- OUR PARTNERS
Silent Sideline Weekend on Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th March 2014
Too often in kids' sports, adults, parents and coaches become overly vocal in their approach to working with young athletes. However well- intentioned some of them may be, the results are not always positive. With a Silent Sideline Weekend, the coaches, parents and spectators are asked to keep talking to a bare minimum on the sidelines. One coach from each team will be given the task to instruct (not during the game), whilst everyone else stays silent.
Supporters are allowed to clap to show their enthusiasm but the adults are restricted from coaching their kids from the sideline. This is a weekend when kids can make decisions for themselves, without having adults shout 5 or 6 different instructions at them. When adults scream from the sidelines they're not just invading the children's playtime, they're preventing children from learning the game in a natural manner.
How does it work?
- No Shouting instructions.
- No Shouting at the Ref.
- No Shouting at the Opposition.
- Absolutely NO Shouting when a player is about to receive the ball or pass it.
- Coaches, Parents and Spectators, Stay Silent at all times.
- Kids voices heard everywhere across the Island of Ireland.
With the sidelines quiet, players have the chance to make their own split-second decisions on the pitch and learn by them. Instead of being distracted by the stream of noise that usually exists, the kids on the pitch get the opportunity to communicate with one another, deciding who will take the throw ins, the goal-kicks, free-kicks or the corner kicks etc. This also gives them time to think and focus on what they are about to do.
Why?
The focus of the weekend is not to take the atmosphere out of the kids' game but instead try and encourage less coaching from the line. It’s about educating adults that screaming at children whilst they play sport is wrong and damaging. What should now be done is that every youth team in Ireland in organised leagues in every sport conform to the 'Silent sideline weekend.’ While not everyone is going to agree with the idea, one thing is for sure that the kids absolutely will.
You can be sure that one group that will also favour silence is the referees. They will love this, and I'm sure they would love to have it every weekend!!!
What's Expected from Participants?
- To get all clubs, codes and leagues to sign up across the whole of Ireland.
- Clubs to manage this initiative internally with support and the support of their members.
- Clubs should select 2 sideline supervisors to keep people calm and make them aware of what is expected.
- Each club should have a silent sideline ambassador.
- Absolutely NO shouting or directing from the sidelines
- Coaching staff should speak to players at halftime and when making changes ONLY.
- Clapping is allowed for goals scored and effort.
- No directing or advice from adults at anytime.
- Absolutely no questioning of referee in charge of game at anytime.
- Rope the pitches and provide a designated area for parents.
- Kids' voices are all we want to hear.
- Lollipops could be a fun way of helping people to stay silent !!!
‘Just, let the kids play’
If you would like to support the campaign, you can sign up via the website thecoachdiary.com.
Many Thanks,
Founder
www.thecoachdiary.com ‘let the kids play’
+353 87 218 3837
