Parents: Help Your Kids Succeed!

1. Teach them to live the game.

Soccer should become a part of their daily life. Encourage them to practice on their own, to talk soccer, read about it and watch games. Parents can either create a passion or destroy one.

2. Understand that soccer should be a life-long activity.

Too many kids, because of overzealous adults, reach the pinnacle of their careers at age 10. Their love of the sport often dies after reaching ages 12-15, and 75 percent of all kids quit playing organized soccer by the age of 13. So set a goal for your kids that will encourage them to play throughout their lifetime.

3. Practice with them.

Kids get excited about soccer when their parents play with them. Soon you will learn how difficult this game can be.

4. Learn the game yourself.

We all know something about soccer, but it takes time to really learn the game. Read books (The Simplest Game), magazines (like this one), watch international games on TV or videos, and seek several mentors with whom to talk soccer.

5. Allow time for other activities.

There is more to life than organized soccer. Put a limit on the number of organized games that your son/daughter plays per year. However, never put a cap on how many unorganized pickup games they play.

6. If your kids express an interest to go further when they're older, make sure they have the opportunity to get into a good competitive program later on.

Do your homework on this one. The two best criteria for measuring a good program are:

• a. How many players continue to participate year after year?
• b. How many players progress to a higher level of play?

7. Set a good example.

Don't degrade referees, coaches or your kids' teammates. This only gives them a license to have a bad attitude.

8. Always be positive, but don't accept poor standards or poor behavior.

Most poor standards (being late, being abusive to referees or teammates, lazy work habits, selfishness, etc.) that older players exhibit are results of adults not correcting them when they were younger players.

9. Don't overemphasize winning.

Everyone likes to win, but studies show that nothing burns kids out faster than when the pure joy of participation is taken away from them.

10. Make sure they are playing to make themselves happy and not to satisfy their parents.

Keep a close watch on your kid's level of passion. This will naturally rise and fall during their youth. Ask your kids honestly:

• a . "How good do you really want to be?"
• b . If their answer is enthusiastic, then ask them, "How hard are you willing to work to make yourself better?"
• c . Finally ask, "Do you want me to push you towards getting better?" I think you will see that their reaction will be positive. Kids usually react better in situations when they feel they have more control and more choices.

Author Charlie Inverso has been the Head Coach of soccer at Mercer County College in Trenton, New Jersey, for the past 15 years. During that time his teams have won four National Championships. His program has also sent 12 players on to play professionally.