Ok, I think I know... but a guy who writes for a local paper in N.C. wanted a few expert opinions. I told him this would be the best place to find answers. --the aformentioned small town reporter is technologically challenged so I am cutting and pasting his questions here for him:
1. What makes a good soccer fan group? In my opinion it takes three things--passion for one's club, a love for the game itself and a balance between organization and fun. You have to be somewhat organized to be a fan group but don't over organize, bottomline, have fun. 2. Any advice for the high school soccer fans? Contact some supporters groups, both here and abroad. Many have websites and most would be eager to pass on some advice, songs, etc. 3. What makes for great atmosphere (and remember, these are prep students, so no suggestions for lots of lager)? Whether you are 5 or 500 sharing your passion for the team and game will make for a great atmosphere. It doesn't depend on the size of the crowd or the level of play, just being together and supporting your club creates the atmosphere. 4. Did any of y'all attend high school soccer matches? What was the atmosphere like? Sorry, I haven't been to a high school match in years.
1. What makes a good soccer fan group? Passion. Where there is passion for the sport, a healthy soccer fan group will flourish. These knowledgable fans then can grow their group with "mission work" (bringing friends who don't follow soccer into the great atmosphere). You'd be surprised how many one game converts there are. 2. Any advice for the high school soccer fans? Have fun, love the sport and make sure you understand the level these players are on. Taunting, as we know it in the pro game, is a lot less welcome in the HS game. As a side note, I was at an Elon University game this past weekend and the crowd basically rode one of the other team's strikers out of the game. 3. What makes for great atmosphere (and remember, these are prep students, so no suggestions for lots of lager)? Songs, drums, and organized efforts. And always, support the team. At RFK, when the opposition scores, the supporters don't boo, the start up with their most recognizable chant "Clap - Clap - Clap - Clap -Clap - Clap DC UNITED". I wouldn't sing Ole' after the other team scored, but you get the point. 4. Did any of y'all attend high school soccer matches? What was the atmosphere like? My HS never had an atmosphere, except for parents, saying yeah that's my boy, and clapping politely. But as more people are learning soccer, they are also learning how to cheer. Case in point, my daughter plays U9 travel, the parent's on this team know enough to applaud great dribbling, defensive stops, clears and through balls, not just goals - as was the case in the old days. Bryan James Screaming Eagles
1. What makes a good soccer fan group? Going out every game (rain or shine, win or lose) and giving your team your all. Making sure all supporters can be included, zero tolerance for racism or violence. A membership fee is fine (can help pay for supplies or website) but anyone who wants to join should be able. 2. Any advice for the high school soccer fans? Have parties or pep rallies to practice cheers and make banners (and if your school allows, confetti). Keep the cheers simple so others in the stadium can join in (and as you're a prep school they can be cheeky but keep them clean). 3. What makes for great atmosphere (and remember, these are prep students, so no suggestions for lots of lager)? Horns, drums, cowbells, etc. Make sure you're school allows these items. If not, your 2 hands and 2 feet will have to do. You also need one or 2 people to be cheer leader (no, no short skirts or pom poms, just a loud voice to start people). 4. Did any of y'all attend high school soccer matches? What was the atmosphere like? My high school didn't have a soccer team. Didn't start following the sport until MLS Kim Klyberg The Screaming Eagles (PS, maybe we BSers could get these folks up to United game next year or get them some seed money to buy some banners). K
Interesting that this guy is writing an article based on high school supporters clubs. My high school had a supporters group and they added a ton of atmosphere to our games. Even football players would come up to me and tell me what a good time they had at the game and ask when the next one was. This is happening a lot in New Jersey. Many school's have had students start their own supporters sections. We played a school that had about 50 kids come out for their games. It was a very difficult place to play. I think for high school it should be less organized and based more on being spontaneous. I know what happened in my school was due to me and a bunch of my friends starting it off, but it was fun to see how it blew up.
100% unconditional support for the team. Complete faith even in the darkest hour. Leaving negativity at home. Lots and lots of throat lozenges. Dave
Don't drink the koolaid! As for a supporters' group, the key is singing the same song and having a loud person lead the way! Making sure they can hear you over the mad drumming that ensues is crucial to successfully getting them to sing "Couldn't score in a brothel!" or the high school alternative "Couldn't score with your prom date!"
I didn't read beyond the title and didn't know it was for high schoolers. Don't drink, kids. Look at me. To answer the questions - what they said. Go nuts. Have fun. Be creative. When feasible, don't miss a game, win or lose, rain or shine, home or away.
1. What makes a good soccer fan group? Passion for the team and the desire to express that passion with others. 2. Any advice for the high school soccer fans? Enjoy! The players may not be as good, but they are playing for their team and their school. There's something pure about small-time high school athletics (i.e. every sport that isn't football and basketball). 3. What makes for great atmosphere (and remember, these are prep students, so no suggestions for lots of lager)? Getting as many people involved as possible is a first good step. From there it's duration - you don't have to be to clever, just keep yelling and singing. 4. Did any of y'all attend high school soccer matches? What was the atmosphere like? When I was on the high school soccer team, the atmosphere never was much until the state semifinal. We went on the road, two-and-a-half hours and two mountain passes away, to play in Denver. Despite an afternoon snowstorm, about 500 people from my town showed up to cheer (my high school was only about 600 people and the only one in town, to show the size of my town). That's why, in my mind, numbers are the key - even though a lot of them were parents, and there was no European-style singing or chanting, it was the best high school sports cheering I've heard or seen since then. RS
I also played in high-school, and we always had good support from parents, alumni, and fellow students. I remember a particularly large crowd for the State Semi-Final in 1988 that filled the stands on both sides of the stadium at Frederick High. The State Tournament Final is very well attended (well, at least the ones I've attended), and the fans generally get into it if they've had the practice during the season. A note of interest: Our soccer team was, after our field hockey team, the most successful program at our high school. We enjoyed pointing out to the helmetball players that we actually outscored them against certain teams. One example was an 8-0 pasting we handed a school that had beaten our football team 10-3.