Coaches

coaches role in fiya

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A coach in youth sports plays an incredible role in the lives of children. Valuable life lessons and important virtues are taught and developed on the playing field.  A coach therefore assumes the role of a teacher in FIYA and in light thereof, each coach shall act, speak and dress in a manner consistent with a professional teacher.  In addition, a coach is responsible for the conduct and supervision of the student athletes and the spectators for his/her team as well as supporting the officials' decisions during the game.

 

Whether a new or returning coach to FIYA, we encourage you to carefully review all of the information below prior to the start of the season. For new coaches, instructions on how to complete the mandatory NAYS Coaches Training Program follows general information about coaching in FIYA.

expectations and responsibilities

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Below are excerpts from our Regulations Manual concerning expectations and responsibilities of all FIYA coaches.

 

  • Coaches should maintain a first aid kit and all emergency medical information for each player on the team at all practices and games.

 

  • Coaches should also maintain a team roster which can be used to validate the eligibility of each team member and as such schools may be asked to provide such eligibility verification.

Schools with more than one school team entered in the same division of the same League Event may NOT interchange players from its multiple teams; each roster must be separate and distinct.

If a school has multiple teams in different divisions of a League Event, a student-athlete may be moved between divisions only once during the season (provided all age and grade requirements in Article 5.2 are met).  After being moved, the student-athlete may not return to the original team for the remainder of the season.

If a school has both a coed team and a single-gender team in the same sport during the same season, a student-athlete may participate on only one team.  For example, a student-athlete may play either boys volleyball or coed volleyball, but not both in the same season.  Or a student-athlete may play coed volleyball and boys soccer, as these are different sports.

 

  • FIYA recognizes the value of youth sports for children and the incredible role that coaches have in the lives of children. Coaches should always strive to maximize each child’s playing time.  FIYA suggests the following guidelines:(a) Division 3:  Each student-athlete should receive approximately equal playing time relative to teammates.

    (b) Division 2:  Each student-athlete should receive at least one quarter of playing time in each game whenever reasonably practicable.

    (c) Division 1:  Each eligible student-athlete should participate in every game whenever reasonably practicable.

    These playing-time guidelines are aspirational and are not intended to create grounds for protests, forfeitures, or disciplinary action absent extraordinary circumstances.

 

  • A coach shall maintain a positive, professional, and respectful relationship with game officials and opposing coaches and players  at all times.  The FIYA standard is that coaches should limit communications with game officials during competition to matters involving rule interpretations, player safety, or game administration. Coaches shall not engage in prolonged arguments, abusive language, personal criticism, or conduct that undermines the authority of game officials.

    When a coach believes it is necessary to discuss an issue with a game official, the discussion should occur calmly, respectfully, and, whenever practical, during a stoppage in play.  Coaches are expected to model appropriate behavior for student-athletes, parents, and spectators.

 

  • A coach ejected from a game or competition will automatically be suspended for a minimum of the next two games or competitions.  A suspended coach who participates in a game/competition will cause that game/competition to be declared a forfeit and he/she will be subject to disciplinary action by FIYA.

in season policies & procedures

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Below is an overview of what to expect as a coach from the time of registration through the end of the season.

 

Preseason Video Meeting:  Generally, there is a preseason video meeting for coaches.  For League Events, these are live video meetings; for Tournament Events, these are generally pre-recorded video meetings.  Specific information about particular video meetings can be found online on the home page of the particular Athletic Event.

It is highly recommended all coaches attend the video meeting for each sport they coach.

 

Game Schedules for League Events:  FIYA issues draft game schedules for League Events shortly after the preseason video meeting.  At the time of registration, a school is asked to provide dates it absolutely cannot play which includes school holidays.  In addition, schools may submit preferred days/times it wishes to play.  If no dates are provided, the assumption is the school has no restrictions or preferences.

A draft schedule is created and will make every effort to include the submitted requests.  A school will receive the draft schedule by email and it will have the opportunity to review the draft schedule for any unavoidable conflicts and to request changes to the draft schedule.  It is highly recommended that the coach and/or athletic director compare the entire draft game schedule to its school calendar to ensure that there are no conflicts.

