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Supporting Your Player: The Do’s and Don’ts of Being a Positive Soccer Parent

June 6, 2023

As you support your player throughout the season, consider a simple question: Are my words and actions helping my player grow?

Parents play an important role in every player’s soccer journey. From the drive to training to the conversations after a game, the way parents support, encourage, and respond can have a meaningful impact on a player’s confidence, enjoyment, and development.


Every parent wants to see their child succeed. At Rush, we believe one of the best ways to support that success is by creating an environment where players feel encouraged to compete, learn, make mistakes, and continue growing.

Things to Do


  • Be a Supportive Fan

Cheer positively and celebrate effort, teamwork, and improvement, not just the final result. Your support helps build confidence and keeps the game enjoyable.


  • Encourage a Growth Mindset

Help your player see mistakes and challenges as part of learning. Focus on effort, progress, and what they can take from each experience.


  • Create a Positive Environment

Give your player space to talk about soccer without every conversation becoming a performance review. Listen, encourage, and let mistakes be part of the development process.


  • Promote Healthy Competition

Encourage respect for teammates, opponents, referees, and coaches. Competing with effort, integrity, and good sportsmanship reflects the Rush Way.


  • Support Their Soccer Journey

Help your player stay committed to training and take advantage of appropriate development opportunities. As they get older, support their pathway while allowing them to take greater ownership of their goals.

Things Not to Do


  • Focus Only on Mistakes

Players usually know when something went wrong. Instead of replaying every mistake, focus on what they learned and how they can improve.


  • Make Their Journey Your Journey

Let your child’s goals belong to them. Support their ambitions while giving them the freedom to shape their own soccer experience.


  • Add Unnecessary Pressure

Avoid making playing time, team placement, statistics, recruiting, or winning the main focus. Keep the emphasis on development, effort, and long-term progress.


  • Coach From the Sideline

Too many instructions can distract players and create confusion. Trust the coach and allow your player to make decisions and solve problems on the field.


  • Compare Your Player to Others

Every player develops at a different pace. Focus on your child’s individual growth rather than comparing them to teammates or opponents.

Supporting the Player Behind the Player


Parents are an important part of the Rush community and the environment surrounding every player. By offering encouragement, trusting the development process, and keeping the experience centered on the player, you can help your child grow in soccer and beyond.

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About Rush Soccer

Formed in 1997, Rush Soccer is the largest youth soccer organization in the world with more than 60,000 players in 50 countries. Comprised of 175 clubs around the globe, Rush Soccer has cultivated a reputation of excellence on and off the field all while maintaining a local feel in the communities we serve. This expansive global footprint provides unparalleled opportunities for our entire player base to pursue pathways all the way to the highest level of professional soccer. Our breadth and depth of programs support our network of local clubs, coaches, staff, and partners. For more information about Rush Soccer, visit www.rushsoccer.com.

 

Media Contacts:
Rush Soccer Media Relations
Phone: (833) 546-7874
Email: marketing@rushsoccer.com

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