Below are supporting articles and observations as to why ATSC has this policy and why it actually will help not only our team, but also our kids grow as players.

From a discussion thread on "World Class Coaching » ... » parents and football."

... its amazing how many of the kids would love their parents to watch them if they supported them in the right way. ... I produce a monthly newsletter for my parents, in the first edition I made it quite clear that all parents are encouraged to support the team and also explained the right way to support them ... I explained what supporting them team meant, ... and that the most important thing a parent can say at the end of the match is how much they enjoyed watching their child play.

Too many parents give their kids a hard time before, during and after the game. I’ve seen many kids who play better when their parents aren’t there, and I’ve told several parents this fact. If parents would just learn that their kids are learning the game and they will learn it better without their parents giving them a hard time.

I agree. ... the only thing that really needs to be said after a game is nice game—don’t talk about anything even constructively critical... Seriously, many parents are living through their children, and think that it’s somehow attacking them if their child doesn’t make, or is cut, from a top team.

Parents that don’t turn up for games—Sounds like heaven to me! Seriously though, I’ve always said coaching kids is the easy fun part—it’s some of the big kids(parents) who can be a nightmare. In my experience, almost without exception, it’s the parents who have never played football [soccer]. ... My biggest gripe is parents being too loud with their criticism of players on match days.

From "Confessions of a Recovering Soccer Dad (or Parent)"

My kid can play without me and that’s ok. Another temptation that I often gave in to, even when I was not the coach, was instructing my kids while they played. I used to think it was appropriate to stand on the touch line and yell: "Pass the ball to Sara!" and "Shoot the ball to the left!"

I now know better. First, I read in an article that most children cannot properly play the game and, at the same time, follow a coach’s directions. By the time they hear me, process what I said, and then act on it, the opportunity to act is lost. My instructions were actually hurting them on the field! Besides, if they depend on me to instruct them while they are playing, how will they learn to make decisions on their own when they can’t hear me.

Then, after refereeing a few games, I realized how inane my own screaming had been. In the middle of the field, my voice was being drowned out by other parents who feel duty-bound to scream too. Julie’s dad is yelling: "Shoot, shoot." I am yelling: "Pass, pass." You are yelling: "Stop her, stop her." It all becomes confusing, stressful noise in the middle of the field. While I am not yet an advocate of "Silent Saturdays," I now certainly see the point of sitting back and letting my kids play without my "help."

From "How To Be A Good Soccer Mom (And Dad)"

What is a good soccer Mom or Dad? First, do not coach your child during the game. Four coaches lamented the tendency of parents to praise the wrong things and criticize the right things. One coach complained, "We worked for two weeks on teaching the lads to pass the ball wide and keep possession. Two minutes into the game parents were yelling, ’kick the ball out of there.’ No pressure, but still the lads would boom the ball out of the back. Defeated all that work."

A Northland coach said, "I just wish they’d be quiet and let me coach. That’s my job. I don’t go to their job for them. Most never played the game. They do not know what the boy should do, but [mom and dad] shout ’pass the ball’, ’kick it out’, or ’stop him’. And, they’re always wrong. Makes you wonder why they pay me to coach."

Children will hear your voice above all others. They are trained to obey your voice. Your very voice is distracting. You shout, your child turns her head away from the play to listen to you and loses track of the play.

From "Game Day—Helpful Tips for Parents"

Parents of young athletes play a vital role in their children’s development in sport. Some parents struggle in their efforts to positively influence their children in this sporting environment. Well-intentioned, much of the time, some of their methods employ over-questioning, critical comments and unrealistic demands toward their children. The situations that many young soccer athletes deal with before, during and after games and training sessions could bring a grown adult to tears.

Prior to a game, any good sports psychologist or coach will tell you that it is important for the athlete to get mentally ready for the competition through "positive self-talk". The ride to the game is a good time for this. Some athletes like to listen to music during this time. Some athletes want to talk a bit—let your child start the discussion or ask the question if they desire. It is very difficult for your child to mentally prepare for the competition when you are hording all of the time with your questions and advice!

During the game, cheer on the athletes for both teams. They are trying their best. They are youth players and what you say really does affect them—whether you are their parent or not!

Please do not try to coach your child or the other players. The players must focus their attention on the game and, at times, their coach and the referee. There is a lot to think about in the game of soccer. Let them focus.

From and email that was circulated to parents on a higher level ATSC team

Be positive. Be supportive. Cheer for the team—Go Attack Red! Great pass!—but do not root for individual players by name, particularly your own son. Keep the focus on the team.

Keep negative comments to yourself, especially those directed at another parent’s child, and avoid exclamations of despair or physical manifestations of pain when someone misses the ball. Remember that the players are doing the best they can and that playing good soccer is more difficult than it looks. People who study the sport maintain that the best role parents can play before the match is to tell their child: I love you, good luck, and have fun, followed after the match by: I love you, it was great to see you play, and what would you like to eat?

Forget the constructive criticism, like "If you only worked on your left foot a little more" or "next time you should pay attention when the coach talks about heading!" Comments need to be positive and supportive. Your job on the sidelines is to revel in their accomplishments and offer a shoulder, a hug or a kiss when everything doesn’t go perfectly. Try not to lose sight of the fact that our children will not play professional sports, and are highly unlikely to win athletic scholarships to college. Ninety-nine percent of all kids involved at the elementary level just do not have that kind of talent and never will, no matter how hard they work. At the elementary level, there is only one reason to have our children involved in athletic activities: because it is fun. If your son is not having fun, there’s no reason to continue.

Do not coach. Let the coaches coach. Many times the instruction from a spectator is exactly the opposite of the instruction given by the coach. Allow the players the freedom to make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes. Spectator statements like "stay wide", "clear it", "pass the ball", "get rid of it", "move up", "move back", etc. tend to undermine the need for the players to communicate with each other. If you have an issue, take it up with the coach after the game out of earshot of your child.

Never address players on the other team, except to encourage. Applaud a great save by the opposing goalie, a wonderful pass or a beautiful defensive play. Please remember that the kids on the other team might be your next door neighbor. Please don’t gloat over a mistake made by an opponent, or revel in an opposing team’s shellacking. We, too, may be shellacked, and will expect similar restraint from the opposing team’s parents.