SCCYSL Positive Play Day Instructions for Coaches September 10, 2005

Today, too often what we read and see in the media about youth sports focuses on violent and negative events. Positive Play Day (PPD) provides an opportunity for the SCCYSC to create a different type of news. PPD focuses players, coaches, parents, officials, and fans on Honoring the Game.

Our PPD includes both teams' coaches reading a statement at the beginning of all games to players, parents, officials, and fans that state PPDπs goals. Immediately following the reading, each player will run to the sideline and give an Honoring the Game card to a fan. Then, the game begins. Each coach will deliver the cards and stickers to the field for his/her team.

PRACTICE the following sequence of actions with your players during practice this week, so that they will know what to do on PPD.

At your team practice, before Sept. 10:

1. Introduce to players the idea of Honoring the Game (refer to the card in your coaches packet) and the PPD ceremony. Pass around a sticker and card for them to see. Then, practice standing side by side with the coach at one end. Coach reads the statement, and players run to sideline to hand card to parents or other fans and encourage them to read it.

On Sept. 10, Positive Play Day (PPD):

1. PLACE YOUR TEAM AND PARENTS ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE FIELD AS YOUR OPPONENTS FOR THIS OPENING DAY GAME. Please remind the other coach of this if s/he forgets!

2. Place a sticker on the jersey (front side) of each of your players during warm-ups.

3. During cleat check, hand out an Honoring the Game Card to each player.

4. Line up both teams on field, near and facing the spectators side by side with coaches (and assistant coaches) in the middle.

5. One coach from each team reads the statements in turn, given here:

Coach #1: The Santa Cruz County Youth Soccer League is very pleased to hold our annual "Positive Play Day" to support and promote the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance: Honoring the Game, Redefining Winner, and Filling Emotional Tanks. Today we focus on "Honoring the Game" by honoring the rules of the game, our opponents, the officials, our teammates, and the great traditions of soccer.

Coach #2: Our players have agreed to participate in "Positive-Play Day" by wearing patches on their uniforms that proclaim, "We Honor the Game Here." They will now run to the sideline to provide you with cards with information about what YOU can do to "Honor the Game" and our childrenπs youth sport experience.

6. Players run to their parent or a fan to hand them an Honoring the Game information card, and encourage them to read it.

7. Players take the field and the game begins.

8. REMIND AND ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO ATTEND THE PCA SPORT PARENT WORKSHOP ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 7-9PM AT HARVEY WEST SCOUT HOUSE. THE TEAMS WITH THE MOST PARENTS IN ATTENDANCE WILL WIN A PIZZA PARTY FOR THEIR TEAM!

More info on PPD and "Honoring the Game" is available at www.positivecoach.org