Fall is here and that means soccer season is in full swing. Whether your child is just starting out or playing for years there is one element that is consistent at every game: excited parents on the sidelines. Over the past several years, parental behavior at youth sporting events has become an important issue across the country. Loud and occasionally rude spectators, oftentimes over-zealous parents, can often make games unpleasant for kids, coaches and officials. The Long island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), one of the largest youth soccer organizations in the entire United States, takes the issue of appropriate sideline behavior and good sportsmanship very seriously and has several programs in place to remind parents and spectators of how to support and encourage the over 70,000 children in the league. The LIJSL also offers workshops and seminars at their annual convention for coaches, parents and officials on encouraging good sportsmanship.

"Children should never take the field with a win-at-all-costs mindset. Their focus should be on having fun and learning lessons of teamwork, discipline and good sportsmanship," stated Addie Mattei-Iaia, president of the LIJSL. "Parents need to embrace that same attitude and should always focus on their child's effort. Negative parental behavior has the potential to destroy all the positive lessons that a league like the LIJSL offers the young players."_

The LIJSL offers the following tips on How to Be a Good Soccer Mom or Dad:

1) The best way to support your young soccer player is to give them unconditional encouragement and love. Be positive. Before each game tell your child that you love them, wish them luck, and tell them to have fun. Without the pressures of disappointing you they will be more focused on the game. After the game tell your child how great it was to see them play and focus on the positives.

2) Learn as much about the game as you can. Educate yourself about soccer and the rules of the game. It will allow you to have more conversations with your child about the sport he or she loves.

3) Give your child more time with the soccer ball. Children learn by doing. Encourage them to go outside and play at other times than just soccer practice.

4) Get out and play with them, even if it is just for a few minutes in the yard before or after practice. Just kicking the ball back and forth with your child will bring you closer. It presents a great opportunity to interact with your child.

5) Attend soccer games together. There are always games going on after school or on the weekends. Take some time out to sit together and enjoy watching a game with your child. You can both learn a lot by watching other players and you can discuss interesting plays and player skills.

6) Get to know other soccer moms and dads! You can all work together to be positive on the sidelines and support your child's teammates.

The LIJSL is a non-profit, educational organization operated by volunteers and serves as an umbrella organization, providing a coaching academy, clinics, tournaments, special competitions, scholarships and special programs for players of all abilities. One of the largest youth soccer leagues in the United States, the LIJSL has 100 community-based member clubs representing approximately 70,000 players on Long Island and in Queens. For more information, please visit www.lijsoccer.com.