| How to Use Patches to Motivate Scoring, Defense, Hustle, Aggressive Play and Practice |
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The patches are a motivational program that really works. As we all know, keeping players motivated is one of the most important challenges a coach faces. The patches can be used to reward Team Attacking, defense, practice, attendance, aggressive play, hustle, bravery, behavior, effort, attitude, leadership, teamwork, or anything that will help achieve your objectives. You will also be amazed at the difference they make in your player's attitude, enthusiasm and effort. The patches really work. We have sold over 1 million all over the U.S. Read 200 Testimonials and Letters from Coaches Who Use Patches to Motivate Players My Favorite Patch Motivational Reward Program
Where to Put Patches: The patches really look good on the player's jerseys, shorts, bags, caps, on a team banner near each player's name, or on a team "sandwich board" at practices so all the players can see their progress. Another idea is to let the player's put them on a Soccer Pride Jersey or T-Shirt that is worn to practice, to the season end party, after the game, during warm-ups if they can change before the game, or just for fun so the player can show that he or she is proud of his or her achievements. To be effective as a motivational tool, it is best if the players can see them at practice, games or both. Also, make a big deal of giving them out. You can give them as an immediate reward, or in a ceremony at the end of practice or at the end of the game where all the players see who is getting them and why... I found this to be an excellent motivational technique.
How to Use Patches to Motivate Players
There are many ideas at the Patch Testimonials from coaches. Basically, you can use the patches to help achieve your objectives, and this varies from team to team. Use them to motivate your players, to get them to come to practice, to encourage hustle and aggressive play, to encourage them to practice on their own, for good defense, for listening to the Coach, or for anything you want to encourage.
Here are a few ideas:
- Practice Attendance -- We all know how hard it is to motivate kids to come to practice or to practice on their own time. We also know how important it is for kids to come to practice. Soccer is a team sport. It’s impossible to practice or teach some things such as formations if your kids don’t come to practice. Your team will definitely play better if your players come to practice. If you want to encourage practice and game attendance you might want to give a Black/White patch each time a player comes to practice or a game (Or even better, give a different color for each 4 to 6 practices. Example: when they have earned 4 Black/White patches, then they start getting a Blue/White patch; and when they get 4 of those they start getting Orange/White, etc. At the end of the season, give a Gold Star patch for perfect practice and game attendance, and ONLY give the Gold Star for that. And give a Blue Star patch to players with a 90% attendance record. This approach is probably better than just giving Black/White because it would be more motivating and fun). I can tell you for certain that teams play much better if most of their players come to practice.
- If you want to encourage Aggressive Play and Winning the Ball, you might give out the Red/White patches or a Red Star patch (we call them Blood Patches or Bravery Patches), but give these sparingly and make a BIG DEAL in front of the entire team of getting one of these and praise bravery, hustle and toughness. This approach really works; it worked for me. Remember, not every kid can be a good athlete, but every kid can hustle and be brave.
- Give patches for Improvement -- that way each player will be encouraged to improve. Don't just give a patch to the "best" player, but to each player who improves -- that way each player is encouraged to improve and has the opportunity to earn a patch. If a player is really good, perhaps they can earn a patch for becoming more consistent or for improving their technique. Choose a color and let that be the "improvement" patch.
- If you want to encourage good defense, then decide how you will determine this (is it a team effort of limiting the opponent to 1 goal or less?). Example: if the opponent only scores one goal or less everyone gets a Green/White patch.
- If your team isn't scoring many goals, it could be beneficial to use the patches to motivate your players to do the things that can produce goals, and Team Attacking. Examples of behavior that you want to teach and encourage include: getting in front of the opponent's goal (most goals are score in front of the goal, and the more players you have there, the better your odds), stealing the ball from a defender and scoring in your "Attacking Third", being alert and in position for rebounds, being aggressive, brave, alert and hustling. In brief: if your Forwards and Midfielders are in position, alert, aggressive and hustle, your team will score goals. Over half the goals in Rec games are scored using the inside of the foot. Placement is more important than power. Shoot low and toward the corner... from inside the Penalty Box a groundball is more likely to score than a hard kicked air ball, because the shot will be more accurate (think about how many hard kicked balls totally miss or go straight to the Goalie), although on a wet field "Chip" shots can be effeective because the Goalie will have trouble catching them. If your team is U8 or older, you should start to think about Team Attacking and Team Defending. Read ideas for how to teach and motivate Team Attacking at www.soccerhelp.com/newsletter_archive/Soccer_Drills_11_30_2009.shtml . SEE BELOW FOR MORE ABOUT THIS.
