August 2006

PAGE 27

Shark Bytes

New Parent Primer

supermarket and have the requisite

Shin guards do not need to be

Weather: soccer is played no

7.

10.

washed until they begin to stink

food back by the end of the second

matter what, except thun-

or skin rashes appear. Excessive

half. The team manager should watch

derstorms. While the safety

washing will wear out the elastic. When

for the snack parent at the start of the

of the players is always paramount,

By Barb Sharkey

you do wash them, secure the Velcro in

game and be sure the snacks are on the

Washington State Youth Soccer like

Special to

some way, otherwise everything in the

premises. Listen up, calendar-impaired

many other state associations does not

load will be attached together and

folks: "My spouse didn't tell me" or "I

necessarily recognize sun, wind, rain,

wrapped around the center post. No

forgot" isn't going to cut it here. Be up

sleeting rain, hail or snow as hazardous

occer is a bit different from any other

S

matter what your child says, yes, he or

to speed about where you are on the

to children. Field conditions have to

sport, and the parent who is new to

she needs to wear shin guards every

snack list or risk your child's wrath for

mimic an ice skating rink to get a game

the joys of the pitch may need a little

time, no matter what. Stuffing an extra

the rest of the season.

cancelled. Mud and water, no matter

counsel. If this is your first year standing

sock down the front of his/her knee

how deep, usually won't stop a game.

It's hard to believe, but you're

5.

along the touchline (official name for the

highs doesn't count.

At any rate, both teams have to arrive at

not going to know much about

sidelines), consider the following:

the field and wait for the referee to

Good coaches make every

the crucial time and place

8.

arrive and declare the conditions unsafe

attempt to evenly distribute

Nobody keeps score for the first

specifics of your child's new team until

1.

before a game is cancelled or post-

playing time in the early years.

umpteen years of soccer. This

after registration has occurred. There's

poned. This is why so many great

Later on it will depend on how many

doesn't mean that you won't

probably a space on the registration

outdoor accessory stores exist in

kids at each position the coach has

always remember that your child scored

form to make some requests, but really,

Seattle. It takes clothing that will get

(another reason to teach your player to

five goals at her very first game, but

beginning soccer is simply a great leap

you to the top of Mount Everest to get

be versatile and be happy to play every-

rather it won't be written down in the

of faith into the unknown. Be assured

through a Pacific Northwest soccer

where.) Stay in the coach's good graces

record books with a little asterisk

you will most likely be placed with

season. Your investment in decent

by being cooperative, helpful, and un-

beside it noting that no one else on

other kids who live nearby, and car-

sun/rain/wind/snow gear . . . from the

annoying on the sidelines, and the

either team would even touch the ball.

pooling will work out.

newest in thermal underwear on out by

coach will be more receptive to your

It's not only what you say, it's

Pressure: your child just needs

2.

layers, will pay for itself many times

inquiries about your child's time on the

6.

how you say it. Intensity is

to be allowed to play. Offering

over in your personal comfort on the

field.

everything, and there should be

monetary incentives every time

touchline.

Unless your child is joining a

none of it on the sidelines, at least com-

9.

your child makes a goal does not really

team where the coach has

So if you're a new parent this year,

ing from you. Even an innocent "Get

support your coach's efforts on TEAM-

bought numerous identical and

relax. All will be well. As you watch your

the ball!" when yelled as if we are deal-

WORK. Soccer is an extremely LOW

spectacularly colored balls for the team

little player chase the ball then stop to

ing with a sinking ship and life jackets

SCORING sport, so you might as well

to use, your child should have his/her

do a somersault or investigate an inter-

is not helpful. Let the coach direct the

get used to the fact now that your kid

own correct-sized ball, with his/her

esting bug in the grass before taking up

play. Parents may cheer, "Go team!"

could spend 13 years playing, have a

name and phone number on it in indeli-

the chase again, banish all thoughts of

and "Good play!" and "Good kick!" and

wonderful time, but never score a sin-

ble ink, and remember to get it to the

college soccer scholarships from your

"Nice pass!" and "Good save!" and

gle goal in a match. If you want to help,

car. Put a list on the back of the front

mind and just enjoy the game. Your

that's about it. NEVER say anything to

take your player out to kick the ball

door that your child can use as a

child won't know enough to appreciate

the opposing team's players, to their

around a little every night after dinner.

reminder before she/he leaves for each

your laid-back attitude, but his or her

coach or to the ref, unless it is a cheery

Advanced soccer coaches will tell you

practice: cleats, socks, shin guards, ball,

coach certainly will. s

"Good game!" as you get into your car

that "ball touches" are everything, so

water (and include the uniform for

to leave. Obviously, if the opponents

giving your kid a few more chances dur-

Barb Sharkey is an assistant coach for a

game days.) It's a short list, but it's

happen to be your next door neighbors,

ing the week to get his/her foot on the

Seattle boy's team and the recipient of the

amazing how many kids arrive at each

you can add "So what are you guys hav-

ball is a nice way to help build skills.

Hastings Media Award in 2001 for her

practice without a ball or water or at

ing for dinner?" before you close the

However, if tears become involved, you

continuing series of humorous

the game without a major uniform

door.

can assume that this is not helping.

observations both on and off the pitch.

part-- like their cleats.

The Ref: It's never too early to

3.

start practicing this rule--only

these people may talk to the

referee: the coaches, assistant coaches,

Watch and Learn

and the team captains. Anything you

feel a need to say about the referee

4) Group Play

(continued from page 19)

should be expressed to your assistant

· Do the players in the immediate area of the ball know

coach, who is well-versed in either

how to combine to perform basic combinations?

2) Second Attacker (supporting players)

explaining things like "play on--advan-

· Can they make space for themselves?

5) Team Play

tage" to you or carrying legitimate con-

· Do they know how to lose a marker?

· Do all players make the immediate transition to attack?

cerns on up the chain of command to

· Does the team play as a unit?

· Distance and angle of support

the coach. In soccer we do not boo,

· Is there connection between players and groups of

· Do players know when to play in front of the ball and

hiss, yell or otherwise comment on the

players?

ref's calls. Doing so only annoys the ref

when to play behind it?

· Does overall "shape" of the team allow them to

· When to show toward the ball and when to run away

and makes it more likely your team will

penetrate or keep possession?

be scrutinized more closely for foul

· Is there communication? Visual and verbal

· Is strategy effective in the different 1/3's of the field?

play. (Please refer to my article "House

3) Third Attacker

· Are key players taking responsibility for the rhythm of

of Cards" in the June issue).

· Is there a constant attempt to unbalance the defending

the game?

Snacks are the most impor-

team?

4.

6) Restarts

tant part of any soccer event

· Do these players take the responsibility for

· Are restarts organized quickly and efficiently?

until the kids reach the age of--

maintaining width and depth?

· Do players understand their responsibilities?

to be perfectly honest--about thirty-

· Is the first choice to get behind the defense?

· Are appropriate players in the most advantageous

five. If someone forgets the snacks and

· Do they make space for themselves and others?

positions to maximize certain qualities? s

arrives empty handed, he/she must

make an emergency run to the nearest