time
• Establish a reward/penalty system for excellent/disruptive players
• Remain calm and always remember football is a game for kids to
enjoy. You are there to have fun.
• Never swear or put a player down
• Know and understand our ‘Healthy Club’ policy

• Know your players names

• Ensure your players have time for them to speak and ask questions
• Treat each child as you would want other parents to treat your children
Communication Parents

• Communication to parents is equally as important as with your players

• Some key things to communicate are
• Aims of junior sport
• The values of the club (Respect, Teamwork, Participation)
• Your coaching philosophy (what you want to achieve)
• Housekeeping matters (training, equipment, even time, rotations)
• Seek their input and assistance with roles that need to be done
• Any team rules
• Their behaviour and our Code of Conduct
• Know your parents names
• Ensure you are approachable for parents concerns
• Be open and truthful
• Use both verbal and written communication (letter example shown over page)
Dear Parent, This year we move to full AFL rules and use the entire oval with 18 players on the field. Our
current squad for Year 8 is 28 players. Accordingly we will be operating a player rotation of 25
Welcome to the Year 8 Cardinals Football team!! We are thrilled to re introduce ourselves as
players playing on game day. The 3 boys not playing each week will be allocated tasks on the
your team coaches and player support for the 2015 football season. Our aim this year is to
continue with our coaching framework that builds on the basic skills of the game in addition to day, such as boundary or water runners to ensure they feel part of the team. Our playing
being part of a successful and supportive team and club. To assist us with the continued philosophy for the home and away season will be to target an even field time for each player.
development of our players we will be using three themes as part of our coaching philosophy in On game day we continue the practice of playing an even number of players to our opponents
order to address the team both on game day and during training sessions. which may result in players playing for the opposition. Where practical we will rotate players
through various positions on the field. Parents and players need to be mindful that as we
Participation experience player unavailability through holidays and injuries we will do our best to maintain
even time.
Have a go !!
Train hard
Should we make the finals this year, the coaching staff will select 25 boys to represent our
100% effort
club for that final with the other boys encouraged to get involved as support for the day. This
Practice at home
selection will be based on the individual skills as a footballer and those that have
Have fun
demonstrated our values through the year, attended training and successfully executed our
Sing our club song loud !!
game plan. Boys who are injured at finals time will not be considered for selection.
Be a good sport
  Respect
For the regular season we will be training on a Thursday night and we ask that you pick up
Coach and Parents your child at 7:30 pm. There will be no supervision of your child past this time. Through the
Our Club course of the year, if you have any concerns please contact us directly and lets’ work together
Your team mates to make this an enjoyable experience for all.
The umpire and accept their decisions
Your opponents (and shake their hand) Finally as both a coach and parent we are both passionate about creating an environment for
  Teamwork young people that promotes their own personal development, physical activity, a sense of
mateship and a love for our great game of football.
Play the ball (not the player)
Encourage others
Go Cardies !!
Stay in position and follow our team rules and structure
Represent our club with pride
Coaches Name
Year X
As a ‘Cardies’ parent we ask you to actively participate through this season in order to create an Mobile
environment of participation, respect and teamwork for all players. This includes ensuring your
own behaviour during the game aligns with the Club’s Code of Conduct and your parent volunteer
responsibilities are met. Specifically our Code of Conduct includes:

Supporting our team in a positive, respectful and encouraging manner

Show respect for opponents and umpires

No negative comments directed at our players, the umpires or the opposition
 Teamwork Respect Participation
2014 Year 7 Blue Team

Runner Up
Players Name
As our runner up best and fairest player you displayed exceptional skills in all
Best & aspects of the game. You have continued to develop your agility, long kicking,
Fairest and play reading skills. When sidelined early in the season with an injury, you
still supported the team by getting involved on game day. After returning
from injury your confidence as a player grew, delivering drive to our mid-
field, which set up many plays especially when you linked up with other mid-
fielders. A great season in which you developed as a player we look forward
to seeing you in 2015. Go Cardies !!!

________________ ________________ _____________

Scott Thomas Dion Boules Luke Boules
23rd August, 2014 Coach Assistant Coach Team Manager
 That was the year that was........2014.

If the game starts at midday, why do How come there are never any oranges Yes, boy from Ellenbrook, I’d be scared as well.....you’re going to lose the ruck everytime
our husbands leave the house at 9 am...? left for me?................... Girl power rules.#1...ok

Its all about the style,... Grab ball, check, now sprint.... The odd occasional miss... the coach was often clueless....... the game plan was as clear as mud....

Anyone want to dance...?

I’ve run out of things to say, That goal in the final was at least
thank god Ian is here.... 50 metres.....maybe 60 !!

Praying can help your football ability

the fathers had no idea............ This is the first and last time I am But we always achieved....
wearing bright orange in public.....
Respect, Participation and Teamwork
Communication One Life

Each year Western Australian footballers aged 13 and above wear blue
arm bands to promote suicide prevention and to reinforce that its ‘ok to
talk’. The MHCJFC regards coaches and managers as individuals that
may be able to influence a young person to seek help. Our club
nominates a representatives to the OneLife training each year. The
simple message is that professional help is available. Our own video on
YouTube has been developed and is available to assist coaches with
messaging to their players. You can make a big difference.