Sideline Sportsmanship

A cheering and supportive sideline can bring fun and excitement to a game. However, parent commenting or yelling over the coach, contradicting referee calls and/or unsupportive language can cause a negative, stressful, and even unsafe environment for the players, coaches, and refs. It is the responsibility of the coach to manage their parents and the atmosphere they bring to the game. Because of this, the consequences of a parent’s actions will be served to the coach.

To avoid any issues and to ensure a positive game for you team, take the time to talk to all your parents and clearly communicate your goals and expectations for game day:

• Encourage then to not coach from the sidelines
• Insist they respect the referee (do not make calls for the ref)
• Cheering and clapping for your kids is amazing and encouraged
• Remind them that they must set up and remain on the appropriate side on the field
• Outline how and when they should express their feedback

If you notice your parents not adhering to these guidelines during a game, take initiative and speak with them. If a referee is having issues with the sidelines or asks you to intervene, it is your responsibility to step in and help. If you feel your bandwidth is limited in a moment, ask your Team STAR to shush the troublemakers.

• Referees are empowered to terminate or abandon a match if they feel unsafe, which will result in a match forfeit subject to a fine.
• Before such a drastic step is taken, if it is safe to do so, the referee is trained to "Ask, Tell, Dismiss" - meaning that they will ask the coach to manage the situation, tell/caution the coach (yellow card) to manage the situation, and finally dismiss the coach (red card), which compels the carded coach to leave the premises, triggering a SFYS Fair Play suspension.
• To reiterate, problematic behavior by spectators will result in a card for the coach and possible future match suspension.

Reminder!!
SFYS A-Licensed Director of Coaching and USSF Grassroots Instructor, Lee Dunne, hosts a weekly Virtual Coach Roundtable where coaches can discuss issues they are facing on and off the pitch during the season, including managing parents. If you are interested in attending, check out more info here. We also have a portal post where you can post questions to the community.

How do you manage your players on the sidelines? Submit your tips, tricks, or suggestions to help out our coaches in the comment section below.