M*SO Kickers Orientation

M*SO KICKERS MISSION STATEMENT

The aim of M*SO Kickers is to afford children the opportunity to experience soccer in a positive environment with professional guidance and parental support.

The emphasis is upon player development and the acquisition of individual foundation skills.  Therefore, NO scores or standings will be kept, and the goal of the parent coaches during games should be to reinforce the player’s attempts to apply skills learned that week in the game setting.

M*SO KICKERS – TRAINING/GAMES AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

While the trainers will refer to the tactical elements during practice it is the players decision making and application of the skills in the game setting which demonstrates learning.

The role of the parent/coach is key here. You should focus on asking the player about their decisions and analyzing with them if it was the best of their 3 choices, Pass, Shoot or Dribble.

At this age the primary aim is on the acquisition of basic skills rather than tactical elements such as positional play and set pieces (re-starts).

If we can give the players a good foundation of basic soccer skills we can develop their tactical knowledge and awareness in future seasons/years.

KEYS TO PEAK PARENTAL PERFORMANCE

Youth soccer clubs are always seeking ways to rein in parental enthusiasm without dampening it. This concise set of standards addresses that delicate balance:

1.    Let the coaches' coach. This includes goal setting and psyching up your child for practice and post game critiques.  Having more than one "coach" confuses children.

2.    Do not bribe or offer incentives. Leave motivation to the coach. Offering money for scoring goals, for example, distracts your child from concentrating properly in practices and games.

3.    Support your child unconditionally. Do not withdraw love when your child performs poorly. Support all players on the team. Your child's teammates are not the enemy. When they are playing better than your child, she has a wonderful opportunity to learn.

4.    Support the program. Get involved by volunteering, helping with fundraisers, car-pooling, or however else you can.

5.    Encourage your child to talk with the coaches. "Taking responsibility" - whether about playing difficulties or missing an upcoming match - is a big part of soccer.

6.    Understand and display appropriate game behavior. When you cheer appropriately, you help your child focus on the parts of the game he can control (positioning, decision-making, skills, etc.). If he begins focusing on elements he can't control (field conditions, the referee, the weather, etc.), he will not play up to his ability.

7.    Monitor your child at home. Be sure she is eating and sleeping properly. Help your child keep priorities straight. A youngster needs help balancing schoolwork, friendships, and other commitments besides soccer. But having made a commitment to soccer, she also needs help fulfilling her obligation to her team.

8.    Pass the reality test. - If your child's team loses but he played his best, help him see this as a "win." Remind him to focus on the process, not the end result. Fun and satisfaction should come from "striving to win." Conversely, do not let him be satisfied with "winning" if it comes from inadequate preparation and performance.

9.    Keep soccer in its proper perspective. The game should not be larger than your life. If your child's performance produces strong emotions in you, suppress them. Keep your own goals and needs separate from your child's. Remember that your relationship with your child will continue long after her competitive soccer day’s end.

FIFA Fair-Play Code

The FIFA Fair Play Code for football encapsulates all of the sporting, moral and ethical principles for which FIFA has always stood and for which it will continue to fight in the future, regardless of the influences and pressures that may be brought to bear.

The golden rules not only serve as a credo for FIFA as world football's governing body, but they also reinforce the sense of fraternity and cooperation among the members of the worldwide football family.

1. Play fair
Winning is without value if victory has been achieved unfairly or dishonestly. Cheating is easy, but brings no pleasure. Playing fair requires courage and character. It is also more satisfying. Fair play always has its reward, even when the game is lost. Playing fair earns respect, while cheating only brings shame. Remember: it is only a game. And games are pointless unless played fairly.

2. Play to win but accept defeat with dignity
Winning is the object of playing any game. Never set out to lose. If you do not play to win, you are cheating your opponents, deceiving those who are watching, and also fooling yourself. Never give up against stronger opponents but never relent against weaker ones. It is an insult to any opponent to play at less than full strength. Play to win, until the final whistle. But remember nobody wins all the time. You win some, you lose some. Learn to lose graciously. Do not seek excuses for defeat. Genuine reasons will always be self-evident. Congratulate the winners with good grace. Do not blame the referee or anyone else. Be determined to do better next time. Good losers earn more respect than bad winners.

3. Observe the Laws of the Game
All games need rules to guide them. Without rules, there would be chaos. The rules of football are simple and easy to learn. Make sure you learn them; it will help you to understand the game better. Understanding the game better will make you a better player. It is equally important to understand the spirit of the rules. They are designed to make the game fun to play and fun to watch. By sticking to the rules, the game will be more enjoyable.

4. Respect opponents, team-mates, referees, officials and spectators
Fair Play means respect. Respect is part of our game. Without opponents there can be no game. Everyone has the same rights, including the right to be respected. Team-mates are colleagues. Form a team in which all members are equal. Referees are there to maintain discipline and Fair Play. Always accept their decisions without arguing, and help them to enable all participants to have a more enjoyable game. Officials are also part of the game and must be respected accordingly. Spectators give the game atmosphere. They want to see the game played fairly, but must also behave fairly and with respect themselves.

5. Use football to make a better world
Football has an incredible power, which can be used to make this world a better place in which everyone can live. Use this powerful platform to promote peace, equality, health and education for everyone. Make the game better, take it to the world, and you will be fostering a better world.