AYSO Honolulu Region 178: Welcome

Fall 2008 - more players needed for U12 Boys, U14, U16, U19 Boys & Girls.

2008 Fall Referee Courses Scheduled

An Intermediate Referee Course has been scheduled for Saturday, August 9.

U8 Official and Regional Referee Courses have been scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 23 and 30.

See the Referee Page for additional information.

AYSO programs are compliant with the Child & Volunteer Protection Act.  This protects our children and our volunteers, and ensures a quality program. AYSO requires that every Coach:

Complete Safe Haven Coach certification (once)

Complelte the appropriate age group Coach Course (once)

Be authorized to perform the duties of their position (each season)

Submit a Volunteer Application every year

Safe Haven Coach Courses (attend any one session)

Makiki District Park - Field

Saturday, July 19th            8:00 am - 10:00 am

Saturday, August 2nd        8:00 am - 10:00 am

Saturday, August 9th         8:00 am - 10: 00 am

U-6 Coach Course

Makiki District Park - Field

Saturday, August 9th         11:00 am to 1:00pm

U-8 Coach Course

Makiki District Park - Field

Saturday, August 2nd        11:00 am to 1:00pm

U-10 Coach Course - cancelled

Makiki District Park - Field

Saturday, July 26th             11:00 am to 1:00 pm

U-12 Coach Course (both sessions required)

Makiki District Park, Arts & Crafts Bldg, 1st floor

Friday, July 18th                  6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Makiki District Park - Field

Saturday, July 19th             11:00 am to 2:00 pm (time corrected)

BRING PAPER, PEN/PENCIL, CLIPBOARD, CHAIR.  DRESS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: SHORTS, SHOES (NO SLIPPERS).

Questions:    coach@aysoregion178.org

Intermediate Coach Course

This 15 hour course focuses on training tactical situations and set pieces.  This course builds upon the U-12 Coaching Course.

Prerequisite: Completion of the U-12 Coaching Course is required.

Lead Instructor: Bill Finkel (AYSO's Soccer Camp Liaison)

Advanced Coach Course

This 18 hour course focuses on training tactical situations, advanced tactics, and observation, evaluation and implemenation techniques.  This course builds upon the Intermediate Coaching Course.

Prerequisite: Completion of the Intermediate Coaching Course is required.

Lead Instructor: John Oullette (AYSO's National Coach)

When: November 21st - 23rd, 2008

Friday: 6:00pm - 10:00pm - Waiau District Park, 98-1650 Kaahumanu St., Pearl City

Saturday: 8:30am - 5:30pm (lunch provided) - Waipio Soccer Complex

Cost: $25.00 per person (checks payable to AYSO Section 7)

Click on Handouts link to download 2008 registration form.

As parents, how many of us get more upset about our child's team losing than they do? Do we also revel in a win long after our children have forgotten what the outcome even was? Have you ever listened to teams during pre-game warm-ups as they discuss their opponent of the day? Often you overhear comments like "Gee this team is really good, I hear they are undefeated" and both teams are saying this!

Game outcome is important, at least for a while but it doesn't really make a long lasting impression unless it is blown out of proportion. This isn't to say that children will enjoy losing or not be excited about winning. But in the end they should be most thrilled about having competed. We need to remember why the children participate in youth sports. If you ask most children why they play sports, the answers won't include, "To learn about sportsmanship," "For the social aspects," or "That's the only way I'll ever get a scholarship." What most kids will tell you is that they play sports because it's fun and they get an opportunity to learn skills. As parents it is our responsibility to help create a positive sports environment for our children. You wouldn't want another parent putting your child down for making an error, why should you? Would you want to continue going to an activity that every time you made a mistake you were criticized? Do you like to be lectured after a long day at work about all the things you could have done better? Put yourself in your child's shoes.

Think about how you act at your children's games. Are you a self-designated sideline coach? The only person giving instructions to the players should be the head coach or the assistant coaches. We often forget (or have never experienced) what it's like playing in a competitive atmosphere. It's hard enough running, getting where you're supposed to be and playing your best, let alone having to listen to three different people yell three sets of instructions that you're not doing or should do (and usually never the same things). Next time you're going to yell something to your child, try yelling, "Good job, keep up the good work" and leave it at that. Hopefully the parents around you will follow your lead. I guarantee your child won't tell you after the game, "Jeez Dad/Mom, I missed you yelling instructions to me during the game."

Listen to post-game discussions. The most important thing to the kids after a game is likely to be what the snack was that day or where they are going after the game rather than who won or lost. You know what, kids are smarter than we think!

(c) Richard Stratton and Jonathan Buzby - Article originally appeared in Coaching Youth Sports, an online newsletter presenting information about learning and performing sport skills.