Parent’s Sideline – Cardinal Rules of Soccer
Saturday, 18 August 2007
For both new and experienced soccer parents, there are a few rules we should always follow. Here are our choices for the top seven. Let us know if you have any additional rules that you think our list can’t do without!
1. Learn the basic rules of the game. Especially for new soccer parents, learning the basic rules of the games lets you know what is going on in a game, helps you understand referees’ calls, and allows you to help your child establish and practice good soccer habits.
2. Get your child to practices and games on time. Remember that soccer is a team sport and late players affect the playing/practices of the whole team, not just the late player.
3. Let the coaches do the coaching. Giving constructive criticism off line (during the week, after practices, in conversation, etc.) can help your soccer player think about and improve his or her skills, but when it comes to game time, the coach should be the only one telling the players what to do. While this is a very important rule, it is often the hardest for parents to follow!
4. Be supportive. Whether your child’s team win or loses a game, acknowledge their efforts, both personally and as a team. Encourage good skills development. Help them practice or talk through difficult soccer drills or skills. Occasionally you may even need to remind them of their commitment to the team.
5. Be polite to visiting team parents and players. While this should go without saying, those of us who have been around soccer for a while can usually tell you a horror story or too about rude players and/or parents. When you meet these parents, keep your dignity and your cool. Nothing is ever solved by stooping to their level. You never know, it could be part of that team’s strategy to make you lose your focus!
6. Help out the team by volunteering. Whether it is taking your turn bringing snacks when your soccer player is younger, lining the fields, or making phone calls, do your part to help out the team. Your volunteering shows your child that you are a part of the whole soccer team family too!
7. Make the commitment. If your child takes soccer seriously, shows real potential, and is committed to playing higher-level soccer, he/she will most definitely need your help and support to achieve that goal. Very few talented players have made it to college soccer and beyond without the help of several people along the way, most notably their parents and coaches.
1. Learn the basic rules of the game. Especially for new soccer parents, learning the basic rules of the games lets you know what is going on in a game, helps you understand referees’ calls, and allows you to help your child establish and practice good soccer habits.
2. Get your child to practices and games on time. Remember that soccer is a team sport and late players affect the playing/practices of the whole team, not just the late player.
3. Let the coaches do the coaching. Giving constructive criticism off line (during the week, after practices, in conversation, etc.) can help your soccer player think about and improve his or her skills, but when it comes to game time, the coach should be the only one telling the players what to do. While this is a very important rule, it is often the hardest for parents to follow!
4. Be supportive. Whether your child’s team win or loses a game, acknowledge their efforts, both personally and as a team. Encourage good skills development. Help them practice or talk through difficult soccer drills or skills. Occasionally you may even need to remind them of their commitment to the team.
5. Be polite to visiting team parents and players. While this should go without saying, those of us who have been around soccer for a while can usually tell you a horror story or too about rude players and/or parents. When you meet these parents, keep your dignity and your cool. Nothing is ever solved by stooping to their level. You never know, it could be part of that team’s strategy to make you lose your focus!
6. Help out the team by volunteering. Whether it is taking your turn bringing snacks when your soccer player is younger, lining the fields, or making phone calls, do your part to help out the team. Your volunteering shows your child that you are a part of the whole soccer team family too!
7. Make the commitment. If your child takes soccer seriously, shows real potential, and is committed to playing higher-level soccer, he/she will most definitely need your help and support to achieve that goal. Very few talented players have made it to college soccer and beyond without the help of several people along the way, most notably their parents and coaches.
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