Silent Sideline Objectives:
Silent Sideline is used in AYSO Regions throughout the entire country. Its main purpose is to allow kids to just play and have fun. Silent Sideline 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. The purpose of this tradition is to encourage players to think and communicate with each other on the field, and to develop their decision-making skills without outside interference.
The spirit of Silent Sideline is to allow players to make their own decisions and learn to play the game without constant direction and "joysticking" from coaches and parents. After all, if the child doesn’t make their own decisions (albeit sometimes correct and sometimes a mistake), it will severely hinder their development in the sport. Players learn best by being given guided instruction during practices and at natural breaks in the match, and then using this knowledge to make their own decisions during game play, and to learn, grow, and develop from both their successes and mistakes. Afterall, the game itself is the best teacher. Silent Sideline also promotes a sense of teamwork as the players must learn to communicate and rely on one another to succeed. Additionally, it promotes leadership development.
Coach Guidance:
- U6 and Younger – These age groups are still learning and need a lot of guidance from their coaches. So, these guidelines do not apply to these age groups.
- U8 – This age group may have played before but still need a little guidance. For the coaches, please try to use one or two-word directions, more positionally directions like “spread out” - “drop back” - “move up” – Do not use words like, shoot, pass and dribble. These are the things we want them to do without direction.
- U10 and Above – Your coaching moments are before the game, half time, or with the players on the bench. For those on the bench, coaches should provide direction on playing strategies for when they enter the game. Coaches shall not provide any direction – verbal or non-verbal – to the players on the field. During active play, coaches should be evaluating the performance of their team and decide on coaching points to be discuss at halftime and for the next practice. When we allow the players on the field to communicate and make decisions, they learn from each other.
Player Guidance:
While on the field, players are encouraged to communicate, to support and provide direction to each other to improve their game play. Substitute players on the bench should communicate with their teammates on the field as well. Substitutes act as an extra set of eyes for their team, and they see the game from a different perspective. Learning to use their voice both from the touchline and while on the field fosters team play and collaboration to help the team.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Substitutes communicating with their team from the touch line is not to be used to "cheat and game the system" by having the coach giving instructions to the substitutes and then they relay to the field players. Instead, allow your substitute players to watch the game and encourage them to verbalize what they are seeing to both the other substitutes and their teammates on the field.
Spectator Guidance:
We request that you cheer and support all players. Therefore, cheering for positive accomplishments (after a score, a save, or other action) is encouraged. However, spectators shall not coach and/or direct any comments to the players, referees, or coaches. This means spectators shall not be yelling while the ball is in play. There are additional ways to cheer such as clapping, shaking a pom pom, twirling a rally towel or even get creative and make a sign with your child’s name on it.
AYSO policy does not allow for horns, whistles, or noise makers of any kind at any time.
Referee Guidance:
The referee should give the coaches and players a friendly reminder before the game and ask the coach to handle their own sideline regarding the silent sideline rules and ensure players, spectators and coaches adhere to the spirit of Silent Sideline.