DO NOT SAY OR DO ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD NOT SAY OR DO IN FRONT OF YOUR MOM OR YOUR RELIGIOUS LEADER
This is a great idea to keep in your mind always. But it is especially important in a soccer match, when in the heat of the moment, people say sone pretty horrible things, to their children, to other people's children, to the coach, and to the referee. You are the most important person in your child’s life and your child learns how to behave by watching and listening to you.
Be the very best person you can because especially when tensions rise, your child is watching. Your actions directly impact how your child plays the game. Your body language affects your child and will lead her to believe that your love and affection for her is directly tied to her athletic performance.
Your child needs to learn how to fail in order to succeed, both in soccer and in life. When parental behavior is such that a child believes the parent will no longer love her because she failed, it’s the parent who has failed.
When you stand up and tantrum like a three-year-old toddler, your child will believe she is the reason for your actions and then she becomes afraid: afraid to play, afraid to disappoint you, afraid to make you angry. If you want your child to leave sports, that’s a great way to accomplish that objective.
If you are uber competitive, then just sit away from the field. As long as you let your child knows that you will be watching from afar, she will be just fine. If you can't take your eyes off the match, then whittle. Get a sharp knife, a piece of wood and whittle. You will be paying more attention to keeping your finger intact than finding every little error you can find. You will still be there for the action, just somewhat detached. Remember these kids are not professional soccer players, they are kids playing a game.
Just remember if you wouldn’t want your Mom or your pastor, rabbi, priest, or any other religious leader you respect, seeing your actions or hearing what you say, lighten up.