| 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 : |
|
| Let the coaches' coach. |
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.
|
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.
|
| Support the program. |
Get involved
by volunteering, helping with fundraisers, car-pooling,
or however else you can.
|
| Encourage your child to talk with
the coaches. |
"Taking
responsibility" - whether about playing difficulties
or missing an upcoming match - is a big part of soccer.
|
| Understand and display appropriate
game behavior. |
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. |
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. |
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.
|
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.
|
|
| "KIDS COME FIRST"
|
| We want you to support this theme by recognizing
the value of developing youngsters in: |
- Ability
- learning the game
- becoming sports participants
- gaining personal confidence and pride
- acquiring team spirit
- setting objectives and striving toward them
- building character
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