|
Saturday, May 17, 2008 Is “Just Let Them Play” Day |
|
What’s the story behind this “Just Let Them Play”
Saturday?
Originally referred to as Silent Saturday, “Just Let Them Play” was first
introduced by the Northern Ohio Girls Soccer League in 2003 with
the hopes of achieving three specific objectives:
1)
to develop players to
make decisions on the field without sideline intervention
2)
to improve the players
communication on the field by reducing the outside noise level
3)
to build support and
confidence of their youth referees by eliminating any dissension
from the sidelines. Due to the success in Northern Ohio many towns and leagues across the
US including Westwood Youth Soccer, have adopted the guiding principle
of JLTP. To that end, the overall purpose of Just Let Them Play is to allow the
players of Westwood Soccer one game day to experience the fun
of the game and encourage them to use the lessons their coaches
have been teaching them throughout the season.
Okay, then what is the role of the coach on Just Let
Them Play Saturday?
As the coach, you should see this day not as a day to “muzzle” or “punish”
but rather as an opportunity to allow the kids to recognize your
efforts by showing you all the things you’ve taught them over
the year. You’ll be surprised at how much they’ve picked up from
you and how insightful they are as to what they should be doing
as individuals and as a team. We don’t want you to become a wall-flower.
We encourage you to work with them, guiding
them to help their teammates be successful together. Answer their
questions as they have them, but give the game back to them and
let them make their own decisions.
Don’t dictate to them this weekend; cheer, encourage, highlight but let
them give the pre-game and half-time talks. You’ll be amazed at
what you find at this single game. Teach them that soccer isn’t
about a coach dictating a game plan but rather a great game that
is taught by great coaches and played by great kids.
Be sure to explain the JLTP ideas to your team ahead of
time so the players understand what you are doing that day.
How do I address parents and visiting coaches that
don’t know about JLTP?
Regarding opposing teams, we cannot “impose” the idea of JLTP on them
since this is something we ask WYS coaches to participate in.
You can choose to either tell them what you are doing or not.
The JLTP initiative has been met with resistance in the past due
mainly to a lack of information and communication to all people
involved including parents, coaches, players, and opposing teams..
The best thing you can do is make your parents aware of what the objectives,
purpose, and guidelines are surrounding JTLP. We have found that
the more people know about JLTP, the more quickly they move up
the scale from resistant to tolerant to supportive The
earlier and more thoroughly you inform them the better. You should
e-mail this document to parents before JLTP Saturday, and you
may wish to make copies to hand out at the game that day.
If there are any questions or concerns about this program, please e-mail
Terry Connaughton at terryconnaughton@comcast.net. |