Being a parent isn’t easy when it comes to what to do, and what not to do on the sidelines. Nixa Soccer club recently posted an article on their blog with a few ideas to help soccer parents listen, and maybe make things a little less stressful.

“1.Be your child’s fan not coach.

◦When things go right it is so easy to celebrate with our children. When our child has a bad day or does not make the high level team, that is when “parent mode” needs to set in. Parents need to listen and comfort and avoiding getting into the blame game of why they were not successful or try to pick apart the Xs and Os of the game.

2.Pay attention to what the coach is saying or not saying to your child on the field or on the sidelines. ◦For the most part coaches have a great way of connecting with our children. Perhaps there is one mistake your child makes on a recurring basis (player does not play the ball wide or does not check hard to the ball). The coach will use words to trigger the actions of their players. Listen to those words and perhaps you can help your child understand what they coach is trying to explain.

3.When the chips are down many parents begin to blame the coach, the officials, teammates, or the opposition. ◦As our soccer players move into a more competitive framework we have to accept the fact that some players are just better and some teams can just score more goals. Instead of pointing a finger of blame, use these moments of challenge to explain to your player that even though the results were not in their favor, it is not always who wins and loses that is important. We are stressing winning for sure when we get into the competitive stages of soccer but we can still teach our children that all great plays should be celebrated and to be gracious even when losing.

Players are more competitive and are playing on the club scene more than ever before. In order for the US to really focus on developing the entire soccer player in terms of skills, mental decision making, and psychologically we need to get them into the player pathway that will give them the best opportunities for success.”

Webb City Soccer Club provides recreational soccer to all area children 3 – 14 yrs old,  on the fields at King Jack Park in Webb City, MO.

They have posted information regarding the upcoming season on www.webbcitysoccerclub.com. Please check out this website for more information and updates.

Kick-Start Academy – 3yrs old

Saturdays Mornings. Must be of age by August 1, 2012

Focus on fundamentals with games ending each session

League Play 4 – 14 yrs old

Game days -Tues/Thurs, U13-U14 Saturdays

$40* first child – $35 each additional child

Sign-up Days: Thursday August 16^th 6-8pm,

& Saturday August 18th 9am-Noon

Player Evaluations (grades 1st—8th grade)

First Baptist Church-Webb City

102 N Roane St – Use North side entrance to Gym

Coaches meeting – August 23, 2012