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| >Keys to Peak Parental Performance |
| Youth soccer clubs are always
seeking ways to rein in parental enthusiasm without dampening it. The Stone
Mountain George Youth Soccer Association recently distributed a clear, concise
set of standards addressing that delicate balance : |
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| Let the coaches' coach.
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| This includes goal setting and psyching up
your child for practice and post game critiques. Having more than one "coach"
confuses children. |
| Do not bribe or offer incentives.
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| Leave motivation to the coach. Offering
money for scoring goals, for example, distracts your child from concentrating
properly in practices and games. Support your child unconditionally. Do not
withdraw love when your child performs poorly. |
| Support all players on the team. |
| Your child's teammates are not the enemy.
When they are playing better than your child, she has a wonderful opportunity
to learn.
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| Support the program.
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| Get involved by volunteering, helping with
fundraisers, car-pooling, or however else you can. |
| Encourage your child to talk with the coaches.
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| "Taking responsibility" - whether about
playing difficulties or missing an upcoming match - is a big part of soccer. |
| Understand and display appropriate game
behavior.
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| When you cheer appropriately, you help
your child focus on the parts of the game he can control (positioning,
decision-making, skills, etc.). If he begins focusing on elements he can't
control (field conditions, the referee, the weather, etc.), he will not play up
to his ability. |
| Monitor your child at home.
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| Be sure she is eating and sleeping
properly. Help your child keep priorities straight. A youngster needs help
balancing schoolwork, friendships, and other commitments besides soccer. But
having made a commitment to soccer, she also needs help fulfilling her
obligation to her team. |
| Pass the reality test.
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| If your child's team loses but he played
his best, help him see this as a "win." Remind him to focus on the process, not
the end result. Fun and satisfaction should come from "striving to win."
Conversely, do not let him be satisfied with "winning" if it comes from
inadequate preparation and performance. |
| Keep soccer in its proper perspective.
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The game should not be larger
than your life. If your child's performance produces strong emotions in you,
suppress them. Keep your own goals and needs separate from your child's.
Remember that your relationship with your child will continue long after her
competitive soccer days end.
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| >"KIDS COME FIRST" |
| We want you to support this
theme by recognizing the value of developing youngsters in:
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Ability
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learning the game
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becoming sports participants
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gaining personal confidence and pride
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acquiring team spirit
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setting objectives and striving toward them
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building character
Continue
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