Soccer Parents Guidelines

• Encourage all children, not just yours. Never say anything negative about another child especially in front of your own child.
• Effort in the intramural league is much more important than the outcome.
• Remember children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours. Get them to games EARLY, not just as the game begins.
• Encourage your child always to play by the rules. If you do not know the rules seek them out. Respect for referees and opposing coaches starts with the youngest of children.
• Teach your child that honest effort is as important as victory so that the result of each game is accepted without undue disappointment. Look for gradual improvement each week your child participates. Always find something positive.
• Turn defeat to victory by helping your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship. Never ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
• Remember that children learn best by example.
• Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team. Good sportsmanship is a learned skill.
• Do not publicly question the officials' judgement and never their honesty. Our referees are sons and daughters of our friends and neighbors in the community and not professionally trained experts. Incorrect calls will always be a part of sports at all levels.
• Support all effort to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's sporting activities. Coaches should never argue with referees, other coaches, parents and especially children.
• Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches. They give their time and resources to provide recreational activities for your child. If you have questions on a coach's methods or practices use discretion.
• If there is room for improvement, get involved. Complaining from the "peanut gallery" is the easy way out.
• Please leave your pets home! Pets are forbidden on Jericho Athletic fields.