Remember it is now TWO games of Small-sided ACTION!

1. Child development review: since we have gone over the egocentric, one-dimensional nature of the beast…it is clear we SHOULD NOT YELL/ COACH/ MICROMANAGE/ SCREAM FOR BLOOD.
   So why do it ? You would be APPALLED if a Kindergarten Teacher did any of the above.>
   DO NOT ask for PASSING or SPREADING OUT
   DO NOT ask for DEFENSE or TEAMWORK
   DO NOT ALLOW PARENTS TO YELL “SHOOT IT!” when you and your team just spent 6 FUN lessons on egocentric DRIBBLE games
   You really do not need to read on if you already GET IT!

2. Explain all this to your parents. Bottom line is “Feel free to yell “Good Job” or similar AFTER the play is made” Its OK if you applaud a “Big Boot” but where I want you to get REALLY EXCITED is when you see a glimmer of a DRIBBLE MOVE!!

3. Did you win? This is the WORST question a parent can ask.

4. What to expect:
   You can expect BUNCHBALL. And it is all OK!
   You can expect someone to run toward the wrong goal. Oh well!
   You can expect to lose a game for the first time (of many) in THEIR LIFE.
   How you (as COACH) handle this inevitable event is a measure of you as a person, and could make or break a child’s lifelong love of SOCCER.
   You can expect a few inappropriate PARENT  events (see above) Even when they mean well (see above) they also need to be EDUCATED.
   One example of a strategy that speaks volumes to all the above is the trend in youth sports toward holding SILENT SATURDAYS, where the parent bleachers are either placed fifty yards away, or fans are required to say NOTHING.
   Many children will cite this as their BEST DAY PLAYING SOCCER.

 Food for thought…..