Silent Sidelines Soccer
Friday, November 1st, 2024
Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
Objective
The main purpose of Silent Sidelines Soccer is to allow the kids to just play and have fun.
The Objective of Silent Sidelines Soccer are:
- To emphasize letting the kids have fun and play.
- To show that kids can play well on their own with limited instructions.
- To give players the chance to trust their skills and instincts without sideline input.
- To encourage leadership skills among the individual players as they have the unique opportunity of giving their own instruction on the field.
- To encourage teamwork as the players must rely upon and communicate with one another.
Basic Rules
Silent Sidelines Soccer will be in effect for varying time periods depending on the age divisions.
| Division |
Silent Sidelines Period |
| 5U |
2nd Quarter |
| 6U |
2nd & 4th Quarter |
| 8U |
2nd Half |
| 10U |
Whole Game |
| 12U |
14+U
Indoor
Squad |
Parents/Spectators
We request that you make no verbal comments about the game or direct any comments to the players, referees or coaches.
Clapping IS allowed!
Be creative in how you choose to cheer your child’s team – make signs to hold up or bring a rally towel in the team’s color and wave it wildly. There are lots of ways to cheer other than verbally – applaud/clap, but please no horns, whistle or noise-makers.
Parents and Spectators are encouraged to participate for the entirety of the game.
Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Coaches
Please refrain from providing any verbal or non-verbal directions to players who are on the field.
Speak to the team before the match, at substitution breaks and at halftime as you normally do. During the match, speak quietly to players on the bench about the game.
Coaches please monitor your spectators and provide gentle reminders to encourage adherence to these guidelines.
Special Circumstances:
If you are refereeing your own games please try to follow these guidelines as best as you can.
Keep the on-field instructions limited to what a referee would give such as what is the restart, which team has possession.
Refrain from directing specific players to move to specific positions or to take restarts. Refrain from telling players to get the ball, pass the ball, or shoot the ball.
Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Players
While on the field, you are encouraged to speak to each other as normal. Continue to support and provide direction to each other, as you have in the past.
Substitute players on the bench, should remain quiet and not verbally cheer or provide tactical instruction to their teammates.
Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Referees
Continue to verbalize often during the game as you normally do. You are there to help the players have a safe, fair and fun time.
Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Silent Sidelines stems from a National initiative many years ago as Silent Saturdays. AYSO Region 1046 has rebranded Silent Saturday to Silent Sidelines Soccer as we have matches on other days of the week as well.
Information and guidelines are adapted from guidance provided by AYSO National at https://www.aysovolunteers.org.