AYSO is for fun! Parents and Coaches: MSNBC has run two great articles on this. Read this article
about why recreational sports and its focus on fun is very important
for kids, and overly competive sports can cause burn-out. Read this article about being a good sports parent.
As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters.
Through your encouragement and good example, you can help assure that
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.
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. Become aware of this
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 activities.
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 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.
DON'T BE A SIDELINE COACH OR REFEREE!
Coaches and referees are usually parents just like you. They
volunteer their time to help make your child's youth soccer experience a
positive one. They need your support too.
That means refraining from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines.
As a volunteer organization, there's usually always an opportunity for
you to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level
and become one yourself!