Classic Information -

All information from the NCYSA Classic Handbook.

Guidelines for Classic Parents

1. Know the game. Take a coaching course. Take a referee course. Play the game. This information can assist you in helping you help your child. Besides, before you can comment, you need to have a working knowledge of the subject in question.

2. Encourage fair play at home. Do not instill a “win-at-all-cost” attitude in your children. It is not beneficial to anyone.

3. Be supportive of all activities. Make sure your child attends training sessions and games. Be punctual for all events. Try to attend as many games as possible. Attend training sessions to see what ideas are being taught to the children.

4. Be positive or be quiet. There are more than a few children who drop out because of “mixed loyalties”. They strive to do the right thing for the team, only to have the parents blast the team at home. Confusion and dejection are the result.

5. Be respectful and expect your children to be respectful. Do not be confrontational or openly dissent. Expect the same from your children.

6. Promote good nutrition. Provide and promote good nutrition. Make sure they have plenty of water and other necessary fluids at games and training sessions. Ensure that they eat properly on days of competitions at a minimum.

7. Volunteer to assist the coach or team. Do not let one person do all the work. By spreading around the jobs, parents get a better idea into the running of the team and no one or two people are overworked or burned out.

8. Support the coach and referee’s decisions. These individuals are doing the best they can. They need your support, not your anger. Encourage good communication between coach and parent.

9. Communicate with your children about their roles, experiences and new ideas learned. This will greatly assist you and the coach in heading off early burnout or unresolved issues. It will also show your child that you have an interest in what he/she are doing. Find soccer videos and books and share them with your children.

10. Praise other people’s children. Show all on the team that you support everyone. Do not play favorites.

11. Find stories, news articles or club news about older players to provide role models for your children. Children can often relate to someone closer to their age and doing the same thing that they are doing.

12. Maintain integrity of the sport. Know the local, state and national rules. Do not illegally recruit players. Do not bend the rules to your advantage. Always work within the spirit of the rules. A team’s sideline and their behavior will be long remembered after the final whistle blows. Have that be a positive memory.

Guidelines for Classic Players

1. Learn the game. Thirst for knowledge. Go to every training session and game with the attitude that you will learn something, no matter how small or trivial, every time. Watch other games and other players. Watch other players in similar roles that you have and see what they do that’s better or not better. Watch professionals and look for the same things.

2. Encourage fair play. Do not instill a “win-at-all-cost” attitude in your teammates. It is not beneficial to anyone. Encourage development of all players and assist those less talented than you.

3. Be supportive of all activities. Make sure you attend training sessions and games. Be punctual for all events. Enthusiasm is contagious. Make sure your soccer kit is packed and ready for play on the day before the game.

4. Be positive or be quiet. There are more than a few players who drop out because of negative comments from teammates. They strive to do the right thing for the team, only to have teammates criticize every move and play. Confusion and dejection are the result. Praise your teammates for efforts well done or tried.

5. Be respectful. Do not be confrontational or openly dissent. Expect the same from your teammates, parents and coaches.

6. Strive for good nutrition. Provide and promote good nutrition. Make sure you have plenty of water and other necessary fluids at games and training sessions.

7. Support the coach and referee’s decisions. These individuals are doing the best they can. They need your support, not your anger. Encourage good communication between yourself, your coach and the referee.

8. Communicate with your parents about your roles, experiences and new ideas learned. This will greatly assist you in areas that you may not understand. If there is problem with the team, the coach or with your parents, it is best to be discussed, rather than remain silent. Remember: unresolved issues will fester and remain sore until they are addressed. Find soccer videos and books and ask your parents to share them with you.

9. Maintain integrity of the sport. Know the local, state and national rules. Do not illegally recruit players from other teams. Do not bend the rules to your advantage. Always work within the spirit of the rules. A team’s sideline and their behavior on the field will be long remembered after the final whistle blows. Have that be a positive memory.

10. Always try your best. Never “go through the motions”. Always try to be your best, regardless of the outcome of the result.

11. Have fun. This may be the most important reason for playing. Do your best to make it fun.