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posted 05/17/2010
CJSA has designated the weekend of May 19th as Silent Sidelines Weekend. The Silent Sidelines rule was drafted and passed at the request of a player. The goals of Silent Sidelines Weekend are to:
1. Develop our players to make decisions on the field without sideline intervention.
2. Improve the players’ communication on the field by reducing the outside noise level.
3. Support our youth referees by eliminating dissension from the sidelines.
We are requesting that all spectators remain silent this weekend for the sake of our kids.
The guidelines are simple. Spectators are to be quiet, talking in a normal tone to the person next to them. What is to be avoided are comments that can be heard by players, referees or opponents. Applause is permitted and encouraged.
The program works. It has increased the awareness by both coaches and parents of the players’ development. In addition, it has increased referee retention.
Your help is needed. We are asking everyone to promote and support Silent Sidelines Weekend and give the game back to the kids.
To emphasize the point:
A mother was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her teenage son.
Suddenly the boy bursts into the kitchen.
"Careful! Careful! Put in some more butter! Oh my goodness! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Oh my! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful! CAREFUL! I said CAREFUL!
You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you crazy?
Have you lost your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!"
The mother stared at him. "What's wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"
The son calmly replied, "I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm trying to play soccer."
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