Trust me when I say that I’ve seen it all and heard it all from parents. Competitive youth soccer games can be INTENSE for everyone involved. What is the 24 hour rule for parents?
Players are playing their hearts out in often times hard playing conditions whether it’s 100 degrees out and the second game of the day or 45 degrees with 20 mph winds.
Coaches are trying to win the game by making substitutions and formation changes.
Annnnd then there are the parents on the other side of the field that are going CRAZY yelling at their kids to run faster, kick harder, and push back if they get knocked over.
The referee is most of the time 70 years old or 15 years old making horrible decisions. I haven’t had much middle ground coaching 6-9 year olds.
The match itself is back and forth with action all game long. It’s exciting with great plays being made by determined little athletes.
BUT….one of the players didn’t play as much as mom or dad thought they should. They even timed the playing time their child had vs another member on the team that plays a similar position.
The parents are paying money, often times, a lot of money for their child to be on the team. It’s time to take action and talk to the coach right away!
STOP! THE 24 HOUR RULE IS NOW IN EFFECT.
After an intense game, please please please do yourself, your child and your coach that you decided to play for a huge favor and wait 24 hours before having a conversation about playing time or position or whatever gripe you have.
Emotions are running high for everyone. I have had conversations right after a game about playing time or explaining why I’m playing your child in a certain position or not and my fuse is short. Chances are your fuse is short too. The last thing a coach wants to do is explain their in-game decisions to a parent right after a game. Words can be taken differently when you’re not thinking clearly.
If it takes 40 minutes to drive home – your child’s coach is thinking about that game for the whole 40 minutes. Your coach cares!
The best thing to do as a parent is to go on with the rest of your day. Try not to think about your child’s game.
After 24 hours has passed, I promise you that your view of the game will have changed as well as the coaches and that’s when you can have a productive conversation over the phone or in-person at the next practice.
Trust me – the 24 hour rule works!
