When: May 5th 2018
Silent
Saturday" is used in AYSO Regions throughout the country with a great deal
of success. Its main purpose is to just let the kids play and have fun without
having to worry about how their performance is affecting the adults on the
sidelines. "Silent Saturday" is a throwback to the old schoolyard
days when kids would congregate after school and on weekends just to play the
sport all day without regard to who was winning and repercussions for poor play
and decision-making. Coaches are requested to communicate and reinforce this
with spectators! The objectives of holding a "Silent Saturday" are:
To
emphasize that the game is about letting the kids play and have fun To
give the players a chance to play totally on their own To
help the few parents and coaches who feel they must provide constant direction
understand how disruptive it is To
show all parents that the kids can play well on their own with limited instruction
While
the vast majority of adult verbal participation is intended to be positive and
constructive, the fact of the matter is that games can (and have in the past)
become so loud that the players often have difficulty hearing each other on the
field. Taking one week off from any verbal interference may help adults gain
perspective on just how loud they've been in the past. You will all be amazed
at how quiet the field will be-come.
RULES
FOR SILENT SATURDAY: Spectators We request that
you make no verbal comments about the game or direct any comments to the
players or referees (or coaches) on or off the field. Clapping IS allowed! Be
creative in how you choose to cheer your child's team - make signs to hold up
or bring a rally towel in the team's color and wave it wildly. There are lots
of ways to cheer other than verbally. But please no noise makers and especially
no whistles, or compressed air horns.
Coaches: It is recommended
that you do not provide any direction - verbal or non-verbal - to players who
are on the field. You may speak quietly to any players on the bench and have a
conversational discussion about the game with the players before and after the
game, and during halftime. If absolutely required, rarely and quietly call a
player on the field to the touchline to provide tactical instruction while the
game is in play (just like you are allowed to do during a normal game). Then
let the player convey the message to his team.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE: Spectators
Talk/educated to the kids on the “bench” Discuss
the game during quarter and half time breaks Have one player convey a message to the rest of
the team.
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