Youth Soccer: The Earring Dilemma

My friend is a big time soccer enthusiast. He's a true student of the game. He played in HS and on some pretty competitive club teams during and after college. He thinks he knows the game inside and out. That experience did not prepare him for today.

Before today he didn't know all the rules of the game. Today, he encountered the strict no earring rule and its impact on the game.

This strict "no earring" soccer rule is diametrically opposed to the strict rule that Claire's, the mall based ear piercing store established. Claire's established a "YOU CANNOT TAKE YOUR EARRINGS OUT FOR SIX WEEKS." rule. This rule is communicated loud and clear. Young impressionable girls walk away from their first ear piercing scared. Scared of the death penalty that will be imposed if they take their earrings out before six weeks. And do not be fooled, Claire's has considerable clout with 3000 stores worldwide and 80 million ears pierced.

When these two rules are at odds it's not pretty. Here's how it typically plays out.

The girls line up face to face with their opponents at mid field prior to the soccer game.
The ref reviews the rules. 
The ref checks for proper cleats and shin pads.
The ref asks the girls if they are wearing any jewelry and in particular earrings.
If a girl has earrings in, the ref tells the girl to take them out.
The young girl with new earrings will then look over at her mom with a look of doom on her face.
Then the girl will tell the ref that Claire's told her under penalty of death that she cannot take out her earrings.
The ref will then explain that she or he cannot allow her to play with earrings.
Then to pass the blame the ref will say something about his hands being tied and insurance.
The young girl will wonder what that all means as her eyes start to well up with tears.
She will try to hold it together.
She will look for support from fellow girls
Unfortunately she will only see the members of the opposing team each sporting big grins on their faces knowing that she is toast.
Then the young girl will run off the field crying uncontrollably and jump into the lap of her mom.
The mom will pack up her fold-away chair, slip it into the fold-away chair sleeve and go home to clean the front and back of each ear with Claire’s Ear Care Antiseptic.
But not before a quick stop at the ice cream store.

Crazy Youth Sports Parent Alert

How do I know this? My daughter went through this dramatic experience when she was five. Here was my response, "Who the hell is Claire? Are you kidding me? Just take them out, we need you to win this pee wee soccer game."

For the six weeks following the edict from Claire to my daughter, my daughter line up at mid-field with her hair down and avoided eye contact with the ref.

I know what you are thinking, the rule is in place to protect the young athlete and I was an idiot for allowing her to play. I know.

This is not an isolated situation. I have seen the same scene played out several times with other players during my coaching career and now my buddy has experienced it too.

That is why I am telling you all now, avoid the earring dilemma, do not let your kids get their ears pierced during the season.

The Main Point

Young girls are going to listen to Claire's over any ref or any dad. Always. Parents NEVER let your kids get their ears pierced during soccer or basketball season.