In negotiating the world of youth soccer, it is helpful to the players, the coach and the parents/guardians to understand what is expected of them. A player code of conduct helps establish the rules.
1.
Arrive on time. Players should arrive, at a minimum, 10 minutes before practice and 30 minutes before games. Tardiness or absence without notification or good cause may result in reduced playing time.
2.
Dress appropriately. The proper equipment should be worn, along with sufficient clothing in cold weather. A water bottle should also be brought, no matter what the weather.
3.
Leave the jewelry at home. For safety reasons, absolutely no jewelry should be worn to play soccer at any time.
4.
Check glasses and mouth guards. Sports glasses or contacts are recommended for those who require glasses. Mouth guards are used according to the advice of a dentist or orthodontist.
5.
Tie back your hair. Long hair should not be loose. In general, hair should not be in the face.
6.
Show respect. Players must respect coaches and officials and exhibit good sportsmanship to all others involved in the game.
Offer to help. Younger players should expect that parents/guardians will assist them in following the code of conduct. Verbalize your intention to help.
Be responsible for yourself. Older players should fill their own water bottles, carry their own bags, and be dressed and ready to go on time.
Start them early. Help players to follow the code without your help, right from the start.
Chow down. Players should make sure they are properly fed and hydrated for both practices and games.
Respecting Officials
Referees are part of youth soccer - an important part. Understanding their role will help both players and parents deal with them successfully.
1.
Understand the referees' function. A soccer game is controlled by one referee (on the field) and two referee's assistants, who work along the sidelines.
2.
See them as allies. By definition, a referee's No. 1 task is to ensure the safety and protection of players. The referee's second task is to uphold fairness.
3.
See yourself in the role of the referee. This may entail learning the rules of the game.
4.
Show respect to all officials. This goes for players, coaches and spectators.
5.
Refrain from negative comments and pressure. Negative treatment of referees yields the same undesirable results as similar treatment of youth players.
6.
Direct any comments (including praise) or complaints first to your coach, then, in writing, to your soccer league.
Wait until after the game to direct any comments to the referee. Comments in the heat of battle are not productive. It is against regulations to walk onto the field at any point in the game to speak to officials.
Say thank you. It is rare that a referee hears a kind word. Praise those you feel have done a good job.
Know what to praise. An especially good referee uses opportunities to educate players, behaves in a calm manner, and uses humor to defuse tense situations.
Consider taking a referee's course. Adults, and children as young as 12, can take this course. It gives them an understanding and empathy for the job, as well as a better understanding of the game.
Learn the Laws of the Game. These 17 FIFA laws will assist you in understanding the referee's calls.
Warm-Ups
A proper soccer warm-up helps the mind, as well as the body, perform at its best. It also lessens the risk of injury.
1.
Take your time. A proper soccer warm-up takes about 10 minutes for younger children and 10 to 15 minutes for older children.
2.
Consider the conditions. A warm-up may be shorter during hot weather or on soccer tournament days, which include numerous games.
3.
Incorporate all soccer skills. In addition to stretching, a warm-up should be soccer-specific and should duplicate aspects of the game, such as dribbling, passing and shooting.
4.
Make sure goalkeepers have their own warm-up. It should incorporate all the skills of that position.
5.
Keep warmed up. Do not let the body go cold after the warm-up. Players should be urged to keep moving (for instance, by stretching in place) during the frequent breaks in play.
6.
Wear proper clothing. Players should have layers that they can easily shed or put on.
7.
Take it easy. Do not use too much energy during a warm-up, or allow players to compete with one another.
Educate yourself. A proper warm-up is one of the most important aspects of sports and exercise. When stretching, teach the proper names of the muscles, such as hamstrings, quadriceps and so forth.
Help your coach. If you notice there is an insufficient or improper warm-up, suggest (don't insist or attack) that players take a few minutes to stretch before practice and games.
Set an example. If you are not part of an organized team warm-up, do some independent stretching. Others will likely catch on.
Do it together. Warm up by practicing ball skills with your child. Stretch yourself or practice "buddy stretching," in which you assist each other in doing the stretches.
Keeping Yourself Healthy
Gathering at competitions, and travel are some of the factors that contribute to the spread of colds and influenza. Respiratory infections prevent athletes from performing at their best. The number one solution is to not get sick in the first place.
Over 80% of the germs that cause respiratory infections are spread by the hands. Handwashing is easy! It’s the best way to stop the spread of infections.
Handwashing
The purpose of handwashing is to remove germs from the hands so that germs are not transferred to the eyes, nose, and mouth to cause illness. To do a good job, first wet your hands. Next, apply plain soap. Rub your hands together for 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday. Rinse for 10 seconds. Finally, dry with a clean, disposable towel.
It is important to wash your hands:
• after using the toilet
• before eating or preparing food
• after blowing your nose or helping a child with a runny nose
• after being with someone who is sick
• after handling shared objects (money, for example)
• before inserting/removing contact lenses
• before flossing your teeth
If you aren’t near a sink, use an alcohol-based hand rub. However, these products don’t kill all germs so they aren’t a substitute for handwashing. Wash hands with plain soap and water as soon as you can.
Wellness tips for coaches, athletes and parents:
1. Wash your hands often. Handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of infections.
2. Do not share water bottles or lip balm. Write your name on water bottles to prevent sharing.
3. Keep your hands and foreign objects away from your face and out of your mouth.
4. Throw away used tissues promptly.
5. Keep immunizations up to date. Consider getting an annual influenza vaccination.
6. Make sure plain soap and disposable towels are available in the washrooms at your club. (Plain soap prevents illness just as well as antibacterial soap and does not have the negative side effect of promoting antibacterial resistance.)
Remember . . .
As athletes and coaches you are role models for fitness and active living. Staying well is an important aspect of fitness. Make handwashing a habit. Teach others by setting a good example
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