Patches, they LOVE these. I have seven types:

Black: Practice patch, each kid gets one at the end of practice as long as he has put in a good effort. (I have never not given one out) Game patches, earned ONLY in games (max one per game) Red: Bravery, when a kid gets nailed shakes if off and gets back in the game, the blood patch. My kids leap back up from the ground now, they never cry. Other teams have playing whining and crying and they get coddled off the field. This patch has really toughened my kids up. (In a good way) Blue: "turning around" in a game.
Blue and Yellow "Defense" stopping the other team from scoring in a game.
Green: "Passing" must be an intentional, deliberate pass to another one of our own team
Light Blue: "Spirit/Hustle" Every kid gets this if he hasn't earned one of the above

If a player does multiple things, I choose the best one, or a color he doesn't have a lot of on his/her jersey. Their left sleeves look like checkerboards of patches. They love them, big, big, big...

--Coach Doug, USA

Patches have been a hit here in Richardson. Everybody is asking my wife constantly where we get them, and the girls work hard for them. The red is for best defense, the blue is for best offense (it makes the other team blue), and the black one is for the player that hustles the most in the game. Thanks again for your help.

--Coach Frank, Texas

"We are so excited to be able to purchase the fast-pitch softball patches this year! After using the patches last year for 7 to 15 year old girls, we were amazed at the success of them. We wanted to offer something to encourage good effort, good attitude, most improved as well as outstanding plays. These patches did the trick BIG TIME! We were surprised by the fact that even the big girls proudly wore them! We even have players asking us if we are going to be able to offer the incentive patches again next year! This is a tried and true method for any coach/league out there! Thank you “SoccerHelp” for offering the patches! Your customer service and willingness to expand into the fast-pitch softball arena has been the best."

--Coach John, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Wow, I can't say enough good things about the approach to teaching soccer through games. I am a first time coach, I learned alot from this website. The kids all participate in practice and seem to enjoy it. We had some first timers on the team and after our first practice were saying "This was fun." On Saturday, we won our first game!!!! But more importantly than that, through using the patches, even the kids were telling each other the good things they were doing. The parents seem to really like the patch idea too. So, I just wanted to say thanks for the website and all the great information on it. I was using the free site, but soon after I signed up for the premium package. It has been a lifesaver for me. Thanks again and keep up the excellent work.

--Coach Kris, Kansas

"Awesome! Thanks so much. We love these patches. This is our teams second order. I can't believe how these motivate the kids! It's amazing to see such a turnaround in our team.

Thanks again for a great product!"

--Coach Larissa, Arizona, USA

Coming back again this year. We use these patches for girls Softball and Soccer (this is our 3rd year) and will gear up for little boy T-Ball next spring. Thanks for a great product.

--Coach Tisha, California

"I coach 5-6 year old boys. I started handing out the patches following our practice session after we played our first game. One of my player’s mother told me her son usually played timidly and stayed in the background. He was so proud of the star patches and soccer ball patches that now he is one of the better and more aggressive (in a good way) players on the team. He comes home with the patches and tells his mom that he got a patch for his great play, hustle, defense, etc. All the boys look forward each practice to receiving the patches. Last game the whole team played so well, we won 7-0 that they all got a star patch and a soccer ball patch. Thanks for letting us know all the success stories, they have helped."

--Coach Larry, New Jersey, USA

"Your incentive patches are great! I coach 1st graders and they love the patches. I give black/white soccer ball patches for each game attended and use the other colored ball patches to reward good play and effort. The star patches are for extra good effort. I keep track to ensure all the kids will receive at least one incentive patch by season's end. The patches are a great way to give confidence to the players who may just be learning or not as skilled as the others. Thanks for helping me motivate the kids while also making them happy."

--Coach Michael, Maryland

"Last year as an assistant coach at the Navy base Recreational league our team's coach introduced your soccer incentive patches to the kids. He gave 1 patch to each kid each week for attending all practices and games that week, and each game he awarded 2 patches, 1 each for the best offensive and best defensive player. The kids worked so hard to earn those patches, it was amazing. This year I coached my own team for the first time, and I continued that policy with the patches. It was worth all of the money I paid for them. My kids worked themselves to collapse trying to earn a patch each game! The disappointment when someone else would get it was pretty serious, but they worked even harder the next game. I think it was a huge contributing factor in our 8 - 1 - 1 record!"

--Coach Jeff, USA Navy

"For the last 2-3 years I have been using the your iron-on patches and was the only coach in my league to use them. My daughter (8 years old) was recruited by the travel team and the coach of my daughters new team saw how my team last year had shirts full of the patches and asked about them. When I told him most of the them were for attendance at games and practices he was impressed that all the girls had about equal amounts of patches and I told him that's how I was able to coach a good team, because I had good attendance. Last Friday my daughter had her first practice for her new team and not only did the coach have the patches for the girls (which by the way it seems he recruited almost all of my girls, lol ) but he told me he also joined the SoccerHelp Premium site. So that is my testimony as to how well these patches work . Thank you again for all your help in the past years and years to come."

--Coach Jim B.

"I am coaching a boys U9 team and just completed the first tournament with a 4-0 run. As a testimonial regarding the soccer patches I wanted you to know how my kids are very competitive to win one of four patches we award each game. I have even heard that the parents comment on a good play stating that such a play might earn a patch. My team is the only one presently using the patches and I think it makes a difference in how the boys compete. We use a red and white patch for the "blood and guts" award where a player plays through a minor injury or rough play. We use a black and white patch to signify an outstanding defensive effort. The blue and white patch is for hustle and encouragement. The final patch is a maroon and white patch give for outstanding effort to the team. We do not always award a patch in a game and have given two of the same color in a few cases. So far we have only awarded one maroon patch in five games just to indicate how special that patch is. The boys will be having the patches stitched onto their uniform shorts. Thanks for the great motivational tool."

--Coach Tom, IL, USA

I have been using the patches for 2 seasons the soccer balls are for "playing hard, fair and having fun" if they do so they get one then the "star" patches are for red star offensive player of the game, blue star defensive player of the game, and the gold for goals scored...now here comes the "well" part. This year I said for EVERY goal scored you get a gold star. I think something snapped in my team we had 4 different players score 2 or more goals with the final score being 10-1 !! and it's only our 2nd game. I had to exprees ship more gold stars before our practice this week I did not have enough.

I think they work.

--Mike L.

Love the patches I gave out the first ones last week and my kids are excited and the envy of the other teams (u-8). The parents and I want to make this fun for the kids and this is one perfect way to show the kids how well they are doing!

