•  Parents,

    We urge you to read LIJSL’s Zero Tolerance Policy, attached here. As a reminder, it is our intention to fully support and enforce this policy whenever we deem appropriate above and beyond what LIJSL may or may not do under their own guidelines including the suspension of coaches, trainers, players and parents/spectators (see below)

    Suspension, Banning of Players, Parents/Spectators, Coaches, Assistant Coaches or Trainers:

    If a player, parent/spectator, coach, assistant coach or trainer is suspended/banned by LIJSL or OUSC, he/she is not be allowed to participate or have any interaction with their team until they are reinstated. If a player, parent/spectator, coach, assistant coach or trainer is suspended they are suspended from all LIJSL, NYCSL and ENY sanctioned events.

    Any parent/spectator, whose behavior results in one of our coaches receiving a Red Card, will be bound by the same suspension as the coach and if it is determined that this violation was so egregious, that parent/spectator may face an additional suspension by this program. In addition, any fines imposed as a result of Red Cards being issued to any coaches or trainers for any reason are the sole responsibility of the team in violation.

    Thank you for your cooperation,

    Scott/Peter

    OUSC Travel Directors

  • Be positive. Be supportive. Cheer for the team. Encourage all of the players. Keep negative comments to yourself, especially those directedat another parent's child. Remember that the players are doing the best that they can and that playing good soccer is more difficult than it looks.
  • Do not coach. Let the coaches make adjustments as they see the need. Many times the instruction from a spectator is exactly the opposite of the instruction given by the coach. Allow the players the freedom to make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes. Spectator statements like "Stay Wide," Clear It," "Pass The Ball," "Get Rid of It," "Move Up," "Move Back," etc., tend to undermine the need for players to communicate with each other.
  • Never address players on the other team, except to encourage.
  • Treat the officials with respect. All officials make mistakes. All humans make mistakes. Let the officials be human. Let the coaches approach the officials if they feel the need. The referee may be wrong, but not as often as you are? Have you ever seen a referee change his mind because a parent shouted at him or her?
  • Do not engage is game-related discussions with parents from the opposing team. You will be playing these teams for many years to come. We want to be known in the soccer community as an organization that has class whether we win, lose or draw. The game score will not be remembered. The argument or inappropriate remarks will be.
  • Leave the game on the field. When the game is over, no amount of comment, question or discussion with the players, officials or coaches can change the outcome. Regardless of the outcome, the coaches will evaluate the performance, reinforce the good things and work to correct the things needing improvement.
  • Keep the game fun. Winning is more fun than losing, but each player should enjoy playing because they love the game. Avoid offering bribes or "pumping up" your child. Allow them to become self-motivated. Make sure that you take time to enjoy the game yourself. I have heard comments from some of the team that they dread it when their parents start shouting at the referee. It is noticeable that when some parents get more and more agitated, their child gets more and more withdrawn during the game. Think about your own job. If you have someone who you knew was going to shout at you every time you made a mistake, wouldn't you stop putting yourself in the position to make thie mistake? That is what happens with some of the players on the team. they would rather not have the ball than risk having it and making a mistake!