There Are Also NO SECRETS IN SOCCER

Soccer never sleeps and as you are reading this someone just scored a great goal somewhere in the world. I believe that positive energy creates positive energy. Enthusiasm is contagious; nowadays I make my practices so much fun that the players don't even realize how hard they are working. In short I have discovered how to have fun and still be very competitive at the same time and it's a magical and wonderful feeling.

I was a professional soccer player in the United States for 12 years back in the 80s and early 1990's. I did some coaching after retiring and was always ultra-competitive; just like I was as a player. In retrospect I was TOO competitive. Indeed, with my new teams there would be no soccer balls for the first two practices, all running, and the players would have to "earn" a soccer ball on my teams. Over the years I have played soccer, coached soccer, officiated soccer, written articles and a book about soccer, etc. etc. My point being that I have experienced this sport from every angle and have learned what works and doesn't work.

Here are some things that I do and if you can incorporate even one of these things then my mission is accomplished with this article.              

1. Always be happy and inspired when you greet your players for practice. I usually say something like "it's a great day for soccer!" even when it's 40 degrees and raining in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.                                               

2. Try to make everything a friendly competition between the players, every race, every activity, I usually let the winners pick between push-ups, sit-ups or sprints. They don't have to do too many, just enough to remind them they lost.                     

3. Remember that despite the culture of winning you are surrounded by; your top priority is the development of players and not necessarily the result of every game. Yes, you want your players to be pumped up when they win and a little upset when they lose but keep it in perspective; it's not life or death. I have been very proud of my teams in defeat numerous times.                                     

4. The three biggest words in my vocabulary are respect, passion and love. Win and lose with equal class. Respect your opponents, the officials, the coaches and the fans.         

5. Let the referee do his job. I try to teach my players that the officials are there to help you and protect you. Unlike other sports, I want the players to not yell and argue when a bad call goes against them. When a foul is called and it's our ball, put it down and play and if it's against us just get back on defense. Don't waste energy arguing, it never helps and just creates a bad atmosphere and example.                            

6. Don't discourage dribbling and expressions of creativity. I'm sure Koach Karl remembers a player like Pierre Littbarski. Use the Google machine to expose them to past greats such as George Best, Diego Maradona and Johann Cruyff.                 

7. 99% of your coaching is done at your training sessions. If you are screaming at players and trying to tell them what to do when they have the ball, then you are simply cheerleading and confusing them. Let them make their own decisions and mistakes and learn from them

8. Be humble. There is always someone better than you on the field, and who knows more about soccer than you do. Don't be cocky or arrogant. The soccer gods always have a way of putting you in your place when you don't act correctly.         

There are no secrets in soccer. It’s perspiration, inspiration, hard work and repetition. Every group of players you work with will be different, play to your strengths and work on your weaknesses. There are a thousand other things I could talk about but my main point is to use positive reinforcement for motivation.   

For me, stepping on a field with talented hungry players that want to learn is an awesome feeling, never take it for granted. The impact you can make on the lives of the players is immense. Embrace the responsibility and love it. They call soccer the beautiful game because when you approach it the right way, it's beauty is there for all to see.

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Dear Reader: Kris Klassen is currently coaching boys and girls varsity high school teams in Wisconsin. If you'd like to learn more about his career or soccer projects please visit soccerrock.yolasite.com

Your FUNdamental, Koach Karl

Karl Dewazien, Emeritus State Director of Coaching California Youth Soccer Association --1978 -2012

Author of the Internationally Published FUNdamental SOCCER Books Series

Producer of the highly acclaimed ‘9-Step Practice Routine’ DVD.

Internet/Clinician at www.fundamentalsoccer.com