--Debbie, VA, USA

"This is my second or third order from you for these stars. My girls love them and really play hard to get them for their hats. I've given away so many just four games into the season that I'm unsure if I'll have enough available for the remaining games!"

--Coach Kenneth, PA, USA

The kids loved the patches at the first practice almost as much as the parents did!!!!

--Coach Kevin, USA

"You guys are awesome! I am the only coach for our club that presents the patches. The kids love them. Last season we had the best record in our club, the girls work hard but I know the patches have something to do with it also."

--Allen, Idaho, USA

The patches are a great motivation for bringing the kids out to practice. I did not believe your advertisement until I tried the patch system. Thanks.

--Coach Carmella

My name is Josh and I live in south Nashville and I am a second year parent coach of my son's U7 soccer teams. I found your site during a few late nights searching the web for help to create a better soccer experience for my boys and for me as a parent coach. Your site was exactly what I was looking for! Since becoming a premium member I have seen a dramatic improvement in my team performance and the boys have responded beautifully to your motivational patches. I have had coaches of U12 boys and girls asking me how I have been able to get my U7 boys to understand the soccer "theory" and perform well in games. Each time I am asked I tell them about SoccerHelp.com!

--Josh, TN

Importance of Stopper, Patches and Coaching Rule No. 3; Letter from U-10 Coed Rec Coach Playing 9v9:

Hi SoccerHelp,

We had 1 win and 4 narrow losses until I put into place your tactics for playing a stopper, marking on throw-ins, goal kicks, punts and free kicks (Coaching Rule No. 3) and using patches as incentives to motivate players. The team we played today would have normally beaten us, but we beat them 3-0 !! The number of assists and striking in the goal box was amazing, lots of far post positioning by our team, I changed the Stopper half way thru first half. My first choice at stopper ended up having no real energy, the second choice was amazing - he went like a steam train. I told him the whole field was his, as long as he ran back to position each time the other team went on attack - he did this - and performed incredibly well. Our defenders did see some action but it was more clearing type work.

As you recommended, I played our best goalie in the field because he’s a great athlete and our second choice goalie was in goal - I was nervous at commencement of game. But the other team hardly got near our penalty box!!!

Marking improved all thru game, I gave out patches at half time for marking and assists. This really got my team going. Me yelling out to player as he/she went by – "you've got a patch for marking Logan".... or "Jack, you're patched for hard attack!" You should have seen the kids faces then watched them react on the field!!

The parents were screaming their heads off - they couldn't believe the change in our team. All the kids came off the field heads held high and smiling. They knew they'd achieved something great.

SoccerHelp - I am raising a glass to you guys this evening - I think the team is starting out on a great path. You've made the difference today mate!

All the best and have a great weekend. The start of ours has been awesome.

--Coach Chris, New Zealand

My team sure loves the patches!! Last year some parents sewed them on wrist bands or head bands. The challenge was finding the time to sew them on in a timely manner so as to maintain the motivation.

--Eleanor

My daughter came home from school yesterday and was so excited because several of her friends were asking her where she got her soccer ball patches from. Hopefully, her enthusiasm will be contagious.

--Coach Steve, CA, USA

David - Long time not talk to! I just ordered 100 more patches. My U14 girls went 8 - 1 last season, giving up one goal all season in the only game we lost (1 - 0). We are off to another good start, with 7 - 0 and 5 - 0 shutouts so far. My girls love their Mud Axes you sent last time I ordered patches!

Keep up the good work...

--Coach Tony, GA USA

Amazing how well the patches work.

--Coach Mike, USA

The Patches are GREAT! I love them! This is the second season I have used them and they are working out wonderful. Thanks again.

--Jessica

The patches have been the greatest motivator for our girls. They LOVE earning them!

--Coach A, Girls U7

The kids Love these Patches!!!

--Coach Mike, LA, USA

I want to thank you for sending the soccer ball patch order to my house so promptly. I was very pleased to get it on time and before the soccer games on Saturday. My 4-5 year old players work hard to get these patches awarded to them and really look forward to showing them off. I believe I am the only coach in my league that uses these awards, and I know that there will be more. Many coaches and parents from other teams tell me how nice they look and have shown interest. You should consider marketing to my Club to promote these wonderful tools.

--Coach Brian, LA, USA

"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 love this site, I am a Premium member and this is my second year using patches. They are the best, the kids do stuff just for the patches! This is my second order this year and it would not surprise me if I need a few more by the end of the year. Thanks for being here.

--Chad, CA, USA

Hi. These incentive patches are working so well, our team is WINNING big. They are doing so well that I need 50 more lightning bolt patches.

--Coach Lisa

"My boys will walk thru walls for these patches."

--Coach Jeff, Pennsylvania

Your patches ROCK! My girls love them!!

--Greg, Florida

I can't tell you how much fun your patches have brought to my GAME! You guys are the best!!!! I love these patches.

--Tammy, California

The kids love the patches for soccer. Onto basketball!

--Jay, CT, USA

The patches worked GREAT this year.

--Steve, TX

"I bought each of the girls a bandanna which they tied on their bags. Then they could iron the patches on the bandanna for all to see. It was a great motivator because they could see the patches accumulating."

--SoccerHelp Coach

At one point in the tournament, my great attacker got kicked in the face, but never broke stride and almost knocked one in from outside the box. At the break, he ran up to me and declared, "I want my blood patch now. Im not waiting until after the game." He played the whole second half with the patch clutched in his fist, and did a great job keeping the score where it was. Both of my teams finished undefeated, so thanks again for the great resources and patches. They work great!

--Coach Dan GA, USA

These patches work like majic!!!! great idea, it really motivates my players.

--Michael, FL, USA

I tried some of the soccer incentive patches last year with my U11 Girls team to see what would happen as we had gone through our whole regular season without a win and very few goals scored. The result was fantastic! The girls play on the field changed to a whole team effort. The went from being last in the standings to serious championship contenders in the play-offs. I almost had to fight the girls off as they practically swarmed me after a game to see who was going to get a patch. It is with this reaction and result that I decided to offer these various patches to coaches and associations across Canada. These patches work and the kids love them!

--Coach Steve, The Soccer Patch, Manitoba

I used them last year and they made a big difference. In our league at the GU8 level we were 1st place overall and we won the year end Cup Championships too. ;o) The patches were a big hit!!

--Coach Howie, Ontario

I am a second year coach. If we win our games, the players get stars and if we lose, they get a soccer ball patch. After the first week's tie, the kids wanted stars and I explained the rules of winning and not giving up, playing hard, etc. We are undefeated since.

--Coach Jay, Ontario

We have finished our house league and the (baseball) patches worked great. At the end of each game the kids ran out of the dugout to have the team meeting to see who would be awarded the star and game ball. They all proudly wore their patches on their hats, and kids on other team kept asking them about them.

