I spent a beautiful Saturday at the Mountain Area Youth Soccer League in Coarsegold, CA. Let me tell you—it was refreshing to see how this league is shaping a positive experience for everyone involved. Watching games from the youngest U5 division all the way up to U14, I noticed that everyone stayed behind the clear red line marked on each field for spectators. It’s a simple idea, but seeing it in action made me realize just how effective it is. This small step kept the focus on the players, allowing them to play without distractions.
What We Can Learn from Baseball
Here’s something to think about:
Kind of crazy, right? There’s a reason fans don’t stand on the field in baseball—the risk of interference and emotional involvement is too high! But in youth soccer, we’ve gotten used to letting parents and fans stand right on the touchlines, even though they’re just as much a part of the field as those baselines in baseball. Maybe it’s time to change that.
Progressive soccer communities like Mountain Area YSL are paving the way by setting up ‘Spectator Lines’ a few feet back from the field. This gives everyone some space and helps the players stay focused on the game. What if more leagues tried this out?
Encouragement Over Instruction
As adults, we’re wired to want to help, so it’s natural for us to yell encouragement or give advice to the kids on the field. But during the intensity of a game, kids benefit most from being allowed to play their game, using what they’ve learned in practice. Great coaches know this—they’re out there focusing on the team, using the coaching area to give clear, constructive feedback that builds players’ confidence. The goal isn’t to coach every single move from the sidelines but to let kids make decisions, learn from them, and grow.
How We Can Keep This Trend Going
What Mountain Area YSL is doing isn’t just about keeping parents off the touchline; it’s about creating a culture of respect for the players and the game itself. Picture every field in D-7 with a designated spectator line that encourages parents to stand back and let the kids play. Coaches can lead the way by respecting the coaching area, offering support without overstepping, and showing players that the game is theirs.
Let’s take this approach across District 7. Small steps like marking spectator lines and encouraging positive sideline behavior are simple but powerful ways to improve everyone’s experience. Imagine if every spectator focused on cheering good plays on both sides instead of yelling instructions—what a difference that would make!
Together, let’s make this shift toward a more positive, focused, and fun youth soccer experience. It’s already happening in Mountain Area YSL, and with a little effort, it could become the norm in every D-7 community.
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Karl’s Komments:
Thank you for reading, and a special thanks to John Hodgson for sharing his insights on the positive changes happening at Mountain Area YSL!
Every voice counts in shaping a great experience for our young players, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you seen similar efforts in your community? Got ideas or experiences to share? Join the conversation! Leave a comment below, or reach out to us on social media. Let’s keep building a supportive, fun environment for youth sports—together.
