Coaching 101
This page has general information on coaching during the season, including Concussion Response tools, Travel Sanctioning, and other important information. To view season-specific information, please use the navigation menu or the buttons below to reach the appropriate page.
Important Links:
General Information:
- Code of Conduct
- Coach Frequently Asked Questions
- Coach Practice Planning
- Instructions for Scoring Games Online
- View your roster on the EMSA portal
- Coaching Age Policy
- EMSA ID Card (E-Card) – Coach/Player
- Travel Grant Application
Community Game Information:
- Team Officials and Bench Attendants in the Technical Area
- Technical Trainers in the Technical Area
- EMSA Policy – Visual Recording
- MEMO: Alberta Soccer Position on Drones
Game Sheets and Scoring For U9+:
- Electronic Game Sheet Procedure: After the game is completed, please email ewzsagamesheets@shaw.ca
- How to Enter Jersey Numbers on Game Sheets
- How to Download and Print Electronic Game Sheets
- How to Score Games in the EMSA Portal
- Blank Game Sheet (print and keep a few in your kit in case there are issues printing the electronic version)
- ASA Provincial Roster
Child Safety:
Concussion Information
A concussion is an injury to the brain and can be quite serious. Any sudden jarring blow to the head, face, neck, or body can cause a concussion. Examples in sports include a ball to the head or face or being checked into the boards in hockey. For a short time, a concussion can affect a person’s thinking and ability to remember things. These are not the only symptoms of a concussion; other symptoms also exist.
Concussions occur in soccer. EMSA West is concerned and would like to protect the safety of our soccer players. The first step in this process is education. Coaches, parents, and players should review the files below for immediate reference and in-depth reading.
- Canada Soccer Concussion Policy
- Alberta Soccer Concussion Protocol & Policy (Approved January 2016)
- Alberta Soccer Association Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool
- Concussion Response Tool – Parents, Guardians, Coaches
- Concussion Handbook For Parents
- Facts About Concussion & Brain Injuries
- EMSA West Philosophy on Heading the Ball
- EMSA Main on Heading the Ball
U11+ Injury Prevention
An international group of experts developed the 11+ program based on their practical experience with different injury prevention programs for amateur players aged 14 or older. It is a complete warm-up package and should replace the usual warm-up before training.
Teams that performed the 11+ program regularly, at least twice a week, had 37% fewer training injuries and 29% fewer match injuries. Severe injuries were reduced by almost 50%. This study was published in the British Medical Journal in 2008. We encourage all teams in our zone to adopt the 11+ program.
Out of Province Play/Travel Sanctioning
Anytime a team travels outside Alberta to compete in a tournament or attend a training camp, they must complete a travel permit application.
Travel permits serve three primary purposes:
- They provide protection to the travelling team: travel permits are only approved if the associated Provincial, State or National Soccer Association sanction the tournament. Restricting travel to tournaments not affiliated with a parent body reduces the risk to teams, as they know they are travelling to a real tournament with universal standards.
- They provide protection to the tournament: by requiring a travel permit, tournament organizers know who will attend their event. Travel permits reduce the risk to tournament organizers, ensuring the team and players are properly registered and in good standing with their league.
- They provide protection to the players: all players and team officials attending a sanctioned event in Alberta are covered under Alberta Soccer’s (ASA) insurance policy. Travel permits extend this coverage beyond Alberta’s borders for the duration of the tournament.
Visit Alberta Soccer’s website for further information.