How to be a great soccer parent
Parents play a big part of their child's
soccer experience; by setting an example of good sportsmanship, having fun, and
doing one's best, parents can make their child's experience a great one.
Some Good Links...
Positive Coaching Alliance
Responsible Parenting
Positive Parenting from US Youth Soccer.
Top
Ten Things Soccer Parents Should do
15 more sideline tips
Here are some links that will help you understand AYSL's philosophy of coaching each age group.
The goals by age division recommended by the VYSA (Virginia Youth Soccer Association) are given here.
A Brief Summary
U5--Children at this age are too young for "organized" sports, so
the the focus here is all on fun. The kids play fun games with soccer balls
and pick up some soccer skills along the way.
VYSA U5 lessons and drills.
What parents can do: Stay for practices and games, this is a very "hands
on" division, we need lots of parent volunteers (we aren't a daycare facility).
Encourage everyone, keep it fun. Cheer for everyone.
More parenting links
U6--Much like U5, but the kids have slightly (ever so slightly) longer
attention spans and coordination. Emphasis is on developing individual
skills, a basic understanding of the game, but not tactics or abstract thinking. Kids are still a bit young
to fully understand the concept of "teamwork".
What parents can do: Keep encouraging good play, encourage kids to do
their best, cheer for everyone.
More parenting links
U8--Really the beginning of "organized" soccer, learning the basic
concepts of soccer; corner kick, goal kick, indirect kick, correct throw-ins,
and minor fouls. Small-sided games,
emphasis on lots of touches on the ball, learning to control the ball--don't
just boot it down the field--shoot. No keeper. No defenders
planted like trees in front of the goal. Referees optional.
What parents can do: Cheer for everybody, don't coach from the sidelines,
don't be overly critical of anyone, including the referee. Learn some of
the rules of the game so you can provide specific praise when your child (or
team, or the other team) does something well.
U10--Building
on skills learned in U8, more emphasis on team strategies, learning to control,
receive and pass the ball. Goalkeepers, but no
offside calls. Travel programs start at the U9 age division for children
wishing for more competitive soccer.
What parents can do: Don't coach from the sideline, the kids will tune
you out anyway, or worse, you'll simply distract them. Cheer for all good play, not just your child, or your
child's team. Don't criticize the referee; they are only human and
everyone makes mistakes, they probably know more than
you do (if not, you should be refereeing the game--it's a paid position!),
and they are probably quite young.
Parents yelling are the biggest deterrent to retaining youth referees, and it
sets a poor example as well.
U12--Building on U10 skills--improving technical speed, develop skills under pressure (time, space, opponent)--building on technical skills. Keeper, and offside calls.
Referees--Yes, most of them are kids, too, many are siblings of our players. Learning to be a good referee is an ongoing process, just like learning soccer skills. Referees can and will make mistakes. Recreational soccer is where most referees start their training. Criticizing and yelling at the referee is just as detrimental as criticizing and yelling at the children. You are setting a bad example for your child, and contribute nothing to anyone's experience on the field. Obnoxious parents are the #1 reason why most young referees quit--despite the fact that referees are paid to officiate games. There is a critical shortage of referees!! Better yet, sign up for a grade 9 referee course and help!