Question Number: 2406

RE: 8 Under 11

Kurt Lueken of New Paltz, NY USA asks...

When I referee games, I object to excessive coaching from the sidelines by parents. When I coach my team, I make sure that the parents of my team do not do it..I do realize that parents want their kids to do well, so I ignore occasional coaching type encouragment yelled out. It would be tough to stop it altogether..When approached by one parent (actually my former club president) I told him that I consider it unfair, if I allowed him to coach from the spectator sideline. (He concentrates mostly on his son, yelling at him constantly (Wish he could see himself on video).He approached me at half time asking me where it was written that coaching was not allowed by spectators from the side lines..Our league goes by FIFA rules with the usual modi- fications for Youth play. They do not state that sideline coaching is not allowed..The only thing I can come up with is that coaches are to be in the technical area (One tactical advice at a time and then return to the technical area.) We obviously don't have that at our level..So, where can I find information or construct my case. It should be obvious to a parent to let their teams' coaches do that job. Some of the parents who do not agree with what the caoches do actually tell their kids to do the opposite of what the coaches say.

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi Kurt,..Welcome to YOuth Soccer 101...Speaking as a Coach I an in agreement with your thinking...However as a referee it is difficult to restrain the overly enthusiastic parent shouting the touchline instruction...Personally if the comments are positive and not causing confusion for the players I tend to ignore it. ..If a parent's antics are a bit, extreme often a quite word calms things down.. .If the comments are abusive or dissentful I approach the coaches and request their assistance. I hold the coaches partially responsible and fully expect them to try to control their team supporters. I will report on whether they are helpful or not in my game report...If they are unsuccessful, I have on rare occasions suspended the game until the spectator / parent had left or was removed from the area.. .It is difficult for the parental directive to support their little darling to relax and let the kids play. Parents are aware of the fundamentals of Fairplay unfortunately excited parents sometimes forget the game is about the kids having fun. ..In my coaching clinics, I have a session that deals with this situation. I gather the group and have them working on a suppose set of volatile chemicals. As they try to assemble and pour the ingredients. I yell instructions much in the same way as a parent from the TouchLine. Needles to say wiping up the spills and dealing with the frustration gives a clearer picture as to how instructions need to be given and received...How proactive is your local soccer association is to dealing with conduct on or off the field? Do you have codes of conduct, which are required to be read and signed by parents, players, coaches etc.? ..In local league and tournaments, I often speak to both teams' supporters at the beginning of the game. I ask them if they would help me. Although surprised they are very receptive. ..If they would each pick a player, (not the most gifted or the goal soccer) from each team that best exemplifies the spirit of fairplay, courage and heart. ..These players receive recognition at the game end by spectator appluase and pats on the back from their teammates. Gift certificates or a year end dinner are also part of the reward . ..In the good-natured banter, I casually insert a comment on my expectations of conduct. Perhaps I overstate the perimeters of acceptable duties by a referee. True our duties are not to regulate sidelind antics. In youth games it is our duty to the kids not to let the adults make it anything but a very enjoyable experiance. I wish you luck. Cheers

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Answer provided by Referee Stacy Kalstrom

I really don't like all the parental coaching either, however, I have no say, as the official, as to whether a parent "coaches" his child or anyone elses. It is up to the coach to handle his/her parents. If a parent is yelling things that are not conducive to children's playing, then I get involved. Otherwise, none of my business...Thanks for your question

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