Welcome!
Thank you for joining us and welcome to the AYSO experience! We are pleased to have you and your children enrolled in the most innovative and positive youth sports program available. By signing up your child for AYSO soccer you're giving him or her the finest soccer instruction and the guarantee that they will play at least half of EVERY game. In AYSO everyone plays...and everyone has fun.
As a parent, you have a special role in contributing to the needs and development of the kids. Through your encouragement and good example you can help assure the effectiveness of the AYSO program.
Support Your Child
Support your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in his or her team. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory. Your child will be a winner, even in defeat.
Always Be Positive
Parents are not participants on their child's team. However, they do contribute to the success experienced by their child and the team. Parents serve as role models for their children. Applaud good plays by your child's team and by the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.
Be Enthusiastic and Supportive
Let children set their own goals and play the game for themselves. Be careful not to impose your own standards and goals on your child. Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winner.
Reinforce Positive Behavior
The best way to help a child to achieve goals and reduce the natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. No one likes to make a mistake. If your child does make one, remember that he or she is still learning. Encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.
Let Coaches Coach and Refs Ref
Coaches and referees are usually parents. They volunteer their time to help make your child's youth soccer experience a positive one. They need your support too. What coaches and referees don't need is your help in coaching from the sidelines. So please refrain from coaching during games and practices. Referees are not the "bad guys." They are volunteers and need your support and encouragement. Treat them and their calls fairly and respectfully.
Here are a few safety reminders...
Buddies
Advise your child never to leave a practice or game alone. Walk with a buddy whenever possible.
Goal Posts
NEVER let your children play on soccer goals. Portable goals have been known to tip over when people play on them, resulting in serious injury and even death.
Code Word
If you normally pick your child up from the field, but have to send someone else, use a code word. That way if someone comes up and says "Your mother sent me to pick you up," but they don't have the code word you and your child have established, your child knows not to go with the stranger.
We hope you enjoy this, and every, AYSO soccer season!