coachKidsSports.com

Silence is a statement that is open to gross misinterpretation. - Craig Bruce

The Chicago Tribune recently had an article about Silent Saturday.  Silent Saturday is a day designated by a league where parents are not allowed to cheer or jeer, coaches cannot speak except to make substitutions and only the players are heard during play.

Under the rules of Silent Saturday, coaches can speak only when making substitutions and spectators can only applaud after a goal, but no "attaboys," "attagirls" or anything stronger than a whisper is permitted.

The Tribune asked for reaction from parents and coaches — and responses it got … 

Some supportive of the idea:

The parents screaming and insults at the coaches and their kids must be a universal thing in every sport. But the sport of soccer got the label of Soccer Mom-it should be Soccer Dad as well. It got to be disgusting at times during soccer games and playoffs. We tried to talk to these screaming, outrageous parents (sometimes they were our good friends) and try to talk to them calmly about what they are doing to their kids' self-respect, let alone theirs.

I wish they would have had silent Saturday and Sunday in Scottsdale when my kids were little. Maybe there should be silent days for other days of the week also when kids have their various sports playing.

Some not:

I believe coaching is the coach's job. Most of these are volunteer positions and greatly appreciated, but once on the field, they are also the bosses whether they are good at what they do or not. They are the ones who stepped up. If we can do it better, volunteer and do it or shut up.

I think Silent Saturday is absolutely ridiculous. Children (even adults) need encouragement. They like to hear their names, they like to hear "great job." I invite you to a weekend at our sports complex to see how a great organization can work and talk about the wonderful things parents do.

Silent Anyday has an appeal because it looks like a solution to a problem.  However it only attacks a symptom, not the disease. Cheering, even loudly, isn't necessarily a problem.  The problem comes when parents and coaches lose perspective on their priorities.

I believe a coach's priorities should be:

1. Player development
2. Creeating a learning atmosphere
3. Winning

Winning isn't a bad word and enthusiasm isn't a sin.  But coaches and parents can't let them interfere with the top priority, the development of each player on the roster.  I've written before on what you can do to improve your teaching and build a better team.  Setting a good team culture, getting to know the parents, finding the things a kid did right in a loss and showing where they can improve even after a win; that is how to regain perspective in youth sports, not speech codes and enforced silence.