PARENTS, COACHES and REFEREES together have an enormous impact on the lives of young soccer players. How can we make soccer a positive and enjoyable experience for our youth players?

Each parent must be held accountable for their actions and teach their children to do the same. Referees, coaches and parents are role models from which our youth learn behaviors that they will carry into adulthood. When adults in the soccer community demonstrate cooperation, respect and maturity, these qualities will be encouraged in the players.

1. Be knowledgeable of the game.
2. Encourage fair play at home.
3. Be supportive (i.e. be sure the player attends practices; pick player up on time; be positive about players contributions).
4. Attend games.
5. At games and practices, be positive or be quiet.
6. Praise other people's children.
7. Be respectful; expect your own children to be respectful.
8. Focus on good nutrition.
9. Volunteer to help the coach.
10. Become a referee.
11. Play the game of soccer.
12. Be calm and have good manners.
13. Support the coach's and referee's decisions.
14. Encourage communication between coach and parent.
15. Ask your children to talk about their participation, to describe their role, what new skills have been learned?
16. Watch practices; focus on new skills and strategies.
17. Find soccer videos and watch them with your children.
18. Read newspaper articles about older soccer player's successes; provide soccer role models for your children.