PARENT PLEDGE
At the beginning of each season, parents of all players are required to initial and sign the Kid Zone Parent Pledge. Parent Pledge (English)
As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of the young players of Region 985. Through your encouragement and good example, you can help all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. In AYSO, young people learn to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat – all while becoming physically fit and healthy. Best of all, they have fun.
While watching from the sidelines, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game. It is important, however, to remember that the Kids are watching and learning from our behavior! We as parents, spectators, and coaches need to set a good example for our young players. In order to promote proper “Sideline Behavior,” it helps if everybody is on the same page with how the game is played and how the rules are enforced. Below you will find two links that help explain the game and the Laws in fairly simple terms. Following that you will find excerpts from the “Parent Pledge.”
Don’t Be A Sideline Coach Or Referee
AYSO coaches and referees are usually parents of players, just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child’s soccer experience a positive one. They need your support, too. That means refraining from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. A phrase that cannot be over-utilized is, “Let the Coaches coach and the Referees referee.” In a volunteer organization like AYSO there’s always an opportunity to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!
Before You Go Yelling at the Referee…
Click the link Before you go yelling at the Referee to better understand the differences between what the referee sees while out there on the field of play managing a game and what spectators–on the sideline–think they see…the two can be very different.
Support Your Child
Supporting your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in their team is very important. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory – that way your child will always be a winner despite the outcome of the game!
Always Be Positive
Parents serve as role models for their children. Be aware of this fact and work to be a positive role model. Applaud good plays by your child’s team as well as good plays by the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports.
Laws of Soccer, Simplified and a Primer for New Soccer Parents
Refer to Coaching resources
If you are new to the game of soccer, this is another good link with a brief description of the game
Remember: Your Child Wants To Have Fun
Remember that your child is the one playing soccer, not you. It’s very important to let children establish their own goals – to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own standards and goals on them. Don’t put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winning team. Children play for the fun of playing.
Reinforce Positive Behavior
Positive reinforcement is the best way to help your child achieve their goals and overcome their natural fear of failure. Nobody likes to make mistakes. If your child does make one, remember it’s all part of learning, so encourage your child’s efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.