- You can use them to encourage kids to participate or behave at practice.
- You can use them to encourage kids to listen to the coaches and follow instructions.
- Do you want to encourage assists or unselfish play?
- Do you want to encourage running or speed training?
- Do you want to encourage players to learn "Moves"? (which they can practice at home)
- Do you want to encourage kids to practice at home?
- Or to practice Juggling? (which they can practice at home). Example: increase your juggling by 10 and get a Gold/Blue Patch or a Red Star patch.
- For another example of how to use them, the Baltimore Soccer Academy developed a program called the “Outstanding Individual Achievement Program” (“OIA”). They used the patches as rewards for achievements such as mastering skills, running, juggling, getting good grades and attendance.
As an End of Season Reward. The Shamrock Patch is a great patch to give out at the end of the season to wish everyone "Good luck".
How Many Seasons On a Uniform? Regarding how many seasons to allow patches to build up, you will have to decide, but I don't see a problem of leaving them for at least a year. You could limit them to one area of the shirt for one season and another area the next, or you could use different colors (we have 18 different patches).
Patches Are Usually Done on a Team Basis or by the League or Sponsor. Mostly the patches are done on a team basis, but Kay tells me we sell them to over 100 organizations or leagues (we know because they order several thousand of them and we can set up a special account for them).
We have sold over a million patches. I hope these help. The patches worked for me when I coached, and that's how I got the idea for them. We include instructions for how to iron on the patches with each order and there is a link above. If you have better ideas, please let us know. Thanks, David and Kay at SoccerHelp.
Here are some good ideas from Coaches about how to use patches:
"I just wanted to let you know that the girls love the SoccerHelp patches. I give them out every Monday at the start of practice. Now it’s kind of humorous to see the girls really counting their goals and assists and making sure that I know exactly how many each had during the game. Most of them didn’t even know what an assist was at the start of the season or how important they are to the team. Now they love practicing their passing. I’ve been using the patches for goals, assists, tough defenders, and hustle. My daughter scored 2 goals in the last game and she couldn’t wait to get home from practice last night so my wife could put her patches on her school back pack! Thanks again." Coach Steve
"I'm using the soccer ball patches as skills based patches, so they earn a color for a specific skill. I'm using the star patches as game patches. They earn these for accomplishments during games (i.e., goals, assists, saves, etc.). I haven't used the lightening bolt patch yet but was considering using it for fitness accomplishments. What will the victory patch look like and when do you think you will have them? I'm having the team put the star patches on their team jackets...it looks awesome!" Coach Curtis
"I coach a U8 team and hand out the soccer ball patches at the end of training and the star patches at the end of the games. My policy with the training patches has been to hand them out to anybody who tried hard and cooperated - which really meant that I gave it to all of them except if they clearly didn't try or clearly annoyed or hurt other players. I would give them a warning if they were heading down this path. So it was good motivation. For the star patches at the game - I followed the advise of red stars for bravery and determination and made a big deal of it. The blues I gave for great individual performance and to goal scorers and the gold for great teamwork (at this level, those who show a willingness to pass rather then keep the ball to themselves). It seemed to work." Coach Tony, Australia
How to Motivate and Teach Players to Win
U-9 Team Goes from Losing All Games to Winning
As every coach knows, it is very difficult to get a team that has consistently lost all of its games to become a winning team. The problem is a lack of confidence – they don’t believe they can win, so they don’t win – combined with a lack of effort (not enough practice and hustle) and lack of enthusiasm. If you can motivate them to practice hard and play hard, and change their attitude, they might be able to win, but “How can you motivate a losing team?” Below is a letter I received from a coach who used our iron-on incentive patches to solve this problem. I receive many letters like this. This is why we will sell over 500,000 patches this year.... they really work, and are fun too. There are dozens of similar letters in our Testimonials. You can also see how Coach Doug uses patches at Watch Coach Doug Video Clips.
Hi SoccerHelp,
When I took over a U9 girls team, they had not won a single game in the last 2 years. Not only that, the team could not score any goals. This year, we started using patches and we have won our first 2 games by comfortable margins. We have emphasized how the players can earn them (e.g., team work, skills, hustle and defense) and we've had a tremendous response from our girls (and parents). Attached are a couple handouts that we use to help us manage the patches which other coaches may find useful. Since we keep winning, we are in need of more patches. Click here to see the handout this coach used.
