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I just
signed my child up for soccer! Now what do I do? I don't know that much
about it.
Relax and
prepare for FUN! Soccer
is just playing with a ball (except with others and with a few simple
rules).
The rules
at the basic level are: the ball is shared with your teammates, is kept
away from your opponents, everyone has to "play nice", everyone
gets their time with the ball, and the point of the game is to HAVE
FUN!
How
can I be a supportive parent?
Give consistent
encouragement and support to your child (and others on the team) regardless
of the degree of success, level of skill or time on the field. Your child
wants to have fun, be with their friends, make new friends, improve and
learn, feel good and wear "the stuff".
Stress the
importance of respect for referees and coaches through discussions with
your child. Meet with your coach privately to discuss important issues.
It is distracting to your child and other teammates for you to yell directions
from the sidelines. Cheer, relax, and let them play.
Serve as
a positive role model, remembering emphasis on fun and teamwork. Support
your team by being a volunteer, support your child by providing:
Age
appropriate soccer ball (for use during each practice and at
home)
Shin guards (for practice and games)
Water bottle with your child's name on it - Fresh water
should be available to your child at each practice and game
Team shirt (paid for with your registration fee) during
game and shorts/socks as indicated by your coach
Soccer shoes (recommended especially on wet fields, no
metal or baseball/football type shoes with square or rectangular cleats)
suggested, but not required. Soccer cleats should be
rubber or molded plastic and no less than 3/8 inch in diameter.
Focus on
the process of playing and not the outcome. Cheer any and all successes
on the field; it does not matter what player or team. The other team is
full of their friends (not their enemy), and they are all kids and want
you there to see them play. Don't keep score. Don't care who wins or loses.
They are having fun and that is the objective. Winning can become more
important as the child develops; for that reason, administrators seek
to form balanced teams to create equal opportunities to win and lose.
Adapted
from US Youth Soccer Parent Education Program
www.USYouthSoccer.org
Check out our links page for more helpful information!
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