Helping You Keep Your Player Safe, Supported & Enjoying the Game
Parents and guardians are an important part of creating a positive and safe soccer experience. Understanding SafeSport, recognizing concerning behavior, knowing what questions to ask, and knowing where to turn when something doesn’t seem right can make a difference.
🛡️ SafeSport for Parents
💬 Talk With Your Player About Safety
Talking openly with your player helps them understand healthy boundaries and makes it easier for them to come to you when something doesn’t feel right.
Parent Toolkits by age:
- Talking with younger children
- Talking with school-age children
- Talking with teenagers
- Listening when your child tells you something is wrong
👀 What Should Parents Look For?
Know the Signs
Most coaches and volunteers are there for the right reasons. Parents should still understand appropriate boundaries and recognize behavior that may warrant questions or reporting.
Appropriate Coaching vs. Abuse
Learn the difference between challenging an athlete appropriately and emotional or physical misconduct.
Understanding Grooming
Learn about behaviors that can be used to gain a child’s or family’s trust and create opportunities for inappropriate access.
Coach/Athlete Boundaries
Understand expectations surrounding one-on-one interactions, electronic communication, transportation, individual training, and travel.
Bullying & Hazing
Know the signs that your player may be experiencing—or participating in—bullying or hazing.
Questions Parents Should Ask Their Club
It’s okay to ask questions about your child’s safety.
✓ Are all coaches and required adults background screened?
✓ Are coaches current with SafeSport training?
✓ What is the club’s policy on coach-player texting and electronic communication?
✓ What are the rules regarding one-on-one training?
✓ What is the club’s transportation policy?
✓ Who should I contact if I have a concern?
✓ How does the club handle bullying or misconduct?
✓ What happens if I report a concern?
Understanding MAAPP
The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) establish boundaries for interactions between adults and minor athletes. They are designed to reduce opportunities for abuse and create safer sport environments.
👥 One-on-One Interactions
Interactions with minor athletes should be observable and interruptible.
📱 Electronic Communications
When communicating electronically with a minor athlete, include another Adult Participant or the athlete’s parent/guardian.
🚗 Transportation
Understand the requirements before transporting a minor athlete individually.
🚪 Locker Rooms & Changing Areas
Follow appropriate monitoring and privacy requirements.
⚽ Individual Training Sessions
Parents/guardians must be permitted to observe individual training sessions, subject to applicable MAAPP requirements.
🏨 Travel & Lodging
Know the safeguarding requirements when teams travel and stay overnight.
🚨 What If My Child Tells Me Something Happened?
Listen. Support. Report.
If your child tells you about abuse, misconduct, or behavior that made them uncomfortable, listen calmly and take their concern seriously. You do not need to investigate the situation yourself.
IMMEDIATE DANGER → Call 911
REPORT TO THE U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT
⚽ Game Day Safety
🧠 Concussion Awareness
Know the signs and symptoms and when an athlete should be removed from play.
☀️ Heat & Weather Safety
Heat, lightning, cold weather, and air-quality information.
❤️ Emergency Preparedness
What parents should know about emergency action plans and medical information.
🩹 Player Accident Insurance
What to do if your child is injured during an NSS activity and how to file a claim.