Once a League Event game schedule is finalized, an email will be sent to notify the school that the game schedule is final and posted on our website.  The final schedule supersedes any draft schedule or other communication that may occur during the draft schedule phase.

A school should adhere to the final game schedule as posted on the website.  A team that fails to show up to a game on the final game schedule will be assessed a forfeit loss which is treated as a negative or deduction in points in the league standings.

 

Rescheduling Games from Final Game Schedules: FIYA recognizes that unforeseen circumstances may occasionally require a scheduled contest to be rescheduled.  However, because schedules are developed after considering School availability, facility availability, and other operational factors, rescheduling requests should be rare.  Schools are expected to honor all contests appearing on the final schedule and should make every reasonable effort to resolve scheduling conflicts internally before requesting a reschedule.

  • Rescheduling Requests - All requests to reschedule a contest must be submitted directly to FIYA by an authorized School representative.  Schools shall not independently contact opponents, officials, or facilities regarding rescheduling requests.  FIYA shall review each request and determine whether a rescheduling opportunity exists based upon factors including facility availability, personnel availability, opponent availability, timing, and overall event administration.
  • Facility-Related Rescheduling - If a contest cannot be played because a host facility becomes unavailable, FIYA will make reasonable efforts to reschedule the contest.
  • School-Initiated Rescheduling Requests - If a School experiences an unavoidable conflict after publication of the final schedule, the School may request that FIYA consider rescheduling the contest.  Requests submitted at least five (5) business days before the scheduled contest shall be considered timely.  If the opponent and facility are both able to accommodate the request, FIYA may approve a rescheduled contest.  Once approved, the rescheduled contest becomes part of the official schedule.  If an approved rescheduled contest is ultimately not played, FIYA may determine the outcome for standings purposes, including recording the contest as a tie.
  • Effect of Notice Timing:
    • Five (5) or More Business Days' Notice - If timely notice is provided but the contest cannot be rescheduled due to opponent availability, facility limitations, or other circumstances beyond the requesting School's control, the requesting School shall generally be assessed a loss rather than a forfeit.
    • More Than Two (2) but Fewer Than Five (5) Business Days' Notice - The contest generally will not be rescheduled.  The unavailable School shall be assessed a loss rather than a forfeit.
    • Two (2) or Fewer Business Days' Notice - Failure to provide at least two (2) business days' notice may result in a forfeit loss and any applicable forfeit penalties.

 

Game Start Times:  The official starting time for games is what is set forth in a final game schedule or the official playoff game schedule.  Teams are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled start time.  Grace periods are subject to field/facility availability and the discretion of game officials in consultation with FIYA.  Games may start earlier than the listed time if both teams and the officials agree to the earlier start time.  

In the rare circumstances when a regular season game needs to be shortened rather than forfeited, it is considered an official game if the game is played to eighty percent (80%) of its normal duration.  For volleyball, this means playing each set to 20 instead of 25 and the final set to 12 instead of 15.  For timed League Event games, this is adjusting the running time of quarters or halves to be 80% of their normal length.

 

Pre-Game Procedure:  It is highly recommended that coaches introduce themselves to the opposing coaches, referees, game operators and/or facility hosts upon arrival to exchange any relevant information prior to the start of the game.  If any pre-game issues arise, coaches are encouraged to communicate with FIYA via text message.  As part of the pre-game procedure, coaches should gather their team for the FIYA Sportsmanship Pledge.

 

Game Results:  Coaches should report the game result to FIYA within twenty-four (24) hours following completion of the contest.  Only the sport, division, and winning and losing teams are required.  Game scores are not used for standings purposes and generally do not need to be reported.  Results may be submitted through any reporting method designated by FIYA, including email or text message.

 

Standings:  Unless otherwise provided, league standings will be recorded as follows:  A win equals 3 points, a tie equals 1 point, a loss equals 0 point and a forfeit equals minus 3 points.  In the event an overtime period is not played in a League Event for whatever reason, the game will be considered a tie.  Scores of individual games are not kept and have no bearing on standings or Division 1 playoffs.

