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Bullhead City AYSO Region 397

     Players' Views on Parent Behavior


TIPS FOR BEING A SUPPORTIVE PARENT

Your role, as parents or guardians, has a tremendous impact on your child’s experiences as he or she participates in sports.

AYSO Respect

Parent Code of Conduct

  • Do not force an unwilling child to participate in sports.
  • Remember children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment, not yours. Teach your child to always play by the rules.
  • Teach your child that hard work and honest effort are often more important than a victory.
  • Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Your child will then be a winner even in defeat.
  • Do not ridicule or yell at your child for making a mistake or for losing a game. Set a good example. Children learn best by example.
  • Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
  • Do not publicly question the referee’s judgment and never their honesty.
  • Recognize the value and importance of volunteer coaches, referees and officials and give them their due respect. Without them, there would be no AYSO soccer.
  • Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sporting activities.

Conversations before the games

Tell your child you love him/her regardless of the outcome. Tell him or her “Go for it, give it your best shot and have fun!”

During the game

Understand that kids are over-stimulated during games. The Coach
may be giving instructions, opponents and teammates are talking,
the crowd is cheering, and the Referee is blowing the whistle. To a
youth sports participant, the atmosphere is much like that of a
fighter pilot with enemy jets racing all around. Do not yell
instructions to your child during the game because it only adds to the confusion.

Sometimes the best thing you can do as a parent is to be quiet.
Cheer and acknowledge good plays by both teams.

After the game

  • Thank the officials for doing a difficult job.
  • Thank the coaches for their efforts.
  • Thank your opponents for a good game.
  • Congratulate your child and his or her teammates for their
  • efforts.
  • Compliment individual players on good plays they made in the
  • game.

During the car ride home

  • Point out a good play your child made during the game.
  • Avoid criticizing or correcting mistakes.
  • Ask open-ended questions about how the game was played
    rather than how many points were scored. Here are examples
    of open-ended questions that might apply:
    • Did you have fun?
    • Did you give it your best effort?
    • What did you learn from the game?
    • What was the best play you made and how did it feel?

Remember:
Coaches Coach.   Referees Ref.   Parents Cheer.

AYSO Kids Zone
AYSO Kids Zone

At AYSO, we want all players, coaches, families and volunteers to have fun. That’s where AYSO Kids Zone comes in. Kids Zone is a special program that encourages fans on the sidelines, and anyone else nearby, to use positive language, show good sportsmanship in their attitude and behavior, and to create a great experience for every player. Kids Zone is a reminder that the AYSO soccer fields are a safe, friendly, happy, place for children to play.

The Kids Zone Pledge

Regions 114 participate in the Kids Zone program. You will see signs posted near the fields as helpful reminders that no matter how intense the game can be, kids need cheerful support from the sidelines. Parents and spectators are asked to sign the pledge and agree to the following guidelines:

  1. Kids are No. 1
  2. Fun – not winning – is everything
  3. Fans only cheer, and only coaches coach
  4. No yelling in anger
  5. Respect the volunteer referees
  6. No swearing or abusive behavior
  7. No alcohol, tobacco or drugs
  8. No weapons
  9. Leave no trash behind
  10. Set a proper example of sportsmanship

We love your pets...but...

No Pets
No Pets at Region 397 Events

We know your pet is a valued member of your family. But because others may have allergies or be sacred of animals, Region 397 does not allow pets at practices, game day venues, tournaments, or other Region 397 team events. This Policy is endorsed at the National level, is endorsed at the Section level, is endorsed at the Area level, is consistent with neighboring Regions, and is in keeping with our Insurance Policy which does not cover animal bites or related injuries.

Disclaimer: AYSO is obligated to observe and respect existing regulations and laws regarding the presence of service animals at our fields. Service animals are defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as only dogs or miniature horses that have been trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals.

For more information, see AYSO's Pets On The Field Policy.


As a parent, you play a special role in contributing to the needs and development of youngsters.

Through your encouragement and good example, you can help all the boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. In AYSO, young people learn to work together, to sacrifice for the good of the team, to enjoy winning and deal appropriately with defeat - all while becoming physically fit and healthy. Best of all, they have fun.

Support Your Child
Supporting your child by giving encouragement and showing interest in their team is very important.

Help your child work toward skill improvement and good sportsmanship in every game. Teach your child that hard work and an honest effort are often more important than victory - that way your child will always be a winner despite the outcome of the game!

Always Be Positive
Parents serve as role models for their children. Be aware of this fact and work to be a positive role model. Applaud good plays by your child's team as well as good plays by the opposing team.

Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from youth sports.

Remember: Your Child Wants To Have Fun
Remember that your child is the one playing soccer, not you. It's very important to let children establish their own goals - to play the game for themselves. Take care not to impose your own standards and goals on them.

Don't put too heavy a burden on your child to win games. Surveys reveal that 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winning team.

Children play for the fun of playing.

