Let the Children Play

Please help us build and retain the best environment we can for our children to learn how to enjoy and develop their football experience. It is really important that all Club spectators; mums and dads, brothers and sisters, do not instruct our players. Research proves that children learn best when they are allowed to explore and make mistakes without fear of criticism or retribution. To do this they need a supportive and blame free environment in which to explore what works and what doesn't. Shouting instructions does not foster this environment.

Also, consider how your instructions to a child might conflict with how;-

• they view the situation
• what the coach has told them to do (perhaps he doesn't want them to "Get Rid Of It")
• what others might also be shouting

Football is about many personal attributes, one of the major ones being decision making. The players on the field are always best placed, both in space and time, to make those decisions, and I encourage you to empower your child to make these without fear of failure. Take time-out after the game, in a calm, non-pressured environment to talk over those decisions and what they have learnt. The dialogue is well worth the effort and is far more likely to improve your child's game in the long run.

Think of the game as a classroom and consider your actions as if you were a visitor in a lesson. Watch and encourage but don't instruct. Please let our coaches coach and make it your job to encourage your child and their team. Don't let your child become a sad football statistic:

Why Children Drop Out Of Football

• Forced to take part
• It stopped being fun
• Pressure from coaches or parents
• Over-emphasis on winning
• Shouted at

If you want to learn more about how to make our environment one that supports our children to develop please contact me or review Soccer Parent