Local soccer league tries out "silent soccer". No yelling or cheering from sidelines.

[JBoy]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/silent-running-soccer-league-tells-parents-to-pipe-down/article2112318/

No yells, screams or even cheers are to be heard from the sidelines and benches at house-league soccer games in Aurora, Ont., this week. Instead, only clapping is allowed.

The week of silence in Aurora began on Monday and allows for only clapping from the stands and coaching instructions from the bench. The idea is to stop parents and coaches from screaming from the sidelines so that kids and referees can focus and enjoy the game.

David Hilgendorff, a father, coach and vice-president of the house league (for boys and girls between the ages of five and 18), pitched silent week to the league’s board of directors earlier this year. Players, he said, are being confused by shouting coming from all directions while they’re trying to learn what to do with a soccer ball for the first time.

--- (more at link)


I generally don't have a problem with basic cheering, or positive comments ("good pass"), but most of the loud-mouthed "instruction oriented" parents really don't have a clue what they're talking about. "Get back!", when the defence is moving up to put the other team offside. STFU moron!!

Silent soccer is what it's like when kids just get together and play. Imagine! What a concept!

[damntexdem]

1. What? Nothing to drown out the vuvuzelas?

;-)

[Codeine]

2. to be fair, kids who are "trying to learn what to do with a soccer ball for the first time"

probably aren't pulling an offside trap. ;)

[JBoy]

5. LOL. True! Mostly they all just chase after the ball.

[NeedleCast]

3. For Every Action There is a Equally Stupid Reaction

FFS...

[wtmusic]

6. No kidding.

Next: number of fans on each side of the field must be equal...

[FSogol]

4. No parents yelling, "Kick the Ball?"

:shrug:

[robcon]

7. Soccer nazis!

JBoy: "I generally don't have a problem with basic cheering, or positive comments ("good pass"), but most of the loud-mouthed "instruction oriented" parents really don't have a clue what they're talking about. "Get back!", when the defence is moving up to put the other team offside. STFU moron!!"

You have control needs, Jboy. Perhaps kids' sports shouldn't be your avocation.

[ejpoeta]

8. interesting concept. whenever I have gone to any game of any kind, i tend to cheer for everyone

regardless of whose side they are on. I am a believer in being a good sport and being supportive of the game. The goal is the playing. Sure it would be nice to win, but if you play your best that is the most important thing. I guess I am not much fun to play games with for the kids because I don't really care if I win or not too much. Now, if I play against my husband I might engage in it a bit differently because I still don't really care if I win, but I know that we don't either one of us really care if we win but it's fun to challenge each other. But I don't want my kids to think that winning is more important. Sportsmanship is more important.