Parents Do's and Don'ts

Millbury  Parents,

Welcome to Millbury Youth Soccer Organization (MYSO). We are glad you have decided to enroll you child in our soccer program. Keep the following thoughts in mind as you participate in or observe MYSO games.

Remember that it is a game! The primary purpose of enrolling our children in soccer and other youth sports programs is so that they have an opportunity to play. There are other benefits: exercise; development of motor and social skills; learning to strive; learning to lose and not quit.

Whether you win or lose, trying your hardest and working to improve your ball skills and tactics produce pride and satisfaction, for most children the purpose of the game is pure play. Parents' and coaches' emphasis should be the same. Let the kids have fun at every practice and game. Instruction should only come from the coaches. When parents yell in direction from the sidelines it can confuse the players and may be counter to the strategy the coach discussed with the children before the game.

We do welcome enthusiasm, but there is a difference between yelling and cheering. So, be general in what you shout. Say, "Go!" instead of "Shoot!" or "Pass!" Let the player think for himself, it is an important part of the game. At the end of a play, you may then be more specific by saying "Great pass!" or "Great effort!" or "Great save! "

To ensure that your child is prepared to play soccer, MYSO will provide the following:

• Coach
• Game T-Shirt
• Cones, corner flags, and pinnies for practice
• Referees for games

Parents are asked to provide the following:

• Soccer Shorts and Shoes
• Soccer ball
• Water bottle for practices and games 
• Transpotation to and from practices and games

The philosophy of MYSO is to allow each player to grow and develop to the best of their ability while having fun. Recreation teams typically practice once a week for one hours. At the beginning of the season the coach will tell you where and when your practice location(s) will be. For practice sessions, we ask that your child arrive on time and be ready to play, and that you be there at the end of practice to pick up your child. It is our goal to make the most of our practices and teach your child the fundamental skills they need to play in games.

For games, plan to arrive15 minutes before the start time to allow for warm-up drills and any instructions the coach may have. There will be a "child" referee officiating at the game. Parents must support the referees calls regardless of your opinion.  They are learning the game from a different role and are just a little bit older than most of the players!!!  In addition, parents must sit on the opposite side of the field from the teams, and we encourage you to cheer for both teams, remembering that these are young children playing to have fun. Our emphasis is on playing, learning and having fun, not on winning or being undefeated.

Each coach is a volunteer and must complete a CORI form (criminal background check) before they can work with children. In addition, some coaches have experience playing and coaching soccer and all are required to the attend coaching clinic.  In the event that you have a concern regarding your child’s coach or team, please address the issue directly with the coach and allow adequate time for resolution. If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, please notify our Division Representative. If you feel the situation warrants immediate attention, please contact our League Vice President.  

At the end of matches, we hope to hear more players, coaches and parents thank the referees for a good game. No adult should ever berate a young referee. If you criticize the referees you are in the wrong, it is that simple.

Please instruct your children to stay off the goals, nets, and corner flags. Every year there are injuries in this country, sometimes fatal, due to kids climbing on soccer goals that topple over onto them. Please help us keep the players and others from climbing on the goals or nets at all times.

MYSO is staffed entirely by volunteers. Many people put in a tremendous amount of their personal time so that your child can enjoy soccer. We always need more volunteers to assist us in many different ways so we can continue to run a successful youth soccer program. Please contact one of our Board members to find out how you can help out.

Evaluations

Coach's Evaluation

One of the responsibilities of the Millbury Youth Soccer Board of Directors is to provide our children with the best coaching possible. Precisely what qualifies a coach as “an excellent coach” depends, to a large degree, upon the age of the players. Another factor is whether the children are participating in a recreational or competitive environment. A great coach at the high school level may not be able to relate to 6 year olds. A coach who played at high levels is not necessarily a good teacher. In fact, the coach of an undefeated team may be doing damage to his player’s abilities and psychological fitness. We strive to find and retain coaches who understand their players, the environment, who support the core values of this league and who are qualified to teach the fundamental game of soccer. 

Evaluations come in many different forms.  We receive feedback directly from parents, referee's as well as coaches whom their team plays against.  We issue evaluation forms for incident reports only at this time however, this may change from year to year. The Millbury Youth Soccer Board of Directors evaluate issues as they are brought to our attention.  When we receive  a parent complaint we meet with the coach (s) involved to determine the root cause of the parents concern. If additional complaints are received and depending on the issue coach's are subject to removal. We will rule in favor of the children and the team. The  Millbury Youth Soccer Board of Directors have the final decision, no exceptions.

Player Evaluations

Player evaluation is done by our coach's.  It is important that our coach's teach the fundamentals per our guidelines for practices.  These guidelines fall under the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Associations guidelines and were developed with years of experience teaching youths. 

Evaluations measured vary by age group but at a higher level include;

• FIRST TOUCH AND BALL CONTROL - The ability to control the ball quickly and effectively, in a composed manner, seldom losing possession

• SHORT PASSING - The ability to make short passes using the inside and outside of the foot

• LONG PASSING - The application of striking a ball cleanly and accurately over a longer distance to a team-mate

• DRIBBLING - A player's acquisition of the technique of moving the ball quickly, while under complete control

• SHOOTING AND FINISHING - The ability to strike on goal with a variety of techniques from differing ranges and angles

• HEADING - The application of the technique of playing the ball with the head in both defensive and attacking areas 

• DEFENDING - A player's ability to effectively close down opponents, 

• GAME KNOWLEDGE - How well does the player understand the fundamentals of the games and the tactical side of the game

• MOVEMENT ON THE FIELD - A player's ability to read the game as it develops and to position themselves in the most advantageous area from which to support their team effectively

• SPORTSMANSHIP - The conduct of the player at all times both on and off the field. Showing a fair, honest and supportive attitude at all times

• MOTIVATION - The player's enthusiasm and attitude to hard work, and the esire shown towards improvement

• TEAMWORK - The ability to work with teammates by passing the ball in trangles and possess the ball as a team

• ATTITUDE & LISTENING  - Does the child have a positive attitude when asked to play every position and are they focused on their coach's guidance during practices.

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