It’s that time of year again. The days are warming up, and youth soccer season is in full swing. Our family finds ourselves at the soccer field multiple times a week, soaking up the sun and excitement. And honestly? We absolutely love it.
Watching my child and her teammates enjoy the game is a joy. But let me be blunt: the behavior of some parents on the sidelines is ruining the experience for everyone else.
Picture this: you arrive at the soccer field on a beautiful spring day. Kids are warming up, and parents are setting up chairs, exchanging pleasantries about the day, school, and life. It all feels so harmonious. But then, the game kicks off… and so does the chaos of “cheering.”
That initial bliss of watching my child play soccer fades quickly. Those friendly parents morph into something completely unrecognizable, something frankly alarming. You wouldn’t believe how loud and disruptive you become. And I can assure you, your child is likely embarrassed.
You’re shouting, yelling, and fully consumed by every play and call. You insult the referee and bark commands at young girls. You stand up, wave your arms, and heckle the sideline officials—who are usually just kids themselves. You think this is “support”? Newsflash: it’s not.
At a recent game, my partner and I made a regrettable choice in seating and ended up next to three parents from the opposing team. From the moment the whistle blew, their relentless yelling began—and it didn’t stop for the entire match. They criticized every move, complained about calls, and offered “cheers” that were anything but encouraging.
This was NOT support. It was:
- Constant.
- Infuriating.
- Completely unhelpful.
Their chants included things like: “Come on, pick it up!” “Get that win!” “She’s wide open!” “Don’t just stand there!” and countless more loud, bossy directives. It was exhausting and regrettably not the first time we’ve encountered this kind of behavior.
Here’s the thing—these young athletes have already put in hours of practice each week. They have a coach whom you trust to guide them. So why do you feel the need to coach from the sidelines as well? They don’t need another set of orders; they need genuine support, and your loud, overbearing “enthusiasm” isn’t helping.
Imagine for a moment that you’re at a training session for your new puppy. As the trainer works with the dog, you shout commands like, “Make him sit! Faster! No, over here!” How well do you think that would go over? Not very well, because the trainer knows what they’re doing.
Or picture yourself at work, giving a presentation to a large audience. If everyone around you starts shouting things like “GO FASTER! NO, THAT’S TOO FAST!” you’d feel completely overwhelmed, not uplifted. That’s how your child feels when you’re yelling from the sidelines. And let’s not forget the other parents who want to enjoy the game without your disruptive commentary.
Remember, this is youth soccer—it’s not the World Cup, MLS, or even Division 2. These kids just want to play and enjoy the game. So please, take a seat in your chair and let them do what they love.
If you genuinely want to support your child, try clapping, cheering positively, or simply saying, “You’re doing great!” If that doesn’t suit you, perhaps it’s best to sit in your car until the game is over. The day is too beautiful, and the game too enjoyable to be spoiled by your loud antics.
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In summary, let’s keep youth sports fun and supportive for everyone involved. A little encouragement goes a long way—let’s make sure we’re all part of creating a positive environment for our kids.