Silent Weekend 2022 - October 1st and 2nd (9u and older)

 - Let's always encourage and support our players while they are learning and playing the game, but for this one weekend, "Mum’s the Word."

Silent Weekend is used in AYSO Regions throughout the country. Its main purpose is to allow kids to just play and have fun. Silent Weekend is a throwback to the old schoolyard days when kids would congregate after school and on weekends just to play all day, without regard to who was winning and repercussions for poor play and decision-making. Coaches are requested to communicate and reinforce this with spectators!

The objectives of Silent Weekend are:

• To emphasize that the game is about letting the kids have fun and play.
• To show that kids can play well on their own with limited instruction.
• To help the few parents and coaches who feel they must provide constant direction, understand how disruptive it can be.
• To give players the chance to trust their skills and instincts without sideline input.
• To encourage leadership skills among the individual players as they have the unique opportunity of giving their own instruction on the field.
• To encourage a sense of true teamwork as the players must learn to rely upon one another and communicate with each other accordingly.
• To support our volunteer referees, both youth and adult, by eliminating sideline interference and comments.

While the vast majority of adult verbal participation is intended to be positive and constructive, the fact of the matter is that the games have become so loud that players often have difficulty hearing and communicating with each other on the field. Taking one week off from any verbal interference, may help adults gain perspective on just how loud they've been in the past.

Spectators
We request that you make no verbal comments about the game or direct any comments to the players, referees or coaches. Hand Clapping IS allowed! Be creative in how you choose to cheer your child's team - make signs to hold up or bring a rally towel in the team's color and wave it wildly. There are lots of ways to cheer other than verbally - applaud/clap, but please no horns, whistle or noise-makers. 

Coaches
It is recommended that you do not provide any direction - verbal or non-verbal - to players who are on the field. Speak to the team before the match, at substitution breaks and at halftime as you normally do. During the match, speak quietly to players on the bench about the game. If required, quietly call a player on the field over to the touchline to provide tactical instruction. Then let them convey the message to the team.  For those divisions with free-substitutions, the coach may verbalize to the referee at that point.  

Players
While on the field, you are encouraged to speak to each other as normal. Continue to support and provide direction to each other, as you have in the past. Substitute players on the bench, should remain quiet and not cheer or provide tactical instruction to their teammates. Lest they simply replace the coach or act on their behest. 

Referees
For this special day, referees are asked to monitor the spectators and coaches' adherence to these guidelines and to offer gentle reminders if the recommendations are not being followed. Continue to verbalize often during the game as you normally do. You are there to help the players have a safe, fair and fun time.

Thank you for supporting your players and our Region as we implement this great opportunity once a season.