--Coach Rick, BC

David,

I introduced the patches to my two U12 girls teams at last nights training session.

I must say that I was surprised at the difference they made to their attitude and work rate. I expected them to be a little cynical but they weren't - they thought the patches were 'cool' and really wanted to earn one!

The difference was particularly noticeable among the two or three 'difficult' children. Their attitude was transformed. I only hope it keeps up!

I ironed a couple of the patches to a T shirt printed with the name of my club and wore it so they could see what the patches looked like. During training I explained exactly how they could earn one for themselves. In the warm up (ball juggling) I gave one for three consecutive juggles (they're not very good at them!). In the next exercise (a three person passing game) I gave patches to the team that could go the longest without making a mistake - it went on forever!

Thanks for sending me those patches. I will certainly be recommending them to the other coaches at my club and I'm working on a way to recommend them to the people who visit footy4kids.

Great stuff!

--Coach Steve

This is my second time around with your patches. The first time was 5 years ago when my son started playing soccer, now my 3 year old starts. Great site!!!

--Greg, TX

Once again thank you for your very prompt shipping and the patches. We immediately put them to use. And timely it was as I only had two left from the last order. Kids are excited about them, especially the D for my defenders, and the stars for my \"team plays / passing combinations\". Take care and we look forward to using you more in the future.

--Charlie, WA, USA

I used the patches last season. They are great and I like the new ones. Keep up the creativity!

--Sean, Club Coach, U9 Girls

I have been looking for something simple and easy to use as an incentive for my U10 now U12 soccer team. Thank you very much. Finally, someone has come up with low cost and easy way to help motivate players in a positive way. This spring season will be the first time I am going to use patches as an incentive and I expect them to do wonders.

--Ciaran, MA, USA

I love using the patches and I use your games for all of my ages (from pre-k to my novice women’s team).

--Lisa, TX, USA

Hello from New Zealand,

We have found your incentive badges to be of great help here with my academy.

Cheers!

--Terri

I just wanted to say thanks. This will be our 2nd season and the kids love getting the patches. I give them one for each goal they score. We have 4 year olds. Thank you again.

--Alisa, TN, USA

"I have one child on my U6 team who regularly misbehaves even with his parents around...

I had a couple of heart to hearts with him, but that didn't seem to help much.

I started giving patches at the last practice. He earned one for bravery at the last game for getting up so quickly after falls. I had told him that he would get something for that. He was so excited. After I gave the patches out (game patches and practice patches) I told him about a special patch he could earn for listening and following directions. We worked on a couple more practice games and he reported to me every time he listened. "Coach. I've followed directions 3 times in a row!"

It is amazing what a little thing like a patch can do.

And for the sake of this child, I'm just as interested in his development as a well behaved child and young man as I am about how great a soccer player he becomes.

--Coach Lee

Hi SoccerHelp,

We had an end of the year soccer tournament with individual games as well. Four of the top five scores in the obstacle course were from my team. Most of my success this year is really based on stuff I used from this site. From the patches to games/drills, I got most of that from here.

--Greg, Premium Member

Hi,

I coach a girls' middle school Rec and Ed - grades range from 5-9, mostly 6th graders - and I recently subscribed to SoccerHelp Premium. I have to admit, when I first read about the patches I thought they would be considered corny by my girls, but I'm open-minded enough to have given it a try. But skeptical enough that I wanted to first try the idea, without spending any money!

So as our indoor season was going along, without actually ordering any patches yet, but liking the idea, I impulsively decided to give the girls what I called "secret stars" with the intent of later ordering your star patches and handing them out later. I told them that for exemplary play, improvement, or special motivation I would award "secret stars" and that they would never know if I awarded it or not, because it was secret. So I kept a sheet on my clipboard and simply put a star by the girls' names as I thought they earned it. They were very curious and commented on it throughout the practice, sneaking peeks at my clipboard.

Well, we had a great practice, and the next game was an indoor one against a team that had beaten us easily the last time out. We had been 0-5 on the season at this point. (For background: we were not that bad. We had just finished an indoor season at 3-4-1 in January and February, finishing strongly. Feeling optimistic, for March and April, I enrolled us against much tougher competition, against upper division teams that had been together for years, against my Rec and Ed patchwork squad. Additionally, the other teams were mostly two years older (U-13 as opposed to my mostly U-11 team) and of course they were bigger than us. So before the game, I told them that if they won I'd award them each three "secret stars."

You'd have thought I'd just offered the greatest present in the world. They cheered like crazy, ran onto the field, and proceeded to *easily* trounce our much more talented opponent, 3-1!

The next game, we played the first place team, that had mercied us the first two times (something like 9-2 and 10-3). I told them before the game, I did not expect them to win, but I had specific goals for them and would award secret stars if they met those goals: give up no more than 3 goals a half, score at least two goals a half, and not to get mercied. We got the first goal, battled the whole game, and closed it to 6-5 before falling 7-5 in the last minute. The other coach - a local soccer legend who had founded our premier private travel league 20 years ago - was amazed.

I went on to say in my original email: ... I think the idea of the stars plus the element of mystery with the "secrecy" really has the girls intrigued about it. I plan to order the stars, hand them out in envelopes at the end of each practice, and tell them to iron them on. I can't wait to see their faces because as of now, they have no idea that they'll even get "real" stars - the secret ones have been good enough so far!

Now fast forward for a quick update: here's what happened in the outdoor league that we just finished in June: against the same competition that we'd previously gone a combined 3-10-1 against in the past two outdoor seasons, we finished a combined 9-2-2. Our two losses were to a team that averaged two years older per position and had previously beaten us 7-0 last fall. We lost 2-0 and 3-2. Our two ties were against our archrival that had beaten us 5-0 last fall.

The girls loved the stars. I would hand them out at the end of each practice with a note saying why they earned them. I gave red stars for team accomplishments (big wins, shutouts); I gave gold stars for individual accomplishments (making a great play, extra motivation, showing assertiveness on the field, notable goals, great assists). They would reach for the envelopes like candy (it was all I could do to remind them to wait 'til they got home to open them. Still they looked through the envelopes to see how many "shapes" they could make out.)

The other thing I did was take the samples of the other patches (the bolt, the V, the D, and the A) and for each of the last four games, told them I would hand them out to the person who played the most spirited defense, showed the best motivation or attitude, contributed to victory, etc.). Every game the girls showed up with the most recent patches they'd earned. Each had a unique pattern of how they ironed the patches on their shirts. It was beautiful.

