Silent Saturday & Sunday

WHO:             Everyone in U8 and above!

WHAT:           Silence on the sidelines of all AYSO soccer games

WHEN:           All games on Saturday October 15th and Sunday October 16th

WHERE:         All AYSO Games in the Area

WHY:              To allow our players to better develop their game skills by communicating with each other without interference from coaches, parents or other spectators

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To:      Chappaqua AYSO Parents, Coaches, Referees

From:  Chappaqua AYSO Board

We will be holding a Silent Saturday/Silent Sunday on October 15th and 16th. Coaches: please inform all of your players and parents about this event, explain its purpose and request their support.

Our objective is to allow our players to play for one day free of direction and interference from coaches and other spectators; to permit players to communicate among themselves and to learn to make their own decisions in games; and to allow the game to be the teacher. Other benefits will be to remove criticism of referees (including our youth referees), eliminate sideline dissension, educate parents and improve coaching.

Background: the constant barrage of advice emanating from the sidelines from coaches (sometimes multiple coaches) and parents, much of it incorrect or contradictory, negatively impacts player communication, learning and enjoyment of the game. It also leads to increased conflict on the sidelines. We seek to eliminate this commentary toward players as well as the sometimes abusive or unsporting comments toward referees, opposing coaches and parents.

Implementation: we need your help in educating players and parents about this program for it to work. Its success is in your hands.

Coaches: Please discuss this with your players and parents in advance and on the field on October 15th/16th. If you are playing a team from another town, be sure to explain this event to the other coach in advance. Please limit your coaching to pre-game and halftime. Your comments during the game should not be able to be heard by any player on the field or by the referee.

Players: Have fun and enjoy the opportunity to communicate with your teammates. Play fairly and show your best sportsmanship. After the game, let your coach and parents know how you felt about playing on Silent Saturday, or send email to info@chappaquaayso.org.

Parents: Please participate. Speak only quietly, if at all, to others on the sidelines. Avoid any comments that could be heard by players for either team or the referee. We ask for your respect for our efforts. When a goal is scored, please restrain your reaction to low-key applause. Please do follow the game closely, think about the effects of what is going on and let us know your thoughts by email to info@chappaquaayso.org. We need your help to make your child’s soccer experience the best it can be.

Referees: We hope that this program provides a congenial and respectful experience, free of criticism from the sidelines. You are not being asked to enforce sideline silence; we hope that our teams and you will receive cooperation. We are not expecting complete silence, and when a goal is scored we expect subdued applause. If there is more noise than that, we would appreciate your reminder to the coaches of the spirit of the day.

Conclusion: This is a voluntary program and it is up to each of us to make it happen. We appreciate your giving us the opportunity for a single day to get a new perspective on these games, reflect on our actions and return, perhaps, to contribute in a different, positive way.

Area 3T – Region 139