Coach Sumer, Texas
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Hi Coach Sumer,
Thanks... these are great ideas. You are definitely on the right track and have reason to be proud. I'm sure your players and their parents are thrilled.
I want you to be successful, so I'll take the liberty of making some suggestions:
- Change your program to give the Lightning Bolt Patch™ for Teamwork -- there's a good story for that patch about Teamwork, and it's a very cool and distinctive looking patch. Here's the symbolism: "All of our patches are in a circle. The circle has symbolism world-wide and has been an important symbol for centuries. On SoccerHelp patches, the circle represents the team. It is a reminder that the players are within the team, and that the team holds us together, and that every player should remember that he or she is part of the team. The Lightning Bolt Patch™ has additional symbolism that you can use to motivate your players and teach them the importance of teamwork. The patch has 2 “Bolts”, each identical and both equal... these symbolize offense and defense, and the fact that offense and defense are equally important. The 2 Bolts are held together by a middle, which in soccer represents the midfield, and both Bolts touch the Circle, which represents the team, so the entire design is connected, and each part is necessary."
- When a player scores insist she IMMEDIATELY seek out everyone who contributed to the score and give them a high 5 so everyone can see it. OR, maybe even better, do like the Brazilians do and have the entire team come together and touch hands and do a cheer (even a simple one like "1, 2, 3, Go Team"). That way it recognizes that scoring a goal is a team effort and not just due to one player. The PUBLIC ceremony aspect is very good for team moral and to keep players from being jealous of the Forwards. DO NOT let your Forwards claim all the glory -- that is NOT good for team morale.
- When a player does something during the game to earn a patch, immediately (or as soon as possible), get her attention and tell her "Great job -- you've earned a Hustle patch" (or whichever patch). This immediate feedback reinforces good behavior. THIS WORKS. YOU WILL SEE FAST RESULTS IF YOU DO THIS.
- Consider giving certain patches out at the end of the game or at least having a ceremony at the end of the game where you make a BIG DEAL about who earned patches and WHY they earned them -- use specific examples so ALL the players understand the type of behavior that will earn praise and a patch. Have this ceremony in front of ALL the players and parents. The ceremony and recognition is as important and as motivating as the patch. It's important for the players who didn't earn a patch to see the rewards of doing as the Coach wants and that the players who do are praised and rewarded. This is a presumptive way of setting standards and you will find that all of your players will start to do the things you want them to do so they will be praised and win patches.
Play the "Dribble Across a Square" game at every practice and use the "Dribble Around Cone & Pass Relay Race" Practice Game to teach "Aggressive Receiving". Those 2 games will really help your players skills. Trust Me On This.
Please let me know how you do for the rest of the season.... I predict you will do great.
David at Soccerhelp
How to Use Patches to Increase Scoring
Recent correspondence has caused me to re-think the use of patches as a motivation to score goals. (This only applies to U-8 and older). From David at SoccerHelp.
The letter I refer to was sent to the Forum by a coach whose team was playing great and dominating games in every way except scoring. They controlled the ball for 80% of the game, but were only scoring one or two goals per game. The coach thought he needed to practice shooting. My thought was that the reason his players weren’t scoring was because they weren’t in position to score, or weren’t aggressive about “finishing”. In brief, they needed to be taught “how to score” and motivated to be more alert and aggressive when in scoring range. Also, in his case (where his team is dominating the game) it would help to encourage one-touch shots when in front of the goal and to be more aggressive about shooting.
If your team is scoring a lot of goals, I still think it’s better to not give patches for goals. But, if your team doesn’t know how to score goals or isn’t scoring enough goals, it could be beneficial to use the patches to motivate your players to do the things that can produce goals. For example: getting more Forwards and Midfielders in front of the opponent's goal (most goals are score in front of the goal, and the more players you have there, the better your odds), stealing the ball from a defender and scoring in your "Attacking Third" or “Attacking Half”, being alert and in position for rebounds, playing off the Far Post, being aggressive, alert and hustling. In brief: if your Forwards and Midfielders are in position, alert, aggressive and hustle, you will score goals. Over half the goals in Rec games are scored using the inside of the foot. Placement is more important than power. Shoot low and toward the corner... from inside the Penalty Box a groundball is more likely to score than a hard kicked air ball. Once your team learns how to score, you can discontinue giving patches for scoring.
