Josheli
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Knob
    • Running
    • Soccer
    • Technology
  • Projects
    • Overview
    • No Instagram
    • Google Photos WordPress Plugin
    • Plex Channels
    • Sh***y Game
    • Soccer In Colorado
    • Statrat
    • The Dot Game
    • Vox cPanel Hacks
    • WW Points Calculator
  • About
Knob , Soccer

Taking Youth Soccer Too Seriously

by dv September 9, 2014 No Comments

Saw a tweet recently that read:

“The worst thing about youth sports? Adults.”

soccer-meditationMy kid played in a recent large soccer tournament near Denver, and in the first game the opposing coach was ejected by the referee for arguing and berating the ref, and in the second game a parent was ejected for yelling at the ref and coming on to the field. In both cases it was embarrassing for everyone involved and the kids just stood there looking perplexed. The culprits took their sweet time leaving the field, holding up play for at least 5 minutes while they slowly walked around the field. In the case of the coach, he tried to hide behind some parents but the assistant referee caught him out and stopped play again.  It’s mind-boggling why adults feel the need to get so invested in a child’s game.

With the new season, I’ve found I’m much more removed from my child’s soccer “career”. I watch the games with interest, I offer encouragement at home, I practice in the backyard if the kid asks … but I let the kid lead in everything. I have the feeling they won’t be playing for much longer and I intend to enjoy as much of it as can. After games I merely say, “I love you. I love watching you play.” Usually later that night, they’ll bring up the game and we’ll talk about it, but that’s about it. It’s much more peaceful this way.

No more roaming the sidelines. I stopped critiquing practices (I hardly even attend anymore). I made a vow to stop criticizing the players and the coach. Imagine if someone sat outside my office door mumbling and shaking their head at my every keystroke or phone call. It would weigh on my after awhile. Mental atmosphere matters, and I’m striving to create a healthy and loving one for my child. Let them take ownership. Let it be fun.

What do you think?

It's only fair to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

Related Content:

  • Nutritious Weekly Soccer Reading by Dv March 6, 2015 This past week brought some interesting reading across the soccer web. First up, a blog post that aligns with our…
  • Choosing a Youth Soccer Club for Your Child by Dv April 24, 2014 So, how should you pick a youth soccer club for your child? The answer is, you shouldn't. By definition, most…
  • Soccer Genesis by Dv April 19, 2014 It started with one pass, when my kid was six years old. From the right sideline, with barely a glance,…
  • American Kickball by Dv April 22, 2014 So I went to watch some other teams from our club play this past weekend. I thought (hoped?) maybe it…
  • Training Compensation for Youth Clubs by Dv February 18, 2015 Here's an interesting article discussing (the lack of) training compensation for USA youth clubs. If you're not familiar, the basic…
  • Previous Changing Soccer Clubs: Advice from a Soccer Mom9 years ago
  • Next Training Compensation for Youth Clubs9 years ago

Popular Posts

  • Josheli, What Happened? (28,499)
  • Install Ubuntu on HP Laptop with UEFI and new SSD Hard Drive (14,582)
  • Running a Plex Media Server on an Old Laptop (13,450)
  • Simple Google Photos: A WordPress Plugin (11,755)
  • More Janky Snowboarding Video (11,053)

Random Read

10 Miles and Nothing to Say
Ran ten on Saturday. Better in retrospect than at the time, though my legs are…

Read More

Google Photo
Google Photo
Google Photo
Google Photo

Social Things

  • Family Photos
  • Juiskie’s Instagram
  • Scooter’s Facebook
  • Scooter’s Instagram
  • YouTube Videos
  • DV’s Github
  • Tweet Tweet

RSS From Familyvance

  • Snowshoeing at Brainard Lake
  • Fishing and Hiking at Golden Gate Canyon State Park
  • Rainbow Trout Fishing Report at Waneka Lake
  • Weightless Texas-Rig Plastic Worms at Sawhill Ponds and Coot Lake
  • Sawhill Ponds Fishing Report
2023 Josheli. Donna Theme powered by WordPress