SoccerHelp Premium Reviews and Testimonials

"At every practice we religiously do Dribble Across a Square, Dribble Around A Cone and Pass, etc, etc, - the poise my boys have on the ball is leaps and bounds above other teams now. Before, we were 4 wins 5 losses (19 Goals scored and gave up 25 Goals). Last season our record was 9 Wins 1 Tie (60 Goals scored and gave up 5 Goals)."

--Coach T, U12 Boys travel team, MA, Premium subscriber

"Without Dribble Across a Square my U12 daughter would not have the foot skills that she has. She has played it at every practice since U8 and is well known in our rec league as someone you have to double and triple team if you don't want her to score. This past week she was offered a spot on a U13 travel team. My advice to coaches is to play Dribble Across a Square at every practice."

--Coach Jason, Premium member for 4 years

"I would personally like to thank soccerhelp.com for the amazing fundamentals that my oldest daughter and her teammates have been taught and how to correctly play soccer. I played for years myself from the age of 4-20 years old but I was NOT a coach. So I had no clue how to begin coaching. 5 of those girls (my daughter included) are Freshmen starting on their VARSITY high school soccer team, while 3 others play on the varsity squad as freshmen or sophomores. My daughter is the starting CMF."

--Aaron, OH, Premium subscriber for 6 years

"I'm 41 and have played and coached soccer for many years. I didn't think you could teach me anything new, but boy was I wrong!!! I've used your Practice Games in my last 2 practices and the results were truly phenomenal."

--Jon

"I played a lot of soccer at some high levels, even coached camps. Your ideas are so common sense that they are brilliant! Fun, touches!, etc. I will be a customer for life!! You have taught me sooo much that I have everything I need to run a camp, school, league, etc. I am SOOOO glad I found you!"

--Brian, CA, Coach Doug, Premium and patches customer

"First game today. Our boys simply dominated start to finish. Every one of our opponents throw-ins resulted in a turnover, the ball was on their half 80%+, and the other team had zero shots. Not just shots on goal, I mean ZERO shots. I called off the dogs when we went up 4-0 early in the 3rd quarter. Thank you for your help and guidance."

--Dan, U8 Rec, assigned players, OH, Premium member & patch customer

"I've gotten quick and dramatic results after using the tips and strategies on your Premium site for just 2 weeks. We play 9 v 9, and I've got a mix of about 5 travel and travel-quality players, 4-5 average players, and 2-3 weak players. We don't have much team speed. The results have been unbelievable. Since adopting these strategies, we have won 3-1 (against a team from a neighboring suburb that usually dominates us with very skilled players), 4-1, and 1-0. We are no longer giving up breakaways, the kids are getting much more aggressive and strong on the ball, and they are getting the idea of passing to space to our faster forwards. I feel we can stay competitive in almost any match."

-- Josh, U12B, 9v9, IL, Premium Member

"I coach U8 and discovered your site a few games into the season last year. On a team with 11 players, I had 5 or 6 players that ranged from average to skilled, with the rest being either unskilled, didn't want to be there, bad attitudes, or all of the above. After finding your site I immediately started Dribble Across the Square, and implemented your defensive strategy on throw ins and goal kicks. The changes were dramatic. This summer I found out that parents were making requests to have their players put on my team."

-Dan, OH, Premium member and patch customer

"I think the best way to teach dribbling with both feet is to play SoccerHelp Practice Games that teach players to "naturally” dribble with both feet. The reason is because you want your players to be able to dribble naturally, comfortably, confidently and instinctively without thinking."

--from perfectpracticesports.wordpress.com

"I was a college soccer player and had coached club U17 girls and HS varsity women's soccer teams in the past. I decided to volunteer as head coach for my daughter’s U8 team. I chose to experiment and ONLY do drills I got from your site. Happy to report that we only got scored on 3 times all season, and most of our players were very comfortable dribbling through traffic!"

--Nicole, U8, Premium member, posted on https://www.facebook.com/SoccerDrillsandGames/

"Thanks in large part to your website and motivational soccer patches, which we call "secret stars," our (now U15-G) Ann Arbor United Pumas went from being cellar dwellers to competitive against older and higher-level teams. We won our first tournament in a U16-G division and finished around .500 in an open high school league (my girls are 8th and 9th graders and the other teams had mostly sophomores, juniors, and seniors). One highlight was beating a high school team coached by a former Manchester United player!"

--Nick, MI, Premium Member for 3 years

"Big fan of your stuff! I'm a newly minted premium member and the drills, ideas and badges have literally transformed my 6 year olds game, confidence and joy in a few short weeks. Getting him to be "brave" vs aggressive has been a God send! The badges work wonders. The dribbling across the square and shoulder games are spot spot spot on and have made him more confident, and more proud of himself as he scores goals, gets more touches on the ball and so forth."

--Eddie M., Australia, U8

“Thank you for the help last season! We noticed results during the season as a team but it wasn’t till I came back to register as a coach this season that I saw some of the biggest effects from your advice. The youth sports coordinator relayed that parents and athletes has been coming in asking to be on my team because the coaching was so effective, fun, and genuine. I attribute that to what I learned from you and your site. Also, the motivational patches were a huge hit! So, thank you again!”

-- Brent, USAF, Germany, ages 8 and 10, Premium member

"With the practice games and information provided on SoccerHelp, I have managed to create an incredible atmosphere for my young players to really enjoy the game of soccer at the same time having almost every coach in the league stopping by once or twice a season to watch how I run my practices. By the time our first game is here we are a team that is unbeatable. Anyways I could go on for hours with this type of praise ."

-- Coach Gregg GA, U10, Premium Member for 2 years

"Today, we had our most impressive win in about 10 years, defeating a Team by slaughter rule 9 to 2, that we had previously lost to last year 4-0. I have used many of the SoccerHelp Premium techniques and I feel that we are finally starting to build a solid program. We still have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us to prepare for a very good opponent that we will play on Thursday, however is definitely a good start for us. We did not score nine goals the entire year last year! Having said all that, I just placed another patch order. Thanks again for all your help."

-- Brian, VA, Middle School coach, Premium member

"My U6 daughter is probably the best player in her age in the entire city. There hasn’t been a game in the last 2 years in which she has not scored at least 15 goals (with final scores of game usually something like 15-0 etc and she is the only one scoring). The other team rarely ever gets the chance to score (or even keep possession of the ball) since she just takes the ball from them and scores. This is true whether she is playing only girls or a co-ed team. This is a product I think of the various skills I have taught her from SoccerHelp (we play SoccerHelp games all the time)."

-- Coach D, CA, U6, Premium Subscriber and patches customer

On Oct. 9, Coach P. subscribed to SoccerHelp Premium. On Oct. 15 we got this email > "WE WON OUR FIRST GAME!!!!!! WE were losing every game 5-0, 7-0, 8-0, etc. FINAL SCORE: 4-2!!!!! SOCCER HELP TOTALLY GAVE US THE CONFIDENCE AND ONCE THE TEAM SAW IT WAS WORKING, THEY BOUGHT IN!!!!! The cost for PREMIUM pales in comparison to the feeling that I'm feeling now!!!! THANK YOU COACH!!!!!! Please post my testimonial to help a coach that may be on the fence on getting SOCCER HELP PREMIUM. There is no doubt that your website helped us to win our first game this season."

--Coach P., U9, VA, 8v8, Premium member

And on Nov. 1 we got this email from Coach P. > "Hey Coach! Just wanted to tell you what's goin' on: I was asked to help with an indoor clinic 2x a month due to the change coaches saw in my team. Isn't that great?!? It will be 8-11 year olds. I have a question: What drills (besi des dribble across a square, etc) do you suggest? Thanks," Coach P.

"Our regional director says I'm the most requested coach she's ever seen. SoccerHelp is the reason!!! Every practice game, etc. came from SoccerHelp Premium....WELL DONE!"

--Mark, MI, Premium member

"As a first year coach of u10, both myself and my assistant knew "stuff", but were unsure of how to bring it together. I followed some of the basic tips and drills that definitely worked in improving the skill of the kids and helped us as coaches. I used dribble across the square, and dribble around the cone at every practice. The results: Spring Season: 10-1-1 We won the championship Fall Season: 10-0 with the most telling stat (I kept 2 stats only) 40 goals for, 4 goals against. Thank you!"

- Coach Dewey, U10B, VA, first year coach, SoccerHelp Premium member since before Spring Season, posted on https://www.facebook.com/SoccerDrillsandGames/

"The Practice Games are AMAZINGLY EFFECTIVE!! Parents tell me that their girls cannot wait to go to practice."

--Coach M.J., Premium subscriber

"I have learned more in the two weeks since subscribing to Premium than I learned in seven years of coaching. I searched the web long and tediously before signing up."

--Coach Rion, SC

"You're the best site there is, all your drills work and the kids want to play even after the training is finished."

--Coach Dave, England

"Hi David, we just won our third consecutive game. The turnaround has been drastic and unexpected, especially when we started the year off losing 8 to 0. Since then we have only gave up one goal! We owe much if not all of our success to SoccerHelp. FYI, I will be placing another patch order this evening so that we have more because we have been giving them out like crazy. Thank you for all that you have done!"

- Brian, VA Middle School, Premium member

"Your website was a revelation to me. I’ve been playing adult soccer for the last three years and just started my fourth season coaching, mostly at the U-10 level. I recently earned the National E license. I have to say that I learned more about soccer very quickly from your website than I have from anything else. It is pure, concentrated good information. I have so little time to work with my team (90 minutes per week) that doing things in practice that are effective is critical. I read the section about formations and used it to tweak the formation we use on my adult team. Your website is an amazing wealth of knowledge that I plan to devour over time."

--Rob, GA, Premium subscriber

"My daughter is averaging 2-3 goals per game. It's been awesome watching her turn into a great player just by religiously doing SoccerHelp drills."

--Derik, KS, U10, Premium subscriber for 3 years

"My U12 girls won the end of year tournament. The main thing I saw in my girls 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 the SoccerHelp practice games."

--Philip, U12, WA, Premium Member

"I want to thank you. Your website has truly changed my coaching philosophy for the better."

--Brian, VA, Middle School Coach

"Our season ended last week and what an amazing season for my players! We finished 8 – 2. I can't begin to express my sincerest gratitude! I've been coaching this team for 4 seasons and never had this much improvement so quickly. We always had a losing season (hadn't won a game the past 2 seasons) and frankly my players were getting bummed out - not to mention myself."

--Eric, Premium subscriber, U8 Rec, 6v6 no goalie

"So far, we are undefeated. We play in Italy in our Military communities Youths Sports program. In the First game the coach of the other team complemented me in the second quarter on how well we were doing and after the game the Italian referee for our game went out of his way to congratulate me and said we were the only team "that does it right" which means a lot since generally Europeans don't have much regard for "American" Soccer. Last game on Oct. 1 we got compliments from the other teams coach, and Tuesday night I saw the coach of the first team we beat doing drills that looked at lot like ours for the first time. Keep up the good work!"

--Lee, U8, Italy, Premium member, posted on https://www.facebook.com/SoccerDrillsandGames/

"Your stuff is the best I have ever read. I have been coaching for 35 years and wish I had your insights long ago."

--Scott, VT

"I'm a first year coach. After 4 weeks of using your Practice Games and advice, the boys won their first game 12-0. Their biggest win last season was 4-2."

--Coach Daniel, U-11 Boys, Sydney, Australia, Premium Member

"I subscribed to SoccerHelp Premium 3 months ago. I coach a U-10 Girls team with a mixed lot of players. Using your advice this season we played a 2-1-2-2 with great results. As of this point we are 9-0 scoring 58 goals while giving up 11."

--Coach Dave, U10, Maryland, USA, Premium Member

"About two years ago, I took on my son's U-8 team because they were short a coach. I stepped up even though I had never before played soccer. I subscribed to your site and my team won all but one game my first season! I was hooked and am now on my fourth season of coaching. My son's improvement is far beyond what I could have ever imagined."

--Steph, Premium Member and soccer patch customer

"I have been coaching my four kids, ages 4-11, for the past 6 years, almost exclusively using the soccerhelp games and drills. Recently, my two middle children ( age 8 girl, age 9 boy) decided to try-out for Guam's elite soccer training program. I wasn't surprised that they were accepted. I was surprised to find that they could equally compete with other children who had been in the program for a year or more. Thank you for the effort you place into the website, drills, approach, etc. It has enabled me, a father who never played the sport, to successfully prepare many young kids to reach their best and have fun at a high level of competition. The 2 things that helped the most are the patches and the philosophy of maximizing touches on the ball through games that taught and honed individual skills while emphasizing FUN. The patches work wonders. My older kids love the sport so much, they run drills on their own between practices!”

--Coach Scott, Guam, Premium Member and Patches customer for 5 years

Posted on SoccerHelp Facebook page - Jim wrote: "ONE OF THE BEST SITES EVER CREATED TO HELP COACHES. I have been following SoccerHelp advice for years and have had great success with it I now train coaches for my local soccer club and always refer back to this site . my advice to all coaches seeking help , USE THIS SITE!!"

--Jim

"I would recommend trying out Soccerhelp.com. I have volunteered as a coach for my son's Under 12 soccer team for two years now. I came into the adventure not knowing a whole lot about soccer. I discovered www.soccerhelp.com recently, and it would have made my journey a lot easier had I of known about it before I began coaching. There are a lot of worthwhile links on there to drills and other tips for practices and games as well. I would recommend looking into purchasing the SoccerHelp "Premium". It was like $30 and well worth every penny of it. I hope this helps out, and I wish you the best with the soccer coaching! Good luck!"

--From Amazon Askville

I have been a volunteer coach at our local YMCA here for 6 1/2 years. I have coached 27 teams. Two years ago, when my daughter moved up to the 10-12 yr old league, I began taking my role as her coach more seriously to help prepare her for Middle School Soccer. However, my team was just average at best. I never played soccer and simply didn't understand enough about the game. About a year ago, I decided to dedicate myself to reading SoccerHelp.com on a weekly basis and I bought my first round of Soccer Patches.

Then I signed up for Premium, which is the best.

In the Fall of 2010 my girls team went 5 wins, 1 loss, 2 ties. In the Spring, I had 11 returning players and went 6-0-2 undefeated, beating every team in the league at least once. This Fall we switched to the Co-Ed league and played our first match against an all boys team beating them soundly 4-1. We did pick up the little brother of one player so we are now 11 girls and 1 boy. But, in short, my girls have worked out using SoccerHelp.com games for 45 of the past 52 weeks and they stand out at our YMCA. They move better, understand more and play like a team of older kids. I can't thank SoccerHelp.com and David enough for their help with this incredible site. I am buying soccer patches again today for two more teams and I fully expect both teams to have successful seasons full of growth. After all, winning isn't everything. But, it's a lot more fun when you do win.

All the best to you guys,

--Coach Brad, U10-12
Charlotte, NC

You know you are doing the right thing when you say practice is over after 90 minutes in 93 degree heat and 7 year old girls still want to play the Win the 50/50 Ball or be the First Defender 1v1 Attacking and Defending soccer practice game.

--Coach Troy, Premium Member MD USA

Using the SoccerHelp concepts and the incentive patches, my U-8 team just finished the season 8-0-0. This is the same team that last Fall was winless and only scored one goal, and my 4-yr-old team finished their season also undefeated! My kids and parents could not be happier! I am just about to place my third order for more patches, so man did they work!! The kids were more concentrated at practice, gone was the crying after getting knocked down, and their positioning changed almost overnight. They worked so well, I even started using them for my son's 4-yr-old team. In two weeks, they turned us from unaggressive-standers-around, to a well oiled machine. Throughout the season, I had at least 6-7 opposing coaches/parents come up to me and ask me how I got my kids to do that!

--Coach Dan, U8 and U5, Georgia, Premium Member

"Just wanted to thank you for the website and all the information contained therein. Two years ago I didn't know anything about soccer, and now my U9 girls' team has a two year record of 17 wins and 4 losses. My parents were excited about how well the girls played, I received many complements on how well they were coached, and most important, my kids had fun. I attribute much of my success to your SoccerHelp Premium and the patches. The website gave me the knowledge to coach, and the patches gave the girls the motivation. I'll be a member for as long as I coach."

--Mike, Washington USA, U9, Premium Member

"I have been a member of SoccerHelp Premium for about 2 years and so far, everything has worked. I have coached 2 different Rec teams, one 8v8 and one 11v11, and my record is 22-1-1 (the single loss was my very first game so it almost doesn't count!) There is no way I could have done it without Premium."

--Coach Matt, USA, U-12, Premium Member

I thought my 12 year olds might be too old for the patches, but I thought I would give it a try. They love them! They have team sweatshirts that they iron them on to. I handed them out at practice after the game and they all remembered what patch they were to get - and knew what patches their teammates were getting too!

One other thing - thanks so much for your practice games. We extended our practices from the normal 1 hour the league says to 1.5 hours. Last practice, in the rain, when I shouted out "practice is over" half the girls were saying "Already? Boy that was fast. Can we go a little longer if our mom isn't here (yes!)", etc. Thanks for making it fun (and successful) for everyone.

--Coach Phillip, Premium Member, WA

"Hi David, You may recall that this is my first season as a select team coach. We lost our first 2 games but since then we are 6-0-1, outscoring opponents 18-3. That number could be higher... we literally hit the post 7 or 8 times in our tournament games this weekend! How can that be? How can a new select coach with a brand new team be playing so well? Soccerhelp of course. I've resisted the urge to play small sided scrimmages as much as others do and stuck with the practice games. I have to confess part of me wondered if I had to do something "extra" coaching select. And from a strategy standpoint, yes, I do. But as far as drills go... nope. The amount of improvement shown with select kids is magnified even more so than it was in rec. Who knows what the rest of the season holds. But I've very pleased with how it's gone so far, and all the wonderful help and support from our parents. All the best,"

---Dan, U10 Select Boys, OH

Great site, well worth the subscription. I paid more money for books in the first year I started coaching that didn't have 1/10th the information. Fantastic job. Thank you.

--Coach Jonny, U11 Competitive

Hi SoccerHelp,

I have been coaching soccer for the last 6 years. My boy's team is having their best season so far and I believe it is due to the patches I started giving out after the third game of the season. Since then we have played much better soccer and are scoring like crazy. We've scored 10 goals in the last two games alone. My girl's U-9 team struggled until recently and they too have come around. They connect the patches to what they are supposed to do on the field. I give them patches for everything from crosses to drops to lucky goals and throw-ins. These patches have turned my girls team around. We only scored 3 goals last season. This season we have scored 20 goals so far and 5 in the last game, beating a team we lost to earlier. The whole team gets gold stars if they score 5 goals or more and both teams have scored 5 in the last 2 games....thanks Soccerhelp.

--Dave, NJ USA, U-11 Boys Select/U-9 Girls Select, Premium Member

"I love SoccerHelp! I'm convinced it is what makes my mediocre team successful. We had 2 games today - 15-2 and 3-1. Both teams had bigger, faster kids on them but we won both games. You're so right - kids with little talent can be successful if they just learn to be BRAVE! Thank you, thank you, thank you."

--Donna, U10 coach, Premium Member for one month when this was written

Dear Soccerhelp,

I am a rec coach who has been coaching youth soccer for 4 years, 3 of which I have used soccerhelp. This year I am coaching U10.

My love for the game is immense, but my knowledge in coaching was quite limited until I began using soccerhelp. Once I began using your Practice Games, coaching became much easier and the kids began having more fun! I also began to learn different dimmensions of the game I never realized existed.

As a result of what we applied from SoccerHelp, our teams have won a total of 86 games, lost 5, and tied 5 over the course of three years (I have coached 2 teams in that time).

Consequently, I am, hands down, the most requested coach in our rec league. My kids sign up year after year, and go on to do very well on other teams.

Thanks Soccerhelp.

