Coaches, Parents, and Referees: Role Models for Life

COACHES: What can they do to make the game of soccer more enjoyable for the players and easier for the referee to manage?

1.     Take a course on the Laws.

2.     Be accepting of the referee's decisions.

3.     Remain calm.

4.     Do not make loud, offensive remarks.

5.     Concentrate on coaching, rather than on the accuracy of referee's decisions.

6.     Be a role model of fair play.

7.     Be positive; avoid confrontation with any official

8.     During games, leave the decisions to the players.

9.     Attend coaching classes to learn the most effective ways to conduct practices.

10.  Give good guidelines to parents.

11.  Set high standards.

12.  Be firm with parents at games.

13.  Teach skills and fair tactics.

14.  Discourage unfair gamesmanship.

15.  Communicate with parents often in meetings and social gatherings.

16.  Play the game and encourage parents to play and to referee.

17.  Referee games.

18.  Delegate responsibilities.

PARENTS: What can parents do to make the game of soccer more enjoyable for their children and other people's kids, too?

1.     Be knowledgeable of the game.

2.     Encourage fair play at home.

3.     Be supportive; i.e. be sure the player attends practices; pick him/her up on time.

4.     Attend games.

5.     Be positive or quiet at games.

6.     Be respectful; expect your own children to be respectful.

7.     Focus on good nutrition.

8.     Volunteer to help the coach.

9.     Become a referee.

10.  Play the game of soccer.

11.  Be calm and have good manners.

12.  Support the coach's and referee's decisions.

13.  Encourage communication between coach and parent.

14.  Ask your own children to describe his/her role, what new skills have been learned.

15.  Watch practices; focus on new strategies

16.  Find soccer videos, watch them with children.

17.  Concentrate on praising other people's children during games.

18.  Read newspaper articles about older soccer player's successes; provide models for your own children.

REFEREES: What can they do to make the game of soccer better for the players?

1.     Know the Law and the rules.

2.     Be professional; i.e. on time, in proper uniform, prepared, fit, etc.

3.     Study the game and the spirit of soccer.

4.     Attend meetings, clinics, and seminars.

5.     Show respect to players, coaches, parents and spectators.

6.     Explain rules, when needed.

7.     Help less experienced referees.

8.     Play the game to better understand it.

9.     Seek evaluation from coaches/players.

10.  Be assessed regularly.

11.  Smile and enjoy the game.

12.  Be firm, fair and honest.

13.  Be consistent.

14.  Accept only the number and level of assignments that can be done well.

15.  Be neutral.

16.  Know and use proper procedures.

17.  Always remain calm.

18.  Take each game seriously.

19.  Implement good management techniques

20.  Show courage and confidence; avoid arrogance.

Soccer ... the game for kids!

What role should the referee, coach and parents play?

REFEREES, COACHES and PARENTS together have an enormous impact on the lives of thousands of youth soccer players in the United States. How can we best serve the interest of these players?

This pamphlet was created in response to an overwhelming number of questions asked about how the "adults" can positively impact soccer players. While each parent must be accountable for his actions and teach his own son or daughter to do the same, referees, coaches and parents form a trio of role models from which many of our young men and women learn behaviors that they will carry into adulthood. Cooperation, respect and maturity among the adults in soccer will encourage those qualities in the players.