SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP Soccer tries silent treatment

I've seen quite a few coaches who are "over the top" in all age groups. Some parents unduly critical of referees, and a few refs who deserved it (and more). However, the worst problem I've witnessed, especially in younger age groups, is parents coaching from the sidelines, often with instructions directly contrary to the coach and/or common soccer sense.

I tell my parents I have 3 rules before each season begins
1. You are not to say anything to the refs, I will talk to them on questionable calls
2. no comments to the other team or their parents unless something positive
3. be loud and be proud your kid has earned it

I am sorry but the silent thing is one of the strangest things I have ever heard. This is not a chess match it is a competitive sport, it's physical, it's mental and just like everything else in life not every person can do it. I have attended games that seemed more like funerals than they did sporting events. The kids on my team work hard every practice and game because it's expected by my assistant coach and I, they deserve someone cheering for them, they deserve a pat on the back from their coaches and parents no matter what the outcome, that is just part of athletics.

OK rules. I would add:

1) Timeliness in everything we do.
2) No profanity at any time.
3) No criticism between and among teammates on the field.

No. 3 is one of my few gripes with soccer: that youth coaches often foster an environment where kids, through gestures or words, criticize teammates in a public way.

Another gripe would be the presumption by many coaches that they know more about soccer, or sports in general, than any given parent. Smart coaches, like smart teachers, encourage parents as partners in the child's development. (As oppposed to chauffeurs and check-writers.)

Backscreen,

I totally agree with you on that last post.

I know coaches don't like it, but I will "coach" my son when it will improve his game. It amazes me some of the basics that these "professional" coaches don't work on, particularly set pieces (which would only take 5 minutes of 1 practice).

I will say that I did tell my son he was allowed to direct the f-bomb at a few specific players during indoor because of the way those players treated every one (from yelling at them, to deliberately fouling--slide tackles from behind when the got beat and headlocks when they were up against the wall, to never rotating off while everyone else did) all while the coach sat there at midfield with his phone to his ear. Of course, I knew my son wouldn't do it, but it made him feel better that I was ok with him doing something to the "bullies".

wow