Soccer Parents Gone Wild Are Changing How Youth Soccer Can Be Viewed In Many Places

In today’s youth sports, there exists a certain type of parent, the parent we know all too well. The asshole parent. Soccer parents gone wild. 

The asshole parent comes in three varieties. The raging critic, whose sole objective is to criticize his or her child until he or she runs off the field in tears. The argumentative screamer, spewing insults at the other team. And finally there's the hostile screamer, provoking brawls with anyone on the opposing side, whether parent or coach.

All three variations of asshole parents are quite talented at throwing tantrums and have been so successful at being assholes that new rules and regulations have been assembled for many youth leagues across America. Thus, placing rules on sideline behavior was not only necessary for the well being of the kids playing on the field, but for the safety of parents, asshole and non-asshole alike. 

SpongeBob embodying an "asshole soccer dad." Photo: @MariHarris | Twitter

In 2001, shortly after a U-14 youth soccer league finished a game in San Juan Capistrano, California, a brawl between more than 30 parents broke out. Arrests were made and a few of the parents needed medical treatment, including one for a 2-inch bite on his arm. Another needed treatment for minor cuts and a swollen eye. This was one of the many fights to have broken out during or after youth soccer games.

This, no doubt, serves as a terrible example for the kids by encouraging hostile behavior as well as the notion that the value of winning reigns supreme while kicking sportsmanship way off the field.

The South Carolina Youth Soccer Association (SCYSA) has taken steps to halt this inappropriate behavior by implementing a new initiative called, “Silent September,” which was in force the entire season. Parents were required to provide signatures acknowledging their awareness of this "parent/visitor code of conduct." This code of conduct states: “All parents and visitors shall be silent during the game. No cheering, no jeering; just enjoy your player and the game that they love." If the parents violated this rule, they were first asked to be silent by the referee. If they didn't comply, they would be “dismissed” from the game.

“Silent September” was ripped apart by certain parents, but has turned out to be a success. No more insults were heard throughout the game and less kids left the field crying. Many other leagues across the country are taking the same initiative in an attempt to shift parent's inappropriate behavior by putting up signs all over the field that list standards of behavior and by having all of the parents sign agreements pledging to not disrupt the game.

Hopefully, these new rules and regulations will continue to keep the parents from kicking and screaming while encouraging the kids to simply keep kicking. 

In case you forgot. Photo: Twitter | @Sportstoday18