Welcome to AYSO Region 253 Serving the communities of Bentley, Halstead, Kechi, North Wichita, Park City, Sedgwick, Valley Center and Whitewater.
	Parents Parent Handbook AYSO Philosophies Fundraiser Information Gift Scholarship Application Parent Requests and Team Balancing Information Zero Tolerance Volunteer Abuse Policy The Role of Parents in AYSO Soccer Without parents, there would of course be no AYSO because there would be no players.  Parents make sacrifices to get their kids to soccer practices and games and are a key part of the AYSO Team.  This team can be seen as the three corners of a triangle:  coach, referee, and parent.  All three cooperate to build up the soccer player in the middle.   Parents are role models for their children all the time, including on the soccer field.  So, as spectators, parents should display the same good sporting behavior as AYSO expects from coaches, referees, and players.  Unfortunately, some parents get carried away and copy the same unsportsmanlike behavior that spectators of professional sports often exhibit.  The players in AYSO, however, are not professionals - they're kids.  They need spectators to show respect for referees and for them as they play the game and learn (and have fun!).   Spectators at children's soccer games seem to fall into three categories - guess which one is appropriate! The Positive Encourager appreciates that these are kids playing a great kids' game. respects the coach by leaving all coaching to him/her. respects the players by not telling them how to play their game. respects the referee by not dissenting. cheers every child's successes (including those on the other team). cheers in a positive and encouraging way. speaks respectfully to players, coaches, and referees. makes mental notes to discuss with the player after the game. The "Loud" Spectator loudly yells at players, referees, and the "other" team during the game. vents frustrations with game plays out loud. frightens kids with loud yelling embarrasses kids by loudly noting they're out of position, missed a ball, or messed up a play. distracts players from their game. role-models disrespect toward the referee, coach, or other team. The Backseat Coach repeatedly tells players where to run and how to move the ball during play. distracts and confuses the players, so that they ask "Who do I listen to, the coach or you?" encourages dependency rather than independent thinking in children. undermines the coach's strategies. becomes so involved in the game that kids ask "Who is playing this game, me or you? models backseat coaching behavior for kids, who may then "coach" their teammates, resulting in ill will and anger on the team. If you guessed that the appropriate role for AYSO spectators is the first one, then you're on the way to becoming a supportive spectator for our young soccer players.   Please Read This Article Written By A 9-Year old Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) November 17, 2004 Wednesday Broward Metro Edition SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. 28A HEADLINE: YOUNG PLAYER GLAD OF 'SILENT SATURDAY' BYLINE: Nicolas Munoz Weston I have played soccer with American Youth Soccer Organization since 1999 and I am 9 years old. I was very glad that my soccer league in Weston had a "Silent Saturday." Many adults have talked about having their right to cheer their kid during a game taken away by Silent Saturday. However, has anyone thought of our right to play without having to hear parents screaming at us to "Wake up," "What is your problem?" "You got to be kidding," "Go after the ball or do something productive," "Why do I waste my time coming?" "What a stupid call," or "Are you blind?" It is embarrassing and distracting. There are kids on my team who do not look forward to game day and even act sick because they know that their parents are going to make a scene. What about the kids' rights to play and have fun? Don't parents realize that yelling negative things only makes us hate the game and sometimes even them? Please don't tell us how much we stink or how awful our team, coach or referee was. We are just kids and not professional players. When we become pros and get the millions of dollars, then yell because then if we don't play well, we won't get paid. Until then, clap all you want, cheer for all players, yell "go team," "awesome," or other positive things. Remember, we are just kids. Playing soccer is fun and it's just a game. We are kids, but we have rights too. There are many kids who wish Silent Saturday was every game. Coach us during practices and just let us play the game on Saturdays. A Soccer Thought or the Day A mother was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her teenage son. Suddenly the boy bursts into the kitchen. "Careful! CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my goodness! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful! ... CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!" The mother stared at him. "What's wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?" The son calmly replied, "I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm trying to play soccer. To Do Today: Please forgive your parents---we know not what we do! Good Sporting Behavior Is For Everyone! WE NEED YOU to be a parent volnteer! Do it for your kid.................. but if you need more reasons than just that Networking - Participating in AYSO will bring you in contact with lots of people from other parts of our community and/or school district. In a low pressure atmosphere, youll find it easier to make friends and build connections that will enrich you career and personal life. Skills - Many volunteer activities provide the opportunity to sharpen current skills (project management, communication, conflict resolution and so forth), learn new ones, and brush up on any that need more work. All of these skills are learned in a relatively low-risk environment where people can experiment more easily. Visibility - Being on a regional board or spearheading a regional project gives you a chance to stand out. You'll gain a reputation for getting things done, and win the attention of leaders and influential people in your community and industry. Leadership - Volunteers by definition aren't paid for their work. That means leadership has to come from within. Parents who devote their time to AYSO activities will get a better handle on how to motivate people, communicate priorities, and lead by example instead of relying on formal authority. By watching those around you, you can begin to identify the qualities of leadership that you most admire and you can develop those qualities in yourself. You will have opportunities to lead by persuasion, innovation, and your ideas and ideals. Satisfaction - Most of us want to contribute to something bigger than a job or corporation. Volunteering fills that need by engaging people in positive activities that make a difference in people's lives. This fulfillment can spur your volunteer efforts in all areas of their personal/professional lives. Renewal - Getting involved in a meaningful organization such as AYSO that is outside of your workplace can be as refreshing as a vacation. This would allow you to recharge your mental batteries by doing something completely different from your day-to-day grind. You'll bring a fresh perspective to your job and a better attitude to AYSO. Practical Experience - Work experience is work experience, with or without a paycheck. If you are developing new skills or thinking of pursuing a new career, volunteer work can give you valuable, practical experience that can be documented in a resume. • - AYSO is the best youth sports organization for children - so why not? • - You are setting a good example for your own children. Adapted from - "Ten professional development benefits of volunteering" by Mary Merill   Click here to find out more about the volunteer opportunities with AYSO Region 253. How to be a GREAT Soccer Parent and Set a Good Example (S.A.G.E.) for Your Athlete   1.     Learn the rules or be quiet. 2.     Be quiet anyway, except to cheer. 3.     Never scorn playing for fun as its own end. 4.     Don't think of team spirit and fair play as the opposites of excellence. 5.     Know what the coach is doing and support him/her. 6.     Never let a coach abuse your child or anyone else's, verbally or otherwise. 7.     Show respect for the referee. 8.     If you like the soccer program's emphasis, get involved. We NEED you! 9.     If you don't, get involved and make it better. Please volunteer! 10.  Listen to your child .   Ten Commandments for Soccer Parents 1. Thou shalt not impose your ambitions on thy child Improvement and progress occur at different rates for each individual. Don't judge your child's progress based on the performance of others, and don't push based on what you think they should be doing. 2. Thou shalt be supportive no matter what. There is only one question to ask your child - Did you have fun? If games and practices are not fun, your child should not be forced to participate. 3. Thou shalt not coach your child. Do not undermine the coach by coaching your child on the side. Your job is to support and love your child and the coach is responsible for the technical part of the job. 4. Thou shalt have only positive things to say at a soccer game. If you are going to show up at a soccer game, cheer and applaud, but never criticize. Always strive to set a good example for your child. 5. Thou shalt acknowledge your child's fears. 5. Thou shalt acknowledge your child's fears. A soccer game can be stressful. It is appropriate for your child to be anxious. Assure your child that the coach would not have suggested his or her playing position if you child was not ready for it. 6. Thou shalt not criticize officials. Don't criticize those who are doing their best. 7. Honor thy child's coach. The bond between coach and player is a special one which contributes to your child's success as well as fun. Do not criticize the coach in the presence of your child. It will only serve to hurt your child's game.8. Thy child shall have goals besides winning. 8. Thy child shall have goals besides winning. An honest effort, regardless of the outcome, is much more important than winning. 