As we approach the festive season of holiday tournaments, 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 field addition but seeing it in action made me realize just how effective it is. This small adjustment 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! Yet, in youth soccer, we’ve somehow gotten used to parents and fans standing on top of the touchlines, even though they’re just as much a part of the field as those baselines in baseball. It’s time to change that!
Forward-thinking soccer communities like Mountain Area YSL are leading the way by setting up ‘Spectator Lines’ at least 5 yards from the touchlines. This simple addition allows everyone to focus on their role during the game: Coaches coach, Player’s play, Referees officiate, and Spectators spectate. Imagine every tournament adopting this simple change—transforming the game-day experience for all!
Encouragement Over Instruction
As adults, we’re wired to want to help, so it’s natural to yell encouragement or offer advice to kids on the field. However, during the intensity of a game, kids benefit most when they’re allowed to play their game, applying what they’ve learned in practice. Great coaches understand this—they stay in the coaching area, offering clear, constructive feedback that builds players’ confidence. Great spectators understand it too—they stay behind the Spectator Line, focusing on supporting the game by cheering respectfully for both teams’ efforts!
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 fostering a culture of respect for both the players and the game itself. Imagine every tournament field in the USA with a designated Spectator Line, encouraging parents to stand back and let the kids play. Coaches can lead by example, respecting the coaching area, offering support without overstepping, and empowering players to take ownership of the game.
Let’s take this approach nationwide. Simple steps like marking Spectator Lines and encouraging positive sideline behavior can make a huge impact on the tournament experience. Imagine if every spectator focused on cheering good plays from both sides, rather than offering instructions—what a difference that would make!
Together, let’s create a more positive, focused, and fun soccer tournament experience. It’s already happening at Mountain Area YSL, and with just a little effort, it could become the norm in communities across the country.
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Thank you for reading, and a special thanks to John Hodgson for sharing his insights on the positive changes happening at Mountain Area YSL!
With the holiday tournament season upon us, now is the perfect time to adopt simple but impactful strategies like those seen at Mountain Area YSL. Imagine games where every cheer reinforces the holiday spirit, and players, coaches, referees, and spectators can focus on enjoying the game. If you’re hosting or attending a tournament this season, give this idea a try—then share your experiences with me and the SOCCERevolution community!
Please help keep the movement growing and show how small changes like this can create big impacts across the youth soccer tournament scene nationwide!
