Tell the parents what you are trying to do and that you can use all the help you can get and if they want to be an assistant, you can really use their help, BUT they must not yell instruction or criticism from the sideline or they will confuse the players and hurt the team. Tell them that if they have ideas about how the team should play to please come & talk to you because you welcome ideas & their help. Explain that they should not yell "Kick It" or "Get It" or "Get Him" or "Push Up" or anything except "Good Try" or "Way To Hustle" or "Good Shot". (From "23 Of The Best SoccerHelp Tips & Tactics" on SoccerHelp and Premium) -

• "Positive encouragement is good; negative comments are bad."
• "Cheering is good, but do not yell at your child or anyone else's child during the game. It can be distracting & what you tell them may be different from what the coaches are saying. If you would like to be an assistant coach, please call me, I would love your help."
• "Be careful not to say anything that might be taken the wrong way or hurt someone's feelings. Remember: this is for fun & these are children."
• "Be a good role model & a good sport."
• "Do not yell at the referees or say anything bad to or about the other team. Never boo the other team or cheer when they make a mistake."

Keeping Children & Parents Under Control. Two difficult things coaches have to learn are how to deal with disruptive players and disruptive parents. Below are a few suggestions:

1. Be a coach & an authority figure, not a "buddy". Occasionally, you will see a coach who is a natural leader. I'm not and have found that it works best for me to be an authority figure; firm, but nice. (Don't be a mean coach, be nice).
    
2. Do not tolerate rude or disrespectful behavior from players. You shouldn't have to and, if you do, you will probably regret it. If is to your benefit to tell the parents & players what is expected. from the very start  At the start of the season discusses your "coaching philosophy & expected behavior" with the parents and the team. Six of the rules suggested by SoccerHelp include the following which may have to be adjusted for children age 6 or younger -

1. Everyone must follow all directions given by the coaches & assistant coaches
2. Everyone must hustle & do their best
3. "When I talk you must be still & listen"
4. I expect everyone to be a good sport whether we win or lose (this includes parents)
5. "No cursing or name calling".
6. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.

Websites of interest:

www.defeattheheat.com

www.gssiweb.com -Gatorade Sports Science Institute

Additional web sites