Any individual that would like to volunteer as a Head Coach or Assistant coach will need to read and acknowledge to these guidelines along with completing the coaches application below.
As a Football Coach for Panther Junior Football, I agree to:
ONGOING
- Remember that Panther Junior Football is for the children and not the adults, and that coaching is a privilege. Do my best to help participants develop an appreciation for the sport in an enjoyable environment.
- Promote good sportsmanship and fair play in all situations, including respecting the referees and other field personnel.
- Use positive encouragement to increase confidence and build self esteem in players.
- Provide a positive role model for all players by treating players, cheerleaders, parents, coaches, opponents, and referees with the utmost respect.
- Encourage all players to maintain high academic standards, and work with parents to resolve any issues.
- Be prompt in attending meetings, practices, and games. Show respect in language and behavior at all times.
- Submit to a background check once every three years, as requested.
- Complete USA Football Heads Up Tackling Certification or USA Football Flag Certification (each year).
- Support Panther Board members and other coaches in their activities.
- Support and promote any fundraising events and other functions of the Panther Junior Football Association.
- Abide by the rules set forth in the Parent’s Code of Ethics and Zero Tolerance Policy.
OFF-SEASON (From End of Season to Pre-Season of following year.)
- Attend a coaching clinic as required by the Bill George Youth Football League (BGYFL) generally before the season.
- Attend a coach’s meeting as required by BGYFL in August, 2023.
- Attend a minimum of three Panther coaching clinics throughout the 2023 season.
- Assist at registration dates by working scheduled hours as assigned.
- Assist at football equipment distribution dates by working scheduled hours as assigned.
- Assist at Football Spring/Summer camps.
FOOTBALL SEASON (Practice typically starts the first week of August)
- Place the player’s emotional and physical well being ahead of winning at all times.
- Be in attendance at practice every night during the first two weeks, unless previously arranged with Head Ccoaches.
- Be in attendance at all practices throughout the season.
- Assist players in maintaining their equipment properly throughout the season, so as to meet all safety standards
- Confirm all players have the required equipment before allowing them to practice or play in games.
- Maintain coach’s equipment throughout the season, so as to meet safety standards.
- Conduct practices and games in a safe and healthy environment for all participants.
- Teach players safe and approved football fundamentals and basic skills.
- Supervise all players until they are picked-up after practices and games.
- Teach players to treat all home and away practice and game fields respectfully, by picking up after themselves and not damaging property or equipment.
- Maintain appropriate sideline manner during all practices and games.
REGULAR SEASON & BOWL GAMES
- Assist Panther Board members with field duty as assigned (typically four to six games per season).
- Follow the rules for the specific level as printed on the master roster sheet distributed by BGYFL.
- Responsible for Setting-up and Breaking-Down the field as scheduled (first game of day & last game of day).
In addition to the guidelines indicated above, as a Head Football Coach for Panther Junior Football, I agree to:
FOOTBALL SEASON (Practice typically starts the first week of August)
- Develop an adequate coaching staff to assist with practices and games.
- Be in attendance at practice every night during the first two weeks, unless previously arranged with VP of Football.
- Be in attendance at all practices throughout the season, unless adequate coverage has been arranged with assistant coaches.
- Participate in a fair draft of all players at their level.
- Confirm all paperwork for each rostered player (registration form, birth certificate, and medical release form) is in my possession, in the event of an emergency.
- Report all injuries (practices, games, and injuries outside of practice that require a doctor’s note to return to play) to the Panther VP of Football within 24 hours of the injury.
- Familiarize yourself and your coaching staff with basic first aid and emergency protocols used by BGYFL.
- Turn-in roster paperwork and electronic files in accordance with BGYFL requirements.
- Monitor player absences and not allow players to practice or play if ill or injured.
- Monitor any player weight issues and work with Vice Presidents of Football to move players as required prior to the first game of the season.
- Conduct parent meetings prior to the start of the season, and during the season as needed.
- Communicate effectively with both players and parents regarding parent and player expectations and BGYFL rules.
- Adjust practice and game plans accordingly to allow for adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, heavy rain, cold/windy, etc.)
- Develop a practice schedule that makes the best use of all players time.
- Recruit a Team Administrator and other parent volunteers to assist with all game day responsibilities.
- Report serious parent issues promptly to one of the Vice Presidents of Football for resolution by the Football Coaches Selection Committee and/or Board of Directors.
- Be responsible for the conduct of players, coaching staff, cheerleaders, cheer coaching staff, parents, and spectators during all team activities.
REGULAR SEASON & BOWL GAMES
- Adjust playing time as needed for players missing practices for any reason.
- Assign playing time for all players with a minimum of 10 downs for all players.
- Maintain a plan for distribution of playing time for review by the Football Coaches Selection Committee, as needed.
- Create a working relationship with cheer squad assigned to your team.
- Notify cheercoachmgr@pantherjrfootball.org and/or head cheer coach for squad assigned to your team on scheduling changes (if applicable).
- Report any game day issues promptly to the BGYFL Representative and/or Vice Presidents of Football. This especially includes injuries requiring transportation to the hospital or ejections from the game that require further disciplinary action.