Silent Sidelines
Embedded Files
We recognize that most parents just cheer for the kids and the kids love that cheering!
However, to enhance the game experience, we’re asking for a break from verbal feedback for just one game on January 26, 2025.
We hope that this game will do the following:
To give players the chance to trust their skills and instincts without sideline input, and without concern that their mistakes will be corrected from the sidelines in a game environment.
To encourage leadership skills among the individual players and a unique opportunity of give their own instruction on the court.
To encourage a sense of true teamwork; players must learn to rely upon one another and communicate with each other accordingly.
To remind coaches, parents, spectators and players that PRACTICE is the time for instruction. Games are the showcases for learning.
To remind everyone that youth basketball is primarily for the purpose of kids playing, learning, and having fun; and to emphasize that basketball is a “player’s” game.
To support our referees and scorekeepers, both youth and adult, by eliminating sideline interference and comments.
Silent is golden!
By observing silence for just one game, we hope to bring attention to how noisy things have been and create a better atmosphere moving forward.
We appreciate your support in allowing players to enjoy basketball while you sit back, relax, and cheer them on—silently!
Details:
Silent Sidelines will occur on Week 6 of the Winter SEYO Season
Teams with a bye on that weekend will not participate for this year.
Spectators remain silent during the game, timeouts, halftime, and any stoppages of play
For the parents:
Spectators will refrain from making direct any comments to the players, coaches, or referee(s) – on or off the court.
Positive gestures and homemade signs are encouraged but vocal instructions or criticisms are not permitted anytime during the game.
Spectators are encouraged to applaud/clap – this is the ONLY way to cheer; during appropriate times, such as a basketball being scored or defensive steal is made, or great team play (e.g. passing)
Absolutely no horns, whistle, or noise-makers, etc.
For the coaches:
Coaches can coach from the sidelines, however, are encouraged to keep this to a minimum for this week.
Instead: silent gestures, teammates, player-to-player on the floor are encouraged – teaching game communication. Players on the bench are allowed to communicate with players on the floor.
Goal: Allow players to make decisions on the court. This instills the essential behavior of team communication within their players.
For more information please see the slideshow presentation below.
Page updated
Report abuse