Here are some ideas for behavior you want to encourage that will lead to goals and that you might want to give patches for:
- Being in position for rebounds
- Playing off the Far Post
- Stealing the ball from an opponent in your “Attacking Third” (the third of the field nearest the goal you are attacking) or in your Attacking Half (the half of the field closest to the goal you are attacking)
- Assists
- Consistently being in scoring position (in front of the goal) EVEN if a goal isn't scored. (If you can get your players to do the RIGHT things, they will start to score lots of goals).
- Being alert, aggressive and taking a one-touch shot, even if it doesn’t score.
- Perhaps even give a patch for any decent shot taken from inside your Penalty Box.
- In this phase of training, give a patch for any goal scored.
- Remember that you must also continue to praise and give patches to defenders, the Goalie and Defensive Midfielders (Stoppers) so they don’t feel left out or second-rate. Once your attackers learn how to score, they will get lots of positive feedback and praise, and at that point it isn’t necessary to give patches to attackers, and it can even be counter-productive.
If you watch a Goals DVD like "404 Great Goals" you will notice that most goals are scored directly in front of the goal...this is especially true in youth soccer. Also, you will notice that an alert Forward who stays near the Goal Front can score goals off rebounds and defensive mistakes.
Another question asked was which Practice Games can help improve scoring.
There are many “shooting drills”, and I’ve tried dozens over the years. The problem with all drills is that they don’t involve competition and aren’t played at game speed and under pressure – a kid might look great in a “drill”, but not be able to perform as well in a game because they aren’t used to the pressure and didn’t perform the “drill” at Game Speed. This is the reason I started using Practice Games. There are at least 7 SoccerHelp Practice Games that I think can help scoring:
- Dribble, Turn and Shoot Race
- Dribble Around Cone and Pass Relay Race (because it encourages accuracy, alertness, coming to meet the ball, and kicking it while running)
- Kick A Crossed Ball Game (teaches how to kick a crossed ball)
- Pass To Space, Run With Ball and Shoot Game
- Teaching Forwards to be Opportunistic in the Penalty Box
- Run To Ball and Shoot With Side of the Foot (teaches kicking a ball sideways)
- 2 Team Keep Away (It teaches aggressive play, double teaming to steal the ball, “channeling” the ballhandler to the sideline or into the corner as a way to steal the ball, alertness and quick decision-making. You can also use it to teach teamwork, one-touch passing, support, movement off the ball, defensive pressure, quick transitions from offense to defense, “give and go’s” and wall passes and talking. This game will help your players learn to make fast decisions and how to deal with pressure, and is a great work-out – they will be worn-out after 2 or 3 minutes.)
The following is from the review of "404 Great Goals". These are observations about how most goals are scored out of the 404 goals that are shown on the DVD: There are many “shooting drills”, and I’ve tried dozens over the years. The problem with all drills is that they don’t involve competition and aren’t played at game speed and under pressure – a kid might look great in a “drill”, but not be able to perform as well in a game because they aren’t used to the pressure and didn’t perform the “drill” at Game Speed. This is the reason I started using Practice Games. There are at least 7 SoccerHelp Practice Games that I think can help scoring:
- Most goals are scored from in front of the goal and inside the Penalty Mark (12 yards from the goal) when several attackers are in the area. (So try to get several players in front of the goal and send the ball there).
- What caused the goal? Some are individual brilliance, some are caused by dribbling, but many result from balls crossed to the goal front within 12 yards of the goal.
- Notice that many goals are scored from the Far Post on a cross (these are very difficult for the Goalie to cover).
- Notice that in the scoring area, one touch passes and wall passes are used play the ball to open space in front of attackers so they can run onto the ball.
- Many goals originate from passes to space near the goal front ("passes to space" instead of "passes to feet").
- Very few goals occur because a player makes a fancy "move". They mostly result from passing to attackers in front of the goal, inside the Penalty Box. The moves involved are usually simple body swerves, quick cuts, or a change of speed (few scissors or Coerver type moves). (However, it is important for young players to practice footwork and dribbling).
- Occasionally, goals are scored on breakaways or from aggressive runs into the box, but at high levels of play the defenders are very good and don't allow those a lot.
- Quite a few goals are scored from flick or redirected headers.
- Scrappy, aggressive strikers will score goals on rebounds and second efforts. (Guys like Tony Coffee, Chris Sutton and Alan Shearer aren't as fast or athletic as Andy Cole, but they are smart, tough and position themselves well).
