Although your youngster is under the supervisory guidance of very fine coaches during practices and games, the most important people in their life are still you the parents.

We’d like to pass on a few tips we’ve learned while teaching your children the finer points of soccer

1. Just as you’ve earned your youngster’s respect through personal discipline and sense of responsibility at home, teach your youngster to respect the officials of the game and to respect teammates. You can best do this by not openly criticizing the decision of the officials. A child loses admiration for a coach if his/her parents feel the coach discriminates against him/her.

2. Whenever possible, come to the games with your youngster and encourage him/her and their teammates. It means a lot to a youngster when you are out there watching.

3. Applaud good effort by all players on the field but let the coaches point out the mistakes when players have left the field. That is their responsibility and you’ll agree they do it very well.

4. Since you do not condone abusive language and gestures at home, do not tolerate such things during a game. Remember, a child imitates, sometimes without thinking. If you tolerate abusive language toward soccer officials, you may well form a child who abuses others later.

5. Keep in mind that your youngster plays soccer for the enjoyment of the game and character building, not for your pleasure.

6. Make sure you understand from the coach the equipment guidelines for your youngster’s division and provide all needed gear (soccer cleats, athletic cups, mouthpieces) that will not be provided by the league.

7. When attending games, do not coach the team from the sidelines. Among other more drastic consequences, such as antipathy from other spectators, your youngster will be more concerned with getting your approval than following the play. If you want to coach, consider becoming a volunteer.

8. Never laugh at an intentional bad play. If you do, you disrupt the discipline that our coaches try to instill in the players.

9. Don’t forget that a soccer game is a form of recreation and not a life or death struggle. Keep a rein on your emotions, regardless of who wins or loses.

10. Do not criticize a player while on the field. Do you like to hear disparaging remarks about your child while you’re on the sidelines?

11. Above all, be a good parent. No one can ever take your place.

12. Your vote of confidence in the character and abilities of our coaches - even if you have different ideas or question the level of capability the coach displays - is also a vote of confidence for your youngster.

13. Provide transportation to and from all practices and games ensuring that the player is prompt not only in arriving but also departing. You should arrive 30 minutes before games to that the players can warm up.

14. Allow your youngster to be a youngster.