The team with the highest point total in the final standings is the League Event champion.  If there is a tie amongst teams for first place, the head to head result is the League Event champion.  If the head to head result does not provide resolution, then the tied teams are co-champions.

 

Playoffs:      Playoffs are for qualifying Division 1 teams only; there are no city-wide playoffs for Division 2 and Division 3.  The following are general guidelines with respect to playoffs for League Events:

  • There needs to be at least two leagues in a League Event to have FIYA playoffs.
  • The top teams in each league qualify for playoffs.  Leagues with 4 to 6 teams will get 1-2 playoff qualifiers; leagues with 7 to 9 teams will get 3-4 playoff qualifiers, and leagues with 10 to 12 teams will get 5-6 playoff qualifiers.
  • FIYA may consider additional qualifying teams when warranted by competitive circumstances.  Such teams should generally have a league winning percentage of at least .500.
  • Based upon the total number of playoff qualifiers and overall competitive balance, FIYA may organize multiple playoff divisions.  As a general guideline, multiple playoff divisions are considered when there are at least sixteen (16) qualifying teams. 
  • Playoff divisions may include: Division 1 – highest competitive level; Division 1A – intermediate competitive level; Division 1AA and/or Division 1AAA – developmental playoff levels.
  • FIYA may modify playoff structures as necessary based upon participation levels and competitive considerations.
  • Because playoff scheduling is subject to facility availability and bracket requirements, FIYA cannot guarantee accommodation of scheduling requests.  Priority may be given to hosting facilities and operational requirements.  While FIYA will attempt to minimize travel when practical, competitive considerations take precedence during playoffs.  Higher-seeded teams may receive first-round byes and/or be paired against lower-seeded opponents in accordance with the playoff bracket structure.

 

Awards:  FIYA issues individual and team awards for League Events and Tournament Events.

The FIYA Award Ceremony is a special end of the year event held in early June (typically the second Saturday) to honor and recognize certain Division 1 student athletes.

For details on all awards, see our Regulations Manual and the Awards page of this website.

coach certification requirements

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A school coach in FIYA shall:  (A) be at least 18 years old; (B) complete the NAYS online coaching certification program; (C) have 1stAid/CPR training, and (D) submit any necessary personnel documentation as required by the school for which he/she coaches.  Both NAYS certification and 1st Aid/CPR training must be maintained in current status and renewed at least every three (3) years.  No individual may serve as a coach until these requirements have been satisfied.

HOW TO Register for nays online coach certification program

  1. Go to NAYS.org and click on Register;
  2. Select User/Member Account;
  3. Complete Step 1 by listing your email address and a password and check “I coach youth sports”;
  4. Complete Step 2 by listing your name, address and phone number;
  5. Complete Step 3 by typing “FIYA” in the search box and then checking FIYA when it populates. Hit continue and then add your role in the drop down menu as NAYS Coach;
  6. Complete Step 4 by reviewing all the information and clicking on Create Account;
  7. Choose the sport specific training and click Add to Cart;
  8. Next screen should show additional free courses that may be of interest. You can add any of these to the cart for supplementation. Click Checkout;
  9. Screen shows you all your selections. Click Continue; and
  10. Proceed to Checkout; screen should show all 3 required trainings as paid by FIYA. Maintaining an electronic card is sufficient for FIYA; you do not need a plastic card. Click Process Order.

HOW TO COMPLETE THE nays ONLINE TRAININGS

  1. There are three (3) required trainings that you must complete and can find in your Training Portal or on your My Trainings tab:
    1. Coaching Youth Sports;
    2. Basic Youth Sports Safety and 1st Aid Training; and
    3. Your Sport Specific Training (as chosen by you during registration).
  2. Each online training is 1 hour in length for a total of 3 hours. It need not be completed in one session. That is, you can pick up anywhere you left off. However, please note that you cannot fast forward through any training and you need to answer questions along the way to proceed through the training.
  3. When all three training sessions are completed, you will then need to read and agree to the NAYS Coaches Code of Ethics. Once this is signed, you will then be issued a certification card electronically. We recommend that you print it out and carry it with you when coaching in FIYA.