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.
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 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.
