Welcome to AYSO Region
253
Serving the communities of Bentley, Halstead, Kechi, North Wichita,
Park City, Sedgwick, Valley Center and Whitewater.
Honor the Game Script
Here is an example from a
soccer coach's practice—
I love the game of soccer, and I
hope you do too. Soccer has a long history and is the most played sport in
the world. A lot of great things happen on the soccer field. I feel that
it is an honor to be involved in the sport. That's why I want to talk to
you about Honoring the Game. Now, I am sure many of you have had parents
or coaches talk to you about sportsmanship, or what it means to be a "good
sport." What does it mean to you to be a good sport? (Answers may include
"play fair," "don't cheat" etc.) Sportsmanship is important, but in order
to get the most out of this soccer season, I want you to honor the game.
We say that Honoring the Game goes to the ROOTS of the matter: R-O-O-T-S.
Each letter in ROOTS stands for an important part of soccer that we must
respect. The R stands for Rules. The first O is for Opponents. The next O
is for Officials. T is for Teammates, and the S is for
Self.
R is for Rules
The rules of
soccer are what allow us to keep the game fair. Respect for the rules is
important, even when it's possible to break them without getting caught. I
want you to play by the rules, even if you think you won't get caught if
you break them. Breaking the rules dishonors the game, even if it means
that we win.
O is for
Opponents
Without opponents, we could have no game. A good opponent
makes us do our best. Sometimes your opponents are friends of yours. I
want you to respect your opponents, and remember they are out there to
have fun just like us. I want you to try your hardest to win, not because
you hate your opponent, but because you want to play your best. I promise
that I will show respect for opposing coaches and teams, and I expect you
to do the same.
O if for Officials
It
is very important to respect officials. Often, this can be the most
difficult part of Honoring the Game, so we need to remember to keep it as
a focus when we play. Officials have been selected and trained to enforce
rules, and they have a very hard job. Without the officials the game would
be unsafe and unfair. Officials are not perfect (just like coaches,
athletes and parents!) and sometimes make mistakes. However, there is no
excuse for treating officials with disrespect when they make errors. I
want you to show respect for officials, even when you disagree with the
call. I promise to do the same thing.
T
is for Teammates
A big part of soccer is the team. Being with your
teammates should be fun. Later in life you will often be part of a team,
and it is important to learn to work together. I hope you feel a
commitment to each other as teammates and that you will agree to always
play as hard as you can in practice and in games. Please encourage and
support each other on and off the playing field.
S is for Self
Some people only Honor the Game when
their opponents do, but I want us to Honor the Game no matter what the
other team or its fans do. I want us to be the kind of team that Honors
the Game even when others do not because we set our own personal
standards. And we live up to them no matter what. We have respect for
ourselves and would never do anything to dishonor the game.
So what
do we mean when we say that Honoring the Game goes to the ROOTS of the
matter? Respect for : Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates, and Self. If
you do these five things, you are Honoring the Game. You and your
teammates will get the most out of our season, and you will join the great
tradition that is soccer. Now let's Honor the Game starting right now at
this practice, especially when we scrimmage.
Who can give me an
example of how we Honor the Game of soccer?
What does each letter
stand for?
Last Updated 8/21/2007
