This page contains operational policies for HPSA coaches. Coaches are expected to review and follow these policies.

Coaching at HPSA

Welcome to Highland Park Soccer Academy.

Coaches are our most important asset, and we want every coach to be:

• Trained to perform their role effectively

• Informed about club expectations and policies

• Evaluated based on training and performance standards

• Supported with feedback and development opportunities

• Equipped with the resources needed to coach successfully

Our coaching structure is designed to help both coaches and players grow within a consistent and supportive environment.

2026-27 New Age Rosters

Club Structure

Several resources available to help coaches be successful at HP Soccer Academy including the following:

• Registrar
• Directors of Coaching
• Team Managers
• HPSA App

Registrar

The HPSA Registrar manages many of the administrative responsibilities that coaches and team managers perform at typical soccer clubs. These responsibilities include:

• Collecting dues and required forms

• Submitting league and tournament registrations

• Managing league paperwork and deadlines

League communication at HPSA is restricted to the Registrar, who serves as the club’s single point of contact with leagues.

Director of Coaching

The Director of Coaching build and guide the HPSA coaching staff and oversee the overall performance environment. Their responsibilities include:

• Team formation

• League and tournament planning

• Coach hiring, training, and evaluation

• Supporting coach development

Team Manager

At HPSA, Team Managers bridge the gap between coaches and parents and help maintain a positive team environment.

Team Manager responsibilities are defined by the club, not by individual coach preference, and are outlined in the Team Manager Guide.

Selecting a Team Manager is a decision made by both the coach and the club, taking several factors into consideration.

Each team must have at least one Team Manager.

If an age group has multiple team divisions, each division must have its own Team Manager.

Weekly Planning

Team Managers are responsible for contacting parents on Mondays to ensure attendance is entered.

By Wednesday, coaches and team managers should review player availability and discuss the upcoming game plan.

• Coaches confirm who will coach the game

• Team Managers confirm player availability

• Together they determine any next steps needed

Communication Policies

Parent Concerns

Bottom-Up Chain of Communication

1. Parent

2. Team Manager

3. Coach

4. Admin / Director of Coaching

5. Club Leadership

Event Planning: Top Down Chain of Communication

HPSA operates using “we” decisions, not “they” decisions.

1. Directors of Coaching determine team assignments and events (leagues, tournaments, practices).

2. Administration coordinates with coaches to select Team Managers and trains both coaches and managers on platform use.

3.  Directors communicate decisions to coaches.

4.  Administration communicates decisions to Team Managers.

5.  Platforms are updated (website, app, social media).

6.  Club-wide communication is distributed via email, text, and other channels.

Early Planning Process

HPSA uses a centralized administrative structure to manage planning and league deadlines.

The Registrar handles responsibilities such as:

• Collecting forms and dues

• Submitting league and tournament registrations

• Managing deadlines and documentation

Advanced Notice

Players and families need adequate time to plan. HPSA requires a minimum of 90 days notice for most events whenever possible.

Examples include:

Annual Events
Many club events occur during the same time each year, such as Signing Day on July 1. 

Select Tournaments
Major travel tournaments, such as the Disney Tournament during Christmas break, require approximately one year of advance planning.

Academy-Aged Tournaments
Academy-aged players should expect summer challenge tournaments beginning at U11, allowing families to plan summer camps and vacations accordingly.

Attendance

Player Attendance

Coaches and Team Managers coordinate player attendance through the HPSA app.

Coaches Attendance

During the school year, HPSA follows the HPISD school calendar.

Coaches are expected to attend all scheduled HPSA events and are considered on call during league seasons and tournaments, meaning they may be asked to provide game coverage even when their team is not playing.

Absence requests must be submitted in writing and approved by the Directors of Coaching.

Game Change Requests

Leagues require bye week requests and coach conflict notices before schedules are created.

After schedules are released, leagues allow a short window for schedule change requests.

Requests made after that window may result in forfeiture.

New Player Registration

Leagues require the following for player registration:

• Signed forms

• Birth certificate

• Player headshot

• International clearance documentation (if applicable)

HPSA submits players for league registration only after all documents and dues or payment plans have been received.

Registration typically takes five business days, and longer when international clearance is required.

Roster Modifications

Leagues require advance notice for roster changes.

To meet these deadlines, HPSA requires coaches to submit roster modification requests by the end of practice on Wednesdays.

Roster change requests will only be accepted from coaches, not Team Managers.

League Communication

League emails sent to coaches or Team Managers are informational only.

If questions arise, contact an HPSA Administrator.

Coaches and Team Managers are never permitted to contact league officials directly.

Coaches are expected to be familiar with the policies and procedures of the  leagues and tournaments thier teams play in:

US Youth Soccer

Performance Indoor Training League (PIT)
Junior Girls Academy League (JGAL)
Plano Premier Invitational League (PPIL)
Girls Classic League (GCL)
Boys Classic League (BCL)

US Club Soccer

Texas Club Soccer League (TCSL)
U90c Sports (U90c)

Tournaments

HPSA Tournament Guidelines

HPSA Tournament Link

All Coaches are expected to obtain a NTSSA Grass Roots License – Head Coaches should progress to a D license. 

North Texas Soccer Coaching Education Program 

Curriculum Resources

HPSA Age Group Development

HPSA-Skills

Coaches-Manual-under construction
GK-Curriculum-under construction

Player home work

You a Ball and a Wall

Online Training Resources:

Used for rain out sessions, conflcits and remote traning during covid.

The Coerver clips below are 14 years old, but will give you an idea of excerpts from over a 100 videos.

The Coerver clips:

Intro: https://youtu.be/8ScLHd8so5c

Mastery1: https://youtu.be/oiGYvaQNIEo 

Mastery2: https://youtu.be/iqgQKvKRu9A 

Receiving and Passing Younger: https://youtu.be/LBZyR-KiCIg 

Receiving and Passing Older: https://youtu.be/Kc1HD_20NTI

Moves1: https://youtu.be/AIf5GGaNRlE

YouTube:

How to improve your footwork in soccer | 10 Soccer drills for faster soccer footwork: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQT3MP5Moq8

9 Secrets to IMPROVE YOUR SOCCER SKILLS in 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKdaCuX_X6Q

How To Shoot With Power | Shooting Tutorial For Footballers | The Ultimate Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wHXqTqVPFo

Sample HPSA World Cup Game Reviews by one of our coaches:

Switching the ball: https://youtu.be/0Ifp6s47lAI

Stealing the ball with high pressure line: https://youtu.be/bMXPofG7Lj4

Simple passes: https://youtu.be/AWodrykDdXY

Shielding the ball: https://youtu.be/ewzoJFnwFYE

Possession triangles small: https://youtu.be/OA1gX9RJWuQ

Free Kick making a wall: https://youtu.be/m19D8BHAy6w

Counterattack: https://youtu.be/eT6qERYMefY

Corner kick: https://youtu.be/8Ebzg_-ad8Q