• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Reminder: when they try their
best, they are always winners,
whether they win or lose.
Our main mission at a match is to enjoy
watching the players have fun.
Cheer and support the team.
Applaud good work by players from either
team.
Please don't offer them a reward if they
score a goal or win because they will be
concentrating on the reward rather than
on having fun.
Please don't yell instructions during the
game. It is too distracting and often too
late and may contradict what their
coach has told them.
Be positive, not angry, frustrated or critical,
to help their confidence and keep
them excited about playing.
Please don't criticize the coaches, referees,
or players and don't blame them
when the team is doing poorly.

DON'TS:
1.
Don't shout instructions to the player
with the ball. The player has enough
problems maintaining possession
while making quick and difficult decisions
about what to do next. He or
she must learn to make decisions
without your input.
2.
Don't use such phrases as "boot the
ball," "kick it," or "send it." First, you
violate rule No. 1; second, you encourage
panic rather than good decision
making, and mindless kicking
rather than possession.
3.
Don't try to control the game from
the sidelines. You can't! A soccer
coach is not an active participant in
the game. Soccer is played, controlled
and ultimately coached by the
players on the field. Teach players to
"coach" themselves.
4.
Don't try to teach "aggressiveness."
In soccer, what is perceived as
"aggressive play" merely reflects the
confidence a player has in his or her
own abilities. Teach the skills that
generate confidence; encourage players
to believe in themselves. If you
do, they will play "aggressively."
5.
Don't abuse game officials, or show
disrespect for opponents. Referees
make fewer mistakes than your players;
your opponents are not your enemy.
Be aware of the example you
set for your players.
Don't forget rule No. 1!

DO’S
1.
Do offer suggestions to players not
currently involved in what is happening
on the field. Brief words of advice are
helpful to players who have time to
consider them (those who are either
out of the match or on the field far
from the ball).
2.
Do encourage players to use the skills
they are being taught. Encourage - and
sometimes push - players to experiment
in scrimmages and games. If this
approach costs goals, learn to accept
temporary setbacks as the price of
progress, and recognize them as opportunities
to help players improve.
Soccer is best learned through trial and
error.
3.
Do teach players to coach themselves
on the field. By the time they find
themselves on a full-size field they will
be unable to hear you anyway. Players
must learn to assist each other in making
hundreds of split-second decisions
each game.
4.
Do teach players the game's skills, and
encourage them to hold the ball long
enough to make good decisions about
what to do next.
5. Do offer suggestions about the SAGE
program for they are always welcomed!
Tell your team or club officials or email:
Ken Moscetti,
MNJYSA SAGE Coordinator
kmoscetti@yahoo.com