- On Penalty Kicks, the Goalkeeper should stay on his feet until the ball is struck.
- As many goals are scored using the inside of the foot as by instep drives.
- Most headers are scored inside the Goal Box and many of the headers are headed down to the ground. If you have a player who can head the ball, having him play off the far post on corner kicks and crossed balls may be a good idea.
- Many goals are scored from Set Plays (corner kicks, free kicks and PK's)
- If there is one lesson here, it has to be that you can increase your odds of scoring by getting several attackers in front of the goal and then passing the ball into that area. Many goals are due to having attackers in front of the goal and sending the ball there.
- Smart, unselfish attackers will dribble to draw defenders, which will create the opportunity to pass to an open teammate (versus being selfish, dribbling too much and losing the ball). The players who can create scoring opportunities in this way are very valuable and deserve credit for the goals that result from their assists. As a coach, you should always give these players immediate credit for the assist, and do so in front of all players and parents. You should also insist that the first thing the scorer does (instead of trying to grab the spotlight and all the glory) is to thank the player who made the assist by giving him or her a "high 5" that everyone can see (a 'thank you" that all the other players and spectators will notice). This is a way to publicly say "thanks for the assist, I recognize that you allowed me to score this goal".
I hope some of this helps. Please let us know if it does, or if you find any better ideas.
How Many Patches?
How many patches you will need depends on how you plan to use them to motivate your players. So, the first thing to do is to think about what you want to achieve.
For example, if you want to encourage practice and game attendance you might want to give a Black/White patch each time a player comes to practice or a game (Or even better, give a different color for each 4 to 6 practices. Example: when they have earned 4 Black/White patches, then they start getting a Blue/White patch; and when they get 4 of those they start getting Orange/White, etc. At the end of the season, give a Gold Star patch for perfect practice and game attendance, and ONLY give the Gold Star for that. And give a Blue Star patch to players with a 90% attendance record. This approach is probably better than just giving Black/White because it would be more motivating and fun). I can tell you for certain that teams play much better if most of their players come to practice.
If you want to encourage Aggressive Play and Winning the Ball, you might give out the Red/White patches or a Red Star patch (we call them Blood Patches or Bravery Patches), but give these sparingly and make a BIG DEAL in front of the entire team of getting one of these and praise bravery, hustle and toughness. This approach really works; it worked for me. Remember, not every kid can be a good athlete, but every kid can hustle and be brave.
If you want to encourage good defense, then decide how you will determine this (is it a team effort of limiting the oponent to 1 goal or less?). Example: if the opponent only scores one goal or less everyone gets a Green/White patch.
Do you want to reward assists?
Do you want to encourage running or speed training?
Do you want to encourage players to learn "Moves"? (which they can practice at home)
Or to practice Juggling? (which they can practice at home). Example: increase your juggling by 10 and get a Gold/Blue Patch or a Red Star patch.
For another example of how to use them, go to the Baltimore Soccer Academy website and click on the Outstanding Individual Achievement Program or "OIA Stars" at the top. They use the patches as rewards for achievements such as mastering skills, improving speed, juggling, getting good grades and attendance.
Think of the things you really want to achieve and to teach and how the patches can be used to motivate your team. Put it on paper and add up how many patches of which color. That's the best way. Now, did I start out this way? NO!!! It took me years of using the patches and trial and error (I used them for about 5 years) and I have the benefit of receiving ideas from hundreds of coaches. If you come up with some good ideas please share them and please share ideas that work and get results. That way everyone will benefit.
As a rule of thumb, I would say that most coaches will give out 10 to 20 patches per player during a season if they are giving patches for practice attendance. This is what I did and when I bought them they were 55 cents each. SoccerHelp's prices are much less. For example, as of January 2007, you can buy a 150 pack of Star Patches for 33 cents each and a 180 pack of soccer ball patches for 32 cents each.
Parents often contribute to buy the patches.
Coaches Ideas for Using Patches:
- Attackers and Support: I handle the "problem" of selfish play by rewarding not only those who score goals, but those who assist. This rewards feeding and passing, so those who assist can earn the same patches. Coach Dennis
- Defenders: I reward defenders with the blue star patches. The blue stars are "star defender" patches for great plays like: blocking a penalty, or catching a ball in the air for a keeper, or a defender clearing in a very critical play or a defender pouring their heart and giving 110%. Coach Dennis
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