9. Thou shalt place your child first above everything. Ask yourself this question - Are your child's goals more important to you than they are to your child? Remember that the focus of youth sports should be fun. A child is constantly changing, and his/her goals, interests and participation in activities will change as well. Parents should remain flexible, patient and always supportive while their child strives to find his/her niche in life. 10. Thou shalt not expect thy child to become an MLS or College star. There are more than 3 million children playing soccer in America (and these numbers are conservative). The odds of your child becoming a star in the MLS/College are very slim. Soccer teaches self-esteem and fitness. It provides lifelong friendships and much, much more. Soccer builds good people and you should be happy that your child wants to participate. Important AYSO information to ensure FUN for your children *Players should arrive at least 15 minutes before their schedule game time. U-10 and U-12 team coaches may request that players arrive 30 minutes or more before game time. *To ensure the safety of players and spectators:  parents and spectators should remain on the sidelines, at least 9 feet from the field of play, during the game. NO person is allowed to stand near or behind the goal area. *Coaches, parents and spectators are not to argue with the referees during the game. If you have a dispute with a referee, discuss it with your coach. Your coach may approach the referee after the game. Referees are to be treated with respect at all times. Keep in mind that ALL referees are VOLUNTEERS. They do not get paid to give their time and effort to ensure that all the children have a fun soccer experience. *Cheering for ALL players is encouraged. Negative remarks to ANY player is not allowed. All persons in attendance before, during and after games should set examples of GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP! *Always enforce the philosophies of AYSO and set a good example of sideline etiquette . Check out Sideline Suggestions from Kids to learm more about what you child DOESN'T want you to do at the games. *Under 5 and Under 6 Divisions do not keep score. Each team is a winner! *If you have any concerns or questions, please contact your coach or an AYSO Board Member . What kind of equipment does my child need? Tennis shoes or soccer cleats are required at each practice and game. Shin guards are required at each practice and game.  Shinguards must be covered by socks or long pants. A ball is helpful, but not required.    U-5, U-6, and U-8 teams use a size 3 ball.   U-10 and U-12 teams use a size 4 ball.   U-14 and up use a size 5 ball. Please send water with your child to each practice and game. What's not allowed:     Jewelry of any kind, anywhere   Hats/Visors (soft caps are allowed in cold weather)   Sunglasses   Casts   Splints   Any hard objects on clothes, ie. pants or shirts with exposed zippers or other metal.   Jackets/Shirts with hoods  (refs may allow them in the younger divisions if they're securely worn on the player's head or tucked down under their jersey.) Helpful Links Sometimes the game of soccer can seem rather confusing with a language all its own.  If you are interested in learning some of the vocabulary of soccer , click here to learn more. Parental Support - The Key to Peak Performance Thanks to Jeff Pill, New Hampshire Soccer association Director of Coaching Coaches. Game Refreshments and Player Nutrition  As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters. Click here for the Soccer Parent's Code of Conduct . To understand the game of soccer, it is important to have a basic understanding of the rules of the game. For a simplified list of rules, click here . The type of support you give your child can make soccer fun and rewarding or the cause of anxiety and stress. You can motivate your child and help to develop a healthy, positive self-image. Click here for some suggestions. One of the constant concerns about trying to raise a youngster in sports these days is that there is so much misinformation and misleading advice that parents often don’t know where to turn.Click here to learn about the Top 10 Sports Parenting Myths. What can we as parents learn from participation in youth sports? Here are some thoughts from one soccer parent and volunteer, What I Learned from Youth Sports. Visit Mom's Team to learn more about creating a safer, saner, less stressful and more inclusive youth sports experience for your child.  The United States Youth Soccer program has put together an introductory presentation for parents about soccer. Click here to view the presentation. Another guide has been prepared by www.soccerparent.com. Click here to view the Parent's Guide to Soccer. To learn more about the signals the referees make, Click Here All parents want their children to succeed, so we offer "helpful advice" to our children about themselves, their teammates, their coach. If you struggle with wanting to tell your child something "for his own good", take some advice from a youth soccer coach. Click Here Looking for some soccer fun and games? Click Here For a humorous look at Parental Sideline Rules of Behavior, Click Here
Last Updated 9/29/2007