--DF

"I want to personally thank you for my daughter’s success and happiness in playing recreational soccer. Our league is very competitive and usually has 20 or more teams in each age group until u14. We had a really great u10 team and I felt like with the right coaching they would have had a lot more fun and maybe would have won it all; but we finished the regular season 5-5 and went 1-3 in the tournament. So I decided I would step up to the plate and head coach the following year. I really had no idea how to coach soccer. I have now completed 3 seasons as head coach. By following strategies and practice drills in Soccerhelp.com, The teams I have coached has won the division title twice and 2 championships in those 3 years. All three years we were either the lowest scored on team or the second lowest scored on team. 2 of the three years the team went undefeated in the regular season. The three teams I have coached have a combined record of 31-6-6. The girls often beat teams that are faster and stronger, but thanks to the strategies outline in soccerhelp.com, the girls build skills quickly and are always in a position to win."

Coach Jarrett

I have coached rec soccer for the past 4 years (GU12 and GU14). Using the techniques and information from Premium, we have won the division the last 2 years and come in second the other 2.

--Chris, CA, U12 and U14, Premium Member

In November 2007, my 15 & Under Tournament team won the Alabama Rec League State Championship. I grew up in this town and there was no soccer. No one knew anything about it, let alone how to coach it. When my kids became interested and moved up in the age groups and coaches became scarce, I decided I loved it enough to try it. Then I turned to SoccerHelp.com for desperately needed help on managing players, practices, parents, skills, and strategies. Now I'm the coach of a State Championship team. I had some good players and some not so good, but determined players. They all had great fun in practice and it translated to great fun in games. I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks from the bottom of my heart for all you do with this site. You have made possible a lot of cherished memories for me and my family as we have grown together in this sport we have grown to love.

--Sincerest regards,
Doug, U16, Premium Member since 2004

Last year we played at U14 and switched to the 3-2-3-2 formation as described in Premium. We went 17-0-2!!!

--Coach Alan, U14, Premium Member since 2005

David,

Hi. I wanted to send you a quick email to let you know how much I appreciate you and what you are doing. You saved me countless hours of frustration and work. Seriously, I know that we would not have accomplished what we did in such a short amount of time without SoccerHelp. I committed to coaching my daughter's U10 soccer team last year. I have never played soccer, and, frankly, probably have only watched about 3 games my entire life. Anyway, obviously needing help, I searched for any resources that would bail me out. We had a decent team at the time, they had won 3, lost 3 and tied 2. I was hoping to just do that well under my watch. We were playing against teams coached by coaches that had previously coached travel teams, premier leagues and ODP teams!

After finding your site, I decided I would commit to doing EVERYTHING you said to do. So I practiced the way you said-- signed up for the premium access to the website, practices, patches and game lineups.

Long story short. My girls practiced Dribble Across A Square, I taught COACHING RULE #3, and, most importantly, we began using the patches for hustle, bravery and sacrifice. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BIGGER MOTIVATIONAL RESOURCE THAN THE SOCCER PATCHES!

You wanna know what happened, right? Well, this was the first year that they were giving out trophies...actually, one trophy.. for first place only. Not only did we win our U10 division, we were undefeated! (7-0-1) The 'better coaches' were absolutely upset about losing to us...after all, they 'knew more', they were more experienced, there was no way they should lose to someone who had never even played! Now we have moved up to U11 and we have begun the season 2-0. I cannot thank you enough! You guys rock!

--AB, U11, Premium Member

Last season we lost most of our games. Never having have been a fan of soccer I searched the internet and found your site. I joined Premium and purchased patches not knowing what to expect. At practice we did a lot of the games like dribble across the square and lots of others and found what worked and got the kids the most touches. I did everything Premium said and we went undefeated during the season and second in the tournament winning 4 games and losing the final game to a team that had not lost in 4 years, except to us during the regular season. Many thanks.

--Coach Dave, U-10 Rec, VA, USA, Premium Member

I taught my players Coaching Rule No. 3 from Premium and the results were immediately phenomenal! I couldn't believe I had neglected this basic tactic - they immediately stole several balls in the game following our 1st practice where I had introduced the concept, and it completely changed the flow of the game during several long stretches. This resulted in our nearly tying what had been the best team in the league. While we lost 2 to 3, it was night and day compared to how they had played just a week or two before.

--Coach Charlie, U10, Premium Member

Hi SoccerHelp,

Thank you so much for your wonderful website. We coached a U-10 Boys Rec Team this year and the advice and practice games that we learned from your site enabled us to coach our boys to all the way to League Champions!

What worked for us? We ran a 2-1-3-2 for the whole year and defended deep. We finished the regular season at 10-4 with most of our losses coming in games where we were missing several players. We found that we were fast break team, and that almost every one of our scoring opprotunities was created because the team stayed in their positions. We constantly praised our kids for playing position and took time to single out midfielders who made passes that enabled our forwards to score. We also discovered that after posting a several goal lead, we could put our least able players at forward, allowing us to keep the ball away from our net with greater ease AND giving those kids scoring chances.

Once the playoffs began, we never lost a game.

Thanks again for your great website. We plan on using it again next year when we move up to U-12 and start playing 11 v 11.

--Dylan and Ray, U10, Premium Member

Hi SoccerHelp,

I am a first year coach and have developed my practice and game strategies around the information I have read on SoccerHelp. Our team went 8-1-1 and finished second. The girls on my U10 team had never played together before and they got better as the season progressed. They are having fun and learning the sport. The girls would complain that practice was over. You just don't achieve this by running laps and drills. I know, my 11 year old who I don't coach dreads going to her practices and complains that it just isn't fun. Practice Games work.

I purchased your patches and the kids loved them. At the end of the season, I gave each girl a duffle bag with her name on it so she could iron the patches to it. We decided to play indoor soccer this winter and just had our first game. The girls showed up with their bags and had the patches for all to see. My wife told me that during the game, parents kept asking if I were giving out patches for the indoor league. I had not planned on it but....I don't want to stop a good thing. So I am placing an order for more patches after sending this reply.

Keep up the good advice. There are those of us who really appreciate it.

--Coach Dave, USA, U10, Premium Member

"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.

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.

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. 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

"This site is the first place I found good information on how to teach positions and formations which I knew nothing about 1 year ago. We play 9 vs 9 including the goalie."

--Coach Jim, U-10 Rec

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

"The concepts that you teach on SoccerHelp Premium are easy for recreational players to understand and, perhaps more importantly, really do lend clarity to the key teaching points of the game. The field positioning concepts and 1 v. 1 win the ball games helped reinforce things that were extremely important to the team against solid competition. From my perspective, the best suggestion provided by SoccerHelp was moving to the 2-1-3-1 formation. We controlled the ball the great majority of the game in the last 5 games that we played and the girls truly enjoyed having the ball on their end of the pitch. We were also able to effectively hide one or two of our weaker players on the outside mids, while still controlling the middle of the field.The girls ended up winning three of their last four games and played to a dead even 0-0 match in the post-season tournament finals. They received trophies for finishing second in the tournament and everybody was extremely excited with how they played. Thank you so much!!"

--Coach Blair, U-11, Premium Member and former college player

I started coaching in the spring this year and with the help of SoccerHelp we had a very good season. I coached a rec team (U-12 coed) and we went 8-2-0 finishing second in our division. We also scored the most goals (41) and our defense was third (20) in goals allowed. That was with 13 kids and 2 of them had never played before. Your web site, DVDs and patches are great. I have learned a lot and my kids enjoy the incentive patches. With all the practice games and touches on the ball my kids are having a blast. I receive good feedback from the parents telling me their child has played for 3 or 4 years and never had this much fun.

--Coach Ed, MS, USA

Hi SoccerHelp,

We have used your patches and practice games with great success.

We have a 9 year old city rec team in south Florida. Its our first year playing together, except for 2 of our players.

Your patches have inspired them all to be much better players. The difference in everyone's play, since we started with the practice games and patches is amazing. I started the season's first practice without SoccerHelp, and most of the kids were lethargic, unexcited, and bored. My wife found your site, and I realized that your training "principals" made lots of sense. (every kid has a ball in practice, no lines, several hundred touches on the ball in practice each, etc.) The patches arrived in time for the first game, and you would think I was passing out $100 bills after the game. All the kids are very proud of the patches they have earned, and can tell everyone how they earned each patch.

We are half way through our season and have won all games except for the second game. Our greatest success was winning against a team (and coach) that has been undefeated for 3 seasons. Most of the league players all go to the same school, and the players on the other team had bragged (understandably) about their record at school, and my players were nervous about the game. We had a practice 2 days before the "big game", as always, we did your practice games - cone relay race, square dribble, and throw in practice, along with an offense against defense game. On Saturday morning, Before the game we warmed up, and did your 2 practice games again. It was the best kids soccer game I have ever seen, both teams played as hard and aggressive as I've ever seen 9 year olds play, it was very exciting. We won the game 1-0. I was so proud of them, everyone received several patches, as every player was a star.

SoccerHelp has definitely made me a better coach, and shown me how to motivate and create better players.

--Coach Michael

I know there is know way my team would have been this prepared without your website.

--Aaron

I realized that I never did give an update on how our team finished up for the Fall season. You might recall that I have 12 boys on my U9 roster, where we're playing a 2-1-2 formation. I have 4 very strong players, 4 OK players, and 4 VERY weak players. After losing our first 3 games, we won 4 out of the last 5 to finish at 4-4 for the season. In our first 3 games, we were outscored 17-4. In our last five games, we outscored our opponents 30-14 (giving up 8 in our loss and 2,2,1,1 in our wins.) Our loss was incredibly frustrating as the opposing team had only 8 players, but played their best 4 the entire match. The other 4 players rotated through the other 2 positions the entire time.

Our improvement, I think, was due to 2 factors. First, our schedule worked out where we played the best teams early in the season. Second, our team came together incredibly during the season. Out of our team of 12, we inherited 4 players from a team that folded which hadn't won a game in 2 years and had 3 players that never played organized soccer before. We played Dribble Across the Square and Dribble Around the Cone and Pass at every practice, and the results were phenomenal. We've learned 'marking up', Coaching Rule #3 and short corners. [Our best player even scored on a 'long' corner, "bending it" into the goal.] As the season went on, our parents couldn't stop talking about the improvement of many players individually and our play as a team.

SoccerHelp Premium has been a terrific resource for me, and I couldn't be happier with the advice and ideas I've received from the Forum and the site as a whole!

--Coach Greg, Premium Member, AR, USA

"I owe the improvement in each individual's team players foot skills, teamwork, and aggressive play to the games we learned on SoccerHelp Premium. Thanks again to all of you who have written to the Forum with encouragement and tips. We are the newest, least skilled, least experienced team, but we are making great strides every week, and we owe a big part of it to the SoccerHelp community."

--Coach Larry, Premium Member

"We only had 1 win and 4 narrow losses until I subscribed to Premium, used the Practice Games and 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. 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. 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

Hi SoccerHelp,

Thanks!!! I want you to know that I really appreciate your site and will remain a Premium member as long as I am fortunate enough to coach. The patches are the absolute best motivational tool I have found in seven years of coaching three daughters. I currently coach a U12 Girls team in the toughest division of our league. The Premium tips and games are great. We were losing almost all of our goal kicks this year until I taught the girls the Spread the Field Goal Kick play I found in Premium that spreads the field and has the sweeper follow the ball out. I think we might have lost one goal kick in our last three games of the season. Excellent play. I also started using the Short Corner Set Play with two players in the corner where one passes the ball between the other's legs. I can only attribute one goal to it but we had sooooo many opportunities that were opened up by that play. Our season has come to an end but I will be on your site plotting and planning for the next 7 or 8 months. I might have to try out your indoor section just to get my fix between now and the next outdoor season.

Thanks again for all that you do.

--Coach Chad, CA, USA

I have been coaching rec U12 Girls for 2 years now playing 11V11. My first year was definitely a learning year for me and my team ended up winning about half it's games. This past season, however we tied our first game and went on to win every remaining game for the year to take the championship - truly unbelievable. I just wanted to say that I owe my success mostly to you for all the information I gained from your site. Thank you! I was awarded by being given one of our all star teams.

--Coach John, Florida, USA

Congrats to you and Kay on the website. While I am not surprised that you are #1 due to the caliber and quality of your site. I have to admit, being number one out of 3 million sites is a stunning statistic, absolutely stunning. I hope I am responsible for a few hundred of them as I am not kidding you when I say I refer folks over there all the time. The new coaches I am constantly recruiting are soooo appreciative once they get to see your site! You are providing a great service to the Soccer Community, so keep up the great work!

--Coach Tony, Georgia, U.S.A.

The improvement in both of my daughters from last year to this year is amazing.

--Coach Troy, Premium Member

SoccerHelp has been incredibly helpful. I played soccer for 14 years, but coaching kids is different. SoccerHelp has enabled me to be very structured and to work with kids, some of whom had little or no experience. I was late signing on as a coach in the Spring and drafted the last team with very little experience. We didn't win one game. This Fall we moved up to U-14 from U-10 (they combined U-12 and U-14 due to size). We lost our first 2 games and have won our last 3 games by a combined 14-6. The SoccerHelp system works and gives you the information and resources you need. Thanks.

--Coach Chad, USA

Thanks for your website and for all the great ideas. Until this season my girl's team (U10, with most of them playing together since first grade), had not one a single game. This season I started using soccerhelp.com rather than the drills that we had learned from the coaching seminars. We came in second in our division with a record of 6-2-2 and allowed the fewest goals in our division (Division 4). The girls had even more fun at practices and of course it was more fun to win games.

Every practice and game started with "Dribble Across a Square" which is a great warm-up both physically and mentally. Practicing shoulder tackles was also done every practice and before games (more of a mental thing).

So - thanks to SoccerHelp for a HUGE improvement in the girl's playing ability and teamwork. I can't wait for next year to learn and improve more, and will also begin to use the soccer patches.

--Coach Phil, Washington State, USA

You have no idea how much my 3.5-4 year old all girls Team has improved!!!

In fact, I had a Dad come up to me after the game on Sat 03-17-07. He had not been to a game since the 1st game and here we are at game 5. He advised he cannot believe how much of a progression all the girls have shown.

Yes, my girls started out very slow, lost, non-aggressive etc. Granted in our league we do not keep score, but we probably lost our 1st game by 20 goals.

Since that time, if we were keeping score, we have not lost a game. AND, each week a new girl scores a goal!!!! ...amazing.

I owe all of this to SoccerHelp. The practice games are AMAZINGLY EFFECTIVE!! MY Girls are so engaged, and I have parents tell me that their girls cannot wait to go to practice.

I end every Practice with MONSTER INVASTION!!! And it is so effective for getting them to come back.....!!!

I can go on and on about the success stories. But I will leave you with one - my own Daughters. Last Year my daughter played soccer as a almost 3 Year old. The coaches did nothing but throw the ball out there and let them run around. They did not engage that much at all. My daughter was so disinterested that, on game day, she did not even want to get into the game and play. She even got to the point where she did not want to go to practice. It was a grind. For games and practice, She would stay on the side and dig in the dirt and pick flowers.

THIS YEAR - I said I am going to coach and use the SoccerHelp methods - WOW...WHAT A DIFFERENCE. My daughter is now one of the better players on the team, has scored goals and dribbles the ball down the field with both feet w/o looking down!! WOW...I AM SHOCKED!!!

Anyway...A success story!!! I am behind this website 100%!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

--SoccerHelp Forum User

I'm 41 and have played and coached soccer for many years. I didn't think you could teach me anything new, but boy was I wrong!!! I've used your free Practice Games in my last 2 practices and the results were truly phenomenal. I can't wait to use the Premium games.

--Coach Jon, USA

Our team has now scored 8 goals in the last two games while our opponents have yet to score. We have been doing the Premium practice games and, you know, they really work. Our defense which was questionable a few weeks ago is now rock solid. We are also using your idea for patches that the boys can iron on their uniforms for attendance, hustle, bravery etc...They love it.

--Coach Will, USA

The kids can't get enough of the SoccerHelp method and your Practice Games. Neither can I. It is a lot more fun playing and coaching when the team wins. The kids do not want to come off the field when I sub them.

--Coach Don, CA

I NEVER played soccer before. My daughters team needed a coach and no one stepped forward. The team was going to be canceled - that is how it started for me.

I now coach two teams each season and learned how to coach all on www.SoccerHelp.com. PLAY THE GAMES and read the helps. You will be amazed. I use the patches, too. I love the current suggestions found on the website, but previously I had used them only for assists.

The results were amazing. I had 8 kids on the team and we played 4v4. By the third game in the season, we had 100% of the kids scoring a goal in just about every game because our more skilled players WANTED a patch, so they set up the less aggressive players. Once those less aggressive players got the taste of scoring and having the crowd cheer for them, well, I will just say it was exciting!

My parents loved our league games because all their kids scored (we were VERY liberal on determining who had assists so that all the kids had multiple patches before the end of the season). To see 3 year olds passing and assisting astounded me, too - I never would have thought it possible.

This is compared to our competitors who had one or two skilled kids score all their goals. Even at that, with the SoccerHelp system, we generally outscored the other teams 3 or 4 goals to every one they made. We often scored 18 or more goals in a game. Several of the other teams had kids cry or walk off the field because they were too tired, or some would simply play with the grass. NOT the SoccerHelp kids. We had a blast!

--SoccerHelp Coach, USA

I've only been a "Premium" subscriber for 1 hour but this is awesome. So many books and videos contain too much inferior drills that it's a waste of time trying to find the good drill or game. Your site is jam-packed with perfect soccer games/drills. My head is swimming with all the potential improvement that my team can make after practicing your games for awhile. Is it too goofy to suggest that I have already gotten my money's worth in 1 hour? Our first game is next Saturday - I plan on updating you with the results which I feel will be mostly attributable to your website. Thanks!!

--Coach Richard, U.S.A.

"After implementing some of the offensive formations that I learned from the premium site, my team has not been beaten. This is after losing our first four games by wide margins."

--Coach Scott, TN, U.S.A.

I found your site about a year ago, became a subscriber, and love it. I have read so many books and searched websites but I never felt comfortable with how things were explained. Your site explains things very clearly and I am able to easily transfer what I have learned to the practices and games. My U-9 team went undefeated last year and I then coached the All-Stars to a 2nd place finish.

--Coach Brian, U.S.A.

Since taking up coaching again with my daughters U-14 team I have been using your website extensively to help me with practices, it has been great! First two games of the season we let in 9 goals. As we applied your defensive suggestions we have reduced the damage to 3 goals in 3 games.

--Coach Richard, U.S.A

David, I'm a coach in a Catholic parish in St. Louis (4th grade girls). I've been recommending SoccerHelp wherever I can. We went from 3rd place division C last year to 2nd place division B this year. We didn't give up a goal for 7 straight games, all with rec players.

--Coach Rich, St. Louis, USA

I really enjoy your newsletter and website. Your idea about using a strong player at the front defender position helped to win a 6v6 tournament for us. I would never have thought about doing that if it was not for your website.

-- Coach Sean

To all at Soccerhelp,

I should be thanking you. Before I joined SoccerHelp Premium today, for the past 2 soccer seasons I have bought and used your patches and have been using the 10 free Practice Games you offer on your site. I have stayed within your guide lines of being a good coach by making sure my kids have fun during practice and at the games. The patches have become a very important part of my team because it has led to perfect attendance both at practices and games and that leads to good team spirit. My girls are 7 and 1 this season. I have had other veteran coaches come up to me saying how spirited and well my team plays as a team. Parents have already made sure that I am their child's coach next season. For a guy who 2 years ago knew nothing about soccer it's a great feeling. Again, I thank you.

--Coach Jim

"Your website has been a tremendous help to me. I have found that performing practices using your Practice Game has been much more enjoyable for the kids and me."

--Coach Bradley, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

"Just wanted to let you know that I am still finding SoccerHelp to be an outstanding coaching resource. I have been using it since U7, and have found it particularly valuable now that I am coaching Girls U9 Rec.

This is the first year the girls have been playing soccer using something approaching the "complete" game, as in our Association U6 - U8 use a continuous-play micro game (3v3) with no restarts (corners, throw-ins, goal kicks, etc.) and no assigned positions. The girls had a lot to learn, and the SoccerHelp activities and coaching resources make it much easier to teach them the fundamentals quickly. As a result, my team is 4-0 and has dominated play, outscoring their opponents 30-5."

