Atlanta Soccer News: Art, Music and Culture: "The 6 Things Parents Should Say to Their Youth Soccer Players"

By Coach Bruce Brownlee
A lot of soccer parents with good intentions give a 30 minute lecture, covering all the
players supposed deficiencies and giving playing advice, in the car on the way to each
match. The kids arrive far off their optimal mental state, and dreading the critique they are
likely to hear, whether they want it or not, on the way home. Kids who are massaged in this
way tend not to play badly, they just tend to not play, possibly to avoid making mistakes.
For best results, parents should memorize and use the following:
Before the Match :
I love you!
Good luck!
Have fun!
After the Match:
I love you!
It was great to see you play!
What would you like to eat?