Coaches - Edmonton Strikers

Club Philosophy

The Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club's primary focus is to provide a total, well-rounded and positive soccer experience for the player, coach, referee, and parent.
For players, the emphasis will be on the development of each and every player so that their experience with the Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club will encourage them to continue their participation in soccer with renewed/continued enthusiasm and a sense of accomplishment.

Coaching Philosophy

Our coaches are key representatives of the Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club and, as such, need to present the club's mission, vision and values.
When delivering for Edmonton Strikers, coaches should be player-centered. This means that, for a coach, he/she is “their coach” rather than the boys/girls being “my players.”
Coaches are there to facilitate player development. Edmonton Strikers is not a ‘win at all costs’ club. This is not to say that there is no value in winning, but rather that with high quality coaching, the winning will take care of itself. That means that coaches need to foster individual excellence before making a winning team.

Our Mission:

The Mission of Edmonton Strikers Soccer club is to create, develop and grow the skills, knowledge, and enjoyment of the game of soccer. We are also committed to developing coaches to the highest level through a quality instructional and certification program.

Our Vision:

Our coaches and Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club strive to be recognized as a model organization, providing the best in soccer developmental programs for all skill levels, from competitive to elite high-performance players. We want to be in the business of granting Opportunities, not in the business of persuasion.

Our Values:

Our coaches must ensure that, through their efforts, Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club is able to:

Demonstrate respect, honesty, and integrity between coaches, players and parents.
Conduct itself in a fair, credible, and trustworthy manner.
Maintaining the club's focus and priorities as it pertains to player development and participation and encouraging the parents to do the same.
Pursue excellence in its programs and operations.
Promote safety for all its participants.
Instill a love and respect for all aspects of the game.
Promote and encourage high standards of sportsmanship and fair play.

Soccer Philosophy:

At Edmonton Strikers we implement a possession-based attacking system. We teach a progressive possession philosophy that focuses on playing out of the back, playing through the lines, and creating and finish scoring chances. In the defensive phase, we want to win the ball back as quickly as possible and defending in an organized fashion.
Once a team reaches 11-a-side, the club believes that soccer revolves around four key phases of play:

We are in possession of the ball.
We do not have possession of the ball.
We have just won possession and are organizing to attack (transition 1)
We have just lost possession and are organizing to defend (transition 2)

The club also believes that each transition phase has two accompanying questions:
Transition 1 – Defense to attack
Can we counterattack at pace? If yes, we must do so.
If this is not possible, can we retain possession and build an attack?
Transition 2 – Attack to defense
Can we press high up the pitch and successfully regain possession of the ball? If yes, we must do so. If not, can we delay our pressing of the ball to retreat and re-organize into a new line of defense to win back the ball?
Our coaches have a responsibility to prepare players in line with this philosophy and our players have a responsibility to transfer this to the pitch. All players have a responsibility to participate in all four key phases.

Edmonton Strikers Club Culture and Identity:

Edmonton Strikers club culture and identity are directly connected to our uncompromising club style of play and coach effectiveness. At Edmonton Strikers we obsess over playing an attractive style of play that intends on dominating possession, creating scoring chances, playing on the ground and through the lines.
Our club culture also dictates that coaches perform at a high level in the way they prepare and execute practice and training sessions, with a huge emphasis on player and team development. Edmonton Strikers players know the level of commitment of the coaches to their development based on how much feedback and care they receive on an individual basis.

Club Objectives

Develop our players into good people on and off the pitch.
Develop a sense of club pride in all age groups and levels.
Ability for players to stay from grassroots to grey roots (U3-U55)
Create a lifelong love for the game whatever the level of play.
Aspire to place players in the Regional, Provincial and National team programs.
Develop players for College, University teams (Canadian and US) and facilitate procurement of scholarships.
Increase our reputation throughout the province and the country for player development.
Support and promote player pathways.

Playtimes Philosophy:

All Grassroots Programs are Equal Play Time
Tier X-Y U9-U10 is Equal Play Time.
Tier 1-2 U11-U12 - Close to Equal Play Time
Tier 1-2 U13 -Adult - Not Equal and at Coaches Discretion

Code of Conduct

Coach / Volunteer & Other Codes of Conduct

Coach / Volunteer Responsibilities

To remember that you are an ambassador for the Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club, and your community, as such, carry oneself with respect, dignity and pride.
To accept and work within all parameters set forth by the EMSA. To act in accordance with the Aims and Objectives set forth by Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club.
To demonstrate a commitment to a role chosen (coach, assistant coach, team manager, etc.).
To act in accordance with all Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club Bylaws Rules, Regulations and Policies.
To carry out one’s duties and responsibilities in a manner exhibiting the utmost professionalism, dignity and respect.
To respect and honor the Edmonton Strikers Soccer Clubs’ Codes of Conduct.
To carry out one’s responsibilities efficiently, accurately and to the best of one’s ability.
To be accountable for the behavior of one’s team (if affiliated to one) including all its coaches, players and parents.
To respect the authority and dignity of ALL EMSA game officials including game referees, Board of Directors, staff and other volunteers.
To comply with any mandates handed down, including all player / coach suspensions.
To treat all Edmonton Strikers Soccer Club Board of Directors, staff, fellow volunteers / coaches, players and parents with the utmost dignity and respect.

Coaches' Code

Soccer is a game for happiness.
The laws of soccer should be regarded as mutual agreements, the spirit or letter of which no one should try to avoid or break.
Visiting teams and spectators are honored guests.
No advantages except those of superior skill should be sought.
Official and opponents should be treated and regarded as honest in intention.
Official decisions should be accepted without looking angry no matter how unfair they may seem.
Winning is desirable but winning at any cost defeats the purpose of the game.
Losing can be a triumph when the team has given its best.
In soccer, as in life, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Players' Code

Play the game for the game's sake.
Be generous when you win.
Be gracious when you lose.
Be fair always, no matter what the cost.
Obey the Laws of the Game
Work for the good of the team
Accept the decisions of the Officials with good grace.
Believe in the honesty of your opponents.
Conduct yourself with honor and dignity.
Honestly and wholeheartedly applaud the efforts of your teammates and opponents.

Parents' Code

Children have more need for example than criticisms.
Make athletic participation for your child and other positive experiences.
Attempt to relieve pressure of competition, not increase it. A child is easily affected by outside influences.
Be kind to your child's coach and officials. The coach is a volunteer giving personal time and money to provide a recreational activity and development for your child. The coach is providing a valuable community service, often without regard other than the personal satisfaction of having served their community.
The opponents are necessary friends. Without them your child could not participate meaningfully.
Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.

Spectator Responsibility