--Coach Bryan, California

"Each game I see our practices (Practice Games from SoccerHelp.com) pay off. The girls really enjoyed this year and SoccerHelp was the base that we built off. Each game parents tell me that they thought the talent on our team was very weak at the beginning of the year, but each week they become more impressed with what this team does. We have beaten a team with multiple travel players and gave another team the game of their lives even though they play with the same girls each year. Some of our wins have been 9-0, 10-3, 7-1, etc. Anyway, thanks for being there, I will be coaching 2 to 3 teams next year because it was so much fun."

--Coach Brian, NY, U.S.A.

"I have learned more in the two weeks since subscribing to Premium than I learned in seven years of coaching. I searched the web long and tediously before signing up."

--Coach Rion, USA

"I am a 2nd year premium subscriber. Excellent info and worth every penny."

--Coach Tony, Florida USA

I love your SoccerHelp site; have been a Premium subscriber for several years and it has helped me a lot. I have a U-12 Rec team with very average talent and skill (we're working on it) and have finished 2nd, 2nd, first, 2nd in our age group /division the last 4 seasons.

--Coach Joe, USA

"I've played soccer competitively for about 20 years at various levels, but I just started coaching last year. It had been a good decade since I had played outdoor, so I scoured the Internet for information to make sure I was up to date. Everything I found was way too fundamental or just simply out of touch. When I came across SoccerHelp I felt like I hit the lottery. I have learned so many valuable things."

--Coach Dan, CA, USA

"Hello again, I know you are getting tired of hearing from me, but we had another successful weekend playing your system of 2-1-2-2! Two of our better offensive players were out of town, and our other players stepped up. We won 6-1, and two of our players scored their first goals ever! This had been an exciting season, thanks to your formations, practice games and patches. The girls really are working hard. Thanks again."

--Coach Dave, U.S.A.

"I had never played soccer, but SoccerHelp Premium has given me the confidence to teach the game of soccer to my team and make them winners. In the fall we are moving up to the Competitive League."

--Coach Hal, U.S.A.

"I have been coaching for 3 years as a recreational coach. Your web site has been extremely helpful in the past years. The first year coaching a rec team we lost all games except 1 tie.(This was before I found your web site!) The second year coaching a rec team they won half their games and the last season's U-10 rec team lost only 1 game out of 11 and won the league and tournament. We ran a 3-2-3-2 (as you suggested on the web-site) and the girls dominated most of the games. The only game they lost they just could not get their foot on the ball. Thanks a bunch for the advice over the last 3 seasons. I have moved to coaching a competitive team this year."

--Coach Allen

I'm a newly recruited U10 coach and just went through the "F" license class which they taught most of the same style that I've seen on your site. The little bit I have used has made a Huge Difference in not only the way our guys play but they're even having fun and not just because they're winning.

--Coach Jeff, New Jersey, U.S.A.

"This is my first year coaching after I was persuaded into coaching my daughters U-10 team. I knew very little about the sport of soccer let alone coaching it. Luckily, I found SoccerHelp.com as we are 5-0 halfway through the season. We have scored 21 goals and have only given up 5. It was very helpful to learn you do not have to rotate player to every position in Rec soccer."

--Coach Mike, Arizona, U.S.A.

Our first practice was last Thursday. It went great! The kids loved the practice games and never lost interest in what they were doing. Also, several parents mentioned how impressed they were with our coaching abilities (my husband and I are coaching the team together). Thank you for making us look so good!

--Coach Elizabeth, Texas, U.S.A.

"It is great to be able to quickly choose a few of your age appropriate games, print out descriptions, then drive home to go to practice. Thanks for your help during the season and keep up the good work on the website. It's a great resource."

--Coach Joe, U.S.A

My U-11 girls finished in first place in the "A" division. Our record was 8-1-1. The formation you recommended helped us score more goals. WOW!! What a change. Thanks for introducing this system to me and my players.

--Coach Lisa, U-11 Girls, Texas, USA

The head of my soccer league said this to me: "I hope you will stay with coaching, because I believe you are the best candidate we have for our coaching future with the girls." Unbelievable! The girls and SoccerHelp are making me look good!

--Coach Joe, U.S.A.

"Thanks for all of your advice. I've learned more about coaching than in 8 years before as coach or assistant coach."

--Coach Kirk, U.S.A.

"Just wanted to let you know I subscribed to Premium. What a difference practice was yesterday. For the first time I felt like I knew what I was talking about. I coach a junior high girl's team in New Jersey. I am very excited about teaching & coaching this year. Thank you."

--Coach Bob, NJ, U.S.A.

"Thanks so much! We love your site and it has been an invaluable tool for the Pink Panthers. I can honestly say that using the drills and resources we have found on your site has made a great impact; we have found that 99% of the time our girls are better prepared for situations that occur in the games and are slightly more advanced at basic fundamentals than other teams we play. Much of my girls play is a testament to your site because 80% of the drills and techniques we work on are from your site!"

--Coach Jim, Texas, U.S.A.

"I have been a soccer coach for over 10 years. I signed up for your program and love your site. It is very informative and it saves me time, but best of all it is working for the kids. My U12 girls will be better players at the end of the season because of the program. Thanks for all your work."

--Coach Joe, U.S.A.

I can't say enough about the tried and true results of using these patches! My team lost all 8 games last season, and moral was low. Nothing I tried seemed to make a difference. I try to make soccer a very fun experience for the kids, not bad, by yelling at them. When I came across these patches, I figured I would give it a shot. What could it hurt? Well, I will tell you that this very same team that lost ALL 8 games in the fall, won 7 out of 8 games this spring!!! The kids wanted those patches!!! We placed 2nd, and got the silver medal! Thank you Soccer Help for helping me, help my team!!! These little patches gave them so much more to work toward, and have something to show, for their progression, and accomplishments!
I can't say thank you enough!!!
Thanks!!

--Coach Gayla, Missouri
The Dragons

Love your website...lots of good info. To be more specific...I feel that it equips recreational soccer coaches with a very sound base at which to teach the game. I felt that the training I received prior to my first year coaching was rather inadequate and boring. What I liked about your system is that elevated my knowledge very quickly and gave me the confidence and tools that I could pass on to the girls in a very fun way.

I've been assisting my daughter's U10 Spring Select and when I've had a chance to use some of the practice games from premium I've noticed that the girls quickly learn and refine the skills practiced.

I liken this "practice games" style to the movie "The Karate Kid". In other words, the girls learn the soccer skills by doing the practice games...yet they don't realize how those games are actually building up their skills (Much like how Daniel learned to fight by painting the fence, waxing the car, and sanding the floor). I've seen those skills come out during games over the past few weeks. THAT'S EXCITING!

--Coach Bruce, Ca

"I am the head coach of a U-10 girls Rec soccer team and have been for a good 3 years. I learned the game from SoccerHelp. We have progressed from a team that lost almost all of the games we played to winning the championship last outdoor season."

--Coach Hal, Texas, U.S.A.

"Hello SoccerHelp, I'm a coach in England for an under seven team. I use your site more than any other. You're the best site there is, all your drills work and the kids want to play even after the training has finished. The soccer patches are brilliant; they are a brilliant idea and award."

--Coach Dave, England

"In my first season ever as coach, we have gone 7-1-1 thanks to "SoccerHelp" and have beaten the toughest team in our division twice despite their coach having coached most of his girls for 5 years."

--Coach Michael, Arizona, U.S.A.

"It really is a quality site, I learned a lot from it. I signed up last summer; "my" 7-8 year old team went 8-0 fall season, 8-0 spring season. Thanks for the work you guys do in putting the site together."

--Coach Peter, U.S.A.

"Great Site! I've played soccer for 18 years through all the development, Junior Olympic, even tried out for the pros (in Canada way back when) so the technique and tactics are nothing new, but the drills for coaching kids (coaching 10 and 11 year olds) is very thorough. I have coached kids before, but lost their interest running more advanced drills, and look forward to implementing some of these "games" at practice to keep their interest, and still teach the skills, and let them have fun."

--Coach James, U.S.A.

"Great site, I've been playing for 30 years, but that doesn't make me a good coach, this site is very helpful in seeing things through the eyes of a 9 year old girl! Got to keep things fun! Thanks"

--Coach Tony, ILL., U.S.A.

"I just wanted to give you an update on our progress since your reply. Our play has improved a lot. The kids really look forward to practices with all the games I've introduced: on our team of 9, we never have less than 7 show up, and usually have all 9, pretty good for a non-competitive league where they don't keep scores or standings! Thanks for your help."

--Coach Don, Canada

"I would like to just write in and say thank you for your valuable information. I am a coach for girls U10 Rec soccer league and we are 4-1-1 with 2 games left. Each game I see our practices (drills from Soccerhelp.com) pay off. The girls really enjoyed this year and SoccerHelp was the base that we built off."

--Coach Brian, U.S.A.

"I am a U-10 boy's soccer coach. I think your site is great. I feel that too many mom's and dad's volunteer for Rec soccer program coaching positions without learning how to coach young children in Rec programs. Your site filled this void for me. Thank you for making the tools available to help me to be good 'teaching' coach."

--Coach Dave, California, U.S.A.

"THANK YOU!!! For saving us coaches hundreds of hours of time wading through the multitude of resources available. God bless you."

--Coach Karen, Georgia, U. S. A.

"I saw one of your articles in the WSYSA Play on publication and got really excited about your resource. I can't agree with you more on your philosophy and I am just visiting your site for the first time."

--Coach Jeannie, U.S.A.

"Your ideas and practice games are fun and they really work. I am looking forward to again using your ideas and suggestions this fall."

--Coach Dave, U.S.A.

"You are a real credit to the sport of soccer. Thanks for being so devoted to helping other coaches."

--Coach Bruce, U.S.A.

Hello again, I know you are getting tired of hearing from me, but we had another successful weekend playing your system of 2-1-2-2! Two of our better offensive players were out of town, and our other players stepped up. We won 6-1, and two of our players scored their first goals ever! This had been an exciting season, thanks to your formations, practice games and patches. The girls really are working hard. Thanks again.

--Coach Dave,U.S.A.

"I'm so grateful to a fellow coach who turned me on to your site. I already used your six free drills/games for my first pre-school practice last week and my practice time was terrific. As a new coach, your site will be invaluable. I feel like I've just scratched the surface on soccer instruction. I can't wait to dig deeper!"

--Coach Kevin, U.S.A.

"I found your site about a year ago, became a subscriber, and love it. I have read so many books and searched websites but I never felt comfortable with how things were explained. Your site explains things very clearly and I am able to easily transfer what I have learned to the practices and games. My U-9 team went undefeated last year and I then coached the All-Stars to a 2nd place finish."

--Coach Brian, U.S.A.

--Coach Richard, U.S.A.

Great website. Thanks very much. I was looking for some practice drills, several sites visited before yours were duplicative and uninformative on this topic.

--Coach Karen, U.S.A.

I absolutely love this website and my team is coming along great with all of your advice and tips. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

--Coach Nancy, U.S.A.

I think your site is AWESOME! I am a U-10 Advanced girls coach playing 7v7. Many of my girls have poor technical skills. I have never played soccer, but have been coaching U-6 and U-8 for 2 years. Thanks for offering coaches like me such a wonderful place to find information.

--Coach Alison, U.S.A.

I used the "Dribble Across A Square Practice Game" last season in exactly the way you suggest, and you are correct, we did see results very quickly. In my opinion, the "Dribble Across" game alone is worth the Premium membership.

--Coach Bryan, U.S.A.

--Coach Jeff, New Jersey, U.S.A.

--Coach Mike, Arizona, U.S.A.

"Your website has been a tremendous help to me. I have found that performing practices using your game scenarios mixed in with drills has been much more enjoyable for the kids and me."

--Coach Bradley, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

"I used the 3-2-2-3 formation for my U-14 Rec girls' team with some success in a late spring season tournament in North Texas. The "hole" in the middle of our shape disappeared. I'm planning to continue that formation this fall."

--Coach Garry, Texas, U.S.A.

This website is absolutely crammed with information that will help any coach at any level. This is a lot of information about evaluation of your team, positional play, improving scoring and fun instructive games. A lot of the website is free but Kay Huddleston offers a premier level that is subscription. I have already got my moneys worth and have only scratched the surface. I highly recommend this website.

--Rogue Valley Soccer Club Newsletter, September 2002

Great website! I've picked up several tips and have used them at our practices. I'm using your suggestions and trying to be more efficient.

--Coach Kent, Hawaii, U.S.A.

I would like to just write in and say thank you for your valuable information. Each game I see our practices (drills from SoccerHelp.com) pay off. The girls really enjoyed this year and SoccerHelp was the base that we built off. Each game parents tell me that they thought the talent on our team was very weak at the beginning of the year, but each week they become more impressed with what this team does. We have beaten a team with multiple travel players and gave another team the game of their lives even though they play with the same girls each year. Some of our wins have been 9-0, 10-3, 7-1, etc. Anyway, thanks for being there, I will be coaching 2 to 3 teams next year because it was so much fun.

--Coach Brian, NY, U.S.A.

My son is 4 and will be playing soccer this fall in our small town and I have volunteered as a coach. I have never coached before and while I am pursuing a degree in physical education I still had the feeling of, "what have I gotten myself into?" I know nothing about the sport and yours was the first site I came across and the only one I need. I appreciate your taking time to offer all of the information on this site and will refer to it often, I'm sure. I am so looking forward to working with these kids (all 4, 5 and 6 year olds) and I know it will be an amazing experience. I just wanted to commend you on such a great website. Thank you so much for making my first coaching experience easier!

--Coach Kandace, Florida, U.S.A.

"I subscribed to your one year premium service about two weeks ago and find it fantastic."

--Coach Keith, Missouri, U.S.A.

"I think you are dead on with some of your observations about the typical games like 5 v 2 in a square. They do teach passing, but only passing to feet. Last season, after having taken the F License course in Massachusetts, I believed that the games I learned were good, but were not always game applicable. Many of your games really are."

--Coach Gary, MA, U.S.A.

You have a wonderful website.

--Coach Andy, U.S.A.

Kudos on a great and very helpful website, by the way! As a novice coach, it's helped tremendously (perhaps me more than the boys), but we had a great fall and winter indoor season, and looking forward to spring soccer.

--Coach Dick, U.S.A.

I really like your site. In preparing for the season I reviewed stacks of old material printed from the web. Your info is more approachable, logical and strategic.

--Coach Ken, Canada

Thank you very much for your website. I have a child at primary school and he has to play a winter sport for interschool competition and has the choice of Australian Rules football or Soccer. At practice, no one has told him the rules, positions or play and everyone he asks, give him a different answer. So we decided to look on the internet, found you site by accident and was able to get the information needed.

--Joanne, Parent of Soccer player

It is great to be able to quickly choose a few of your age appropriate games, print out descriptions, then drive home to go to practice. Thanks for your help during the season and keep up the good work on the website. It's a great resource.

--Coach Joe, U.S.A.

I think your website is fantastic! With the help of SoccerHelp.com we won the girls U-8 Soccer championship.

--Coach Hal, Texas, U.S.A.

I have been a subscriber to SoccerHelp for about a month, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the site. The information is very thorough and has already paid for itself with the section on 'practice plans' alone.

--Coach Jim, Illinois, U.S.A.

Thanks for putting up the website. It has saved me a boat load of time.

--Troy

I have a eight year old daughter who has been playing soccer for three years now. Because of her I always try and help coach. This year another father and fellow soldier has volunteered to coach his son and our team. He has no soccer experience, as I was looking for information on the internet to help us out. I found your website and just wanted to thank you for taking the time to make this outstanding web page. It has been a great help, every question we have had we have been able to find an answer on your page. Thank you very much for your help.

--Soccer Coach and U.S. Army Sergeant David, U.S.A.

Thanks for the great website. This is our first year coaching our 4 year old daughter's soccer team. The certificates were so easy to do. I really appreciate it! I have book marked your site and plan to use it lots more in the future.

--Coach Holly

I have been using your practice games and they are really working.

-- Coach Brent, U-13 Select Coach

I coach girl's high school 14-18. I have used your "Dribble Across A Square" drill. Within three days I could tell a difference in the girls' skills.

--Coach Ellen, USA

I subscribed to Soccerhelp Premium just a few days ago and have already found a number of things to improve training sessions. I was surprised to find so much useful information on one site even after I have read numerous books, seen videos, obtained coaching certificates, and coached soccer for six consecutive seasons, four of them competitive and two rec level.

Thanks for a great site!

--Coach Goran, Canada

"I never had an opportunity to play growing up, town was too small to have soccer, but got involved when my sons started playing when they were 4. I've learned through attending state level courses and reading. So as I enter my second year as a premium member you can be proud your site has been helpful in my soccer education."

--Coach Wil

Also, we did use the practice games, and they do work.

--Coach Chuck, Lexington

I just wanted to thank you for your dictionary. I have two boys who play soccer, and I don't know a thing about it (other than take their muddy cleats of before we get in the car). Your dictionary has spared me countless embarrassments and has allowed me to figure out what's going on out there. My stated goal was to understand the off-sides rule before I died of old age. By George, I think I got it, and not quite forty years old!

--Ami Samuels

David and SoccerHelp were big helps last season when my girls got started. They played better, and enjoyed the game after we switched to the formation David recommended.

--Coach Charles, Kentucky

Wow...I didn't expect you guys to be working during the Holiday weekend! I really appreciate your website! I never played soccer as a kid, but ultimately ended up coaching my older daughter's rec league team through U12 and U14. Never really was comfortable, though.
Now I'm coaching my younger girl's U6 team, and your website makes me feel like an "expert."

Thank you.

--Coach Jeff

I don't even know how the guy got my number-- I guess he kept calling coaches on the YMCA list until someone would talk to him. He said he was pressed into service because the original coach didn't show up.
He kept peppering me with questions (after all, he'd finally found someone to help) so I eventually just said "Soccerhelp.com". That stopped him for a moment, and then I told him what the site did for me.
I told him it helped. The sections helped me organize my thoughts and provided me with enough to fill my first two practices. Plus, it gave me a coaching philosophy: games not drills. Parents whose kids had played before loved that. The parents were also thrilled with the paperwork that I downloaded, and to my surprise volunteered quickly.
Everybody thought I was "so organized", and felt guilty if they didn't pitch in to help. I told this guy that Soccerhelp.com helped me, and that I still subscribe off and on (nowadays only when my teams move up an age bracket). I said it was well worth the money.
I DIDN'T tell him about how valuable the soccer patches are--his team's in my division. Can't reveal all my secrets now...
I hope he subscribes, because I saw a lot of myself in him, and I just lucked into this website. it would certainly cut down on his learning curve.

--Coach Jay , Texas

I just wanted to drop you an email to let you know how much the info on your site has helped me this year. I am coaching U12 and U14 girls teams and the improvement from last year to this year is night and day.

--Coach Bruce, California

It's great to know there are still sites out there that actually care about their subscribers!

-- Coach Mike, Ill. USA

I credit SoccerHelp with helping to develop a rec team of 7 year olds that went undefeated last year and are doing the same this year. More importantly, they are "getting" the game, not just letting it be one big scrum, and the discipline from skills training lets them work on other things like sportsmanship.

--Coach Kent, Ark. USA

My name is Joaquin, and I wanted to take this time to thank you for putting together this website. I am a first time coach to soccer and have not had much help from the atheltics director at the Y. So that I did not go out and look like a complete fool at my first practice, I frantically searched the web for resources on teaching this sport. I found your site and have began to incorporate what I have found here. After each practice, I come back and check to see what else I can do for next time. Thanks again and keep up the good work!

--Coach Joaquin

David & Kay:

I have been a subscriber of your Premium service for the past two years and have been very thankful for discovering your site. Like many of your testimonials have stated, without your site, I would not be as good of a soccer coach as I am today. Thank You!

--Coach Terry, Ohio

This is my first year coaching soccer. My 9 and 11 year olds play on the team I coach. It has been a challenge for someone who knew relatively little about soccer strategy, but very rewarding. Your website and the coaching information on it (and yes the soccer ball patches, too) have been a HUGE help to me. Thank you for what you do.

