Chatham High School Boys’ Soccer Program

1. Chatham High School Boys’ Soccer Program Background, Philosophy, Goals and Expectations

2. Guiding Principles • Help a large group of boys enjoy the sport of soccer and participate in the high school sports experience. • Field competitive teams with an emphasis on development, team and individual success and enjoyment of the sport. We want to win, but the program follows the standards set out by the state and NFHS: Freshmen – Development; JV – More competitive; Varsity – Our goal is to win in a positive manner. • Create a positive environment of mutual respect amongst all players and coaches. • Be mindful of safety issues. • Build for the future, while accommodating current players who may not be as strong and rewarding dedication to the sport and hard work whenever possible. • Teach the boys that they have to fight for their spot each year. Otherwise, those who develop at a different speed and work hard during the off-season have no incentive. • Create an atmosphere that causes young athletes in the Lafayette and Middle School environments to say “I want to be a part of that program.”

3. Desirable Skills and Attributes – We’re looking for the best combination of: • Game Knowledge: Understands the game – makes good decisions. • Technical Skill: Good first-touch and control with limited time and space. Ability to use both feet with confidence. • Distribution: The ability and willingness to distribute the ball, under pressure, to precisely the right place with the correct touch. • Defensive Skill: Good 1 v 1 technical ability when defending. Can execute the correct tackle, and you play without fear. • Timing and Insight: You understand when, where and how to make the right offensive runs. • Great Ball Strikers: Feet and head (offensive vs. defensive heading). • Good Pace and Work-Rate: Play hard and smart – always play for the next play. • Stamina: Comes into the season in good physical condition, ready to play from day one, able to get a reasonable 2 mile time (should be able to beat the coach). • Flexible and Adaptable Mindset: Be a total soccer player first, wherever that may take you. Don’t fixate on position. • Communication: Understands how to communicate on the field and does it with regularity. • Speed and Quickness: Important, but not in and of themselves. Strength in other areas can make up for a lot. • Play with Composure. • Attitude: How do you conduct yourself in practice and games? • Mental and Physical Toughness: Handles the pressure of playing against bigger, faster skilled athletes with confidence.

4. Our formula for success depends on capitalizing on the skills developed in other sports… • Lacrosse, basketball, baseball, track all add to the mix. • You don’t have to play club soccer to be successful at high school soccer, but you do need to care about it…at least a little bit. • Make sure you’re fit: the first day, you run the two mile. We also do a figure eight run. The best way to make a good first impression is to care about your personal fitness. • When you’re heading off to lax, baseball or basketball this summer, bring a soccer ball. Then, when your buddies leave the field or court, just spend 10 or fifteen minutes juggling, working on your touch, ball-striking.

5. The Potential Players Returning… • 19 Seniors • 19 Juniors • 20-22 Sophs • Incoming Freshmen? • Last year, there were 32 players who received varsity time. Of that 31: • 8 were seniors • 14 were juniors • 10 were sophs • We also had 5 freshmen who received some time in JV games

6. Expectations: The Player Timeliness: Show-up on time, with a good attitude, ready to play. Practice time is limited, let’s use it well. Play hard, don’t be lazy. Missing Practices: Other than for illness or injury and advanced notice of over one week for college or school trips, there really is no reason to miss practice. If you are skipping practices or showing up late without notice, it may result in reduced playing time. If it continues, you will be asked to leave the team. There are plenty of good players who want to be on one of the squads. Communication: Come to me with any questions or concerns…yourself. Use good judgment and timing – immediately following a difficult game may not be the best time to express yourself. Think first. That said, I understand that there’s never an ideal time for a tough conversation, and teachers/coaches need to be accessible…come to me if something is bothering you. Parents: You’re welcome to speak with me about anything, at any time, as long as we’re respectful of each other. Just use your judgment. • Share your ideas: No coach has all of the answers. If something’s unclear, ask. You’re encouraged to share your ideas and concerns always, in an appropriate manner. Sometimes that’s in a group setting, and sometimes it’s privately. Don’t look to embarrass anyone. I respect your ideas. If you disagree with something, speak up in an appropriate and “professional” manner. • Absences: Let me know about absences well ahead of time. My email is ggfoca@aol.com; my cell is 973-886-0009. • Email- I expect the boys to check their emails daily. If they’re not receiving emails from me, they haven’t provided me with an email address.

7. Expectations: Team Placement and Playing Time • The players can expect a fair opportunity to prove themselves, within the outlined guidelines, at all times. • Very little is set in stone. The time to prove yourself is in practice: your attitude and approach to exercises, helping out on the field and excelling in what we do. • Varsity time in one season is not a guarantee of varsity time in the next season. What have you done in the off-season, relative to your teammates? Have they worked harder to improve? • Lineups may change, depending on the opponent. Don’t assume that you’ve done something wrong, if you start in one game and not the next, or you play in one game and not the next. With 60+ players in the program, there may be some more capable of handling a specific situation than you. • Every season is unique and requires adjustments. Don’t assume that the previous season’s criteria, team size or decisions will apply to the current season.

8. Expectations: The Player (Continued) • Treat Everyone with Respect: • There’s not always a huge margin between a varsity player, a JV player and a freshman player. You’re all members of the same team…act that way. • Help out: Have a team oriented attitude in your actions and your words. • Be personally accountable; don’t point a finger at someone else. Take responsibility. • Be realistic and self-aware. • Don’t argue with the referees: I’ve never seen a player, coach or parent change a referee’s mind. I’ve often seen the opposite….the more you complain, the larger the negative impact that it has on the team. Let the coaches and the captains handle conversations with the refs in the appropriate way, and at the appropriate time. • Good Behavior off the Field.

9. “A year older doesn’t necessarily mean a year better…” Or “If you don’t like the output that you received, you have to change the input.” If you were a player last season who received less playing time than you’d like, didn’t make the varsity squad, or felt that you barely made any of the teams, what did you do between the end of last season and August to change the equation? The coaches have open minds, but if what you did going into last year didn’t work as well as you would’ve liked, why do you think the same approach will work this year? If you work hard, our job as coaches is to ensure that you get a fair opportunity to prove yourself. By definition, some of that opportunity must come in the form of small-sided games, scrimmages or games. We’re not perfect, but we want to create an environment that is as fair to all concerned as we can.

10. Coaches and Captains: • Freshmen– Nick Cicarelli: ncicarelli@chatham-nj.org • JV – Mark Woodward: woody@givengosoccer.com • Varsity – Gene Foca: ggfoca@aol.com • Part-time Assistant – Chris Condron: realcondo@yahoo.com • Others may be involved… • Captains- Brian Ballard: Tballterps@aol.com • Conor Goepel: Wawasoccer10@aol.com • Jack Eisenreich: JackEisenreich@gmail.com • Thomas Stephan: YankeesFan4357@aol.com