SOCCER CORNER

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• Answer: Children need to make their own decisions during a game in order to truly master soccer's challenges. Screaming at them while they're playing hurts their ability to focus and learn how to read the game. One of the biggest complaints of high-level coaches is that players lack creativity and decision-making acumen because they were sideline-coached in their early years.
  
  If the "problem dad" keeps yelling at the next game, then it's time to talk to him one-on-one. Tell him you are all ears to his opinions on his son's play, but the sideline screaming must stop.
  
  Point out that young children don't learn much about playing soccer from instructions, especially when the instructions are shouted. They learn by playing. They'll play more if they enjoy it. And they're more likely to enjoy it if adults aren't screaming at them.
  
  Another option is to send out an e-mail to the parents or parent meeting, mention the perils of sideline-coaching. You don't need to single out the dad; just remind the parents that they shouldn't coach from the sidelines because the kids need to explore the game on their own terms. Explain that you, the coach, will give tips one-on-one to your players when you think it's helpful.
                                                             -- AYSO Ask the Coach