--Regards, Coach Doug

I have utilized your website for close to 3 years now and it is my soccer bible. I currently am coaching a GYSA U14 girls team. We are 5 and 0 with a combined score of 14 goals for and 1 against. I use a 3-2-2-3 as outlined in one of your teaching segments. Thanks for putting together a great website.

Respectfully,

--Coach Jim, Florida

Hi David / Kay,

I haven't written to you in a while. I have been coaching rec U12 Girls for 2 years now playing 11V11. My first year was definitely a learning year for me. My team ended up winning about half it's games though I did gets lots of compliments for coaching. This past season, however we tied our first game and went on to win every remaining game for the year to take the championship - truly unbelievable. I just wanted to say that I owe my success mostly to you for all the information I gained from your site. Thank you!

--Coach John- Florida

I am a huge fan of your site and have shared it with many of my coaching friends as well as kids who I have coached in the past.

--Coach Allison, USA

I've been a premium subscriber for 3 years and really like your site. It has great, SPECIFIC information for Rec. Coaches that want to have teams that can play well and be competitive.

--Coach Joe, USA

--Coach Kris, Kansas

"The article from Coach Doug Burgoyne on coaching U4 was immensely helpful. I assited a friend last fall and found myself in the headcoach position this spring. The differences in the practice and games is amazing. All the kids have had more touches the first two games and practices than all last season. I would love more such articles from Coach Doug. I've never played organized soccer, but I definitely have the couching bug. These 3 1/2 to 4 year olds are doing great, and with SoccerHelp and Coach Doug I have some useful tools to help make every kid's first season a great one. Thanks so much!"

--Coach Tony, WA, USA

"In response to the Gatorade letter, I completely agree. For 3 yrs, I have supplied my team with drinks and half time snacks. It is good having the kids around at half time to get their drinks. You have your whole team right there to keep them pumped-up for the game with good reassurance on their play and go over any key things they need to do. I have found. if you make a players box for your kids and keep the ones not on the field together, it makes a much better team. Before the box idea, the kids not playing were on their parents laps or playing around with there siblings and not paying attention to what was going on in the game. Now, they chant and give great team support. I hear them talking about how the other teams we play leave open spaces, I think they're starting to see the game. If they utilize what they noticed and make a good play it gets them one of those new Gold Star Patches. Thanks Kay and David for not only being a great help to us with all the info, but also letting the coaches from time to time use your site as a forum to share ideas."

--Coach Jim, NY

I signed up for the Soccerhelp Premium when I agreed to become the coach, and started reading. I printed out all of the U8 games, and they really helped keep the players interested during practice. I varied the sizes of the field and other things as they got better just to keep them interested. Your games are great, much better than regular drills. Thanks again!

--Coach Jeff, USA Navy

"Well I can't believe what happened tonight at practice. I have 14 nine year olds and believe me they are they most unruly bunch you have ever seen. Huge fun, but man their concentration spans are so low. We have had 1 win and 4 narrow losses so far this season.

Tonite I used your Premium Practice Games and put into place 3 of the Premium Quick Improvement rules between the Practice Games. The kids enjoyed the Practice Games enough to ask to repeat two of them! I couldn't believe it, they never did that with drills. For 10 minutes they were soccer players for every Practice Game!!

The marking explanation and demo from Quick Team Improvement Program worked great.

We play 9v9 here and I have put into place a formation of 2-1-2-3 based on the teams strengths and where I think we have been a little weak. I have 5 players as subs - hard on them but I propose to sub them into midfield positions and the stopper positions, every 10 minutes to give some freshness to play and fairness to the subs to get a game.

I just want to say thanks so far - the change in one night was unbelievable from a practice management point of view and the kids enjoyed the new structure.

I'll stay in touch and let you know how we progress.

Kindest Regards,
Coach Chris, New Zealand

--Coach Chris, New Zealand

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

"I am very excited about this season. I was an assistant coach on my daughters team the last couple of years. The head coach has moved up to U10, so I am taking over for U8. The head coach that I assisted turned me on to soccerhelp.com. The Practice Games not only taught the fundamental skills, but gave the girls the courage, and confidence they needed on game day. Keep up the good work!"

--Coach Mark

I have been coaching this Rec U10 team for about 5 years with few player changes. I just wanted to post an update.

We played our first game this past week and our new formation was a resounding success. To my delight the kids had it all figured out and responded beautifully. The score of the game was 5-2. I mention the score because the opposing team only made two goals, one of which was sort of a fluke (kick-off directly into the goal which our goalie inadvertently tried to block).

I gave out one blood patch to the kid in our newly implemented stopper position. Although not a real strong ball handler, this kid played with fearlessness and used his body many times to block shots and generally disrupt the offense. All the kids agreed he deserved the patch.

I am convinced that one of life's true joys is to watch a team sync together and make beautiful, seemingly choreographed plays. I was truly proud of our kids.

Thanks to SoccerHelp.com for all the tips and the input. It has made a difference.

--U-10 Boys Rec coach, U.S.

"I have been a Soccer Help Premium subscriber for almost a year and have learned a lot from your website. Thanks for all the great ideas. My wife and I have coached for the last few years and have had teams from K-1 to 4-5th graders. The kids love the games and I have been amazed at how quickly they have improved in such a short time. Great work!!"

--Coach Brian

"I am a parent of a U13 boys player. I sort of helped coach for a year or so, until mid season last year when the regular coach quit. I know bubkas about soccer, but we needed to step up or else the kids would not have a team. We struggled through the last few games of the season, and I was very apprehensive about coaching another year with no knowledge of the game.

Another parent and I made a pact to stick it out and keep the team alive. A couple of weeks ago he told me he found this awesome site for soccer. I had done a lot of searching but did not find anything that I could easily understand.

Can I just say that www.soccerhelp.com is like a nirvana of coaching soccer for dummies? Not only was I amazed at the amount of material readily available, but I was also relieved that I could understand it and take it to practice and use it. In the past I could never figure out how to correct or overcome the mistakes I was seeing in games. I knew there were problems, but did not know how to fix them.

That has changed. I am actually excited to go to practice, the kids stay motivated, and if I see something new, I hurry home and log on to find an answer. While we are not ready for the world cup yet, we see an improvement in the kids and how they see themselves as a team and as individual players.

So thank you very much for all the hours and resources spent to make soccerhelp.com what it is. Call it a Godsend, answer to prayers, or just a totally sweet find, you have helped us out immensely."

--Al

"I have become a much better coach because of what I have learned from SoccerHelp Premium!"

--Coach Rich, U-12

I just joined Soccerhelp.com Premium last weekend. I had been using the Basic site for about a week and had tremendous results with my 4 year olds. They have so much fun at practice. Thanks for your site. It is great!

--Amy

Team outscores opponents 30-5. I have been a Premium Member since U7, and have found it particularly valuable now that I am coaching Girls U9 Rec. This is the first year the girls have been playing soccer using something approaching the "complete" game, as in our Association U6 - U8 use a continuous-play micro game (3v3) with no restarts (corners, throw-ins, goal kicks, etc.) and no assigned positions. The girls had a lot to learn, and the SoccerHelp activities and coaching resources make it much easier to teach them the fundamentals quickly. As a result, my team is 4-0 and has dominated play, outscoring their opponents 30-5. They also went to a recreational tournament, and had a win and a draw against U10 teams playing 6v6 (my team normally plays 5v5).

--Bryan

I coached for one year before I found this site and did not win a game. We had a few ties and the rest were 1 or 2 goal games but we were still winless. Since I started using the ideas I found here we have had two winning seasons and are on the way to our 3rd. Best of all, the kids enjoy the practices and they take a lot of pride in the skills they have learned. SoccerHelp Coach

--SoccerHelp Coach

In my first year of coaching our record for the regular season was 3-4-1, but it was what happened afterward that is truly amazing. Our league plays a season end tournament and we won the whole tournament, going 3-0 and scoring 11 goals to 0 scored against us! Thanks again for all of the suggestions and helping me through my first year of coaching! The information on SoccerHelp Premium was critical. The practice games made all the difference! I look forward to next year!

--Corey, U-12 Rec

I just finished my first time coaching soccer. It was for my daughters kindergarten school classes. I think SoccerHelp was a huge help for someone like me who had minimal knowledge. I think that it allowed me to do the best possible job, and I am being requested to be tee-ball coach. According to the schools PE teacher, it was the first time he had not received any complaints from the parents. SoccerHelp did more than just help.

--Coach A

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

Let me start off by saying that your advise has been invaluable to me as a coach and, strangely enough, as a player.

Last spring I coached U7 rec league and it was the first opportunity I had to implement your suggestions. The improvement the kids made over the course of the season was noticeable not only to me but the parents and the kids themselves!

I like to practice with the kids when they do the drills (dribble across the square, relay race etc..) and practice games. They get excited when they get a chance to "beat the coach". Because the kids are small(U8) I have to be really careful not to bump them, trip them,or hurt them. This forces me to be really aware of my ball/body control. So when I go play a pickup game with adults I find myself having an enhanced sense of control and balance. Also seeing the kids improve and have fun motivates me to go and play more.

--Coach Akbar

We had a great year this year, and a lot of the credit goes to SoccerHelp Premium. I know they are better players because of SoccerHelp!

--Tony, USA

I've been a Premium subscriber for 3 years and really like your site. It has great, SPECIFIC information for Rec. Coaches that want to have teams that can play well and be competitive. We play 8v8 (7 Plus GK) and I use 2-1-2-2 using single stopper in front of my FB's. My question is: What do you recommend as guidelines for my 2 Midfielders in defense? How far back should they go to defend? I have told my FBs to stay in the GK box, so do my Midfielders need to go "all the way" back on defense? Advice appreciated. Thanks.

--Joe, Premium Member since 2004

I just wanted to write and say thank you for SoccerHelp.com. I began coaching my daughters team here in San Antonio this fall. I had coached baseball before, but not soccer. I found your website, used your drills and the rest is history. I coached a group of 10 five and six year old girls who had never played before. Using only your website as a resource, we went from a ragtag bunch of girls to an effective soccer team. It was an absolute blast!!! This season 7 of the 10 girls came back and we are having another great season. God bless you and thanks for your encouragement and support of coaches.

--Coach Greg, Connections Pastor, TX, USA

Thanks for your prompt reply. Your personal touch is just another reason why SoccerHelp is the best soccer website to be found.

--Coach Jim, IL USA

I'm definitely a big fan of SoccerHelp. I've used both the basic and premium portions the last several years and it's made a big difference in my coaching and more importantly in player development.

--Coach David, WA USA

I coach U-7 girls in the YMCA rec league. We play 7 vs 7. I have 12 players of which 5 had never played before. I do dribble across the square and dribble around the cone relay race at every practice. I really focus on dribbling as the skill I really push. We are currently 4-0 with a 18-0 goal differential. I am most proud of that 0.

--Coach Greg, GA, USA Premium Member

"Hey all - Coach Greg here. What an awesome site. I discovered Soccerhelp.com back about 6 years ago when my now 9 year old son started playing soccer and me coaching. I can tell you - there is nothing even close. That little soccer team back then, The Hurricanes - they were awesome!! Many of those kids still play soccer to this day and I run into many of them who still remember the good ol Hurricane days.

Well, here it is several years later, and I now have a 3 year old daughter. We just started soccer and yep - I coach but not without Soccer Help and Coach Doug's infinite fun!! We play our 4th game of the season tomorrow and the improvement game after game is astonishing. Last weeks game - all I saw were elbows and smiles. Lots of big smiles.

Thanks Coach Doug - Thanks SoccerHelp - My children continue to benefit from your passion!

Play Hard - Play Fair - Have Fun!"

--Coach Greg

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

This is my first season as a coach and I just wanted to send you guys a big THANK YOU. I would have never made it without your site, I'm a Premium subscriber and it was worth every penny.

I also wanted to write you to tell you that one of the ABSOLUTE MOST IMPORTANT games for U-10 and under is 3 Man Direct, Wing Attacking Game. This game should easily qualify for the TRY THIS designation, if not the DEFINITELY TRY THIS designation.

Thanks again for a great resource.

--Nate, MT USA, Premium Member

"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 sing the praises of your many, many helpful articles. I believe my team plays better due to your formations. I had to go with a 2-1-3 because I had two girls who were initially not very effective that I "hid" at right forward, otherwise I would have gone with a 2-2-2. (One of these girls turned out to be my most dramatically improved player and earned the "A" patch and scored a goal in her last game!). The 2-1-3 was effective because I had (a) oustanding goaltending and good defenders, and could get away without a sweeper; and (b) outstanding "stoppers" in the middle who were everywhere - they were assigned basically to help on offense and defense, and to cover all throwins, corners, and free kicks, and (c) at least one forward in the game at all times who was always a threat to score."

--Coach Nick, Ann Arbor, Michigan

I am a member of Soccerhelp.com. The 1-3-1-2 formation for 8 on 8 worked wonders!

--Coach S.D.

"Thank you and all at SoccerHelp for running the site, it's tremendous."

--Coach Chuck, U-10 Rec

I started coaching soccer with my daughter at U5. (Now U9). Before that, I knew absolutely nothing about this sport. I checked the box when I registered my daughter that I would be willing to help and next thing I know, I'm the coach.

Looking back, I did a pretty crappy job that first year because most web-site discussing coaching make assumptions that aren't valid for mini teams. For example, 4v4 is difficult with a full roster of 6. Also, trying to teach defensive positioning to 4 year olds was stupid and I realize that now. SoccerHelp was the lifeline that really helped me get through to what was important and appropriate for the little kids. Since finding SoccerHelp, I think I have become much better and have had a lot more fun. In fact, since that first disastrous year, I involved the other parents in your soccer drills as well and 4 parents in 3 years have branched out to coach their own teams. I can't thank you enough for your help. I have also joined the board of our local soccer club and I am trying to ensure that more parent - coach volunteers don't go through the same start-up problems I went through.

--Darren, WA

Thank you so much for setting up the free Club Trial Membership. I just forwarded the info to our Coaches coordinator. I have been a member for several years and have found your site to be a terrific source of info for a newbie and experienced coach. I have used the games and the patches - Both work well. We have a coed rec league. I have been fortunate enough to keep most of the same kids coming back (now U15) mainly because I use the games to teach. I have had many of these kids since U8.

Hopefully, this will get some of the other coaches interested in how to teach soccer by letting the kids have fun and play games rather than drills with few touches or worse yet -- just scrimmaging.

Thanks again.

--Chuck

Your site is fantastic and has been a great resource for my BU11 team since they started as a U6 team. I have been through several clinics and an E Certification course, and I still find your practice games and coaching recommendations to be the most practical and successful I've used.

Thanks for providing such a great resource.

--Ray

I have been using your soccer practice games for about 3 years now for my U9 Rec team and just became a premium member. Tonight we had our first game and after having most of these kids for a couple of years now, we shut out the opposing team 5-0. We could not have done it without SoccerHelp. In fact, we have had several new coaches join our league and I told them to go to soccerhelp.com. Thanks for the encouragement and keep up the great work.

--Coach Amy, U-9, Premium Member

Hi SoccerHelp,

I am the coach of a U10 girls travel team and we made the switch from a 2-3-2 to a 2-1-2-2 with stopper and my team looks like a completely different team. First of all, we dominated the attack side and won 5-1. The other team only got 6 shots on goal.

The following were the benefits of this new formation and I owe it all to Premium:

- Forwards stayed in position and were always ready for the fast breaks.

- Fullbacks were very rested and were able to easily contest anything that got past the stopper.

- Stopper worked hard, but I subbed this a lot, so it was always fresh and keep the opposing team back or on the sides.

- Midfielders suddenly became offensive and were not tired from covering the whole field.

It was a great experience and I recommend it to every coach of younger girls playing 8v8.

Thanks.

--Jeff, U10 Travel, Premium Member

SoccerHelp is so great. It's the best site for teaching kids to play soccer and develop their skills in a fun, age appropriate way. I played for many years and I learn something new everytime I use the site. Coach Doug is amazing! It's so cool to see such little kids playing so well and having so much fun. I love that you focus on practice games that have kids moving and engaged.

Thanks,

--Alexis

I very much appreciate your site. My rec league team has gone from 2-10 several years ago to 9-2-1 last year and 5-0 so far this fall. Much of the improvement is a direct result of using the SoccerHelp games at practice.

--Tim, Premium Member

Thanks for all the good info that you make available. I started coaching my youngest daughter when she began playing soccer at age 4. I had observed an excellent coach with my oldest daughter and implemented some of what he did, but finding SoccerHelp really took my knowledge and coaching to another level. Using your practice games and teaching tough, aggressive play has allowed our U8 team to be undefeated to this point in the season, outscoring the opposition 37-9. If our players keep playing the way they have all season, we will win the championship. Our team does not have physically superior players - they just work hard.

--Coach B

I have been using games and articles from soccerhelp.com and it has really improved the play of our team. Since the opening weekend, we have played great and have managed to win all of our games.

--Coach ML

Hi David, I have a girls U8 rec team.(8v8) 2 seasons ago you helped me by suggesting a 2-1-3-1. Playing my most talented player at stopper and "hiding" the weaker players at left and right mid field. I have had great success with that.

I've been asked to coach the Girls U9 Signature team (All-star Rec). I'm wondering, since I won't need to hide players, what formation would you suggest; 2-1-2-2?

What do you think about a 1-2-1-2-1?
Thanks,

--Aaron

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

Thanks for running and coming up with this site, and giving me the tools to help my girls be the best soccer team they could possibly be! You should have seen their smiles at the party! They LOVE soccer! See you next season.

--Al, Premium Member

We entered a tournament this past weekend and we won the tournament. It was a 7 v 7 tournament so I used a 2-1-2-1 formation. We had very few goals scored against us. I\\\'m not sure whether I can attribute the win to the revised formation or to the competition, but it was a nice result.

--Coach Mike

With one game left, this has been a great season and coaching experience for me. I have learned so much about how to COACH a rec soccer team. I have learned where I can play different types of players. I have learned which formation works for the team and players I have. I can use this knowledge in the future to assess players and teams that I coach and coach against.

--Coach Al, Premium Member

My Girls Rec U10 team has had a phenomenal season. During the season we only lost 2 games, both of them blowouts to vastly superior teams.

We had our end of season tournament this weekend and my girls came in 4th place. We play from a round of 16 down to a champion.

For most of the season I played a K-2-1-2-1. It was effective for us. In the round of 16 we won 3-0. For our quarter final we played what I considered the best team in the league, a team that had beat us 5-0 previously in the season. They had 4 very good players on the team, that could dribble and strike the ball well. They were also well coached in passing.

For this game I switched to a K-1-2-1-2. I put my bravest girls at stopper and sweeper and had the 2 defenders ready to play 2nd defender to clean up any passes or balls kicked passed the stopper. If the opposing forwards got passed my stopper and defenders they were told to sag back and cover the Sweeper. The only player allowed to defend any wider than the goal box was the Stopper to shut down crosses. I constantly emphasized "don't get pulled wide, defend the front of the goal" and "don't get thrown over."

The coach of the opposing team had told several people he would be up at half-time 5-0. Well half-time came around and the score was 2-0 in our favor. Both goals coming from the forwards winning cleared balls and playing them into space behind a high-line defense.

We ended up giving up two goals in the second half and played two additional periods at the end. The girl's continued to defend the front of the goal, and gave up nothing in overtime. We ended up advancing 4-3 on the shootout (something we practiced the week before the tournament just in case)

The vindication of beating such a good team was great for the girls, and moved them into the final four. In the semi final game we played the same strategy against a superior team and held them to 1-0 for most of the game, but ended up giving up two goals at the end of the game. For the consolation 3rd-4th place game we played an all out attack to just let the girls try to score since the result between 3rd and 4th would not make a big difference. We ended the season with every player on the team having at least one goal.

The key thing is that by using the tactics on soccerhelp my girls were able to knock out what most considered the best team in the league, something 3 other coaches thanked me for. So I am passing that thanks on to soccerhelp.

--Coach M., Premium Member

Great site, well worth the subscription. I paid more money for books in the first year I started coaching that didn\'t have 1/10th the information. Fantastic job. Thank you.

