Concord AYSO No Tolerance Policy  (PDF - 47 KB)
	NOTE: All those playing at Westwood & El Dorado, please tell parents to park at Concord High School.  Do not park on the street near fields or in the school parking lot.
	Would you like to know more about the game?  We have links to two excellent documents.
	Check out "Soccer Rules for Parents".  The document explains the basic laws of the game as well as some misconceptions. And then - "The Parent Guide to Referee Decisions" Both documents are PDF files, so you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to view these documents.

To download a free reader 

THE POWER OF A POSITIVE PARENT

(John Doyle is a former professional who played for the (pre-MLS) Blackhawks team and then the Earthquakes. He is currently the Coaching Director at Mustang.)

As I watch the 5-10 Mustang Soccer League games I take in each weekend I am constantly amazed at the poor behavior on our sidelines. A small percentage of the time it's the coach coaching in the moment; do this! do that! Often times when it's too late. Unfortunately, most of the time it's our parents. From Division I to Division IV it's equally bad. I realize we are all competitive and want to see our child do their best and succeed. What is success? Is it measured in minutes played or goals scored? Whether they won or lost?

Let's break it down. Even at our highest level, Division I, very few of our kids will receive college scholarships. An even smaller group will play on the Olympic Team or join the National Team Player Pool. By the way we act on the sidelines it sure seems that there's a lot more at stake.

Often times after the game parents get in the car for the drive home and begin to break down the game like a pro coach. We evaluate our kids' performance stressing what they could have better. Then we may evaluate another players' performance. No one player gets more criticism than a goalie. But no one wants THEIR kid to play goalie.

Then we go to the coach who spends months or years with a team and talk about his or her deficiencies, what you would have done if you were coach. Who should play where, substitutions, etc. Not many parents are willing to coach.

Then there's the referee. They're no good. They are always at fault for something. How many parents are willing to ref? Again, just a few brave souls.

So what are we really teaching our kids with our behavior and post game observations? That it's other peoples fault; the coach, the ref, another player. Make no excuses. Soccer is a team sport. Consider yourself a member of the team that which you support. When you slip your chair out of its drawstring cover and settle in for the game will you CHOOSE to be a positive parent or will you CHOOSE to rant and holler?

If you don't win the game of the day what will happen? Nothing. Monday comes around and our kids return to training to try to improve themselves as a player and as a teammate.

I think sports are vitally important for our kids. It's exercise, friendships, team building, a healthy hobby. Soccer is also a fun game. What a bonus! Yes, our kids try to win but sometimes they lose and that's OK. That's when the positive parent steps in and reassures their child that it's not the end of the world. The message should be to try harder, make no excuses, honor the game, the coach, the ref and themselves. There are so many life lessons to be learned through soccer. Let the game teach them and you get the assist!

My mom always said, "Go on to the next play!" That rings true in soccer and life. As a young player I was very fortunate to have parents that gave me great unconditional support. They didn't know enough about the game to judge. They did know a lot about me and what I needed to thrive in my sport. I was always expected to give my best effort even if it was my worst match and I was never allowed to blame anyone else for the outcome. I played the game because I love soccer. I bet your kids do too.

I encourage all of you to go out and enjoy your child and enjoy the game. Measure your success wisely and be an example on your sideline of a positive parent.

John Doyle

Athlete's prayer by Gregg Easterbrook

God, let me play well but fairly.
Let competition make me strong but never hostile.
Forbid me to rejoice in the adversity of others.
See me not when I am cheered, but when I bend to help my opponent up.
If I know victory, allow me to be happy;
if I am denied, keep me from envy.
Remind me that sports are just games.
Help me to learn something that matters once the game is over.
And if through athletics I set an example, let it be a good one.