Resources for DSL Coaches

No prior experience or license is required to coach recreational soccer.  However, all coaches must complete four mandatory training items through Player’s Health:  SafeSport, Concussion training, Lindsay’s Law, and a background check.  More details can be found under the Coaches tab at the top of this page.

Team assignments will always be released by email about a month before the first game of each season.  Click the link in that email to access your roster.  CLICK HERE for how to download or print a copy of your roster that includes parent contact information.

Reach out to your team first by email to introduce yourself and let them know your practice schedule.  Once you have heard from at least one parent of every player, you can then coordinate team communication by another method if you choose.  Here are some good options:

BAND – free and endorsed by the Ohio Soccer Association

GroupMe – easy to invite members to your group and widely used even outside of sports

TeamSnap – perhaps the most widely used platform for club soccer teams, but costs $

Coaches can make a practice reservation for their team starting as soon as team assignments are released.  At that time, all coaches will receive a link to their roster and instructions on making a practice reservation.  In your request, be sure to include your name, team name, team gender, age group, and 1st/2nd/3rd preferred time slots.  Only one reservation per team is allowed as field space is limited.  Teams can also consider these other practice locations which are available without a reservation.

It is beneficial to have a rostered assistant coach, or at least another team parent who is willing to cover for you as needed.  If you know you will need to miss a practice or game ahead of time, let your team know well in advance.  Try to find a replacement and let them borrow any necessary equipment (cones, goalie pinnie, etc.)  Parents do not need to complete online training if they are only filling in on a temporary basis.  If you cannot find someone to fill in to coach a game, DO NOT FORFEIT – contact the DSL office at [email protected], or by phone at 614-793-8320.

Review the program format for your team’s age group to check the minimum number of players required to play.  As long as you have at least the minimum, your team can play as scheduled.  If you are below the minimum to play, your team concedes but should play a scrimmage against the other team (borrow players from the other team or play a small-sided game). 

If there is a persistent issue with no-show players, email [email protected] 

About 2 hours per week between one weekday practice and one Saturday game (only about 1 hour per week for Timbits coaches).  There is flexibility in the practice schedule as coaches choose the day, time, and location of practice each week.  Coaches of multiple teams will be considered with respect to game scheduling to ensure that their teams’ games do not overlap.