--U11 Coach, FL USA

Great site. Wish I had found it 3 years ago. I can't tell you how many books I have read recently that were no where near as insightful as the information you have here. This site should be required reading for any new, or even as I have seen, not so new coaches. Nice work, and thank you. I would like to bring the site to the attention of the club if you have no objections. The garbage they hand out for the beginning coaches should be illegal. A whole book that says teach basics without really saying what "basics" are, and not to worry about positions or formations, they will get that later on their own, or not as I have seen.

--U11 Competitive Coach, Premium Member

I really enjoy researching your website. You have helped my coaching skills in rec and select. I appreciate you much.

--Coach Tom

Hi there I have been with the program for a year now and I just wanted to say thanks for all the info. Thanks.

--Jurgen

I find your web page very helpful and refer to it constantly, even though I have been coaching for over 12 years. There is always something useful and I really find the information has improved all my teams from being good to being exceptional.

Best Regards,

--Jubin

I have been a member since about 2003 (I think). I have learned so much through your site. The emphasis on teaching while being competitive while making it FUN for the kids is spot on. I have been involved in childrens baseball, softball and a variety of other sports where the parents and coaches take the fun out of it for everyone by making it too focused on winning and not about learning and having fun. My own kids quit both baseball and softball for this reason. We tried soccer and I got roped into to coaching. I knew absolutely nothing about soccer and started scouring the Internet for good soccer sites. That is how I found your site. Super job! It has been a tremendous help to me personally. I still don't count myself as a super coach but my teams usually are competitive for Rec soccer and most importantly -- the kids have fun and want to comeback.

Again -- thanks so much.

--Chuck, IN USA

I have been using the "Dribble Around a Cone and Pass" Practice Game for two seasons and really like it. The "50/50" game hasn't worked out as well, but I've only tried it twice. I sensed some pushback from the second grade girls. I'll try it a few more times.

Here are some thoughts on why playing games at practice is a superior philosophy, especially for Rec coaches.

"It occurred to me that there is a fundamental difference to the way I approach soccer coaching and the way the girls approach soccer playing. As an adult, the concept ingrained in my psyche is "if you want to improve, you must pay the price", or "no gain without pain". Children approach soccer from the other side. They just want to have fun. They don't care about perfecting their skills and winning games. I do. But, if I don't sneak up on them and teach them without their knowledge and I don't make it fun, they won't be back next season. If I yell at them during games and push them to win, they won't be back next season. A few of them will decide to become better and they will move on to more competitive teams. That has to be their choice or they will leave the game. As a coach the only thing I can do is encourage these players to move on."

--Coach Rich

Our 5th and 6th grade girls Rec team always seemed to be kicking the ball away while on the attack. Anyway, we took your suggestions, used them, and they definitely worked. Before I used your suggestions we had won our 3 previous games by scores of 2-0, 2-1, and 4-1......after implementing your suggestions and working on ball control, our next three games were won by scores of 7-0, 4-2, and 8-0.....the two end games could have easily been double digit wins but we had to move players around so as to not run up the score too much more.

--Coach Matt

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'm a big fan of SoccerHelp and use many of your tips in our games and practices. I'm coaching a rising U-12 Girls team and brought them up from rec 1 year ago. They have gotten better every season and just finished undefeated!

--Coach Mike

I like your website and it has me extremely pumped up. I am so enthusiastic to start this season because of the website. I played soccer for 12 years up to my senior year in high school, but never really thought about how much more different it is to coach (evaluate, strategy, controlling the middle of the field, etc). I just played and did what I was coached. By the way, I was having my girls mark in front of the other team's players and won't be doing that anymore. Your football analogy of getting thrown over for a TD, makes complete sense. Same idea, different sport that many can relate too. Thanks again for this great site. I have already told two other first time coaches about your website and their eyes lit up like a weight will be lifted off of their shoulders.

--Coach A, OH, Premium Member

You totally rock. I don't know if you realize what a great service you perform. Thank you so much.

--Coach Nick

Finding SoccerHelp.com is 100% responsible for why I've been able to succesfully coach for 9 years (I'm defining succes as a winning record AND having kids request me year after year as their coach).

--Coach S

I played college soccer but SoccerHelp has really helped me learn how to coach kids. My U10 team only lost 1 game in my first year of coaching. I\'m going to tell the other coaches in my league about it.

--Coach Richard, TN

Your site is the best.

--TQ

Amazing is the only word I can think of as to how my U8 girls played.

We won 3-1. We played on the other team\'s half of the field 90 percent of the time.

Three big differences:

(1) My girls won 99% of the ball challenges.

(2) My girls turns were amazing. The other team was clearly had trouble turning the ball around. You and Coach Doug really emphasized this.

(3) Dribbling in a crowd. I definitely saw them to kick the ball to an open space and run onto it. This obviously is a result of the Dribble Across a Square game.

Even our most timid player got in the mix, She fell down, cried, held her arm. I told her to go dip it in the ice water bucket and come back out and that she would be alright. She came right back out and played tough. She fell down again, cried dipped her arm in the bucket and came right back out again. She played very well.

As a result of the girls confidence in these areas and because much of their skill had been committed to muscle memory, I believe that they were able to concentrate more on positioning as the game went on.

At the end, one the parents said these girls could beat my son's team.

The one goal the other team scored because our goalie was too far inside the goal. When she picked up the ball, she was behind the line.

I think that was the only shot on our goal.

Thanks for all of your help.

--Coach Troy, Premium Member

I coached two teams last season, one went 14-0-0 and the other went 12-2-0. Thanks for the help.

--Joe

My daughter is on a U9 team. She tied their first game 1-1 when she used the outside of her foot to juke the goalie out of position. She also had about five to six other shots on goal. She learned to control her kicks so they were long enough to get the goalie to commit to a charge, but didn't go so far that the Goalie could just pick up the ball, by playing the Dribble Across a Square Game with my U8 team. Then she would use the outside of the foot to tap it to the side and kick it in. She's the smallest player on the team.

--Troy, Premium Member

Your website is very informative I must say. I am a webmaster too, and I have come across very few websites that offers such valuable information.

--Jennifer

I like your website and it has me extremely pumped up. I am so enthusiastic to start this season b/c of the website. I played soccer for 12 years up to my senior year in high school, but never really thought about how much more different it is to coach (evaluate, strategy, controlling the middle of the field, etc). I just played and did what I was coached.

--Coach A, Premium Member

I'm a new coach on a recreational U-10 co-ed team. We have had one practice, and one game which we won 5-1. The information on this site has been invaluable. I played club soccer beginning in the late 1970s and a whole lot has changed! Anyway, I have one big slow player, a few average players, a few timid players, and one Superstar. I played a 1-1-2-1 (6v6) and it was really amazing how well the big slow kid as FB did when I left him deep. I decided to stay strong in the middle from what I learned on this site and it worked really well for us. I would have never tried that kind of formation if left to my own.

--Coach Bob, Premium Member

Hi David,

I can't believe it has taken me this long to touch base with you. I am still coaching girls Rec Soccer and we are in our second year in the Girls Rec. U16 division. I got started using Soccer help before you had the paid Premium membership....do you remember that far back? As you may remember, for several years I had a great team, but last year I lost a lost of my players to the high school team (which I take as a compliment) and had to start over. We lost our first 3 games and did not score a single goal! I had to regroup, re-think, re-tool. What had I slipped away from, what had I neglected? I looked at my notes from each game. We were giving the ball up on throw ins, we were not winning the majority of the goal kicks and punts and we were not stealing the opposing teams throw-ins, punts or goal kicks either. With my old experienced roster, they all knew my expectations on Coaching Rules 1, 2 and 3 and we did not routinely practice those. The kids knew what I expected and they executed. Now I had a lot of new kids in the roster and had failed to teach the new kids the old rules! How silly was that? The next week at practice we practiced, mostly Coaching Rule #3, but really, for about 2 weeks, we worked on nothing other than Coaching Rules 1 - 3. Interestingly enough, we went 6 - 0 in game four and 3 - 0, 4 - 0, 3 - 0 and 4 - 0 in games 5, 6, 7 & 8! What a relief! The take home message in all of this is, last Spring showed me, you always need to readdress the fundamentals (like Coaching rules 1, 2 and 3, and especially 3), each and every season, as the one time you don't, it will definitely come back to haunt you.

You continue to do great work David, serving the soccer community, and continuing to improve the lives of a great many coaches and thousands of players around the world and you are to be thanked for the great work and service you provide!

Best Regards,

--Tony, Premium Member

I love the Premium website and have found a ton of wonderful information there!

--Coach Kelly, U12, Premium Member

I love your site. This is the third coaching season that I have used it for reference.

Thanks,

--Coach Will, TX, Coach Doug Member and now Premium Member

I saw a lot of improvement from the Dribble Across a Square practice game in just 2 practices.

--Doug, FL, U8 Rec, Premium Member

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

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

I really feel like I hit the jackpot when I find your website! I love the self-teaching games and the abundance of information is just incredible!

--Coach Kelly, FL, Premium Member

After 3 weeks of playing the "Win the 50/50 Ball or be the First Defender 1v1 Attacking & Defending" practice game has made a tremendous difference for my sweeper. He just annoys the other team back there with his patience and always blocking the direct line to the goal.

--Coach Brian, U9 Travel, Premium Member

I'm facing a tough season. I love SoccerHelp Premium, and have hope because of it.

--Coach Pat, Premium Member

Just wanted to send you a note on the quick and dramatic results I've gotten after using the tips and strategies on your Premium site for just a few weeks. I coach a 12U boys AYSO (rec) team in the Chicago area. We play 9 v 9, and I've got a mix of about 5 travel and travel-quality players, 4-5 average players, and 2-3 weak players. I've always used a 3-3-2 system with success, but early this year we were having trouble scoring goals, and worse, were consistently getting beat on the outside at defense for a lot of goals. One difference with this team from past teams I've coached is that we don't have much team speed.

After we lost 7-5 a few weeks ago, I started devouring everything on the Premium site, especially Quick Improvement, 22 Coaching Rules, Formations, and some of the key practice games (I'd already started using some of the free games, Dribble Across a Square, and Dribble Around the Cone and Pass.)

Well, the results have been unbelievable. The key things I've adopted are playing my defense deep and in, and working on long balls and through balls to the forwards. Playing the defense deep was contrary to my own soccer inclinations, but I have to admit that it has worked wonders. In practice, I've added Shoulder Tackle & Strength on the Ball, Pass to Space, Run With the Ball and Shoot, Win the 50/50 ball, and Chips/Lofted Passes. Since adopting these strategies, we have won 3-1 (against a team from a neighboring suburb that usually dominates us with very skilled players), 4-1, and 1-0. We are no longer giving up breakaways, the kids are getting much more aggressive and strong on the ball, and they are getting the idea of passing to space to our faster forwards. I'm sure we'll hit some road bumps, but now I feel we can stay competitive in almost any match.

--Josh, IL

Thanks for your website!

--Philip, Premium Member, Washington

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

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

Seven games and many adjustments into the season, I have to thank this site for helping me understand the importance of the Stopper, even if the Stopper is used as the back of a diamond midfield. It's the most important position on the field, as far as I'm concerned, whether you defend deep or play push up a flat four. I'm convinced letting fullbacks push up with a sweeper behind and a stopper in front is the worst option. You don't benefit from with width of the flat four or the safety against breakaways of two in the box with a good CB out front. The one time I tried it that way, the results were just horrible. You either have players with the speed to push up or you gotta defend deep, and even if they push up, they need to know how to defend deep.

--Sean, middle school coach and Premimum 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 enjoy your website and use the information often Thanks for the great service you provide!

--Bob, U8 Coach and Commissioner, Premium Member

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...

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.
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.
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

Because I have learned so much from this site, I thought I would offer the following comments. We are a small town that plays teams from much larger communities. We had 22 girls that wanted to play competitive soccer at U11 but couldn't find a good way to do two teams. So, I didn't cut anyone and found a way to rotate five girls out each game--even my best players. We are playing competitive teams that are used to winning, especially against smaller towns like us (we're the smallest that fields a state competitive team regularly). We lost all of our first games but I kept trying ideas from Premium and we won our last 4 state league games 4-0, 6-1, 2-0, 3-0. These scores are not indicative of how much we dominated the other teams. Going from the worst team in the state in our bracket to 2nd place in overall play made me a believer.

-- Coach B, U11 Competitive, Premium Member

"My team lost the first 3 games of our season and when I started playing a 2-1-2-2 with a good athlete at stopper as recommended on Premium and moved a very good player from forward to FB we started winning. We won the League and I was chosen to coach the All Star Team to play against other leagues."

--Coach PR, U12, Premium Member

Thanks for a great website!

--Mary Beth, Premium Member, U11 Competitive

Dear David,

I thought you'd enjoy hearing of my U14 girls rec team fall season, 6-1-3, winning the tournament final 1-0 over a previously undefeated team.

Although we didn't really draw it up as a 3-2-3-2 (we actually began the season in a nominal 4-3-3), my center mid would play more as a holding midfielder, and my center forward would track back in the center to play as more of an attacking mid. The stopper and defensive mid worked together, going forward when on the ball, freeing up the mids and forwards to go on the attack, exactly as you\'ve outlined. In practice, it was usually 3-1-1-3-2, but it worked like a charm.

Thanks for all the tips and info at Soccerhelp - you are a great resource for all us rec coaches out here.

Thank You,

--Coach Chuck, Premium Member, Lexington, KY

Last year this team (which I took over coaching duties after an 0-2 start) was 2-6-2 during the regular season and we went 0-2 in the tournament for a 2-8-2 season. This year, this same team with one new player who had never played a lick of soccer in her life, went 5-3-2 during the regular season and went 3-2 in the tournament for an 8-5-2 season. This team made it to the final 6 in the tournament and of my 5 losses, three of them were to the best team in the league who only allowed (at least so far) one goal, which my team scored. Fantastic season, amazing improvement and last night when I was talking with my wife, I asked her would she had ever imagined we would have won 8 games this year and she said absolutely not. The one thing I can say is that I know for a fact, I would not have been as successful as a soccer coach if it wasn't for www.soccerhelp.com and the help of reading the importance of the stopper position and creating a formation to fit the team you have vs trying to make the team you have fit your formation. If I would have put my Stopper in any other position, she would not have excelled as much as she did and our team would not have controlled the games like we did without her being in her correct natural position. I can't wait for spring soccer to begin.

Thanks a bunch,

--Aaron, Premium Member

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

Your site is great, wish I knew about it 7 & 8 years ago. My daughter was online last night putting together her practice drills for today. She's exactly why I subscribed. I can't tell you how excited she was about the information.

--Kathy

Hi David,

I have to tell you that thanks to you I have been able to turn my teams around the past two years into winners. The U8 indoor team I emailed you about 3 weeks ago has now won its last 2 games using the 2-3-2 formation. We scored 4 goals in each game and did not give up any goals. We could have scored more goals today, but we are good sports and did not want to run up the score. We worked on things to improve during the game.

The bunching up game has already helped us to spread out more. We ran it in practice on Thursday and we saw immediate results. It is a winner!

Thanks for all of your great advice!!!

--Bob, Pittsburgh, Premium Member

Hey all - Coach Greg here. What an awesome site. I discovered Soccerhelp.com back about 6 years ago when my now 9 year old son started playing soccer and me coaching. I can tell you - there is nothing even close. That little soccer team back then, The Hurricanes - they were awesome!! Many of those kids still play soccer to this day and I run into many of them who still remember the good ol Hurricane days.

Thanks Coach Doug - Thanks SoccerHelp - My children continue to benefit from your passion!

Play Hard - Play Fair - Have Fun!"

--Coach Greg

"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

I coach a U7 girls team that plays 7 v. 7 with goalies. It was our first season on a larger field with larger goals, goalies, referees, etc. We had nine games. The first three were with the 1-2-1-2 or 2-1-2-1 formation. We tied the first game 0-0; tied the second 1-1; and lost the third 2-1. For the remainder of the games I implemented a 1-1-2-2 formation with my strongest players at midfield to cover the defensive as well as offensive end and we went 4-1 Win; 4-0 Win; 4-0 Win; 3-0 Win; 0-0 tie; and 3-0 loss in the finale against the best team in the league (we got second).

--Coach Chris, U8 TX, Premium Member

My two Fall teams (both girls) went undefeated, My U-10 travel team was 10-0 with 59 goals for and 2 against playing 7 v 7 utilizing a 2-1-2-1 formation. My U-10 rec team (7 year old daughter) went 12-0 with 70 goals for and 7 against playing 6 v 6 utilizing a 1-1-2-1 formation.

--David, WV, Premium Member

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

"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

Great web site. You make me look great as a coach.

--Howie, GA

I just love Soccerhelp.

--Coach Dan, NV, Premium Member for 3 years

I started using the Practice Games last season and love them. Thanks.

--Coach Elizabeth, U9 Travel, MA

My real purpose here is to compliment SoccerHelp for providing a different way of recognizing and teaching concepts. My girls are "outskilled" right now because they are playing girls who play more often under the direction of better coaches. The concepts I have gotten here have enabled me to help these girls be more competitive while their skill level improves.

--Coach BT, Premium Member, U12

In the Fall, my U-10 girls rec team went 12-0-0 and scored 70 goals and gave up 7.

--Coach U, Premium Member

Just wanted to let you know the "bunching up" game is really working for my U8Gs. We had a situation last week where our "short corner" was well defended, and the other teams defense cleared the ball. Our MFs and Fs started to run back to the ball, and when they saw our Stopper move up to win the ball, they stayed spread out. Our stopper won the ball, and passed to our F, who scored. The other coach complimented us on our ability to stay spread out!

--David, Premium Member, SC

"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

Thank you so much...I have had the opportunity to get on it some today and read up. Great information!!

--Danielle, U10, FL

I'm a new member of Premium and have already found the information to be immensely valuable.

Thanks for such a great site.

--Brandon

SoccerHelp has helped tremendously. I consistently use the Dribble Across a Square game and the Dribble Around a Cone and Pass game. They have done wonders for my team. Now for the icing....last Monday night we played the "top" team in the league from last season (who were undefeated again this season) and beat them 7-1. It was heaven to say the least.

--Coach Chris, U8, TX, Premium Member

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

We start every practice after warm up ball dancing with Dribble Around the Cone & Pass Relay Race and the Shoulder Tackle game, these are great drills. We are still struggling with space, the girls pass great to the feet. However, the games from #19 - must have helped and we will keep working on them. The girls won Sat 6-1 best of all. I have to remember the girls are only in 3rd grade, but we work at teaching them "why" not just do it. I know it will pay off in years to come.

--Thank you, Jaini

We had our last soccer games and practices last week, and I used the dribble around a cone and pass with my u10 team. It was such a simple game, but made a big difference. I can't wait till next fall to use it as part of my regular practice sessions.

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

Thanks for all your help. I used soccerhelp.com 12 years ago when my kids were small and just starting to play soccer. I didn't know much about the sport. The information was very helpful and my teams were always division winners or second place. When I stopped coaching soccer, I actually gave a manual I made from all the drills I used to a rival coach who hated me because our team would always beat his. Now I am going to start coaching my four year old grand-daughter in soccer. I know I need some help. Glad to see SoccerHelp is still around. Thanks again.

--Larry

I LOVE the site. Helps me Coach, a LOT!!! Frankly, Its 110% of what I now know!

--Michael, CA, U15, Premium Member

I coach a 3rd grade recreational girls' team and just finished the spring season 7-1 after a 1-5-2 fall.

--Coach R, Premium Member

I want to thank you. Here's the bottom line with my U12 Boys travel team. In Fall 2009 we were 4 wins 5 losses (19 Goals scored and gave up 25 Goals). In Spring 2010 our record was 9 Wins 1 Tie (60 Goals scored and gave up 5 Goals). We totally dominated the same teams as the fall with basically the same group of 15 U12 players. The reasons: we used the 2-1-2-2 formation (who cares who's in goal when the other team can't get off a shot?). At every practice we religiously do Dribble Across a Square, Dribble Around A Cone and Pass, etc, etc, - I can go on if you want but the poise my boys have on the ball is leaps and bounds above other teams now.

