Proper Soccer Etiquette for Parents

Being a parent of a soccer player can be both a trying experience and a very positive one.  As most soccer parents live vicariously through the actions of their child on the field, this can be quite stressful, especially when you consider that a parent really cannot influence what happens on the field.  This often leads to yells and shouts from the sideline from parents who wish their children the best in every game.  But in competitive sports, that simply isn’t possible for every player.  Therefore, recognizing this inability to have a direct impact on a match, parents should take heed to a couple general guidelines about their sideline antics.

Definitely be supportive and cheer for your child.  Hearing a parent’s voice can spur a kid on to stronger confidence and performance, but you need to know the right things to say.  Telling your child to shoot every time they get the ball, or encouraging them to take on the entire team by themselves isn’t going to make them a better player.  Soccer players are always encouraged by coaches to pass, so when you constantly yell “Shoot It” you are putting conflicting thoughts in their heads.  A player knows when to shoot, and they will do it in the right place.  But having an over excited parent yelling all the time is rarely going to result in a positive outcome for the team.

One thing to avoid is angry yelling.  Of course your blood will boil when things don’t go your way (or your child’s way), but scolding the ref from the sidelines will do you no favors, nor will criticizing someone else’s child for fouling your kid.  This could merely escalate to a fist-fight with that kid’s dad.  Don’t let a game between kids erupt into a parental brawl.  Unfortunately, such events do occasionally happen, even in youth soccer.

Focus on positive things.  Cheer on your kid when he or she takes away the ball from an opponent or completes a successful pass.  When they score, go nuts and embrace it.  Just don’t get too excited and angry when your child makes a mistake.


Another thing a parent needs to do is to help their kid away from the game.  Surely, a parent is more tuned in to their child’s strengths and weaknesses on the field than a coach, so be sure to help guide your kid in the game.  Go outside and pass the ball back and forth or let the kid take penalty kicks on you, or vice-versa. You can assist in improving your child’s skills, so find time to practice with them.

Being a supportive soccer parent shouldn’t really be that big of a challenge.  Issues arise when the kid doesn’t play up to your pre-conceived notion and desires of how talented your child is.  Let the kids play the game, and if things don’t go exactly your way, that is okay and you do not have to throw a hissy fit about it. And let the coach do his job. If he is qualified he must know what he is doing. Confronting the coach during a game is also a not very good idea since you will undermine his authority and create an awkward situation for the players, coach and obvious for yourself...


Let the kids play and enjoy it!