Parent & Player Information
AYSO Code of Conduct
As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and
development of youngsters.
Through your encouragment 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.
Support Your Child
Supporting your child by giving encouragement and
showing interest in their team is very important.
Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory - that way your child will always be a winner despite the outcome of the game!
Always Be Positive
Parents serve as role models for their children. Become
aware of this and work to be a positive role model. Applaud good plays by your
child's team as well as good plays by the opposing team.
Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports activities.
Remember: Your Child Wants To Have
Fun
Remember that your child is the one
playing soccer, not you. It's very important to let children establish their own
goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own
standards and goals on them.
Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winning team.
Children play for
the fun of playing.
Reinforce Positive Behavior
Positive reinforcement is the best way to help
your child achieve their goals and their natural fear of failure. Nobody likes
to make mistakes. If your child does make one, remember it's all part of
learning, so encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your
child 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. As a volunteer organization, there's usually always an opportunity for you to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!
Kids Zone
The national media has focused on the negative, even
violent, behavior of players, coaches and parents involved in youth sports. As
part of AYSOs education agenda, Kids Zone is a dynamic program targeted to
eliminate negative sideline behavior. It is aimed toward producing a thoroughly
positive impact on everyone involved in youth soccer. To execute this program,
three basic elements are involved:
The Sign. A large sign, which
lists positive behavior standards, will be posted at the entrance of
participating fields. Parents and spectators who will abide by these standards
are welcome all others are not.
The Pledge. We request AYSO parents
to sign a pledge that holds them to the Kids Zone standards.
As a support to these elements, we also have a special Kids Zone Promise. Its a simple pledge, but we encourage all AYSO members to consider these words:
I promise to Honor the Game. I will respect all participants, encourage good sportsmanship and keep soccer fun.
Finally, we encourage all AYSO members to help Kids Zone grow. Let your region know that you support Kids Zone. AYSO depends on you to keep youth soccer safe, fun and fair. So spread the word!
To order Kids Zone materials, call the AYSO Supply Center at (888) 243-2976.
Play It Safe
Safety is a big part of
keeping things fun. Here are few safety tips to keep in mind:
Buddies
Advise your child never to
leave a practice or game alone. Walk with a buddy whenever possible.
Goal Posts
NEVER let your children
play on soccer goals. Portable goals have been known to tip over when people
play on them, resulting in serious injury and even death.
Code Word
If you normally pick your
child up from the field, but have to send someone else, use a code word. That
way, if someone comes up and says Your mother sent me to pick you up, but they
dont have the code word you and your child have established, your child knows
not to go with the stranger.
