05/14/2026
SOPER SILENT SUNDAY DETAILS
Date: 05/17/2025
Soper Silent Sunday has been a regular event within the league for the past 20 years and was developed by retired OHTSL President Al Soper and Carl Pavolich, a longtime NOGSL board member.
The concept is that youth players need to develop communication skills within the game of soccer. The opportunities for players to dictate the match, has unfortunately, become drowned out by parents and coaches who do a lot of the talking for them.
Soper Silent Sunday does not allow for parents to yell anything during the game other than to applaud a good play, goal or save. It also minimizes the coaches' role to only be able to call out for substitutions and have conversations with players on the bench. The only exception to this rule is at the U9 age, where coaches are still encouraged to coach, as players are still learning and developing within the game. However we as a league, encourage even U9 coaches to keep coaching to a minimum on this day, if possible.
On this Sunday, May 17th, Soper Silent Sunday will be mandated. Referees cannot choose to not to honor Silent Sunday, nor can coaches or parents. Coaches are responsible to remind parents of the requirements ofthis weekend and the value to the players. Any parent or coach not adhering to Silent Sunday will first be warned and then asked to leave the facility. Referees will receive an email reminder, as well as all coaches and reps.
Keep points to remember:
1) Only U-9 coaches may continue to give instruction and talk to players on the field during the game.
2) All coaches, with the exception of U9, must refrain from coaching during the match, with the exception of calling out substitutions, and conversations to players on the bench.
3) Parents (including U9) should refrainfrom any communication other than to applaud and be supportive of the play on the field, when the play is dead (i.e. substitution, ball goes out, goal is scored, etc.)
4) Please remember the goal of Soper Silent Sunday is to give the players a voice, so please do your best to support this opportunity to develop a specific area of the game which must be encouraged for successful play to occur, as players continue to grow.
Thank you for supporting us in this event. Please refer to the OHTSL website homepage, www.ohtsl.com for additonal information.