I am now 100% sold on the idea of patches to motivate players. Slight disclaimer: the big improvement in our record was due in large part to getting some new and better players. But all I have to do is look at the dramatic change in how they changed their play after I first told them about "secret stars" to know that the patches also played a large role. They have also helped me keep my team together as we move to private league next fall, when many other teams have seen their teams split apart at this age for the myriad leagues around town. Now everybody wants to play for the Pumas - I even had two girls from our archrivals want to jump over to our team!

--Coach Nick, Michigan, USA

"I have used your patches for many years with my teams who were younger and stopped when I started coaching ages 14/15. But guess what -- they work on the older kids too! When I started using the patches we started winning!"

--Coach Scott, U-16, WI

Hi,

I love the patches! I am using them this season with my U12 girls. I have a question about getting a different color or new color added... I use the ball patches for skill progression awards like this:

white/blue - 10 Juggles
blue/white - 15 juggles
blue/gold - 20 juggles
gold/blue - 25+

This way the players earn "Gold" as they get better.

Thank you!

--Chris

"I coach Girls U11 Signature team. At the beginning of the season, the girls would not go to the ball, they were having difficulty finishing, and would not work together in any part of the field. I could not even be certain whether they would give a full effort. I set up a system of patches and it generated a lot of buzz. Here's what I did.

We have different uniforms for home and away, so I didn't want to put the patches on the uniforms. But each girl already had a team backpack. Those sometimes last more than a year, so we created a 2-inch wide strip of black ribbon that loops around the top handle of the backpack and secures with a small piece of velcro. I hand out the patches at the end of practice on Mondays and the girls iron them onto their ribbons. Some girls have several ribbons on their backpacks now.

Our team colors are blue and white. I give out blue on white patches for goals and assists. White on blue for outstanding defense. Maroon on white is the blood patch. Gold on blue for the MVP. Light blue on white is coach's choice given to players who were doing specifically what was asked of them during the pre-game even if it didn't get them another patch.

There is no patch specifically for the midfielders. I expected them to have the opportunity to earn both patches and their finally starting to. I had to prime the pumps with the coach's choice patch for those mids who join the attack and recover quickly onto defense.

This week, after 12 games, I finally get to give out my first defensive patch to a forward who consistently played strong defense to keep the ball in our opponents penalty area. What a success!"

--Kevin, Fullerton Rangers GU-11

"I give the patches as incentive rewards to encourage motivation to work hard. I purchased warm up jerseys that the kids wear to school on game day and over their uniforms before a game that they put the patches on. This allows the whole school to see their success!! I coach a Jr. High co-ed team and patches are really cool for us!! Thanks SoccerHelp.com!!"

--Kelle G. Riverside Christian School

My name is Josh and I live in south Nashville and I am a second year parent coach of my son's U7 soccer teams. I found your site during a few late nights searching the web for help to create a better soccer experience for my boys and for me as a parent coach. Your site was exactly what I was looking for! Since becoming a premium member I have seen a dramatic improvement in my team performance and the boys have responded beautifully to your motivational patches. I have had coaches of U12 boys and girls asking me how I have been able to get my U7 boys to understand the soccer "theory" and perform well in games. Each time I am asked I tell them about SoccerHelp.com!

--Josh, TN

I have been using the Soccer Incentive patches for 2 years now and they are great.

--Ciaran, U8 Boys, Premium Member

We love the patches. They really motivate our players to do their weekly devotions.

--Kathy

I got the patches today and they look fantastic. Thank you again.

--Coach Kevin

I used the patches last fall and the kids loved them. Thanks

--Coach Chris, UT, USA

When I coached U10 and U12, the kids practically fought for the patches.

--Coach Chuck, IN, USA

My players are loving your patches. We use gold star for player(s) of the game, blue baseball for hitting, red baseball for pitching, D for defense, lightning bolt for base running, A for attitude, Smiley face for funny play. We're half way through the season and many players are starting to work on the other sleeve. Easy to apply...most of the dad's are doing the ironing. Good stuff! Thank you from Pleasanton Foothill Little League, Single A Rivercats.

--Coach Tony

I'm a Premium member and have used SoccerHelp for three seasons. I never played or watched soccer growing up, so the site has been a tremendous help to me. I have used the practice games extensively, taught Coaching Rule #3, and awarded patches for bravery, hustle, assists, etc., and my players have improved a lot and enjoyed themselves each season.

--Coach Tom, U8

I am really excited to get the patch reward program going because I know it will be a great motivator for my kids.

--Kelly, U12, FL

Love your patches. I've attached how we use them. Thanks for all you do.

--Sharon, MT

We lost our prior game 6-2. This game, I told the girls that if they HUSTLED and played BRAVELY that they could have a gold star patch. This was my first time using the patches and I wasn't sure if they'd go for it. The girls thought it was pretty cool. A girl that is injured was at the game and even said, "I want a gold star!" Anyhow, the effect of practices and the pep talk and the gold stars was amazing! The girls were night and day different on the field. The parents noticed it, too, and my wife told me all the comments after the game. One parent remarked to me during halftime, "They are completely different this week. Its night and day. What did you do this week?" The defense was hustling and fighting for the ball every time it was in our defensive half. EVERY girl was hustling and getting after the ball, every girl. My brand new, never played soccer before two weeks ago girl... was trying to win balls! The score was 2 - 1 in our favor at the end of the game and we were outmatched in the talent and skills department by the other team. If the girls give me that effort week after week, I'll accept a win, lose, or draw... because I will know the girls gave everything they had to give.

--Coach Al, U11, Premium Member

They patches have been a big hit. They all want to get the special hustle patch and defense patch so it's doing a good job reinforcing those areas.

All in all it's been a great addition to the program and I see us using for years to come.

--Jim, League Coordinator

I have nothing but good things to say about the patches, your website, and the excellent customer service you guys offer. If only all vendors and retailers were so easy to deal with!

Thanks again. Looking forward to receiving my most recent order and placing future orders with you as well.

--Brett

Before we started, I told my assistant coach to hold on and I went and got 5 Bravery patches out of my soccer bag, held them up in the air and told my team, if I see brave play, I was going to pass them out to that player. And boy did this change some behavior. The coolest thing was, I gave out three patches for bravery and when I did, I stopped practice right when it happened and had the kid come up to me and I explained what she did and why she was receiving the patch. One girl held onto her patch the rest of practice in her hand, she didn’t want to let it go. But back to the coolest thing about it, the three patches I gave out was to three of my most timid players (significant breakthrough).

--Coach Aaron

Our girls are really try hard to get those patches. They have helped out a lot with the motivation of the team.

