Silent Saturday is an AYSO Area V wide activity.
AYSO recognizes that the vast majority of spectators just cheer for the kids and the kids love that cheering! However, we feel that the loss of cheering for one game was worth it to meet the following criteria:
§ To reemphasize that the game is about letting kids play soccer and have fun.
§ To give the players a chance to play completely on their own.
§ To eliminate the verbal questioning of the referee’s decisions.
§ To help the few parents and coaches who feel they must provide constant direction, understand that the kids can play very well on their own with limited instruction.
While most of the adult verbal participation is intended to be positive and constructive, the fact of the matter is that the games have become so loud that the players often have difficulty hearing and communicating with each other on the field. Taking one week off from any verbal interference may help adults gain perspective on just how loud they have been in the past. Hopefully, this effect will carry over into games in the weeks that follow.
Silent Saturdays have been tried in communities all over the country. While there have been mixed reviews on Silent Saturdays, it has been successful overall. Area V wants to continue the positive message of letting kids play and having fun. Silent Saturday will include all age groups, with the rules as follows.
Silent Saturday Guidelines:
Spectators – Divisions U14, U12
§ Please be advised that you may not make any verbal comments on the game or direct any comments to the players or referee(s) – on or off the field.
§ Clapping is allowed and is the only permitted way to cheer during Silent Saturday.
§ Spectators will still be able to talk among themselves in normal conversational tones.
Coaches – Divisions U14, U12
§ You may not provide any direction, verbal or non-verbal, to players who are on the field.
§ You may speak quietly to any players who are on the bench.
§ Coaches may call out names of players being substituted at the appropriate time.
§ Coaches may address the players before and after the game and at half time.
Players – Divisions U14, U12
§ You are encouraged to communicate with your teammates on the playing field.
§ You are free to support, provide direction and encourage each other.
§ Players on the bench may cheer freely in a positive manner but may not provide instruction to those on the field.
Coaches - cooperate and communicate to every member and parent – the goal, philosophy and expected behavior for Silent Saturday.
If any coach has questions prior to Silent Saturday, please discuss with your assigned Regional Division Representative.
Referees will be instructed to stop the game and issue a warning if spectators and coaches are not following Silent Saturday rules. The Referee will then have the option to issue a second warning or may opt to terminate the game.
Let’s always encourage and support our players while they are learning and playing the game, but for Silent Saturday - “Mum’s the word!”