Promotes Sideline Cheerleaders
Kids Zone® is a unique program that includes a parent commitment to positive, encouraging behavior while watching games. In AYSO, fans are asked to be cheerleaders, not critics.
Soccer is a player’s game. Players learn the game by trying new things, making mistakes and trying again. Sideline critics who shout instructions at players or criticize referees or coaches just slow down the learning process and make it less fun for everyone.
Kids are #1
- Fun, Not winning, is everything
- Fans only cheer, and only coaches, coach
- No yelling in anger, or yelling negatively
- Respect our volunteer referees and coaches
Tools for Parents
The following ideas may be helpful for being a supportive AYSO parent.
Conversations before the Game
“Go for it, give it your best shot and have fun!”
During the Game
- Kids are over-stimulated during games. The coach may be giving instructions, opponents and teammates are talking, the crowd is cheering, and the referee is blowing the whistle.
- Do not yell instructions to your child during the game because it only adds to the confusion.
- Sometimes the best thing you can do as a parent is to be quiet.
- Cheer and acknowledge good plays by both teams.
After the Game
- Thank the officials for doing a difficult job.
- Thank the coaches for their efforts. After a difficult loss, recognize that it is not a good time to question a coach.
- Thank your opponents for a good game.
- Congratulate your child and teammates for their efforts.
- Compliment individual players on good plays they made in the game.
During the Car Ride Home
- Point out a good play your child made during the game.
- Avoid criticizing or correcting mistakes.
- Ask open-ended questions about how the game was played rather than how many points were scored. Here are examples of open-ended questions that might apply:
- Did you have fun?
- Did you give it your best effort?
- What did you learn from the game?
- What was the best play you made and how did it feel?
- Did you bounce back from your mistakes?
Positive Coaching
AYSO recognizes the efforts and advancements made by the
Positive Coaching Alliance in Honor of the Game. The Kids
Zone Parent Pledge is adapted from Positive Coaching Alliance’s
Parent Pledge. Learn More at http://www.positivecoach.org