Top ten things a parent can do to help their player’s coaches
Many parents express from time to time that they wish they could do more to help but they don’t have the same amount of time to devote to their children’s soccer as the parents who have volunteered to coach. Well, here’s a top ten list of simple things a parent can do with little extra time spent that will pay dividends to their player’s coach, and make soccer a whole lot more enjoyable.
10. Help your player remember to bring their ball and water along with proper attire to practices. This includes removing all jewelry and avoidance of wearing clothing that restricts their full movements such as jeans.
9. Remember that parents and other family members or friends should bench themselves on the opposite side of the playing field from the playing teams. This includes avoiding the corner areas, ends of the fields and ”hanging out” behind the goals. It’s good to start this habit even at the U6 age group, because it helps a young player become more independent and focus better on the game.
8. Be respectful of calls made by the referees even if they may not have been the “right call” in your view. No amount of complaining is going to reverse the call. Many referees are also in the learning process. Coaches also have to live by this one. Remember soccer is supposed to be fun for everyone at the youth level, not an aggravation.
7. Offer to help call one or two other players when the coach is calling to disseminate information on make-ups, etc. Better yet, develop a phone tree with cooperation of other parents at the beginning of the season that everyone can rely on.
6. Advise a coach or assistant coach if you know in advance that your player cannot attend a scheduled game or practice. This may not seem like a big deal, but coaches need to plan for a short roster or may need to schedule a make-up if several players cannot attend. If it’s just a matter of transportation arrangements, work with other team parents to give your player a ride.
5. Help police fields of trash and other articles before and after play, or volunteer to help remove equipment or corner flags after conclusion a game. Whether home or away we always want to keep our field areas safe and clean. This also helps form a positive image of the club.
4. Avoid negative criticism or instructing your player from the sidelines during a game. Chances are your player can’t focus on hearing you, and many times these instructions may conflict with the coach’s intentions. Even coaches have to work on limiting instruction from the sideline during games.
3. Help arrange non-coaching related aspects of the game. These are things such as organizing team traveling to away games and tournaments, or setting up a schedule for player’s turn to bring treats or refreshments.
2. Volunteer to be an assistant coach if your player’s team does not already have one (or two). Even with limited knowledge of the game a parent can be an asset to a coach in conducting a practice or instructing players who also may have limited knowledge.
1. Register your player(s) before the deadline for the next season if you plan to play the following season. Preferably you will give your registration to your coach to turn in for you before the deadline to help maintain team continuity. This also helps a coach immensely to begin the following season with a complete roster of everyone who is going to play.
While many parents already follow some or all of these sug
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