--George, U12 Comp, FL

Here is an effective idea for a SPIRIT patch for little girls. I use several "specialty" patches, most of which I only give one (or none) per game:

Defense patch ("D"), Hustle patch (lightning bolt), Monster Kick patch (red star), Turnaround patch(blue star), Bravery patch (purple soccer ball - like the Purple Heart) and Assists (gold star). But the one patch that I use for girls that do not achieve one of these specialty patch is the SPIRIT patch, for having a good attitude, trying hard, etc. I use the PINK SOCCER BALL patch as every little girl loves pink and while they did not get a specialty patch, they are still happy to get a pink soccer ball. This has really kept up my motivation for the lower skilled players who still like their patch although they are all driving towards one of the specialty patches.

--Coach Chrissy

The patches are a great motivation for our players age 5 to 12 to practice and make it more fun for the players, trainers and coaches. We award patches for attendance and achieving skill levels, and it is easy to see just by looking at the jerseys who has been practicing hard because the patches show the player\'s progress. The players work hard to earn the patches and we are very pleased with the results.

--Kevin, soccer academy director

I was sold on your patch system and now I am sold on your company. I hope this is a start of a long and rewarding partnership. We are ready for a full implementation of the patch system in April.

--Tom, Soccer Club Director

The kids love the patches. I took your suggestion and purchased some maroon soccer balls as "Blood Patches". "Blood" patches are a special favorite. The kids brag about the Blood patches more than anything else. I will stock up on them before next season. The "A" are a good way to recognize a few players with good attitudes and limited talent. I have a few kids who sometimes only play 10 minutes per half with limited effectiveness. Things like "Blood" patches and "Attitude" patches help me get the most out of them. It's a perfect thing for 14 year old boys. I think Gold Star "General" patches have helped bring out some good vocal leadership in a couple of players and my defensive players love the "D" patches.

--Sean, middle school coach and Premimum Member

Just ordered some more patches. I have never enjoyed a soccer season like this one and your website deserves kudos for that. It has made coaching and preparing for practices much easier. Thanks a bunch.

--Aaron, Premium Member

Our kids are so excited about soccer I actually have a waiting list for me to be the coach for Spring! I will continue to recognize, refer, and be a member of SoccerHelp because I am a first time soccer coach and never played soccer before! I have recruited 2 other families and another soccer coach so far this season to your products. My son's Teachers have taken notice and will hopefully adopt the reward system as well. I coach my son's football and baseball teams and you can rest assured that I will continue to be an advocate and customer of your products!

--John

I'd like to thank David for this website and post a little story about my rookie year coaching co-ed recreational U-10

I had so much fun with these kids. I am hooked on coaching. It was only about 8 weeks ago that I had no idea what to do or how to coach. This website helped immensely. We ended the season 6-1 and I saw such a remarkable improvement in these kids that I just had to post here about it.

We played "dribble across a square", "dribble around a cone and pass relay race" and "win the 50/50 ball" every practice. I had horrible problems with the kids bunching up at the beginning of the season but somehow beat it into their skulls to get open and run away from the teammate dribbling the ball.

Some of the most valuable things I learned here...

1. Don't get thrown over. This little gem really is worth a couple goals a game. When we marked up properly , we easilly won the ball 90% of the time. Super easy to teach, and super easy to coach from the sidelines.
2. Stay strong in the center. I played 1-1-1-2 in 6v6 and it was really hard for the other team to get past my waves of defenders, we gave up very few goals.
3. The patches really work. Kids really wanted one at the end of the game. I got about $100 into buying the dang things but I should have enough for Spring season and I'm going to see if I can get parents to chip in five bucks or so next season.

I'm just so proud of these kids. We played our last game today, and kids were staying open, raising their hand and calling for the ball. There was actually some passing going on and they were mostly staying in position. The improvement I saw in 8 weeks was just astounding, and I think I was a much more effective coach by devouring so much of the information in here.

Now I can't wait till Spring to do it all over again! Coach Bob, Premium Member

--Coach Bob, Premium Member

The kids go nuts for these patches. We are 6-0.

--Coach Stephen, U12, Premium Member

We are going to be using the patches as a reward to the Honor Roll Students in the Middle School. They will receive a different color for each term that they make Honor Roll along with a certificate.

I heard about your web site thru one of the other parents in the school. In the past we have rewarded the students with ice cream sundaes and as one of the Parent Co-Chairs this year I was looking for another way to honor the students that focuses on their achievement. The patches are good because the kids can put them on their back packs, jackets, scrapbooks or whatever they choose.

--Michelle, Mass. Middle School

I received the package of soccer patches in time for our practice this past Thursday, and my players were ecstatic to get their patches. I appreciate the great customer service and will be a returning customer and refer others to you.

--Kelly, TX

I got the patches. Thank you very much. They are great. I have been using them this week in my classes and the kids are nearly fighting over them to get one!. Great way of motivating them.

--Aled, Physical Education Director

Hi Dave,

The club members love the patches.

--Tom, Director

Doug and David:

Well we did it.

My girls won the championship tournament in a shootout.

To get to the finals we were short two of our good players on Saturday. The girls who were normally our substitutes played extremely well and we won 1-0.

On Sunday, we had all of our players and played to a 0-0 tie. We then had a shootout. One ball squibbed by the other team's goalie. That was it - we won.

The Soccer Help Program really worked well on two girls, who at the beginning of the year, I wouldn't have picked to play on my team. One cried every time she fell and the other just stood there.

It was Doug's Video that gave me the tools and encouragement to train these two and help them obtain the confidence to play at a level beyond anyone's expectations. The examples Doug showed of the various personalities on his team were tremendous. Doug showed me that patience and fun works in the long run.

These girls never scored a goal but they always stopped the ball and turned it around and helped the team. They were always in the right place at the right time. In the semi final, when it really counted, they performed and because of them the other team did not score a goal. The patch rewards and fun games worked extremely well for these girls.

It was a fun road.

Thanks again and again. Troy, Premium Member

--Troy, Premium Member

I have co-coached my daughter's soccer team for a few years now, and stumbled upon your site prior to our U10 travel soccer season last year. We were looking for a way to motivate the kids going into our travel season and thought your patches would be a great way to reward kids for various learned skills, showing up to practices, and extra training session offered by the league, and try to get them more excited about the game. We found that our patch program could not have worked out better. At the end of practice and games we would reward our players with the patches earned, and every player would enthusiastically gather to see who received a patch.

I again ran this program for our fall U12 town recreational league team. Again it was a success, even with the older "Jr High" players on our teams, (which I was a bit skeptical about how the older kids would receive it).

