As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters. Through your encouragement and good example, you can help assure that all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. In AYSO, young people learn to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat - all while becoming physically fit and healthy. Best of all, they have fun.



What Does A Parent Need To Know?
  • Coaches receive their spring rosters in mid August. Please be patient in waiting for your coach to contact you. We hope to have everyone contacted by August .29th.  Practices can start as early as the first week of August 15th, depending on the coach. If you have not been contacted by your coach by September 1st  please contact the hotline at 1-877-297-6673 and someone will get back to you asap with your coach’s name and phone #. Some coaches call sooner than others and many are trying to contact you and are unable to reach you on their first try. Please give YOUR coach a chance to get organized and wait until 9/1/09 before calling the hotline. You should receive your playing schedules at your first team meeting.
  • There should be one to two practices a week for the first week until the games start.  Once games begin, then your child should have one practice per week and two games per week until the end of the season. If your coach doesn’t have practices or cancels practices altogether after the games start, please contact the Coach Administrator. You will remain anonymous.
  • Be prepared to help at practices. There are times when the coach and assistant are not enough to do a particular drill. Your help will help your child become a better soccer player. Go on, jump in and have some fun!!!!!
  • Please make sure your child brings a ball, shin guards and a water bottle to each practice and game. Soccer shoes are optional, but recommended for players in U10 and higher. Your child will not be able to play or practice without their shin guards. This is National AYSO policy.
  • Ball sizes:       U6 & U8—Size 3       U10 & U12—Size 4       U14 and higher—Size 5
  • Shin guards: Please make sure the shin guards are the correct size for your child. Should start from the top of their ankle and go up to just under their knee. We see many children (especially older boys) with shin guards on that should fit their younger brothers, not them. A referee can refuse to let a player play if they feel that their equipment is unsafe. Thank you.




What Are Your Responsibilities?

    
  • Support your child by giving encouragement and showing an interest in their team. Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship. 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 contribute to success experienced by their child and the team by being role models. Applaud good plays by your child's team and by members of the opposing team. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.
 
   
  • Be enthusiastic and supportive. Remember that your child is the one playing soccer, not you. It is important to let children establish their own goals, to 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. Children play for the fun of playing.
 
   
  • 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 mistakes. If you child does make one, remember that he or she is still learning. Encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things they have accomplished.
 
   
  • Don't be a sideline coach or referee. Coaches and referees are usually parents just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child's youth soccer experience a positive one. They need your support too. That means refraining from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. If you have an interest in becoming a coach or referee, we'd love for you to volunteer! (Click Here to go to Volunteer Page.)
 
   
  • Often, in our enthusiasm, we are prone to yell instructions to the players. This often leads to confusion, as these instructions may be contrary to those of the Coach. So please refrain from yelling instructions during the game.
 
   
  • Referees are required to properly conduct a game. While you may not always agree with their decisions, they are final. No useful purpose is served by shouting disagreement or derogatory remarks. Referees are not the bad guys. Treat them and their calls fairly and respectfully.

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