On October 12, 2024, AYSO 572 will observe Silent Saturday, a day that brings us back to the old schoolyard days when kids played freely without the pressure of winning or the fear of making mistakes. On this day, coaches are encouraged to remind spectators to embrace the spirit of the event.

The goals of Silent Saturday include:

• Letting the kids enjoy the game purely for the love of playing.
• Demonstrating that kids can thrive on the field with minimal guidance.
• Helping parents and coaches recognize the disruptive impact of constant sideline direction.
• Giving players the freedom to trust their instincts and skills without external input.
• Promoting leadership within the team, allowing players to communicate and guide each other.
• Fostering true teamwork as players learn to rely on one another.
• Supporting our volunteer referees by reducing sideline interference.

The essence of Silent Saturday is to empower players to make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes. If a child appears unsure of what to do without sideline instructions, it’s a sign that they need more opportunities to think independently on the field. Learning the game through personal experience is crucial for their development in soccer.

For more insights, watch this video, which was featured on the Hallmark Channel, discussing the benefits of Silent Saturday and how to manage sideline behavior. Sharing this video with families can be helpful during your kickoff meetings or whenever sideline behavior becomes an issue.

Guidelines for Silent Saturday:

• Spectators: Please refrain from making verbal comments about the game or directing any remarks to the players, referees, or coaches. However, clapping is encouraged! Get creative in how you cheer—make signs, wave rally towels in team colors, or applaud enthusiastically. Just avoid horns, whistles, or noisemakers.

• Coaches: During the game, limit your instructions to pre-game talks, halftime discussions, and quiet, one-on-one guidance when necessary. Let the players on the field take the lead.

• Players: Communicate with your teammates as usual on the field. Substitutes on the bench should remain quiet and refrain from giving tactical instructions, ensuring they don’t simply take over the coach’s role.

• Referees: Please monitor adherence to these guidelines and gently remind spectators and coaches if necessary. Your usual verbal guidance during the game is encouraged to ensure a safe, fair, and fun experience for the players.