Why is this important? Soccer is the fastest

growing sport in America for boys and girls

Potential to be agreat learning experience for the participants

Parents play a vital role in their children’s success

Ways Parents Sabotage Over-questioning Critical comments Misguided motivation Excessive

competitiveness Unrealistic demands Contradictory goals

Goals Provide knowledge of the game Demonstrate transferable skills Reveal affirming attitudes that

will maximize your ability to • be a positive force on the

sideline• ensure a successful soccer

experience for your child• minimize the potential of

sabotage

Objectives Identify and demonstrate

appropriate spectator behavior

Demonstrate positive influence/force on the sideline and promote team synergy

Correctly identify game situations/plays

Correctly identify calls/motions by the referee

Parental Roles and Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilityof Successful Soccer

Player Referee

Coach

Parent

Making positive contributions

No coaching from the sidelines

Do not criticize the child’s play

Be their best fan and support them unconditionally

After the game, focus on the positive aspects

Making positive contributions (cont’d)

Develop responsibility (for uniform, water, ball, etc)

Show respect for the facilities at the game

Do not criticize the coach, referee, other parents, teammates or opponents

Encourage the child to speak with the coach

Making a positive contribution (cont’d) Monitor child’s eating

and sleeping habits Help establish correct

priorities (i.e. family, schoolwork, sports, etc)

Focus on performance, not on the result

Support all players

Making a positive contribution (cont’d)

Understand/clarify coach’s expectations of players

Participate and contribute to the group to foster teamwork and camaraderie

Game Time Etiquette/Protocol

Show up on time (as dictated by coach) Have resources for game and player information

(i.e. website, schedules, team roster and phone list, club information numbers, game cancellation procedures, etc)

Demonstrate conflict management on the sidelines (i.e. defusing volatile situations)

Demonstrate respect/support for all game officials and coaches 

Coach’s Responsibilities Include… Promote social and moral

development Practice a “positive approach” to

coaching Provide a safe environment to learn

and grow Demonstrate respect for all

individuals involved in the game

But DO NOT include… Babysitting Waiting for parents to

pickup their player Ensuring a winning

season Supplying whatever a

player forgets Accommodating

individual schedules

Coach’s Expectations of Parents….

1. To respect the coaches, referees, players, spectators and opponents

2. To demonstrate positive, affirming actions on the sidelines

3. To support their child’s efforts4. To NOT coach or berate

from the sidelines5. To participate in the team in a positive manner

And Still a Few More Expectations….6. To present all misunderstandings or

questions directly to the coach at the appropriate time

7. To give their child responsibility for his or her conduct and preparation

8. To have their child to games and practices on time

9. To communicate all schedule conflicts to the coach

10. To NOT interfere with their child’s learning process in any way