Parental Support - The Key to Peak Performance
The role
that parents play in the life of a soccer player has a tremendous impact on
their experience. With this in mind, we have taken some time to write down
some helpful reminders for all of us as we approach the help your child
through an elite program.
1.
Let the coaches, coach:
We prefer
for parents not observe the pool events when they are taking place so the
coaching can be done by the coaches. Although we can not restrict you from
observing you have entrusted the care of your player to these coaches and
they need to be free to do their job.
Please do
not motivate or psych your child before a practice, or critique them after
training. If a player has too many coaches, it is confusing for them and
their performance usually declines.
2.
Support the program:
Get
involved. Volunteer, car-pool; anything to support the program. If we all
work together the program can only become stronger.
3.
Be your child's best fan:
Support
your child unconditionally. Do not withdraw love when your child performs
poorly. Your child should
never
have to
perform to win your love.
4.
Do not bribe or offer incentives:
Your job
is
not
to
motivate. Leave this to the coaching staff. Bribes will distract your child
from properly concentrating in practice and game situations.
5.
Encourage your child to talk with the coaches:
If your
child is having difficulties in practice or games, or can't make a practice,
etc., encourage
them
to speak
directly to the coaches. This "responsibility taking" is a big part of
becoming a big-time player. By handling the off-field tasks, your child is
claiming ownership of all aspects of the game - preparation for as well as
playing the game.
6.
Monitor your child's stress level at home:
Keep an
eye on the player to make sure that they are handling stress effectively
from the various activities in his life.
7.
Monitor eating and sleeping habits:
Be sure
your child is eating the proper foods and getting adequate rest.
8.
Help your child keep his priorities straight:
Help your
child maintain a focus on schoolwork, relationships and the other things in
life beside soccer. Also, if your child has made a commitment to soccer,
help them fulfill their obligation to the game.
11.
Reality test:
If your
child has come off the field when their team has lost, but has played their
best, help them to see this as a "win". Remind them that he/she is to focus
on "process" and not "results". Their fun and satisfaction should be derived
from "striving to win". Conversely, they should be as satisfied from success
that occurs despite inadequate preparation and performance.
12.
Keep soccer in its proper perspective:
Soccer should not be larger than life for you. If your child's performance
produces strong emotions in you, suppress them. Remember your relationship
will continue with your children long after their competitive soccer days
are over. Keep your goals and needs separate from your child's experience.
98% of the children that
participate in this program will not progress beyond the state level, this
is a crowning achievement and something you
ALL should be proud of.
13.
Have fun:
That is what we will be trying to do! We will try to challenge your child to
reach past their "comfort level" and improve themselves as a player, and
thus, a person. We will attempt to do this in environments that are fun, yet
challenging. We look forward to this process. We hope you do to!
