Countless children play soccer everyday in America, and unlike school sports soccer is considered a voluntary youth sport activity. Most soccer coaches are parents themselves and work in a voluntary capacity by dedicating a huge amount of their time and attention to the children they coach. Soccer coaches try and work with parents to help their children get the most out of their time on a soccer team, unfortunately it is expected of children to make mistakes sometimes. This is when a coach’s job becomes nothing less than difficult. Positive discipline should always be used and life lessons instilled in children when the situation calls for it.
A coach expects the team’s attention and cooperation during practices and especially during games. Some kids do have difficulty following the coach’s instruction and should understand that the coach is dedicating his/her time to them and that they should follow their instructions. Positive discipline along with instruction on how to behave while under the direction and supervision of the coach should be reinforced by the child’s parents or guardian.
Having children understand that when they join a team or league they have an obligation and a commitment to participate in directed activities. Children should also understand that when they become disorderly on a soccer team the whole team suffers when the training is disrupted because of their conduct. Positive discipline by a coach could include a team meeting and a discussion about the effects of disruptive behavior and lack of cooperation of individuals and as a team. Expectation on children in a team environment and in personal matters makes perfect sense, and when the situation calls for it the use of positive discipline in a way that educates the child and leaves them encourage with their dignity intact.
Good conduct should be rewarded as should good ability, which is why kids’ soccer is such an important sport. Soccer is a team sport and is a great opportunity to instill good sportsmanship qualities early in a child’s life, sportsmanship is a lesson that they will hopefully never forget. Kids’ soccer is also an opportune venue to show children that winning and competition isn’t what is most important. Sometimes through positive discipline children learn that winning isn’t everything, but it’s really about having fun.