Our patch program had intrigued enough of our coaches that it was discussed at a Travel league meeting and I have been asked research the cost of instituting the program leaguewide for our U10 and U12 divisions for both boys and girls. I estimate it would be about 5,000 patches, and possibly more, depending on how the coaches utilize the program.

--Gene

Hello,

I have started buying your patches over the past two seasons and have had lots of positive feedback. I was wondering if you have any options for a local distributer.

Kind Regards,

--Jodie, New South Wales, Australia

The boys love to get the patches. I use Red for the blood patch, a Good Defense patch, Assist, a patch for every third practice, good sportsmanship (also use for good behavior and listening), and for a shutout of which we have three this season.

--Coach F

I am so glad to have found your company. You have been a great source for ideas and materials. My players love your patches!

--David, MI

"Thanks again for a great website! My U12 girls won the end of year tournament. The main thing I saw in my girl's was a huge increase in their confidence while playing. Some of that was better skills, but more important was being used to playing under pressure and in chaotic conditions due to your practice games. I'm ordering the "V" patches to give my girls so they can remember their 1st Place Victory!!"

--Philip, U12, WA

Thank you for all of the help that I have received from your site. I have really enjoyed and learned from the vast amount of information available on SoccerHelp premium! I believe that I have been able to make a difference with a large number of kids with the help of the SoccerHelp patches and the DVDs that I received from you. I am the Soccer Coordinator for my city. We had approximately 600 kids playing soccer and close to 50 coaches participating in our program this fall. As a result, I have been a bit of an ambassador for SoccerHelp and am seeing the SoccerHelp methodologies spread across the league as more coaches begin to adopt your patches reward system and coaching techniques. Obviously, I see this a big win for our kids and our organization!

Regards,

--Chris, NC

We had an end of year soccer meeting. The overwhelming conclusion was that the kids loved the patches and those coaches that used them for motivation achieved great results. Even on a rainy day, more kids than expected showed up for practice because they wanted a patch.

--Troy, SC

I have been a hockey coach for years and have coached all levels up through and including high school. I have 7 children - 5 boys and 2 girls and it wasn't until one of my girls needed help to make it to the high school level in soccer that I started paying any attention to soccer. The youngest 5 of 7 of my children all love and play soccer and only one of them cared for hockey, so I changed my focus and started soccer. Your information has been invaluable to me as my daughter will graduate this spring and has made the High School Soccer team every year. The patches, videos and tools have given my daughter a chance to play varsity soccer. It has been fabulous to watch her progress and grow in confidence and ability. Thank you so much! I am still coaching hockey (even though the two oldest have graduated and moved on, oldest may yet play hockey at the college level) and have tried to teach the other coaches to implement the small games concept and stop standing in lines waiting for drills. It's a battle, but it's worth fighting. I will also coach soccer this spring and look forward to it. There is so much to learn and so much joy in the journey! I use your principles and drills/games in both soccer and hockey. It's great!

Thanks again,

--Mike, Premium Member, UT

The patches for our PTA Student Awards are working great! The kids that are earning the most are starting to be able to have noticeably more and that is creating some friendly competition and desires to do better. We have been very happy!

--Anita

"I've been a fan of soccerhelp.com for a few years now, using it with both regular season teams and all-star teams. This past fall I had a regular season U12G team comprised of 4 girls with real talent, 4 average girls and 4 girls who had limited knowledge, skill and very limited physical ability. I stuck with the soccerhelp.com practice games, repeating the basics over and over, including Dribble Across a Square, Dribble Around a Cone and Pass, Passing Pairs, and games that emphasized the 1st Defender, 2nd Defender concept. Our season was dismal, 2 wins and 6 losses, most of them blow-out losses. Nevertheless, with fun practice games and patches, the girls had a great season and continued to have fun. It all finally came together for them, and they played themselves into the end-of-season tournament championship game, taking second place. I credit the tried and true practice games and patches I found at soccerhelp.com. Thanks!"

--Coach Jill

"This is our 3rd season using your patches to motivate our players to master new skills and develop teamwork. They LOVE them!"

--Coach Scott, Atlanta, GA

Winning was not good enough for us to so I tried the patch idea and it is a complete hit!

--Marlena, Softball Coach

The patch program, so far, has been very successful from the kids viewpoint. The kids have been very excited about receiving these patches, and many have been placing them on their practice shirts. It is really cool to see all the patches at all the various practices and clinics our league has sponsored. Our league has been running special clinics during the week, a shooting and finishing, and quick feet/agility clinic, and the league gives out a patch for attending these clinics. I have been handing them out at the end of the clinics, and almost all the kids come over with huge smiles, some even try to get in line twice.

I need to order more patches for 2 reasons. First, I had no idea the participation in the weekday clinics would be as well attended as they have. Second our U8 indoor training and season is beginning, and we will be running the program with them as well.

--Gene, MA

I have used your soccer patches before and they were great. I now need some motivational patches for Track & Field. Can you make some suggestions as to what sort of patches would be useful for me please?

Thanks

--Rick

"My girls proudly display their patches on their bags (we all have matching team bags). The patches have given me the opportunity to reward and recognize the positive things they do during a practice or game and they look forward to getting them as they are not given out freely. Funny how a little patch has gotten some of my players to talk more out on the court and hustle after balls!"

--Kristy, U14 Travel Volleyball (Kristy submitted a copy of the handout she uses t

My kids love the patches. Even my U15 Girls team is adamant that I give them out like "last season". I thought maybe they were too old, but they still love to show off a sleeve full of patches!

Thanks,

--Joe, FL

Wow, above and beyond what you needed to do. Thank you. I am looking forward to using the patches with my U9 girls travel team. I think they will love them.

--Elizabeth, U9 Travel, MA

I have just started coaching girls soccer at the YMCA and I've never used soccer patches before. I am very familiar with the concept from playing football in high school and college where we used helmet decals in much the same way that many of your users use these patches. Thanks for providing an economical choice for coaches like me! I shopped around locally first and the least expensive option I could find was $1.00 per patch.

--Derrick, KY

I am a soccer fanatic and coach 3 teams. I also have a group of about 8 teams that have begun working together to be more intentional about building into kids' character, fitness, and love for soccer. Our teams recently began using your star patches with great success. I wanted to thank you for this great resource! I have suggested this to a few clubs in the area that are also very interested in using this for their teams.

--Nate, IL

We just finished putting together warm-up jackets with our team logo and player names and my kids are very excited about these patches, Thank You!!!

