We signed our kids up for the city soccer league, and they are really enjoying it. And we, as soccer parents, have learned that there are some things you should do, and some things that you shouldn’t.
DO mark your calendar as soon as you get the schedule, so you know when all the games are and you can avoid any and all scheduling conflicts.
DON’T believe there is any way you can get through an entire season without at least one scheduling conflict. (Or more.)
DO make sure your child starts to gather their uniform, cleats, socks, and shin guards at least 30 minutes before you need to leave, because there is a really good chance they have no idea where they put any of that stuff.
DON’T forget to take a water bottle. Running around trying to kick a ball can get children pretty thirsty.
DO prepare for any kind of weather. It might be sunny, hot, rainy, windy, or freezing cold during the game, despite what the weather report says. (Sometimes all in the same day.)
DON’T set up your chair too close to the sidelines. The players need room to stand out of bounds when they have to throw the ball in.
DO pay attention. Soccer balls have a tendency to fly off in directions that those kicking them did not intend, and the moment you’re not looking is when one is most likely to hit you in the face.
DON’T yell at the referees. Chances are, they know more about what they’re doing than you do. And if you do happen to be an expert on the rules of soccer, you might consider signing up to be a referee yourself.
DO cheer for your child’s team and teammates. Let them know when they make good plays, and encourage them when things aren’t going great.
DON’T celebrate too much when the other team makes a mistake. Remember that they’re just kids—they don’t need to see some idiot adult dancing and whooping it up on the sidelines when they’ve just let a ball slip through their legs for a goal.
DO remember to thank the coaches. They put in a lot of time and effort trying to get your kids to execute a proper corner kick.
And, perhaps most importantly, DON’T forget to bring the after-game treats if it’s your turn! Kids can handle a last-second 3-2 defeat. They can even deal with a 7-0 blowout loss. But what they CANNOT accept is finishing a game without a Capri Sun and a small pack of Oreos! Nothing could be more disastrous!
