FROM SOCCER PARENTS
“What am I doing wrong?”
“How do I help my child succeed on and off the field?”
Just a couple of questions that run through the minds of soccer moms and dads all over the world. What is the best way to help your children when it comes to the beautiful game? At any level, any location, the answer is pretty simple.
For starters, EVERY SOCCER PARENT needs to start with the basics. It is absolutely necessary for every parent to know a couple of very basic things for the success of their child.
No parent wants to be the reason that their child is burnt out, embarrassed, or affected in any way.
The actions you take impact your child in ways that you may not even realize. Your child looks to you to set an example, and without your perseverance it’s easy for them to mirror behaviors that could affect them in the future. Understanding the game and what you need to do for your children to be successful is the root to a healthy and happy career.
It’s easy to forget that it IS NOT ABOUT YOU parents. IT IS ABOUT YOUR CHILD. We know you guys are passionate and we know it is super exciting to see your kid play. But let’s take a look at what’s important.
Here I have put together the 5 THINGS that soccer parents SHOULD know from parents who had to figure it out!
At NUMBER 1
LEARN THE RULES AND UNDERSTAND THEM
We all know who you are parents and yes, it is EMBARRASSING. Knowing that your mom, dad, or guardian is the one harassing the referees over false claims is DISTRACTING. Not only that, but it’s downright problematic sometimes. You can get thrown out of games, start fights with other parents, and completely distract your child’s focus. Furthermore, not understanding the rules can make it pretty frustrating to watch a match. So, learn the rules parents and understand them thoroughly.
Additionally, it can even make your post game chat with your child a lot cooler when you can explain why and what things happened during the match.
NUMBER 2
YOUR CHILD’S ENJOYMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY LEAGUE
Making sure your child enjoys the game is a priority before any steps are made to go further. If your child doesn’t want to play competitively,
DON’T FORCE THEM.
Allow them to succeed naturally and when it is time to advance through the levels you will know. Also, reminder it is more expensive as the level goes up so being sure that your soccer star wants to play at a higher level is critical.
NUMBER 3
BE MINDFUL OF THE AGE GROUP AND THE LEVEL OF PLAY
To piggyback off of rule number 1, rules of the game can slightly change at different ages, levels, and leagues. So being aware of these slight changes can be pretty insightful. Most referees also call the game in different ways depending on their personality and the level of play.
For older kids, calls may be sterner because they should know by now what is appropriate or not. As for younger kids, there may be more relaxed calls for mistakes and accidents to help teach them proper play etiquette.
NUMBER 4
TO PUT IT SIMPLY, JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE A FOUL FROM YOUR ANGLE, DOES NOT MEAN IT WAS.
There are lots of different perspectives on the field and unfortunately you are not the one with the whistle. Referees do their best to watch from the appropriate positions, but we all make mistakes sometimes. There are a lot of young referees out there, so understanding that they may be newer at this is definitely something to remember. It can be extremely intimidating when parents are yelling at you as a ref so try to behave politely.
Especially when your child is at big tournaments and showcases, college scouts are trying to watch the players. Being the parent who throws off matches and the players, essentially hurts the players in the long run. DON’T BE THAT GUY.
NUMBER 5
BE PREPARED TO TRAVEL AND BE PREPARED FOR THE WEATHER
Needless to say, travelling to tournaments is a hassle and becomes an even bigger hassle when you realize your child forgot something. Always pack extra clothes in your car for you and your child to put on for unexpected weather or after game attire. Kids can get really dirty and wet during rainy games and being prepared for that is winning a battle before it starts.
I also recommend putting a pair of extra socks and cleats in your car and just leave them there for the times when your child goes “Oh no” when you arrive to the field. Sometimes there isn’t a sports store nearby to save the day. Or even make your children check their bags to ensure they have everything before they go.
There it is. The top 5 things all club parents should know. This is just the tip of the iceberg. For more answers and advice stay tuned. If you have any specific questions about the life as a soccer parent, COMMENT BELOW!
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