--Aaron, U9 and U10 Travel, WA

"First, let me give you the rave reviews that are deserved. Whenever I have a concern with my soccer team's progress that I'm unsure how to address, Soccerhelp is my first and only stop to find the answer. I've been using the techniques and drills for 2 years now with much success. I've been coaching both recreational level and traveling level soccer for 6 years now and am looking to enhance my coaching abilities to advance my team. I've taken several coaching clinics and attended MYSA meetings regarding coaching techniques and practice methods.

Last year, I had a U12 team playing 8v8 including GK. The team had several young and inexperienced players, and to compensate I attempted to implement a 2-1-2-2 formation to better utilize the strengths our team did have. We had a very strong GK who was also our top scorer. We had a very talented and calm Defenseman and we had several fast and enthusiastic midfielders and strikers. Unfortunately, we did not have success with this formation because I was unable to properly instruct each player on his specific areas of responsibility, and more importantly the areas that were NOT his responsibility.

This season I am coaching a U11 traveling team with many similar dynamics to my team from last Fall. I wish to implement this 2-1-2-2 formation, but I do not want to repeat my failures of last year with another group of boys because I fear it will impede, rather than accelerate, their progress.

I very much want to take advantage of the skill sets my more talented players have, while putting my less talented players in positions where they can be successful and contribute to the overall success of the team.

I put in an order today for 130 motivational patches, and am BEYOND excited to introduce them to my team next week. I have no doubt that adding them to our reward system will motivate them even more!

Thanks again for all you do!"

-- Matt
U11 Boys Coach
Minnesota

Your lightning bolt patch rotated 90 degrees is currently the most coveted "Slide" patch on my 10-12 year old girls fast-pitch team. I couldn't get them down in the dirt before I added a patch for it to my system. By the way, love all the new patches you've added. Now I can recommend my baseball/softball people to you as well as my fellow soccer people. I'm currently trying to develop a patch incentive system for a new (10-12) volleyball team. The bolt rotated to a sharp 'S' would work nicely for spikes! Keep up the good work.

--Kathy, Phoenix AZ

Many thanks for getting my order out so quickly. I believe I'm the first coach in our region using your patches and I'm sure our players will love them. I would not be surprised to have other coaches/players asking about your patches so you might get other orders from our Soccer region here in CA.

Thanks again and have a great weekend.

--Jorge, U12B, CA

We received the patches yesterday and are very excited about the boys reactions when we pass them out. Your rapid turn around time and helpful staff make your business an asset to the Soccer community.

Thank You,

--Aaron, U9 and U11 Select, WA

Season after season, these Patches continue to keep the girls excited about soccer, even when they lose.

Thanks again,

--Tony, OH

I have begun using patches to motivate my players. They love it! They were so excited when I announced it they could hardly wait to practice or play a game. I give practice patches as an incentive and I had girls making practices that rarely made the two practices per week. I also issue defensive patches, blood patches, assist patches, victory patches and the special lighting bolt hustle patch. We put these patches on the girls' team t-shirts that have the team name on the front with their number underneath. The patches look great and the kids love them.

-- Coach Chris, U6 and U8, TX

I am needing to recorder patches, and we are only in the middle of the season. Boy am I happy. My U9G rec team is playing great this season, and your patches are excellent motivators. We already beat the U9B academy team and all my players received the Champions Patch for that win. We have two more academy teams to play and one very strong U10 rec team (with twice the biomass as my team). I am hoping I will need 30 more Champion patches. My girls are also playing much more aggressively, and I have been handing our many more Intensity patches than I thought I would. I need another 20 of these.

--Coach Howie, GA

We had our first baseball game last night, and the kids and parents absolutely love the patches. Each kid gets a patch after every game, and they are already talking about doing what it takes to earn one of each. I made my own spreadsheet with the patches across the top and the kids names down the side, the date and team played at the bottom. I just check the boxes, so I can remember who has received what patches each game. Gold star is "the general" for leadership Red star is "the blood patch" for extra hustle, or getting hit with a ball, and toughing it out Blue star is "the special effort patch" for giving the best that you have the whole game D is "the defensive patch" for a great individual or team defensive effort all game, or a specific play V is "the victory patch" for each victory that the team achieves I let the kids name the next one. Lightning bolt "the thunderstruck patch" the other team has been thunderstruck and doesn't know what just hit them. This player had a great offensive game, multiple hits, a homerun, game winning hit, or had a breakthrough offensive moment, maybe their first hit of the season.

Thanks,

-- Tim, OK, U10

I really, really like SoccerHelp Premium. It has helped immensely with my U8 boys team. I announced that patches would go to whoever did a rake or a pullback during a game. They were running over to me during the game (even with a live ball on the field which they shouldn't do!) to make sure I noticed when they did it to make sure they win their patches. Their patch challenge has changed now with each one having a different challenge. For example, and I wouldn't do this as a general principle, but the ones who haven't scored a goal yet will win their next patch either by scoring a goal or making a long dribble. And if they still haven't scored by the last game I may add "or if I see you close to the score goal!!" Again thanks!!

-- Coach Don, TN

I will be ordering soccer ball patches for the upcoming soccer season. Thanks again and I look forward to doing future business with your company.

--Courtney

I started using motivational patches this season with my U7 team, and it was a huge success. There were three ways players could earn badges. They earned a badge at each game, or two if they did something spectacular. They earned a badge every 3 practices attended. And they also earned 'Skills' badges. I made a chart with skills such as juggling 3 times, kicking the ball half the length of the field, chipping the ball over a goal, dribbling around a circuit in a set amount of time, etc. At the end of each practice, the kids had time to practice their skills and earn badges. They never wanted to leave, and it was great to see them working on soccer skills at home, or showing up early to practice, or staying late. Great motivational tool. In setting up the badge system, I borrowed heavily from the letters I found on soccerhelp.com. I would love to email you my skills chart and explanatory note to parents to post so that I might help someone else down the line. Please let me know who I can email them to.

--Coach David - Colorado

During the girls' Challenger camp this week we had one take the ball hard off her face. I use the happy face patches exclusively for face balls, and, after the initial tears had stopped (eight and nine year olds), I approached her and confessed I had one last patch no had yet received this year. I told her it was saved for those especially tough girls who'd been drilled in the face and did she want to see it... There was a little smile that appeared, she came with me to my kit (a couple of plastic tackle boxes) and chuckled when she saw the smiley face patch. She put the patch in her backpack and trotted back into the mini game immediately. The girls are improving, but are still largely lost and a bit discouraged, but they gather around after the game for patches and lobby for as many as they can get - and I am way generous. They're sporting bandannas with their numbers and a bunch of patches which they tie to their backpacks or wear on their heads. Time to reorder, my stock is running low again.

Thanks,

-- Jeff, AK, Competitive Coach

I received my baseball patches order last night. The shipping was certainly speedy and I appreciate it. The patches will work perfect for the baseball team. I am completely satisfied with them so, thank you.