The boys thank you even though they will never know you.

We are in our leagues champion's tournament, the Commissioner's Cup this weekend and I am hugely confident about winning it.

Regards and respect,

--Thomas Sullivan, U12 Boys travel team, MA

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

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 want to take a moment to let you know how much I like, and appreciate, your site. I came across it early in my coaching career and I have used it extensively over the years to help me progress from coaching 3, 4, and 5 year olds up to this upcoming season when I will be coaching my first season of 11v11 soccer with my U-14 girls team. Between the coaching and learning more about soccer, I have become a soccer fanatic. I love the game and I love coaching the kids. To me, there's nothing more exciting than seeing that light come on in their minds when they "get it", whatever "it" is.

This past year, fall and spring combined, my U-12 girls went (I think these numbers are right, there were a couple of cancellations) 17-0-1. (The one was questionable but that\'s the way it goes.) Over the past few years, at least since U-10, we have only lost approximately 6-7 games. I attribute a lot of that to learning ways to play my less skillful players in ways that utilize their strengths thereby making them successful as well as making the teams successful. Like you mention so often, I have had some surprises over the years. I have had some players that just couldn't get it and were constantly being beat but my making changes to where/how they play, they became some of my "go to" players for certain positions. I also find it amazing that many of my girls truly love the game and continue to play even while many other activities are pulling them in many different directions.

Anyway, thanks for the site. I'll continue to use this site for at least as long as I continue to coach.

--Coach Jason, Premium Member for 4 years

We train young children soccer at our village to keep them away from drug abuse & other social issues.

Your drills are excellent keep it up guys.

Thanks,

--Kianyaga Gift of Nature Youth Group, Kenya

I have used SoccerHelp over the past 4 years and love it. I am sure our coaches will find soccerhelp.com to be a great resource.

--Ida, Maryland

"I am a first time assistant coach and slowly becoming the primary. The information I have gotten from here has inspired new ideas."

--Carleton

I have enjoyed your website and many great suggestions as I coach my daughter's Kindergarten team.

--Srdjan, IL

SoccerHelp Premium is awesome. My coaches love it!

--Kristina

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

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

I signed up for Premium and it is exactly what I wanted. Great site!

--Edward, U8 coach

The Premium and Coach Doug soccer drills are great. I totally agree with the philosophy of max touches and no standing around. Also the explanations about how to teach subjects to U6 and U8 are priceless. I am a first time rec coach of both my U6 and U8 sons. I know soccer inside and out but have no idea how to teach it to young kids. This is where your material will help the most. I think your concepts like first/second defender and attacker, shift & sag are great ways to introduce those concepts.

Thanks again for great material,

--Ed

I am no longer coaching youth soccer but Premium was a HUGE help for the fall and spring seasons last year. Thanks.

--Greg

We used the 2-1-3-2 formation and won 3 to 0. I must say SoccerHelp Premium has been very helpful. I had always played our defense up. Staying back has made a huge difference. Also the concept of first defender - second defender is easy to teach and very effective. We have been using the Dribble Across a Square" and used the "Dribble Around & Pass Relay Race" in our last practice.

--Shawn, U8, 9v9

This is my first season as a coach and I just wanted to send you guys a big THANK YOU. I would have never made it without your site (I'm a Premium subscriber and it was worth every penny.)

--Nate, MT, Premium Member

Great results. After one practice u-10 girls had the ball in the offensive zone at least 75% of the game.

--BW

I have adopted the SoccerHelp philosophy as my coaching style over the past few years and I can't say enough about the results.

--Phillip, TX

I love SoccerHelp and the players love the patches. We are the only team in the whole league that uses them, but maybe that will grow as other kids are starting to notice that our players have a sleeve full of cool patches. Thanks for the information and help!

--Rod

I've been using the "3 Man Direct, Wing Attacking Game" for years and modify it to suit my team's needs. Start out with 0 defenders and do the game the way it is written up in the instructions. Bunch the players up, and then pass to one of the three players and have them fill lanes( get wide), pass to wing and cross. If pass to one of the wings, they have to make a decision to carry ball to wing or to middle. If carry to middle, one of the other players has to figure the best way to get to the wing (teaches overlap run.) Then add 2 defenders to create a 3 v. 2 situation. Defenders start at opposite end of goal posts and one has to put pressure/delay the ball. Other in support mode. Becomes an off. & def. drill at this point. Add goalie and 4th offensive player to provide support for the attack/ back pass opp. as well as positioning to keep the ball on attacking end if kicked out by defense. Can get a lot of concepts & technical understanding of the game across when using the game in this manner.

--cg, Premium Member since 2005

I started the season with 5 of my 9 players from the winless summer team. The kids kept earning their soccer patches and we continued with the SoccerHelp type drills/and games. I kept encouraging them to hang in there because I was confident we would win a game. The second half of the season we won 2 games, tied one game, and lost to the best team 1-5 (2 of their goals were lucky goals) again but we played them very tough and shut them out for 3/4 of the game. The kids had a lot of fun this season and most if not all will play again next year. We thank you for your help.

--Fred

We are 6 and 3, with half our team being very young. The whole team is becoming very strong, and I am so proud of them.

Most of my players are small, but very mighty, slowing the attack, thanks to the 50/50 game, aggressively receiving passes, thanks to Dribble Around A Cone.

I am thrilled with the progress these kids have made. I never would have thought we would do this well. I know other coaches see all my small kids and let their guard down, but are shocked when we start running all over their team. I put together the strongest possible team, thanks to your formations and style-of-play information.

--Steph, Premium Member

Everything I know about soccer, I have learned from SoccerHelp. This past season was a real confidence booster for me and the kids on my team. I am so thankful. We ended a great season in second place! I plan to continue learning and stepping it up more and more each year. Did I mention that I had not one but TWO of the smallest kids in our division? We have been playing Strength on the Ball practice game since the beginning of the season, and, although they really tried, the other team could not push my boys around.

Thanks to you and yours,

--Stephanie, Premium Member

Love the web site and its contents. Invaluable stuff and inherently usable given the perspective from which you write.

-- Allen, High School coach, TX

When we first started playing, our kids did not know which way they had to kick the ball. You can imagine how frustrating it is for a Marine of 20 years to deal with a team that is not even trained in the basics. Nonetheless, our team finished as the most improved in the league. None of this would have been possible without the help of SoccerHelp Premium. The resources available and the amount of information were invaluable to my coaching strategy and my ability to hone in on the specific skills I had to develop. It was interesting to watch them go from drills like "Tap on Top" to a three man passing drill and then watching them use it in the games.

Thank you,

--Cesar, Premium Member, U11

Thanks for all you do.

--David, CO

Keep up the brilliant work, many thanks!

--Dave

I've been using your patches for the last few years and have found them to be great motivators. I think that you have a lot of great information on Premium. I'd like to share one successful tidbit that I picked up a couple of years ago (can't remember where) that I haven't noticed on your site. For practice games, always have the players come up with a name for their team and then use their team name when addressing the teams. It only takes a second, and the kids love it.

--John

"Last fall I subscribed to the Coach Doug u6 program. I am now needing the u8 information in SoccerHelp Premium. I had a very enjoyable fall season with your help and I want to continue to improve as a coach and team leader."

Thanks,

--Jamie

I have come across this website and found it very useful. Are you able to ship items over to the UK?

--Scott

I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that I really enjoy the site and have learned a ton from all the content you guys have shared. My U7 girls are improving with every single practice!

Thanks again for a great treasure trove of soccer coaching advice!

Regards,

--Jason

I think the SoccerHelp program is fantastic!

--Seth, MD

First and foremost I want to thank you for all the information provided on SoccerHelp and a special thanks to Coach Doug. I have been coaching a rec league now for about 2 1/2 yrs. I started out with 3-5 Year olds with my Daughters team and then added 6-8 yr olds my next year when some of my kids moved up and I am now coaching 9-12 yr olds. With the practice games and information provided on SoccerHelp, I have managed to create an incredible atmosphere for my young players to really enjoy the game of soccer at the same time having almost every coach in the league stopping by once or twice a season to watch how I run my practices. When I get new additions to my teams I always take the ones that need the most work or the youngest of the group. By the time our first game is here we are a team that is unbeatable. Anyways I could go on for hours with this type of praise that the site has.

--Coach Gregg GA, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Premium Member for 2 years

This year I took on another team. So now I have U6, U8, U11 and U14. I can't say enough about how much this site has done for me as a coach. Not only has it improved my coaching skills, but also as a mentor for the kids and the other coaches and parents out on the field.

Thank you for what you have done here.

--Gregg, GA, U6, U8, U11, U14 Premium Member

Your website and the patches are amazing! I love it and my kids love it. I coach 3 teams u6, u8 and u10. I don't have the best players but we do great and one of my teams is undefeated. The Dribble Across a Square game is genius, it teaches so much. SoccerHelp and the patches have let my kids have a lot more fun. Once you figure out where the information is, everything is there that a coach needs. I really, really enjoy SoccerHelp.

--John, KY, U6, U8, U10, Premium Member

Our first game was yesterday and we won 6 - 2 and that is with 5 first time players.

--Richard, Premium Member

Thanks so much for your great site!

--Greg, VA, Premium Member

"I believe utilizing your 'practice games' in place of drills has contributed to our Club's growth over the past 2 years where we have grown from 320 kids per season to 540. It is a wonderful sight to watch over 100 kids under the age of 7 practicing and not one kid is standing in a line!"

--Larry, soccer club officer, PA

My players love the soccer patches and are always eager to earn a patch. I am seeing amazing results from the patches and Premium soccer drills. Dribble Across a Square, the Defensive Footwork drills and Chips/Lofted passes drills have helped my players and I see it in games. My U8 team just beat the best team in the league which last season beat us easily.

--Kevin, MD, U8 and U10, Premium member

I have been a Premium member for 3 years and it is great, and my players love the patches.

--Paul, Canada

THANKS! I LOVE SOCCERHELP PREMIUM!

--Corey, Premium Member

The more I watch my 9 year old daughter play, the more I'm convinced that dribble across the square game has really helped her play well. She is constantly praised by her travel coach for "finding the lane" and squeezing out of tight spots to get into the open.

I need to constantly remember that no matter what drill I do, this one drill is by far the most important.

She has been in the Soccer help program since I started coaching.

--Troy

David,

I want to thank you for your information you shared and the very fast replies.

We played the first JV team today and won 3-1!

I used 1-3-4-2 you suggested and it worked great. It worked so well that it didn't matter that I was missing 4 players today due to the holiday weekend, 2 of which were my true forwards. I do prefer to play more aggressive soccer and push up my FB's. Today I had them stay back a little more with the sweeper supporting the D. The girls played great today and kept the ball moving forward. We would have won 3-0 but our sweeper bumped a ball in trying to help the goalie with a high floating shot.

I used 1 of my shutdown defenders as a sweeper and the other on the opposing teams strong side. My best midfielder was in the middle and scored all 3 goals for us. She's going to be great in HS or Select or both! My forwards did a good job of keeping their defense harassed and off their game to allow my inner mids to push up and score.

Thanks again for the replies and all the information on your web site. I'll be using a similar setup for the other JV team in a weeks time. This was a great win for us today!

--Bill, U15G Rec

My focus has always been on developing player's skill so they can move into a higher grade. I have always had my entire squad return and feel the heart break when they get reassigned to other teams. I attribute these as success and I don't think I could have done it without the practice games and patches from the SoccerHelp web site. So Thank you for that!

--Rob, U11, Australia

Hi David,

Well we played the swarm again yesterday (the same team that beat us 5 - 1). As you suggested, I instructed my players to kick the ball out of bounds if they were swarmed so they wouldn't be overwhelmed, and then clear any throw ins to slow their fast break. I also instructed my mid fielders and full backs to clear every ball straight away (our first touch let us down the last time we played this team).

As this team was very physical the last time we played them, I also switched my line up to put my bravest, and physically strongest players in the mid field and split my speed demons between forward and full back positions. My thinking was that the only way the swarm would get past my Mids would be to clear the ball, which my fast defence should be able to beat them to and send back down range. I told my forwards that they must be the first to the ball and to shoot as soon as they could as the swarm was very good at transitioning from attack to defence.

At Half time, the other team abandoned the swarm and went to a formation style of playing.....We won 4 - 1.

So, on behalf of the Mitchelton U11 Goannas, Thanks for the advice!

By the way, we do play Dribble across the square and dribble around the cone and pass relay games at every practice, but each year I lose over half my squad to other teams in our club. Also I do subscribe to the newsletter and intend on adding the dribbling through the gates race using agility poles (to encourage lifting their heads) to our training plan.

Cheers,

--Rob

I coach the U9 co-ed team and using the patches has been a lot of fun this year. I use them to reward them and have given them out during practices or before games for those who couldn't make it to practice. I'm using a point system: each patch has a value to it. For goals scored, assist, defends, etc. they're worth two points, if someone gets three goals in one game they get the Lightning patch worth 7 pts, the 'C' patch (coaches patch) (my favorite ) thats for team spirit & participation, it's worth 10 pts, Then there's the General Patch worth 5 pts, etc. At end of season the girl/boy with the highest score gets a $25 gift certificate to Friendly's, and 2nd & 3rd place gets a $10 gift certificate to 7-11 for slurpees. The kids are loving it and looking forward to it at end of every game to see how well they did. (Trust me they're keeping a tally). Even the parents are getting into it. Most are ironing on the patches and coming to games showing them off to each other. It's been great. Thanx for a great website to get on and learn about the game, great ideas, great practice games, etc.

Thanx a million

--Ruben, U9 Coach, NY

I am a U-10 coach in Ga, i have been coaching for 4 years and during that time my teams have been 2-8, 6-4, 7-3, and 8-2 being league runner ups that last 2 seasons. I was looking for an edge that will finally get my kids to the championship. in Searching your site for drills and coaching tips i came across the patches..what a life saver! I introduced the patches for everything from attending practice, completing assigned technique drills, assists, shoulder charges and tackles and WOW they have exploded! My ninjas have scored over 40 goals in 5 games and 4 shut outs! we are undefeated with one game left. The patches have created little soccer monsters! The passing, teamwork, energy and tenacity have doubled event tripled!! Thanks Soccer help! A little advise though ..dont do like i did ..1 steal=1 patch, 1 goal=1 patch etc.. Make it 3 steals=1 patch and so on or you will be ordering a new shipment after every game. Thanks again for the info on drills and the great customer service!

--O.S., GA, Premium Member

Thanks for all the great info! I signed up for the 1 month subscription because I wasn't sure if it would be worth more money, but I'll be extending my subscription. Money VERY well spent!

--Glenn

Sir,

I have coached my daughter since she was 4 years old. Never having coached before, I was told (as I'm told a lot of coaches are) that there would be no team if I didn't coach.

Not only had I not coached, I only played one season of soccer as a 10 year old in which I only remember getting a ball to the face.

Needless to say, I was very nervous in being the head coach. I found your website and signed up for premium. I found a lot of assistance throughout the years from this website. I decided a long time ago that I would have my girls play "Dribble Across a Square" at every practice as was recommended on your website. The first season was fun. We didn't have any games and it was like herding kittens, but it was fun.

I continued coaching with success. When my daughter started U8, I then had to learn strategy. I continued to have them play " Dribble Across a Square ". I had a few losing seasons but mainly had success. We won a few end of season tournaments and an all star tournament.

This past week, my daughter tried out for 2 different soccer travel teams in this area. She's a U12 but tried out for the rising U13 for one of the clubs. She was quickly offered a spot for the U13 rising and was also offered a spot on the other club's U12.

I attribute her success to her hard work and time put into the game. But I also think that without the " Dribble Across a Square " game that I found on your website, she would not have the foot skills that she has. She is well known in our rec league as someone you have to double and triple team if you don't want her to score. And even then, she is capable of making the 1st, 2nd, and sometimes the 3rd defender miss on her way to scoring.

Many thanks are owed to you and your website. I highly recommend it to anyone who is coaching soccer, especially those like me who never coached and wasn't a player. Most importantly, play Dribble Across a Square at every practice.

Making it fun after 8 years was a challenge for my daughter but the control it gave her is just amazing.

Thanks again.

--Jason

Let me first say that my players and coaches went absolutely berserk over your patches which I began awarding to my players last night. I coach an 8 and under girls fast pitch softball team in Florida. I wanted to come up with a way to reward my players for all their hard work and improvement. I found your website on my own using Google and searching for "iron-on star patches". When I saw your selection of patches I knew they would be perfect. You offer a great variety of patches including stars of different colors, letters for different achievements, symbols like smiley faces and lightning bolts, etc. I immediately placed a call and received a callback right away. Thank you!

--Peter, FL, Softball

I wanted to send along a thanks to you for all of the great info up on your coaching site at SoccerHelp. I have used some of your small sided games and more importantly adopted your 3-2-3-2 formation for use with my U14 Girls team. My team has won our league the last two seasons, going 19-1-2 over the fall 2010 and spring 2011 seasons. I am lucky to have some great players, and using the 3-2-3-2 has really turned the trick for us. Your advice on how to coach it has been invaluable. Thanks for the help!

--Coach Chuck,U14, Lexington KY

I have coached for 6 years and scoured the web for coaching help. I really appreciate how much SoccerHelp Premium and the patches have helped me as a coach. Since I signed up for SoccerHelp and studied it and planned my practices, my team started doing great and only lost one game in 2 seasons The prior 2 seasons we only won 2 games. What helped me the most was how to teach my girls to be aggressive and how to score goals.

--Brad, BU10 and GU12 Rec Coach, Premium Member

After reading the free information available on SoccerHelp.com for over a year, and watching my 10-12 yr. old girls rec team win only two games per season for two seasons in a row, I decided to dedicate myself to becoming a better coach for my daughter and for myself. So, I joined SoccerHelp's Premium site and I started the motivational patch program.

My team was growing up and getting better by following more specific practice plans. We used Dribble Across a square, Coaches Rule # 3, Dribble Around a Cone and Pass, Win the 50/50 Ball, and more. I studied what formations fit my players best. And, most of all, we were all having more fun. I felt more confident in my ability to coach, and it reflected onto the players.

In the Fall of 2010, we were 5 wins, 1 loss, and 2 ties. In the Spring of 2011 we were 6 wins, 0 losses and 2 ties. And, we beat the same teams we tied each season in other matches. In short, we beat every team in our league. We went from the bottom to the top. My all girls team is now switching to the Co-Ed League which is almost all boys. They are confident and want more of a challenge.

I will continue to use Premium and do my best to become a more educated coach. I plan to have all of my team parents start using Premium as well and we will definitely be using more patches.

This past season, we played 8 v. 8. I had 6 girls that played Defender and/or Goalie primarily. And, 8 girls that played Midfield or Forward. We played a 3-3-1 formation with one true Forward and the two outside Midfielders behaving like forwards when the ball was deep in our opponents territory. I had 7 of the 8 girls playing up front score at least one goal during the season. Their progress was amazing! My daughter went from being an average player to being one of best players on the team and in the league at Center Mid. She is very brave and can really hold down the middle of the field!!!

We also worked out in between the two seasons and many of my girls gained valuable skills from hard work. But, our concepts we trained with were straight out of SoccerHelp Premium. I can't wait for this coming Fall season to begin, as I will have 13 out of 14 players on the team that have played for me before, with 12 of them from last season.

Put these materials into your workouts and build motivation and rewards into every practice and every game and you will be amazed at how fast your team will develop. And, you will have more fun than ever before at coaching soccer."

--Coach Nolan, Charlotte, NC at the Morrison YMCA

I found your site so useful last year.

--Kym

David,

Just wanted to reiterate how much my kids love the patches. I now coach year round and am convinced SoccerHelp is the place to come for ideas and advice. My girls have won the select league the last two seasons and the Junior High team has two seconds and a first in state over the last three years - and we are ALWAYS outmanned...

Good stuff, and thanks for your efforts,

--Jeff in Alaska, Premium member

We love your soccer ball patches.

