Parents
Overview
CJSL’s Parent Page is designed to give families one clear place to find the most important match-day expectations, sideline standards, safety guidance, and league procedures.
Our goal is to support a positive game environment for players, referees, coaches, and families—so every match is safe, respectful, and development-focused.
Parents play a major role in setting the tone on game day. This page outlines what to expect, what CJSL expects, and where to go if you have questions before or after a match.
For questions, families should contact their team’s coach or club administrator first.
Plan to arrive early enough for parking, warm-up, and check-in. Confirm arrival time with your coach.
Spectators must remain on the designated spectator side. Separation keeps matches controlled, respectful, and safe.
Positive cheering is encouraged. Coaching from the sideline, criticism of referees, and confrontational behavior are not permitted.
No. Parents should never approach referees. Concerns must go through the coach or club administrator.
If directed to leave due to misconduct, compliance is required immediately. Failure to do so may result in league action.
CJSL enforces a strict Zero Tolerance Policy for misconduct toward referees.
CJSL match-day standards apply to all competitions. View CJSL Game Guidelines
- Cheer for effort and learning
- No coaching from the sideline
- No comments toward referees or opponents
- Remain in designated spectator areas
Sideline Project
The Side Line Project is a parent education initiative designed to improve the game-day environment for players, referees, coaches, and families. CJSL is committed to creating a match environment where players can develop, referees can do their job safely, and families can enjoy the game. This initiative supports that mission by helping parents understand the powerful role sideline behavior plays in a child’s development, confidence, enjoyment of the game, team culture, and overall match safety.
Youth soccer is meant to be a learning experience. Players learn best in an environment that is calm, supportive, and respectful. When sidelines become overly emotional, instructional, or confrontational, it distracts players, places unnecessary pressure on referees, and shifts the focus away from development.
The Side Line Project reinforces a clear and simple standard: parents support, coaches coach, referees officiate, and players play. A parent’s role is to encourage effort, support sportsmanship, and model composure—especially in competitive moments.
When parents lead with respect, the game improves for everyone.
Take the Sideline Pledge !
Completion of the Side Line Project course is required for CJSL parents to ensure that all families:
Understand CJSL’s sideline expectations
Are aligned with Zero Tolerance standards
Recognize how parent behavior affects players and match officials
Help create a safe, supportive, and development-focused game environment
The course is brief, informative, and designed specifically for parents. It is not punitive—it is preventative. Education is the most effective way to reduce sideline issues before they occur.
By requiring this course, CJSL is setting a league-wide standard that prioritizes player development, respect for officials, and a positive match-day experience for everyone involved.