--Amanda

We had a great season. We went 8-3 and took runner up in a double elimination tournament.

--Mark, OK , Premium Member and soccer patches customer

"Each player has a team scarf - placing the patch reward on the scarf is an excellent way to promote good participation and motivate the players to push themselves!"

--Dent, CA

My girls love the patches. I remain positive and they stay happy, too. Thanks for your site, it really does help me.

--Jeff, Alaska

I've used your patches for a couple of years now for a middle school coed soccer team. Frankly, I didn't know what to expect when I handed them out after the first game. Would they find them too childish? To sum it up, our best player had scored four goals in one game (blue soccer ball) and I was out of the boy patches. I offered up, jokingly, a girl's goal patch (pink soccer ball), and he said, "I'll take it!" The kids crowd around to see what patches are being distributed and covet them all season long. We've used them around the matting on photos, on practice shirts and on game shorts. In fact, my kid - marking a stud opposing player - ran around for a half hanging on to a hustle patch (lightning bolt) that was partially ripped from his shorts. He couldn't let it get lost! I've literally given out hundreds and hundreds of these patches over the past two seasons and they're a huge hit. Thanks.

--Coach Jeff

Dear SoccerHelp,

I'm in my 3rd year of coaching soccer at the local "Y" (rec league) and have been a SoccerHelp "mentee" for my entire coaching career (ha!). My son is only 5 1/2 yrs old and will start his 6th session/season in another month.

In the last fall session, I coached a team of twelve 3-4yr olds playing 6v6 without a goalie. Of the 12 players, 4 had played with me in previous seasons. Unfortunately, there was not enough 3 yr olds to sign-up, which resulted in the combining of the 3/4 yr old divisions. Needless to say, the skill set between a first session 3yr old versus a 4th session 4yr old could be quite drastic. Obviously at this age, we don't keep score and focus more on getting the kids comfortable with the game and having fun; however being a competitive person in nature, I'm always tracking goals, turnarounds, acts of bravery, defensive stops, etc. (primarily for my use in awarding soccer patches).

In short, my team clearly dominated as we were undefeated in the 7 games we played by outscoring the other teams 115 to 14 goals. My team only had 4 2nd session 4 year olds on the team and had a child that was only 2 1/2 (and probably too young to have signed up). I think the team's success was a direct result to leverage the SoccerHelp games we play in practice teaching the fundamental concepts of kicking the ball, keeping our heads up and just having fun. By end of the season, every player (except the 2 1/2 yr old) had scored a goal.

Thanks again for your continued support and wisdom on this game that I'm growing to love . In watching the World Cup games with my son, it was a great experience (even though the scoring was minimal). At one point during a game, my son turned to me and said, "Dad, did you see how he kicked the ball to open space." It's great to see he's starting to understand and put some of the concepts together.

--Tim, KY

I appreciate what you do. SoccerHelp saved me years of learning the hard way and last year we won a tournament using things I learned such as strength on the ball, an organized defense and counterattacking. The patches really help motivate my players.

-- Matt, U10 competitive coach, FL

The kids absolutely love the patches.

--Amy

The patches are a big hit!

--Bryan, U12 AYSO

The soccer patches arrived. So after our light practice before the game and discussion of formation and positions, I showed the kids the patches and explained the lightning bolt was for energy and if they hustled the entire game they would get one. The D was for good defense and goalie play. The gold star was for good offensive plays such as passing and scoring, but mostly for passing. The red soccer ball was the red badge of courage for bravery, getting up after a collision, an injury, etc. The C was for coach and if they listened to me during the game they would get one. The kids seemed very interested in the patches. When our player suffered the knee injury, one of our players asked me, "She is going to get one of those red soccer ball patches, isn't she?" I said "She sure is!" During the game we had a couple of collisions and another couple of kids got hit in the face with the ball, and our athletic goalie told me he was feeling sick and may need to come out of the game (he was sick earlier in the week), but the kids continued on and played bravely. So they all got red patches. I don't know if they played harder today because they always give it a good effort and bounce back up after collisions, but I noticed after the game they did not seem unhappy because they lost. They were more interested in the patches as I handed them out and they kept reminding me off all the good things they did during the game to earn the patches, which I could not deny. I explained to the parents about the motivational patches and it was really neat to be able to celebrate and encourage the good things the kids did even though we lost. I got some positive feedback from the parents and my wife who was skeptical of the patches. When we got home, my son wanted me to iron on his gold star for making a good pass and a shot on goal, and his D for clearing the ball defense a couple of times, so I ironed the patches on his sleeve. He put his shirt/jersey back on and proudly showed the patches to his best friend later in the day. Also as a bonus, today my 4 year old son scored his first goal and played great defense and goalie. He asked me if he could have a patch too. I said, "Sure!" So I ironed on a Blue Star with the white background which matched his shirt/jersey. He put it on and was very proud of his blue star.

--Fred, MD

My daughter's soccer team has really enjoyed the patches we purchased through SoccerHelp. This team also plays floor hockey. We were wondering if it would be possible to have hockey patches made?

--Kelly

My wife's sister lives in California and she has coached her three daughters rec and or club teams through the high school level. She now actually plays on a women's' adult team. She thought the positive reinforcement motivational patches are a great idea because she has seen many coaches that yell at the kids and stress them out. Also, one of my player's father liked the patches and wants to use them for the basketball team he coaches.

--Fred

I am a Marine Captain stationed at Marine Corps base Quantico in Virginia. I am coaching a young team of military dependants (children of military members) for the first time and I have found your website very helpful in my teaching techniques. I would like to respectfully request your consideration with a special "military" discount on a selection of your patches. (Note from SoccerHelp: We offer a military discount. If you are in the military, let us know. We greatly appreciate the sacrifice our military makes).

--Cesar

Thank you so much for the quick shipment. Our season starts next week and we are excited to see if the patches motivate our players more. Thanks so much!

--Laura

In my search to figure out how to better coach our little ones here on base, I found a great website called soccerhelp.com. After signing for a 30-day membership, I found some motivational patches that would incentivize our kids to do better during both practice and games.

--Cesar, USMC

In previous orders, you're been very kind to send small sample packs of additional patches. I've used those to get 2 other coaches using the patches. I appreciate your gesture (marketing) and hope it's working for you with others as well.

Thank you,

--Mark

The patches are really popular here and the newsletters you send I forward to coaches and they love it. They have gained such popularity that each season I find we are ordering more and more!!

Thanks again for everything!

Wow that was quick, I don't even have the shirts yet! I will definitely order with your company again.

--Sam