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Out-of-control parents who yell and scream at the opposing team, ridicule coaches, fault officials - anything to blame someone other than their child for a poor performance - may instill an attitude of poor sportsmanship in a child which may last a lifetime, leading the child to believe he can do no wrong.

One suggestion for out-of-control parents: institute a "lollypop rule." The coach and perhaps a few parents keep lollypops in their pockets at games; whenever a parent gets out of hand, yelling and screaming, they are asked to suck on a lollypop. "It is a non-confrontational way of saying calm down, because you can give them a lollypop with a smile on your face," says James MacLeod, author of "Soccer a Sideline Guide for Parents."

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