Seatbelt Saturday and Sunday Sep 28/29

BAYS Fall 2024 SEATBELT SATURDAY/SUNDAY  - September 28/29, 2024

BAYS has designated Saturday September 28 and Sunday September 29 as the Fall 2024 season as Seatbelt Saturday/Sunday event. For all BAYS games played on Saturday 9/28 and Sunday 9/29, we are asking you to support and participate in our efforts to help give the game back to the kids by just… 

Sitting down! 

Seatbelt Saturday is an effort to create a better game environment for youth soccer, to enhance player development, and increase game enjoyment for all. It also helps players take more control of their own game by helping to promote communication between the players themselves.

What do we want CLUBS to do:

  • Share the BAYS Seatbelt Saturday notice/link with your coaches, parents, players, and referees.
  • Enthusiastically promote these weekends within your club and make public and prominent the importance of its targeted goals.

What do we want COACHES to do:

  • Sit and watch the game! Actually sit on the bench or a chair.
  • Refrain from shouting tactical instructions, directions, reminders, suggestions or criticisms to the players on the field.
  • Support the referees by not making negative comments or gestures.
  • Use the opportunity to coach and engage with the substitutes who are watching the game with you on the team sidelines. This is a great time for them to learn more about the game from you.
  • Encourage your players to communicate with their teammates throughout the game.
  • Please Note: It is not the referee’s role to enforce that teams participate in this Seatbelt initiative. 

What do we want PARENTS and SPECTATORS to do:

  • During the run of play, just sit down and watch your children play their soccer game.
  • Limit vocal comments to positive general statements of player and team support without mentioning any player names.
  • Make no negative comments about anything that happens during the game. 
  • Revel in the kids playing a game they enjoy!

What do we want PLAYERS to do:

  • Communicate with your teammates!
  • Take back control of your game.
  • Make decisions about your game without interference from coaches or spectators.

What do we want REFEREES to do:

  • Focus on confidently calling your game and making decisions with the decrease in verbal noise from coaches and spectators.
  • Consider providing players in younger grades with more verbal explanations about your calls to help them learn about the game.
  • Please Note: It is NOT the referee’s role to enforce that teams participate in this Seatbelt initiative. 

We hope that these simple actions result in a better and more enjoyable game environment for EVERYONE, but particularly for the players and referees.

We hope that you enjoy the experience. 

Thank you for your support and participation in both upcoming Seatbelt Saturday and Sunday events!