Check-off List for Coaches

Click here to download a list of things to ensure you are ready for your first game.

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Returning Coaches (head coach, assistant, or manager)

• Sign up to coach by clicking this.

• Complete background check. Click this for instructions on how to complete a background check.

• Complete Safe Sport. Click this for instructions on how to complete SafeSport.

• Sign up for a practice field. 

• Contact the commissioner and the president to inform them that you are returning.

• Remind parents to sign up their players.

• Click here below to get the modified playing rules.

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New Coach (head coach, assistant, or manager)

• All new coaches will set up an account in GotSport. Sign up to coach.

• Complete background check. Click here for instructions on how to complete a background check.

• Complete Safe Sport. Click this for instructions on how to complete SafeSport.

• The commissioner will add you to the team once the background and Safe Sport are completed and approved.

• Upload a current picture in Gotsport.

• Sign up for a practice field only if you are the head coach.

• Select a team name and color, and then find uniforms that match your team's identity, only if you are the head coach.

• Please fill out the seeding form and return it to the President.

• Contact players once the roster is received.

• Click here below to get the modified playing rules.

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Background Checks

All teams’ contacts (Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Managers, etc.) must pass a background check every year.  All background checks expire in June.  Click here for instructions on how to complete a background check.  Click here to complete a background check.  ​

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Assistant Coaches

We encourage all teams to have at least one assistant coach in case of schedule conflicts.  Head coaches will determine their assistant coaches. Once you find an assistant coach, have him or her sign up and complete a background check.  Additionally, please contact your age coordinator so they can be added to your team. 

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Safe Sport

NTSSA mandates that coaches and managers complete the CDC Heads Up/Concussion and Safe Sport Course. Both are available through your coaches’ accounts. These short courses cover how to identify and handle concussions and how to have a safe and respectful environment. You can find step-by-step instructions here.

 

We ask all coaches to follow the rule of "when in doubt, sit them out" for the safety of our players. Please report any suspected concussions to the DSA board so we can follow up with their parents. Remember, our ultimate goal is to keep everyone safe.

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Team Seeding Form

All coaches must submit a seeding form to ensure their team or teams are added to the game schedule, along with any exceptions (byes) for that season. Please return the forms to the president. Click here for the seeding form. If the president does not receive your seeding form before the seeding meeting, you will be responsible for paying the fee to add your team to the schedule.

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Practices Schedules

Teams may practice twice a week for one hour, Monday through Friday. Coaches may select the days and times they prefer to practice.  We will do our best to honor your request, but please note that it is not guaranteed. Teams will be assigned half a soccer field to practice on for ONE HOUR. Sometimes, games are scheduled on a weeknight, and those games take precedence over practice. You may practice on an open field or space if a game is on your practice field. 

 

You can only practice on the days and times assigned to you. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the field coordinator. Click here to request a practice field. Teams will practice and play games on the front and back fields. Click here to request half of a practice field. You may only practice on your assigned day, time, and field. If there is bad weather, please call the rainout line at 972-230-9652. Be mindful of the temperature and wind index.

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Contact your Players 

Once you receive your roster, contact your players.  

 

Uniforms

Each team is responsible for ordering its uniforms. Teams must have matching shirts with a unique number on the back. The unique number must be permanent on the jersey and the game sheet. If you would like to secure a sponsor to help cover the cost of your uniforms, please note the DSA uniform policy: uniforms may not advertise any adult products, such as alcohol, cigarettes, or weapons. You may order your uniforms from anywhere.

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NTSSA/DeSoto Soccer Code of Ethics for Coaches

The code of ethics has been developed to clarify and distinguish approved and accepted professional, ethical, and moral behavior from that which is detrimental to the development of soccer. The DeSoto Soccer Association holds all coaches, assistant coaches, and team officials to the standards outlined in this code. Click here to get a copy.

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Coach ID Cards 

We cannot stress enough the importance of having your coach ID card with you at all games and practices. You will NOT be able to coach a game without showing your coaches' ID. Referees WILL check—both at home and in other cities. Once your roster is generated, you can access it in your team account. Click here to print coaches' IDs.

 

Player ID Cards

Player ID Cards are required for all players. There are NO exceptions to this - home games or away games -the first or the last game - if you do not have player cards, you DO NOT play.  Player ID cards can be shown to the referees either in a virtual or hard copy format. The game will be recorded as a forfeit for your team and will not be rescheduled. Click here to get virtual IDs.

 

Parents need to upload a headshot picture of their player onto their GotSport account no later than a week before the season's first game.  They do this by logging into the player's account and selecting the button to upload a picture. The registrar will generate the IDs before the first game.  You have two options for bringing player IDs to games.

• A printed version is available in your team account. Click on the link for the current season.  Click on the documents tab and find the document for the Player ID cards. Please print this document and bring it with you to all games. Click here for instructions on how to check your team account and print players' IDs.  

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• You can access the electronic version by logging into your team account using an electronic device. The referee will use your phone to check in with your players through the virtual ID.  Also, be prepared with a backup plan in case of Internet issues. We strongly recommend taking a screenshot of the cards so they are saved on your phone. 

 

If you have questions about this, please call your age group coordinator before your first game of the season.

 

Late Players to the game

Players arriving after the game has begun will not be allowed on the field until the referee has verified their player ID.  Referees will not take their attention away from the game to check cards for late players, so that players cannot play until an extended pause, such as for an injury or halftime.

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Game Day

Field locations are posted on our website before the start of each season. Please check this before your game. Tardiness or absence could result in the team forfeiting. If you are listed as the "Home" team, you are required to wear alternate jerseys or pinnies if there is a color conflict; if your team is unable to provide this, they will forfeit. Each team is responsible for keeping its trash picked up on its sideline.

 

Game/Match Sheets

Game sheets for the U4- U19 age group are available in your team account.  Be sure to check game cards (sheets) to ensure all your players have their jersey numbers next to their names.  When you view your schedule, click on the game number to open a new screen with your game sheet.  Game sheets MUST be printed and brought to each game. Click here to see how to print game cards (sheets).

 

Do not print all your game sheets at once. It's best to print your game sheets 48 hours before the game. Sometimes, the roster changes due to red cards, new players, or other factors. The BSW scheduler handles all games and reschedules. Therefore, we have no control over times and days. 

 

At the end of the game, the referee will ask both coaches to sign the game sheets. The away team's game sheet will be returned to them.  The home team's game sheet will be taken by the referee and turned in to the association.  Home team coaches are encouraged to take a picture of the game sheet to aid them in reporting the score.

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Reporting Scores

Referees or referee assignors will enter the game score into GotSport at the end of each game.  

 

Traveling Teams

Teams U7 and above will play in the Best Southwest Interplay League (BSW).  4U-6U will play all games at Grimes Park.

 

Exceptions/Reschedules

While we do our best to avoid it, changes to game schedules will happen.  Coaches monitor their teams’ schedules to identify any changes to their games.  Coaches are asked at the beginning of the season to specify two dates on which they cannot play games.  We make every effort to schedule around those exceptions.  Once the schedule has been issued, coaches may only ask for reschedules.  All games and reschedules are done by the BSW scheduler.  Therefore,  we have no control over times and days.  Games may be scheduled for Saturdays, weeknights, and Sundays after 1 pm.  Reschedules may be granted only for the following reasons:

• The event of a verifiable school function that affects most of your players

• a conflict with another DSA soccer team you coach

• Your team has registered for an NTTSA  tournament.  

• Death in a coach's immediate family​

Requests for schedule changes outside those reasons will be denied. The form is available on the resource tab. 

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