--Shianne

Hello, in the past years I have coached (quite successively I think) the 5 an 6 year olds in soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, ice hockey and baseball. I feel very fortunate to have come across your site as your practice games will translate easily to all of the other 'flow' sports I coach. I will encourage others in my organization to sign up as well. Thank you!

--Coach Sand

I have been a member of your site since around 2003 time frame. I literally learned to coach soccer by using your practice games. I am trying to get our league coaches to use the Soccer Help method. I started out like most of our coaches -- trying to coach soccer like basketball or baseball. I can tell you -- most of these sports locally have had the FUN taken right of them by the coaches/parents.

Soccerhelp not only had the info at the right time -- but I saw the value of making the game FUN for the kids. They kept coming back and improving by playing fun games that managed to teach them skills at the same time.

My goal is to spread the method and make it fun. I think we have over coached and over emphasized winning on many fronts until the kids just don't want to continue. We've made it "work" instead of a game. I am now a few years out from having my kids totally out of the league and want to instill the right way to make it fun while learning.

--Chuck, Premium Member since 2003

My U16 girls are now playing in an open high school division and I still use the patches. I still call them secret stars. I typically put them in an envelope with a slip of paper explaining why they earned them, and hand them out at the end of practice (everyone gets an envelope, but I ask them to not open them until they get home because some get more or "better" than others.)

I use gold stars for goals or shutout halves by goalies, blue stars for assists, red stars for outstanding play, bloody ball for tough play, A for attitude, and the V for a game-winning or game-changing play. I ask them to iron them on their home jerseys. Some girls at this age choose to not iron them on, and that's OK. We've had the same jerseys for a few years now, so some of them are getting a little crowded.

Even though the girls are going into tenth grade and getting a little more sophisticated, they still want those secret stars. I can see them feeling the envelopes to try and guess what's in there.

I definitely think the patches are great motivators. I also like the practice tips and emphasis on touches. I still use dribble through a square and passing around the cone relay, and sometimes the shoulder tackle game. I do think that your site's emphasis is on younger teams, however, and that's OK. I still learn something in every email you send.

My team is still a sort of "tweener," between rec play and uber-competitive. We play select level at the lowest division, although I do have good players; 11 of my girls played on their freshman or JV teams in the fall. My goalie, I'm convinced, will be a DI-A scholarship player. However, we put the emphasis on fairness and fun more than relentless competition. The girls are friends, first and foremost. I have no players from "tryouts," have never made a cut, and I still play everyone pretty equally.

I even told the girls that we weren't going to practice this season (except a few before the season starts). We will make up for that by showing up 45 minutes before the game and do some touches and formation stuff. (If you had some tips on how to make that time valuable, that would be appreciated.)

David, you perform a really valuable service, and I hope you realize how appreciated you are!

--Nick, U16G, MI

Great web site. I really like your whole philosophy.

--Peter, NJ

Thanks again for providing this tremendous resource.

--Richard

Been a user of your site for years and it is great! Has helped all three of my boys, plus the hundred or so kids I've coached, so thanks!

I am a coordiantor for Pre-Kindergarten division. I'm a big proponent of Coach Doug (have his DVD). His site said I could copy 10 pages as long as I source it and don't take credit. Does that mean I can print 10 pages and give copies of that to my coaches? Please let me know if I am interpreting that correctly.

I'd like to whet the coaches appetites for the site and the price is so reasonable. Plus, the information helps children learn the game.

Thanks,

--Ron, MD

Hello,

I am looking for an article on your web site called 22 Coaching rules - I am a premium member and recall seeing it last year but cannot find it now. It was really useful.

Thanks and regards,

--Biju

I have been coaching for 6 1/2 years. I started using your Soccer Patches and the website a year ago and my team has been winning a lot more games and improving.

I wanted to ask what games you recommend to teach the girls (age 10-12) how to do better at keep-a-away. I need them to become more proficient at maintaining possession on offense and working the ball around for a shot on goal.

Also, what do you think are the best things for them to do at home to become more comfortable and confident with the ball so that they will be more aggressive when they are trying to score?

Thanks. Your opinion means a lot to me. I have incorporated many of the things we discussed this Summer. Even though my team doesn't start official practices for the season until next week, many of them came to a Boot Camp I put together this Summer and they have all improved.

Thanks again,

--Brad, NC

I just spent another $90 on soccer patches. I'm coaching two age groups this year. I sure have learned a lot on Premium. Keep up the good work! Best,

--Bob

I am coaching my 5 year old daughter this year for the first time and this stuff is absolutely priceless.

--Clint, KS

I have seen a ton of drills online and in books and videos. Some are good, and a lot are horrible. I really like the drills shown on SoccerHelp. I use the Dribble Across a Square game as a warm up for every practice.

--Coach Glenn

I coach a U-12 mixed rec team. I read the testimonials on SoccerHelp about using a 2-1-2-2 formation and it seemed to make sense to me. But when I asked our league's select coaches, the high school coach, and even a college coach, they all said 2-1-2-2 is terrible. They suggested a 2-3-2 or 3-3-1 because of the flexibility and all of the options available in those systems.

I tried their formations for 3 seasons and had horrible results. It was a train wreck every time.

In those 3 seasons, our record was Zero Wins, 2 ties and 45 losses.

This season, I decided to ignore the "experts" and go with a 2-1-2-2. We've played 5 games so far with a record of 3 Wins, 1 Tie and 1 loss.

FANTASTIC!! Our loss was to a very experienced team and that game was 5-2. Last season that same team beat us 12-0, and I stopped that game midway through the 2nd half to protect my kids from being humiliated.

HUGE difference!

Here is why I believe the more advanced formations fail so badly and why the 2-1-2-2 works so well:

Those coaches suggesting the 3-3-1 or 2-3-2 are higher level coaches WITH HIGHER LEVEL PLAYERS! There are no inexperienced players taking the field in Select (travel team) or High School or College soccer. The advanced formations are great IF you have experienced and skilled players.

But for a rec team with little or no experience among the players, there is NO WAY we can play a 3-3-1 or 2-3-2. It is a disaster. It is demoralizing to the players to get beat every game, and more importantly, they are so overwhelmed and lost they don't learn anything.

It's like picking the "best" math system. "Ok, calculus is the "pro" math! You should do calculus!" Great! But there is NO WAY anyone can do calculus until they've learned the adding and subtracting and all the other basics. That's exactly the case in young soccer teams. Trying to make them learn and play a 2-3-2 is like telling them to do calculus. It just isn't going to work, no matter how good the coach.

The 2-1-2-2 is AWESOME for a young team! It is very simple and easy to learn. The best part, I believe, is that it encourages individual AGRESSIVENESS in games. They don't look lost on the field trying to figure out, "am I pressure? or cover? Or am I balance? Oh, and what the heck is balance anyway? What does balance do exactly?"

In the 2-1-2-2 makes it very simple for young, inexperienced players. They quickly lose their timidness and just go play hard and have fun.

The high level coaches complain that a 2-1-2-2 does not develop player skills to prepare players for higher levels. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE! When my kids are on the field, they have fun, play hard, get aggressive, and their CONFIDENCE SOARS!! I'm fairly new to coaching soccer, but I've coached other youth sports and played sports all my life.

I absolutely believe that the most important element for developing players is CONFIDENCE. When they start to believe in themselves, they really shine. They have the confidence and the enthusiasm to try new things and to learn more and more.

I have learned from frustrating experience that the 2-1-2-2 is by far the best system for teaching young, inexperienced players and teams.

They have FUN, their team and individual confidence soars, and they feel excited to learn new things.

I will never again put myself or a young team through the heartache and frustration of trying to play a system that is simply beyond our experience and skill level.

Good luck coaches! And THANK YOU! Most Rec coaches are volunteers who work hard and put a lot of heart into trying to help kids. But there are rarely enough parents saying thank you, so THANK YOU!!

Sincerely,

--Coach Glenn, Premium Member, U-12 mixed rec

I've been coaching my 5-year old daughter's soccer team for 3 or 4 weeks now. I saw great success and improvement in use of skills by many of the kids in our last game this past Saturday (i.e. changing ball direction on command, stealing the ball, much more control dribbling, better scoring accuracy, no hand balls, no own goals, and even an intentional pass to share the ball. SoccerHelp turned me all around in my way of thinking about coaching little kids, and I think it's the best method I've seen.

--Coach Danny, CA

Thank you so much!!! Thanks for providing such a great service : )

--Don, CA, Premium Member

Your site has been highly recommended to me as I coach a recreation soccer team (both U6 and U8).

I have been browsing your site and it has tons of great information - I just want to make sure I navigate and order the right stuff. I am primarily looking for access to games that I can use with both the U6 and U8 teams. Does the Premium include games for both U6 and U8 or does there need to be a subscription to both sites? I may also grab some soccer patches. (To answer Brian's questions - yes, Premium includes practice games for both U6 and U8 soccer)

Thanks,

--Brian

I have warmed up with dribble across a square and the dribble around a cone and pass relay at each of my practices and implemented the Shoulder Tackle and strength game. That drill proved to be very helpful in winning 50 50 balls and also the girls love doing it, there are so many smiling faces while they are doing it. I also have emphasizing playing the middle of the field and making my center midfielder more aggressive offensively.

Our league had a bye week last weekend, so we just played our game and won 2-1 to a very good team. We played a 2-1-3-1 most of the game. This has been our first game we have won and the best game we played all year. We controlled the game and had a lot more chances on goal. We also won a lot of the 50 50 balls as our girls were very brave and fearless out there. My center mid fielder played the best game of the season and scored both of our games because she pushed up a bit more (like you told me). We scored one of the goals because we marked up on a goal kick.

We are going into the playoffs with a nice win and figure that with our new style of play. This has a lot to do with your help and soccerhelp!

Thank you!!!

--Mark

I have probably spent around $300 on patches and memberships over the past few years. Thanks for offering your website and advice, it has really helped me to be a better coach right out of the box. This endeavor gets more interesting and intense each year I do it!

Best regards,

--Bob, Premium Member for 3 years

Hi - I am teaching soccer in my physical education class and use your website to assist with information and drill ideas.

--Coach H

Dear SoccerHelp, I found your website about the second week into the season and subscribed to Premium. I have been running the "Must Try" drills. "Dribble Across A Square Game (Improved)", "Dribble Around Cone & Pass Relay Race", "Win the 50/50 Ball or be the First Defender 1v1Attacking and Defending" along with Coaching Rule # 3. I have about 5 weak/slow players, so I committed to your 3-2-3-2 formation. This formation allows me to hide my weakest players at the outside Mid's. It also has helped us to slow the other team down and frustrate the faster teams.

Today was the big day and I really put your strategies to the test. We played the first place undefeated team which beat us 7-4 the first game and dominated them today. We had a 2-0 lead for most of the game and ended up winning 3-1. I can't thank you enough for the information provided on your website. It makes me actually look like a decent coach. :)

Thanks.

--Coach John, CA (Premium member for one month when this was written)

I had another great year in recreation Soccer. I coached U11 and U10 girls this year.

Both teams went undefeated in their regular season During their regular season, only one goal was scored against each team.

In the tournament, we lost in Sudden Death Overtime in the finals to U10 girls. OT 0-1

We lost in semifinals in a shoot out to the team that won it all in U11 girls.

Followed Soccerhelp.com rules

Played 8v8 2-2-3 plus a goalie.

Or 2-2-2-1 with a fast forward.

Defended the middle.

Had Goalies who were alert and could punt the ball well. I had a ten year old. who could punt it in the air 30 yards.

Simple formula for Goalie Kicks -

Stand sideways

Use the hand opposite your kicking foot to hold the ball.

Using the same hand obstructs your view and ability to kick the ball.

Using your opposite hand, allows you to drop the ball on to your foot without throwing it up in the air. It also allows you to put your hip into the ball as opposed to leaning back.

Take a stride forward with your left foot and drop the ball onto your right foot and you swing your right foot through.

Never take your eye off of the ball.

Don't try to kill it. Your foot will strike the ball closer to the ground where it will take a more narrow arch causing the ball to go farther, bounce forward and roll.

Focused on good throw ins. Used girls who could throw High and far on offense. Used Girls who could throw in fast and low down the line on Defense.

Both Full backs played whole game as a single unit all year.

Sometimes we pushed up. Sometimes we stayed back. It depended on the circumstances.

Had lots of practices, focused on fundamentals. Dribble across the square and dribble around the cone. We also did a lot of work on using the outside of the foot and shoulder feint. It is still a work in progress.

--Troy, Premium Member

You already have a bunch testimonials, but let me add mine to the pile. I used the soccer patches and your drills to motivate my U8 Boys Rec team to Spring Cup Champion. All others U8 teams were together in the spring, my team was the 'new' one with all new players. We had a 6-2 season, then won the final Cup Tournament. I printed pennants with our team logo, then they got patches. Every practice they got a black ball for coming - they almost never missed. I gave different balls for games; green=go=offense, red=defense, etc. In the end, everyone got one of each patch (8 in total). During the 4 tournament games, they got whatever I felt they earned plus a V patch for each win. The Championship game earned them a C patch. I swear they wanted the patch more than trophy! One thing I really liked: the patches give you an excellent excuse to keep them on the bench after a rec game and review the game. They remember what went well and didn't, but in a positive atmosphere. Too many rec games end with snacks then just send them home. The patches let you immediately award and review. My fall team (new boys) was equally good - this works over and over again.

--Coach Barry, U8 Boys

Yea the practices are great. I used the race around the cone and pass today and they really enjoyed.

--Gabriel, Dominican Republic

Hi David,

It has been a very long time since we last spoke. Hopefully you still remember me. Tony here from Atlanta.

I have been coaching since Fall of 1996. That is a very long time! I coached a boys team from U6 up to U19 and I have had my girls team since U6s on up through where they sit right now, which is in preparation for the upcoming Spring season of 2012 which will be their final season of soccer since they are all High School Seniors and will all be heading off to college! That really is amazing to think about when you consider I knew some of these kids when they were in Kindergarten.

I know we haven't spoken in a while and I just wanted you to know where I was at. I can't believe my soccer career is almost over, but I wanted you to know that my career was as successful as it was due in very large part to you, your website and dedication to that website, and the incentive patches and such that you provide. I am not sure if you remember about when we met, but I came across your website one morning when I was looking for some information on how to be a successful soccer coach. Back then your website was all still free, but still very impressive even way back then. I was so impressed, I dropped you a note complimenting you on the website and you wrote back thanking me for my compliments. We forged a friendship of sorts and in one subsequent email you told me you were thinking about taking the website to a membership type website, at least for some of it and you asked what I thought. I remember telling you I thought that was brilliant and shortly thereafter, the membership portion of Soccerhelp was formed and off you went into the annals of soccer history! I could not be happier for you and your success. You have helped countless numbers of soccer coaches all over the world and you should be very proud of that!

One little tidbit about my girls - you may remember the team name is the Twisters! At any rate, our home league was having a Fall Rec Tournament. They asked us if we wanted in. Since I could only get 11 kids in total(a bunch of them were at a Church Retreat), I told them "No, I cannot get enough players." They called back and begged saying they were short one team to fill the bracket and U19 girls teams are hard to come by, they begged "Please, we'll let you in for FREE - PLEASE?" So, I agree. I hated not having any subs, but my kids are kind of used to it. So, Game 1 - 11 kids on the field, we are tied 1 - 1 in the second half. One of my kids gets elbowed in the mouth and actually loosens her teeth and has to come out. Surprisingly, we score one late, shorthanded, and go ahead 2 - 1 and hang on to win. Game 2, again 11 kids, and we lose 2 - 1 to a team made up of all High School Soccer players. All my kids are just kids that like to play soccer. We play well enough to win a lot of games, but only one or two of mine are good enough play High School ball. At any rate, the guy beats us 2 - 1 and my Assistant is steamed up. I ask him "Would you rather beat him in Game 2 or in the Championship?" He of course says the Championship. So, on to Game 3 - we need to win or tie to advance to the Finals. We are leading 1 - 0 late in the second half and give up a late goal to tie it up, 1 - 1. My kids are tired and beat up and I have three that are playing mildy hurt, but they have guts and determination and none of them wants to come out or quit the tournament. But the tie is good enough to advance us on points.

Once I know we've made it to the Finals, I ask them all to get on their phones and see if any of the kids that are on the weekend Church retreat are done yet. Turns out all of them are done and are willing to play! So for the Finals, I have 17 kids, awesome!

We get to the Championship Game, 11 strong players and 6 Subs. In the pregame speech, I tell them the team we are playing is admittedly good, but they can be beat. You are going to have to catch them in a mistake, and they won't make many, but they'll make one or two and you have to be there to capitalize. Additionally, WE cannot make any mistakes - none. If you make a mistake, they absolutely will capitalize.

So, first half - no mistakes by my guys,but no mistakes by them, so we're tied 0 - 0. They play the second half and midway through one of their Fullback makes a mistake and mishandles the ball before clearing. My Left Wing makes the steal and fires a rocket - wide left - darn!....a few more minutes goes by and their Center Fullback makes a mistake and mishandles the ball - my daughter is playing Striker, makes the pick, but gets covered by the recovering Right Fullback, so she lays off to our Right Wing who fires and goes wide right - darn again! We end the second half 0 - 0, but the High Schoolers are getting screamed at by their coach for giving us two opportunities.

We go to two 5 minute OTs and end scoreless again, but again my girls make no mistakes, so 0 - 0 at the end of OT, on to the Shootout and my kids are sweating bullets. I tell them look, I am so proud of how you played this game, if we ended it right now, I'd be happy. BUT, we have this little shootout to get through, so go out there and do like you have practiced. Don't overpower the ball. Think Placement before you think Power. Don't look at the Keeper, Don't look where you are going to shoot. Most of all, remember that Coach Tim and I are VERY proud of you and what you have done in this game, and we both love you all to pieces, so just go do your thing and do it like you have practiced a thousand times. They ask what did I want to do if we won the coin toss? I don't know about you , but I always like to score first and put the pressure on the other guy, so I tell them to "shoot if we win".

We win the toss and my first shooter goes up - and goes over the top. Argh, she never did that in practice!. Their first girl goes up - and goes over the top - whew! My second shooter scores, their second shooter scores, my third shooter scores, their third shooter scores, my fourth guy goes over the top, their fourth guy shoots and my Keeper makes the stop! My fifth guy goes and scores and their fifth guy goes so far wide right I couldn't believe it. So, we win on PKs! A true "David beats Goliath" My girls were sooooo excited.

I think the High Schoolers came in over confident and figured they beat us in Game 2 and they'd beat us again. We played much better in Game 4 than in Game 2, although we did not play badly in Game 2, just not as perfect as Game 4.

So, the little guys out there can win and do win and many of them, like me, do it with your help. I will always be eternally grateful for your help and guidance along the way and I thank you for all you have done for me over the years.

Here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Best Regards,

--Tony, Girls U19 Twisters

I used the soccer drills on SoccerHelp.com extensively when I was coaching the older boy's U7 and U8 rec teams. We went 22-1-1 over three half-year "seasons." Both the loss and the tie were in the first season, and the loss was 100% due to my coaching error.

The teaching games really do work, I have no doubt about that. The results speak for themselves.

--David, VA, Premium Member

My all girls team at the Morrison YMCA in Charlotte, moved to the Co-Ed (almost all boys) League this past Fall after running the table the previous two seasons in the All Girls League. With one loss in two seasons, we decided to take on the boys and candidly out muscled them severely.

--Coach Brad, U12, Premium subscriber
Charlotte, NC

"I love your website and I am a big fan of the patches (I'm sure I've ordered thousands at this point). It is softball season for me right now, so I am using them for the teams I coach. Thanks again for all of your good work."

--Tony, CA, soccer and softball coach, Premium member, patches customer for 6 year

We switched to a 2-1-3-2 as recommended, and saw tremendous results. First, my substitutions became much more orderly. The new lineup put my weakest kids in a position to work both offensively and defensively, so I didn't feel the need to move them around. As suggested, I let the FB's play the entire game. I then rotated my three best players between CMF and Stopper, my three weakest players between LMF and RMF, and three remaining between RF and LF (two of which are ideally suited for forward). Everyone stayed fresh, and there was a lot less confusion about where they were supposed to be playing after substitutions. Second, we increased our offense from a high of 4 goals to a record 10, from 6 players.

