Sting ROOTS

 

                                                                                  
To All Sting Parents, Families & Friends,
 
The season ahead and, specifically, the competitive league games yet to be played, are sure to bring lots of “ups” and “downs” for the players, coaches and supporters, alike. For this reason, it is important that we all remember to stay “grounded, and maintain our proper focus on the bigger picture, and “Honor The Game”, despite the inevitable pull that our emotions may have on us from time to time.
 In addition to respecting the ROOTS of the game, please remember our double-goal objectives: 1) Winning with honor and, 2) Teaching life lessons.
 
In order to achieve these objectives, it is important to be clear about the roles we each have before the competition begins.
 
PLAYERS: Play!
  • It’s their game, not the adults.
  • Let them enjoy playing without fear of the result
  • “Because it’s fun!” should be the first (and only) reason they want to play.
 COACHES: Coach!

o   Organize and plan developmentally appropriate training sessions

o   Provide opportunities for players to learn new skills and improve confidence

o   Allow player’s to make decisions and solve problems on their own (let them make mistakes because it enables them to learn)

o   Manage the game, but let the players achieve the result for themselves (directing play from the sideline restricts player development and thinking)

 PARENTS: Provide the love!
  • Be positive and supporting of players from both teams (criticisms, coaching your own child, and shouting instructions to players will not be accepted)
  • Model good behavior for our children on the sidelines (sit back, relax and enjoy seeing your child play the game)
  • Never criticize the official about a bad call (nobody is perfect, but if you think you can do better – take the course and become an official yourself)
  • Set an example for our opponents’ parents to follow (too many clubs are known for their rowdy, obnoxious, ill-mannered parents – that’s not going to be our reputation!)
  • Win, lose or draw, after the game, take your child out for ice cream (or whatever they enjoy) and forget about the game – if they want to talk about the game, they can share it with you (the game shouldn’t matter more to you than your child)
 No matter what happens during the 50 minutes of each game, if we each remember our roles and do our part, we are going to achieve success.

This season it will be up to all of us to “Honor The Game”, and stick to our ROOTS.  

FAIR PLAY for Soccer

(click for video)

To all Sting Players:

 The Freehold Soccer League is committed to the principles of Positive Coaching Alliance and stands firmly against a “win at all cost” mentality regarding competition. The Positive Coaching Alliance recognizes a “Winner” as someone who acts like a winner and works towards a mastery of whatever activity they are involved in.  You can do this by climbing the ELM Tree of Mastery.

                         E is for Effort – give your best effort every time (in training & games)

                        L is for Learning – continue to learn and improve each day

                        M is for Mistakes – do not let mistakes (or fear of making them) stop you.

 During the season, we are looking for our players to develop positive character traits that will contribute to their future successes (both in sport and life) long after the wins and losses are recorded – and likely forgotten. At the base of this is our desire to Honor the Game.

 HONORING THE GAME

Honoring the game gets to the ROOTS of positive play, where ROOTS emphasizes respect for:

                        Rules: We don’t bend the rules to win. We play fair.

                        Opponents: A worthy opponent is a gift that forces us to play to our

highest potential. They test and provide a challenge to overcome.

                        Officials: We aren’t always right – neither is the referee. Disagree silently.

                                    The players are the ones who ultimately decide the outcome.

                      *Teammates: We never do anything to embarrass our team both on and off

of the field.  Be kind and support each other and your coaches.

                        Self: Do the right thing no matter what others might say or do.

 The most important part of Honoring the Game is being a good teammate*. We often refer to you as “brothers”, and how you need to have each other’s backs in good times and bad.  This is accomplished by filling your teammates’ EMOTIONAL TANK.  You do this not by criticizing or insulting your teammates (Draining the Tank), but by doing the following:

·       Praise a teammate when he does something well or gives his maximum effort (even if he doesn’t make the play)

·        Listen to your teammates’ & coaches’ opinions and ideas.

·       Most importantly, be supportive and kind through the challenges of tough competition no matter the outcome.

 With your dedication and “winning” attitude, win or lose, we’re going to have a great season.

Bringing out the BEST in each other!

(work hard, play together, have fun)

 

 U10 Freehold Sting Staff                       

 I _______________________will Honor The Game            and

be a good teammate during the 2010-2011 season.                         ____________________________

         (Sting Blue signature)

 I ____________________will continue to Honor The Game, and support my child in their role as well during the 2010-2011 season.                                                   

_______________________________

        (Sting Parent Signature)

 

 

 

* click on the Sting logo for a Word Document of these 2 pages