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Advantages of Using Soccer Patches and Star Patches to Motivate Players. The advantage of the soccer patches and star patches are that they can be seen, touched and held. Players really like them. If a player earns one, he or she will be proud. If they see another player earn one, most kids will also want to earn one. They quickly understand what they need to do to earn a patch. There are 2 main times to give patches: at the end of practice and at the end of each soccer game. At the end of the game, call your players all together around you ("Gather Round") and encourage the parents to watch while you give out the patches. If a player has to leave early, you can give that players his or her patches personally, but encourage them to stay while you give the rewards. Tell the parents it is an important part of motivation. For U4 and U6 players, give everyone at least one patch (like an attendance patch). At U8 and older you can still give an attendance patch if you want, but start to use the patches to motivate the behavior you want by making the players earn the patches. They could earn them for hustle, bravery, listening to the coach, effort, attitude, leadership, teamwork, improvement (it is important to constantly encourage improvement and to reward improvement), or specific achievements, such as great defense or following a shot to be in position for a rebound (even if they didn't score). If you are having a problem getting players to play a position such as Goalie, select a special Goalie Patch that you ONLY give to players who play Goalie.

Specific Ideas for How to Use Soccer Patches and Star Patches to Motivate the Behavior You Want. Some ways I like to use the patches are for hustle, bravery, listening to the coach, effort, attitude, leadership, teamwork, improvement (it is important to constantly encourage improvement and to reward improvement), or specific individual or team achievements, such as great defense, following a shot to be in position for a rebound (even if they didn't score), or the team not allowing a goal (getting shut-out). Some coaches reward every player on the team when goals are scored to reinforce the idea that goals are a team effort. If you can get your players to hustle, listen to the coach, to be brave and to do their best, then you are motivating them. Keep in mind that it is a process - it won't happen all at once. I like the idea of encouraging individual improvement, achievement and team spirit. I like the idea of letting every player be a "Captain" at one of the games so you can take a positive approach to Leadership. (More than one player can be a Captain at each game). Or, you could use the "C" patch for Courage. I think bravery, hustle, listening to the coach and doing your best are 4 of the most important things to motivate. If you motivate those 4 things, your players and team can achieve their potential, and you can be proud of them, win or lose. Those are also valuable life lessons that build character. If you are having a problem getting players to play a position such as Goalie, select a special Goalie Patch that you only give to players who play Goalie, or Fullback if that is the position you are having a problem with.