Coaches are the backbone of our Soccer programs.
They are all volunteers and are in charge of their team
Coaches must attend a free clinic at the beginning of the season to obtain their PAL Soccer license. All coaches and assistant coaches must fulfil the Milpitas PAL Volunteer Registration procedure according to California Law that applies to anyone working with children. For more information please call the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400 or send an email to policeofficer@milpitaspalsoccer.net ✉
A few weeks before the first game of the season, the age group coordinators contact the coaches from the previous year as well as other adults who have indicated their availability to coach a team. Once the coaches are selected, the age group coordinators form the by assigining players to each coach based on the particular request indicated on the signup form provided they don't conflict with the PAL regulations. In the absence of such requests, players are assigned to teams based on their past experience in an effort to make the teams as balanced as possible.
At a meeting with all the coaches, the age group coordinators distribute the player registrations together with other materials to each coach
The coach must then contact each of the players and notify them that they have been assigned to his/her team. It is customary for the coach to call a kickoff meeting with all the parents/guardians of the players to clarify what is expected of each individual (Players, Parents, Coach, Referees, Spectators, etc....) throuought the season. It is very important to explain the PAL philosophy and objectives as well as our Code of Ethics in order to minimize the occurrence of unpleasant disturbances during the games.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of items to be discussed at this kickoff meeting:
After every game the Coach must report the score and the names of two outstanding players for that game (MVPs) to their Age Group Coordinator with the following information:
All volunteers (Coaches, Assistants, Team Parents, Board Members) must register with the Milpitas Police Department and can be done through Sports Engine.
New volunteers, or pervious Volunteers who have skipped one or more years, also need to submit to a background check by scheduling a fingerprinting appointment with the Milpitas Police Department. Call (408) 586-2400 to schedule an appointment. Bring 3 copies of the LiveScan Form filled out completely to the fingerprinting appointment.
Can my Players have their name on the uniform? This is the text from our ByLaws (Rule 9, Part 6.B.2) regarding uniform modifications:
Player names may be imprinted on the back of the jerseys but are restricted to the area above the number, must be black or white lettering and no more than 3 inches in height and in Arial or Calibri font. No single player imprinting is allowed. The entire team's uniform shall be marked in the same manner or it will not be allowed.
2023 Coaches Clinics:
To become a PAL Soccer Coach you must attend a clinic for the 2023 season listed below:
Slides from the Coaches Clinic can be found here.
In addition to the Coaches Clinic, all Coaches and Assistant Coaches must complete the CDC Concussion Training.
CDC HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training
Once completed, please email the certificate to your Age Group Coordinator.