Reinforce Positive Behavior
Positive reinforcement is the best way to help your child achieve their goals and overcome their natural fear of failure. Nobody likes to make mistakes. If your child does make one, remember it's all part of learning, so encourage your child's efforts and point out the good things your child accomplished.

Don't Be A Sideline Coach Or Referee
AYSO coaches and referees are usually parents just like you. They volunteer their time to help make your child's soccer experience a positive one. They need your support, too.

That means refrain from coaching or refereeing from the sidelines. In a volunteer organization like AYSO there's always an opportunity to take your interest in coaching or refereeing to the next level and become one yourself!

Q & A

Q: What programs does your AYSO region offer?
A:  Our regular (Core) program consists of a Fall Season, which runs approximately August-November. Spring Select "Challenge" is a competitive travel program that runs for approximately half a year, December-June. This is ideal for experienced players looking for a more competitive environment. 

Q: What is included with the registration fee?
A:  The AYSO National fee is also included in the registration price at checkout.  This is a non-refundable fee that every player pays once per AYSO year.  An AYSO year is Fall 2025-Spring 2026 (August 1st, 2024-July 31st, 2026).
For the fall season, teams in 10U-18U have a 10-game season, play on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
-10U and older will also have the opportunity to advance to extended play.
-6U-8U have an 8-game season, play on Saturday.
-Schoolyard have a 6 game season, play on Saturday.
The fee paid includes the full uniform kit (jersey, shorts and socks), with the exception of 18U, its optional

Q: What equipment does my child need?
A: All players are required to wear shin guards for both practices and games.  Cleats and an appropriate sized ball are strongly recommended.  
Ball sizes:  Size 3 for 4U through 8U.   Size 4 for 10U and 12U.  Size 5 for 14U and older.

Q: What days and times will my son/daughter have practice?
A: Each coach sets their own practice schedule including days, times, and location (one of the added benefits of volunteering to coach!)  Once teams are finalized and rosters are distributed, coaches will contact their families to communicate practice information.  In order to offer our coaches maximum flexibility to ensure their scheduling needs are met, we are unable to honor requests for specific practice schedules for our participating families.

Q: Can I request for my child to have a specific coach or play on a team with their friends?
A: Unfortunately, we do not honor special requests for teammates and coaches.  One of the AYSO philosophies is balanced teams, and we try our best to create balanced teams based on players ages, experience and player ratings.

Q: What happens if my child's team does not get a coach?
A: AYSO is an 100% volunteer-based organization and we rely on parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings (18 or older) and family friends to volunteer as coaches for your children's teams. If no one from a team steps up to volunteer as a team coach, then we are left with no alternative but to disband the team. This is a last resort, but without volunteers we cannot have teams. This is why it is so important for parents to step up to volunteer. Coaching is also a very rewarding experience; each volunteer coach plays a very important role as a role model and mentor to the children they coach.  We offer online and in person coaching courses.   If you are interested in coaching please email [email protected]

Q: I'm trying to register but there is a waitlist, what should I do?
A: Log in to your account and click on the available programs.  A waitlist may start in a division before the end of our regular registration time. This is due to needing to have an even number of teams.  When given the option, select waitlist registration and advance through all screens, including the payment screen (it will reflect a $0 balance).  You will know you've successfully added your son or daughter to the list when the system indicated that registration is completed an you have received an email confirmation.  If you would like to be a coach and you're on the waitlist, please email [email protected]. Your son or daughter will be moved off the list and placed on a team if there is a need for coaches in that particular division. If your son or daughter can be moved to a team, you will be contacted right away to complete the registration process and payment.  



Region 397 Respects The Whistle

Is it okay to challenge or harass the referee?

NO. NOT EVER.

Being vocally critical of the Referee is not allowed at AYSO games -it's not ok for coaches, spectators or players - for any reason - at any time. Referees are VOLUNTEERS who are doing their best to provide a fun and fair experience for our children, and they really don't need spectator assistance. Being a Referee means you are constantly making judgement calls - and it's 100% their call to make.

It is reasonable to want your child/team to have a great experience. It is not reasonable or helpful for you to 'assist' by shouting at the Referee during a game. It's upsetting to the players, other parents, the volunteer referee, and it DOES NOT HELP. Solution: the Referee Administrator welcomes a discussion of your concerns AFTER the game, in a private setting. Your concerns will be listened to and addressed.

Youth Referee Policy

Region 397 is hoping to have a THRIVING youth referee culture.  REMINDER REGION 397 HAS A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY OF NEGATIVE ACTIONS/WORDS DIRECTED ABOUT, TOWARDS, OR NEAR YOUTH REFEREES.

Spectators and Coaches who violate our Zero Tolerance Youth Referee policy are subject to suspensions, and/or other sanctions at the discretion of the Region 397 Executive board.

Referee Questions or Concerns?

You can reach out to our Region Referee Administrator at ___ or the Region Coach Administrator at ___

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Bullhead City AYSO Region 397

2141 Clearwater Drive 
Bullhead City, Arizona 86442

Email Us: [email protected]
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