Parental Support - The Key to Peak Performance
The role that parents play in the life of a soccer player has a tremendous impact on their experience. With this in mind, we have taken some time to write down some helpful reminders for all of us as we approach the help your child through their soccer experience
1. Respect the referee’s decision. Teach your children respect for the referees. Lead by example. This is not pro sports. Any outburst towards coaches, referees, players or other parents on the sidelines will result in warnings by WWPSA. Repeated offenses will lead to permanent bans from future games.
2. Let the coaches, coach: Parent should and are expected to cheer for their team and players. However, please refrain from coaching your child from the sidelines. It has been shown that players get confused when they hear more than one person "coaching" from the sidelines. If you can’t help yourself, please consider becoming a team manager!
3. Support the program: Get involved. Volunteer, car-pool; anything to support the program. If we all work together the program can only become stronger.
4. Be your child’s best fan: Support your child unconditionally. Do not withdraw love when your child performs poorly. Your child should never have to perform to win your love.
5. Encourage your child to talk with the coaches: If your child is having difficulties in practice or games, encourage them to speak directly to the coaches. This "responsibility taking" is a big part of becoming a big-time player. By handling the off-field tasks, your child is claiming ownership of all aspects of the game - preparation for as well as playing the game.
6. Monitor your child’s stress level at home: Keep an eye on the player to make sure that they are handling stress effectively from the various school/sports activities.
7. Monitor eating and sleeping habits: Be sure your child is eating the proper foods and getting adequate rest.
8. Help your child keep priorities straight: Help your child maintain a focus on schoolwork, relationships and the other things in life beside soccer. Also, if your child has made a commitment to soccer, help them fulfill their obligation to the game.
11. Reality test: If your child has come off the field when their team has lost, but has played their best, help them to see this as a "win". Remind them to focus on "what they did well" and not just the "results". Their fun and satisfaction should be derived from "striving to win".
12. Keep soccer in its proper perspective: Soccer should not be larger than life for you. If your child’s performance produces strong emotions in you, suppress them. Remember your relationship will continue with your children long after their competitive soccer days are over. Keep your goals and needs separate from your child’s experience.
