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These ambitions are attainable only through fun. Our desire is to promote fun
and it is the job of coaches, trainers and parents to make this come true. The
winning of games is really only the focus of the play. It should not be allowed
to become the measure of success.
Coaches are expected to read the materials contained in the league handbook
before the season starts. If there are questions, coaches should follow club
procedures in contacting people for answers. Remember: your team or club will
bear the consequences for any misunderstanding or oversights on the coach or
parent's part.
Experience has shown that clarification of several points about soccer will go
a long way toward making the sport more enjoyable for fans and players. Coaches
should discuss these principles with players' parents before the first game.
Soccer is over 2500 years old. The Laws of the Game are over 140 years old.
Most likely, the Laws of the Game will remain almost the same over the next 140
years. Finding fault with the laws or procedures is counter productive.
Soccer is a game involving great freedom for the players. Attempts to control
the action on the field from the touchlines are the opposite of what is
intended by the sport. Coaches or parents should not belly-up to the line or
run up and down the field along with the play. While a 'coachable moment' may
be used to instruct players, the players will benefit most from appreciative
fans and coaches who can wait until practice time to teach.
Soccer is a game of physical contact and one where fouls are sometimes
overlooked. There are times when a player of low skill but good strength will
prevail against a skilled opponent by strength alone. When a player is fouled
and the ball goes to a teammate, the referee has the option of not stopping the
play to give a free kick to the team that already has possession.
Soccer is a game that is given to the referee to control. This control applies
before, during, and after the game and includes both the players and adults.
Most calls made by the referee have to do with the ball going off the field.
This is done with the help of a linesman. Generally a foul must be careless,
reckless or involve disproportionate force and result in an advantage to the
fouling team before the referee stops play. This is a difficult concept for the
new spectator to grasp.
League soccer is a contest of teams, not an extension of practice time. There
are no time outs, no bending of the laws to help a badly losing team, no
punishing to fit the crime, no covering up for bad behavior by apologizing to
the referee.
Player attitude is a direct reflection of adult leadership. Players, who are a
credit to their club, are made that way. While the arousal of players is valued
in boxing, American football and rugby, it is detrimental in sports like soccer
where skill and judgement are paramount.
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