NYSWYSA - New York State West Youth Soccer Association

	Noteworthy Tips for Players and Parents
	Indoor Training Locations
	Outdoor Training Locations
	Article of the Month Archive
	Cartoon Commentaries
	Sibling Discount Policy for ODP Players and Parents
	Viewing and Printing Utilities

Parent Resource Center

Welcome to the Parent’s Resource Center! The goal of this portion of the ODP website, is to communicate and share information and ideas that will help you help us make your child’s ODP experience more valuable. This section will include information such as:

article of the month
how to interpret your child’s ODP player evaluation
what is the Regional ID camp
how do the Regional camps identify players
a coaches evaluation form
a program evaluation form
directions to ODP event locations

We hope you find this section useful. The infromation above will be added to the website gradually, over the course of the season, so check back often. If there is something you’d like to see in this section, but we haven’t included it, please let us know and we’ll do our best to add it as quickly as possible.

ARTICLE OF THE MONTH - MARCH

Adult Politics: The Games Adult Leaders Play

Soccer is a GAME played by children, organized and run by adults. There are 5 categories of adult leaders involved in the process:

Administrators – adult leaders who are there to facilitate the process and assist all other adult leaders in performing their functions;
Coaches-adult leaders who evaluate, select, and train the players technically, tactically, physically, and psychologically and who attempt to create the most positive and competitive environment for athletic and personal growth;
Parents-adult leaders whose role is to support and encourage their children and their teammates;
Referees-adult leaders who officiate the games and protect the players during competition; and;
Sponsors – adult leaders who provide additional resources in support of the efforts to grow the sport and provide opportunities for the players.

The priority of every decision made by these adult leaders in the sport of soccer should be made for the good of the game and for the good of the players who play it. Unfortunately, the decisions made away from the field are often clouded by egos, personal interests, territorial protection, “power” struggles, and profitability. These decisions can often have an extremely negative affect on player growth and development.

Problems arise when the adult leadership entities are in a state of conflict and competition rather than cooperation and their priorities shift from the players to other issues. The struggle for “control” or “power” is dangerous. It exists at all levels - between clubs, associations, groups and individuals.

Continue...

Positive Parenting - An Interactive Online Tool for Parents

US Youth Soccer has announced the launch of an interactive online tool to assist parents as they suport their youth athlete. Designed for parents in hte game of soccer to aid their efforts in growing the spirit without limiting the child, The Parent’s Guide – An Introduction to Youth Soccer is an online self-explanatory exercise in enhancing the experiences of youth players and their families.

Continue...