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One day you were innocently signing your child up for a soccer team and the next thing you know your life is revolving around shin guards and goalies. An estimated 14 million people under age 18 are on organized soccer teams annually, teams that arrive in mini vans and eat orange slices lovingly prepared by soccer moms and dads.

There's a reason soccer is so popular. It's fun, easy to learn and prepares them for a life of athleticism and sports.

As a soccer mom or dad, you can shine from the sidelines as your child shines on the field.

What you should know:

1) Can't shine at the game if they're not at practice. Know where practices are and get your child to the field on time for practices and games.

2) Outfit your soccer star. Find out what equipment the team provides and what is your responsibility.

3) Check out the team before committing to a whole season. Check the competition level, time commitment and skill level of other players. Talk to your child about their ambitions. If they want to join the team to make friends and have fun, it'll be better for everyone involved if they're signed up for a more social team.

4) Keep the coach's information handy, but not so you can badger him or her about benching your child. However, coaches are responsible for your child during practices and games so they need to be accessible. Exchange numbers and other information.

5) Leave coaching to the coach and reffing to the ref. it makes the games much more pleasant for everyone involved.

6) Support the team with lots of cheering from the sidelines and volunteering to help out throughout the season.

7) Practice, and not just formal practice times. Spend time practicing dribbling, shooting and blocking in your back yard. Get a few cones and a net and spend time with your child honing their skills. This is the time to convey to them that hard work pays off.

8) Take care of your little soccer star. Make sure they get plenty of sleep and eat healthy food so they can play to their greatest potential.

9) Celebrate success, games won and skills learned. Laud improvements, friends made and fun memories. Of course, you get to jump up and down and cheer when they win games as well, but help your child see the importance of hard work and having fun.

10) Almost as much as they value superstar talent, coaches value dependable parents that help take the team through the season. You can be one of those parents by showing up, being dependable, and prioritizing the team.

Learn more about this author, A. South.
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