--Coach Scott, AZ, Premium member

"Your site and advice are the best. Have been using the advice and the patches in rec leagues for past couple of seasons with great success (last season we were 8-2 with 35 goals for and only 3 against). Dribble across the square, clearing the ball, and shoulder tackling have been highly successful and the girls really enjoy them. The "22 rules" have also been instrumental in their development.

Had a father come up to me after practice last Friday who was absolutely beside himself with joy. Said it was the best practice with the most meaningful drills he had seen in the past 10 years (whether for rec league, travel or high school - he has 4 kids that all play at varying levels).

Thanks again!

--Dan, Premium Member, GA

"Your site is very helpful to me when I am coaching my daughter's team. It's great. I am renewing my SoccerHelp premium membership."

-- Tanis, Canada, Premium member

I have a U8 all star soccer team which is comprised of 7 girls and 5 boys. We play 8v8 against all boys teams. This team has been playing at this level for about 3 weeks. They are competing against teams which have been together for 3 years. With the help of your Premium soccer drills we managed to go 0-3-1 at our first tournament. Our parents thought this was wonderful. By the next weekend we were able to go 2-2. This weekend we are hoping to do even better. Our girls receive more complements than any of our other players. Thanks so much for the insight.

--Warren S., MO

"I have used the Soccerhelp method for three years with my son. And I must say he has better ball skills than anyone else his age. The most important part of that is he absolutely loves soccer. I keep it fun for him and he is well advanced for his age. And of course the kids I coached benefited as well."

--Coach John, MD

I have visited your website numerous times and have found it very informative and useful. I have implemented several of the games into my teams training and the boys love them. The patches are a big success. I have been coaching for 6 years now in the FCSC and all of the boys have looked forward to earning their patches. It is amazing how much more the boys are focused and determined when they play, knowing they are earning and not just being given the patches. They all wear them with pride on their uniforms. I had all of my team from last season want to return. Without this incentive and the fun games you offer, this would not have been possible. I want to thank you for this.

Thank you again for your time and efforts.

--Michael, Head Coach, U10, VA

I love SoccerHelp Premium.

--Edward, CA

My first child is in his first year of soccer and is 5 years old. I have played soccer since I was his age and am now a volunteer coach. Your site is very helpful and I really am learning so much from reading through it.

--Jeff Katherman, MN

SoccerHelp Premium is really amazing.

--Bruce

Love the site.

--Jun

SoccerHelp Premium is a fantastic resource for our league. Your website, videos and patches have made a big difference to my teams and my experience as a soccer coach. I'm not just blowing smoke, I mean it. Thank you!

--Chad, VP of a soccer league in CA

Thanks guys for putting all this info together. I have just started coaching U7s and this website will be invaluable for me to help coach the kids.

--Coach Sam, Australia

Hi SoccerHelp,

After reading a few articles on SOCCERHELP.com I decided to run a 2-1-3-1 soccer formation (2 fullbacks, 1 stopper, 3 midfielders and 1 striker). It just made sense to me as our U10 team had three very skilled players. If I kept those three in the center of the field ( striker, center mid, and stopper) we should be able to control most of the field.

After a terrible scrimmage I was a bit nervous before this past Saturday's game. The formation worked excellent and, we had a 7-1 victory. With the score in our favor I was able to frequently sub in players. Everyone got plenty of playing time and gained valuable on field experience.

Thank you for all the great advice and articles.

--Coach Brett, IN, U10

SoccerHelp Premium is the best place to learn how to be a better coach.

--Coach Brad, NC

One of our last emails a couple of years ago was about the new game you were working on with patches and staying in position. I was one of your beta testers for that one. I have half of those boys still on the team and this past winter we went undefeated 11-0-1 only giving up 9 goals and scoring 59. Thanks for your help!

--Bob, U11 boys soccer, PA, Premium Member

I am one of those coaches who has purchased and used your patches for the last four years. My teams love them! I spoke to and worked with David Huddleston last season and he provided our club with free sample patches and free access to SoccerHelp.com premium for all our coaches. I've heard some great feedback.

I have also used and continue to promote Coach Doug's site on SoccerHelp to our coaches for the younger age groups. We have talked in our club about how we could provide access to our coaches to this site as well.

--Mark, Recreation Coaching Director, Ohio

I am a very big fan of SoccerHelp.com, and have been referring other coaches to your site (hopefully they are subscribing) since I found you on the internet last year. These patches have had an immeasurable impact on my ability to motivate the players on my team, and have really helped them to understand and appreciate the value of every position on the field. Coupled with the core skills you teach on your website (don't get kicked over/thrown over), we have turned into a defensively focused team that was able to win out over far more athletic teams and finish 1st in our league last year.

--Coach Justin, NY, U10

I have used a lot of the information on your site and have found it to be extremely beneficial for my teams and have passed the ideas/games I used along to our coaches (especially the new ones that don't have a lot of knowledge or resources).

I also encourage coaches to use the patches - my teams always love them and ask for them at the end of every game or practice. It also helps tremendously with attendance. - they want those patches!

--Sandra, NC, her league is a Premium member

Let me tell you a little about myself. I first got involved in soccer in 1975 when my first child was 6. I went through many years of clueless coaching, trying to learn, but having few resources. Out of frustration, I got a National C-license during the summers of 1984 and 1985. After 15-20 years away from soccer, I have come out of retirement to coach my granddaughters (4 and 7). I have been asked to be director of coaching for the soccer program. One thing I quickly realized is the deficiency in my knowledge regarding very young players. That is why I subscribed to SoccerHelp Premium and to Coach Doug's site. (Thanks so much for the club subscription you gave us. I hope it will help a lot.) When my children were young, I was clueless. For young players I am trying to "get it right" this time around, since I was clueless the first time around. I regard myself as pretty soccer knowledgeable, but I have learned a ton from SoccerHelp Premium and from Coach Doug's site (and from the associated DVD's. I am using the info to help a U12 coach right now.). The coaching clinics I do for the Pontotoc soccer program will definitely feature many of the activities from SoccerHelp and Coach Doug's site. You are to be commended for the work you have done with SoccerHelp. After much training and 30+ years of experience, I know good activities when I seen them, and the ones on the SoccerHelp and Coach Doug's sites are some of the best. I look forward to a continued dialog with you,

Sincerely,

--Ken, MS, subscriber to Premium and Coach Doug's site

Our rec league would love to accept your generous offer!! There are 70+ coaches and over 1,000 players in the league. We go from U6 thru U19 age divisions. Since we are a 100% volunteer organization, many of our coaches are new to soccer or have little coaching experience, and do not feel confident with their knowledge. This offer will give our coaches a fantastic opportunity to learn more about coaching youth soccer and will make them feel much more confident as coaches.
Thank you so much,

--Nancy, NH

Your basics alone are a huge help. Just finished coaching a U9 team in a 6 v 6 rec league. This format seems to be unusual since I don't see many references to it on your site, so let me know if you want a testimonial on how I implemented your ideas for it. Sneak preview: Four layers with a stopper is doable and powerful. I also used the core practice drills you recommend to great effect. Based on them, I created a "template" for practices that I'd be happy to share, as well.

--Doug, Mass

I returned to coaching about six years ago, mainly to protect my granddaughter from bad coaching. I wanted to instill in her a love for the game. I have used your website since my return to soccer and think it's by far the most practical one on the internet. My coaching philosophy and your philosophy are in agreement.

--Rich

I coach rec league teams for my 4 year old daughter and 6 year old son. I've been using Soccerhelp Premium and Couch Doug's site for the better part of 3 years now and as a result have shared many great soccer moments with my kids and their teammates at practice and in games. I recommend your site to everyone who asks about the fun we are having on the field and the patches the kids are wearing.

--Larry, OH

Wanted to say THANKS for your site! I had been coming to the free soccer help off and on over the last 4 seasons and finally decided to subscribe to soccer help premium. We had growth and were undefeated last fall, then added 3 new players and took a nose dive! It has been a struggle - lots of frustration, I had tried everything. We have been using soccer patches since my first season and I tried to have fun practices.

I have U6 boys who will be U7 this upcoming season in a few months. We had a tournament we were preparing for and kept spinning our wheels. Yesterday at practice I tried a couple of your Premium soccer drills. The boys had a blast and it was the first time that I was able to mix up the teams so each player was with someone different and yet the teams stayed balanced. Each game was down to the wire.

At the end of our practice we scrimmaged and they were for the first time positioning themselves where they needed to be AND set up for some phenomenal plays with passing into the open space!

I am amazed, I have been very discouraged about soccer practices lately and you have revived my excitement AND the boys too!! THANK YOU!! Our philosophy is if we are not having fun, the rest doesn't matter - we are back to having fun THANKS!

--Coach S, TX

I am a female with a daycare and a bunch of preschoolers. I've never coached or played soccer. I ordered in April your DVD. And wow your DVD allowed me as a new coach to bring together 36 kids total of 4 leagues with uniforms and all. I can't tell you enough how grateful that you helped to make this happen. Coach Doug you made it look so easy.

--Coach C, NY

On paper my team should get slaughtered every time but they don't because they're brave AND stay in position. A mom from one of the other teams even asked to have her son come to my practices so he can gain more skills! :) That is thanks to all YOU do!"

--Donna, Premium Member

I have been a fan of SoccerHelp and the patches for 4 years and recently taken on director of coaching for non-profit rec league.

I would like to see if you can work with our org for:

U6 - 35 kids - 8 games: Motivational patches, group access to streaming video of Coach Doug's DVD & group access to Coach Doug's site.
U8 - 55 kids - 8 games: Motivational patches & group access to Premium site.

--Steve

Thank you. We appreciate your website and your business' quality service.

--Jim, President (SoccerHelp customer for patches and Coach Doug DVDs)

I have been using Soccerhelp for 9 years. Your games TEACH and are FUN. Plus they are easy for novice coaches (like myself who scoured the internet desperately to help me survive that first year of U10) to setup and implement. Mix that with some foot skills training as "warm-up" (I remember reading where a coach on one of your forums said how he used the footskills as warmup each practice to get the kids to buy in) and you have a pretty solid teaching foundation. I've attended coaching camps and watched soccer DVDs until I just can't watch them anymore. The dribble across the square game is still the easiest and most effective game I have found. The Dribble around the cone and pass game is also very effective. Both are simple to implement but very effective teaching tools that incorporate many skills into one activity.

So -- I am trying to get my coaches as much access to this material as possible. We just held a coaches clinic this past weekend for our league coaches. I used the dribble across the square game as The example of games used to TEACH -- for almost all ages. Put that with the Coach Doug Material for the little ones and hopefully we'll see a jump in retention and player skill because 1) the kids are having more fun (they will want to come back) and 2) the games teach skills. The older kids will have more fun because they will have more skill. You always like to do something you are good at.

I really appreciate the effort you have put into Soccerhelp. I learned to coach using your material. My goal now is to get my coaches to buy in.

Thanks again for helping leagues like ours.

--Chuck Young, league coordinator, IN

Congratulations again on a great website.

--Patrick

Soccer Help and Coach Doug's site has turned this non-soccer playing "team mom" type into an undefeated coach at the U4 & U6 levels, that is now CRAZY about soccer! :)

--Jennifer, VA, Coach Doug and Premium member

Hi David, You've been so helpful in the short time I've used SoccerHelp Premium. I like the website for all the positive ways you suggest coaches should approach the kids. It will help our country make it to the Olympics (the boys) by playing better soccer!.

Thanks again,

--John, CA, Premium Member, U10 boys and U14 girls coach

Of the 2 Rec teams I had from U4 for through U12, I have 22 players that have made Select teams (16 girls and 6 boys). One girl made the U13 Elite team that is ranked #1 in our state, and 4 of my boys compose the nucleus of the #1 team in the state and fifth in the country.

--Dan, Premium member at U6 and U7 and again at U10

I had seen your website before, but decided to risk it and sign up for Premium and I am very glad I did.

Once again, thanks for your website.

--Coach T

Thank you for replying back to my email so fast! I signed up for Soccer Help Premium and had one practice so far and the results were wonderful. I am glad that I found your site and will be staying with your company for my soccer help. I even received compliments from the parents who were skeptical of having me as a coach due to me only playing soccer in high school. I am learning a lot from your site, so for that I thank you! I most likely will be buying patches from you as soon as I see the samples. Again thank you!

--Nichole, U8, NY

I am very pleased with the patches and premium and so out my soccer players parents. My players are doing so great and everyone is enjoying themselves. So again thank you!

--Nichole, U8, NY

Hello! Last season our league got free access to the Premium Site and the coaches loved it, especially the new or "newer" coaches who had a real need for help with practices, formations, etc. All summer I forwarded your email tips to the coaches in my division (GU12) so they could develop new ideas for practices and games. I was wondering if that access might be possible again as we have many new coaches this season. I would love to be able to offer the Premium Site for "newbies" and even all of the "oldies" (myself included!) I totally understand if this is not possible. If that is the case would it be possible to get some type of discount price for the Premium Site for our coaches so that they can sign up? Thank you for any help you can provide. SoccerHelp.com helped our league to stay on track with our newest coaches last season and the difference was noticeable!

--Nancy, NH, GU12, Soccer Council, patches customer for 6 years

We are looking forward to using the patches. Our last coach did them and they were a big hit, so now we are doing them for two new teams. I'll pass the word (and your website) around. : )

Kind Regards,

--Delin, IL

I have been a Premium member for a year and your website has been so helpful in my last two years of coaching. Of all the resources I use, I always go back to your website for by far the most help. It helped me tremendously last season and I know will do the same this season.

--Coach Mark, U10G, CA

I started implementing your drills during practice yesterday and immediately saw improvements.

--Mark, CA, Premium Member

"We had our best practice of the year yesterday. The girls are getting very good at dribbling across the square and the Shoulder Tackling game is working beyond belief. Some of my timid girls are now amongst the toughest on the team. My co-coach is fired up and can't believe how much we turned it around in a couple of practices. I ordered soccer patches and mentioned them before yesterday's practice and all of the girls stepped it up. Thank you very much!"

--Mark, CA, U1OG, Premium Member

The concept of "Passing to Space" is a great one because it enables me to teach the concept of playing soccer based on "where my players can be" not just where they are. My real purpose here is to compliment this site for providing a different way of recognizing and teaching concepts. My girls are "outskilled" right now because they are playing girls who play more often under the direction of better coaches. The concepts I have gotten here have enabled me to help these girls be more competitive while their skill level improves. Thanks.

--Coach B.

SoccerHelp Premium is definitely a great "all in one" site. I will pass this on to our Club Manager.

--Matt, U11, Belgium

This is my 6th year ordering the patches and each new team I coach LOVES THEM!!! Thanks.

--Adam, CA, Premium Member

I love SoccerHelp and, quite frankly, it would have not been possible for us to win the tournament without the help presented on SoccerHelp Premium. Thank you again!!

-- Corey, Premium Member

I am new to soccer. Love this site and I have some videos arriving on Monday that I cannot wait to watch.

--Gary, U8, PA

Thank you again for your amazing help and follow up. My co coach and I are so grateful at how helpful you and your site have been!

-- Mark, CA

We used the Premium Pass to Space Run with the Ball and Shoot game which has worked magically. The girls are really getting passing ahead of each other. In fact my two best players, made a comment that they really need to pass it way ahead of our starting forward because she is so fast, but if the other forward is in, they told me they should not do the same because of the speed difference.

--Coach Mark, U10, CA

After much training and 30+ years of experience, I know good activities when I seen them, and the ones on the SoccerHelp and Coach Doug's sites are some of the best.

-- Coach Ken, U10G

David-

Your love for the game and help is greatly appreciated. We have just started traveling and it has opened my eyes. I understand I need to get better in order to see the children reach their maximum potential. I appreciate your tips and support!!!!! I will introduce these new skills in my next practice. I will let you know how we do!!!

--Chad

I really appreciate SoccerHelp. Keep up the good work!

--Ken, league administrator, MS

The patches are proving to be a major hit. I can see all of the girls are going 100% for loose balls and are displaying amazing teamwork together. The bravery patch is the most sought after and after each game the girls that don't get patches are hugging and congratulating the ones that do, something I have not seen this year. Also, girls on the sideline want to earn the teamwork patch (T Patch) and are shouting words of encouragement to their team mates on the field. My daughter told me after yesterday's game that the girls are talking more on the field and she is amazed at how the bravery patch coud go to most of the girl's on the field. They do not back down from the ball and go to it hard. The shoulder tackling game and 50 50 game have helped a lot. My daughter, also wanted me to personally thank you for making her a better player especially a much better dribbler and a brave soccer player. She takes the dribble across the square very seriously and does it before practice sometimes with a couple of the other players and also wants to win it which she does most of the time. She is CMF converted to CF. In both of the games, she displayed amazing dribbling. My proud moment was after two of our midfielders collided and were down for a little bit (they were not injured and got back up), she took the ball and dribbled past and around four of the opposing players along with the player who had been assigned to guard her (box and one technique) and passed it to our CMF who scored. Last year she rarely could get around one player. She was below average last year and now is one of the best players in the league. The other coach told me she is the toughest player in the league.

Thank you for all of your help David, I have never been this excited to coach in my four years of coaching.

--Coach Mark, CA, U10

I really, really like Soccerhelp!!

--Don, U10, TN

"Of the 2 teams I had from U4 for through U12, I have 22 players that have made Select teams (16 girls and 6 boys). One girl made the U13 Elite team that is ranked #1 in our state, and 4 of my boys compose the nucleus of the #1 team in the state and fifth in the country."

-- Dan, Premium Member and patches customer for 5 years

We have a coach's meeting tonight and I will make sure that all coaches will receive info about the site and accessing it. I have been forwarding all of the SoccerHelp tips to the coaches in my division this summer. Your website and information have helping our league in so many ways!! Thank you!

-- Nancy, Premium member

I have begun using soccer 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.

I began using the team goal scoring celebration in addition to our normal pre-game chant. This has worked fantastic and each girl gets so excited when the team scores a goal! They all run to the middle, circle up with their arms around each other's shoulders and chant 1-2-3 GOAL! It is so funny to watch my little goalie run all the way up and all the way back...so excited about a goal.

--Coach C, GU8, Premium Member

Wow! Thank you so much for this!! I can't wait to share it with my club - what a wonderful gift.

I have been so pleased with what I've read thus far and can't wait to read more.

--Jennifer, CA

Great site. Used your advice last weekend and beat a team we've never beaten before.

--Todd, Premium member, MI

I wanted to THANK you for your awesome site!!!

--Coach R, TX, U8, Premium member

I just wanted to say thanks for the great amount of information. I'm a first time coach for a girls u10 rec team and have found this information extremely helpful.

--Joseph, NJ, Premium member

There is so much information in the site. Thanks for all of your hard work.

--Jeff, CA, Premium member

Hi, I'm a new premium member and a big fan. I've been coaching for years and have intuitively already been following a lot of your philosophy, but I definitely was able to improve many of my drills using your specific techniques and games.

This year I'm coaching a U8 team and they are doing very well. We dominate the ball most of the time and have won 2 of 3 games. The one game we did not win, we controlled the ball most of the time, but missed multiple strong scoring opportunities. That team defended deep and was able to break up our attack.

I have a very aggressive team, largely due to the shoulder tackle drill, the dribble square, and pass around cone relay.

--Coach Scott, Premium member

David - Last year we started the season 0-2. After implementing your strategies, we ended the season winning 8 of our final 11 games and won the silver division tournament! During that stretch, we held the best team in the league scoreless through three periods. Thanks again.

--Brock, Premium member

In the past three years since I started using your site and following your advice, I have seen my daughter go from average to outstanding. A million thanks to you, David.

--Coach Brad, NC, U14 coach, Premium member

I want to thank you. Here's the bottom line with my U12 Boys travel team. In the Fall we were 4 wins 5 losses (19 Goals scored and gave up 25 Goals). The next Spring our record was 9 Wins 1 Tie (60 Goals scored and gave up 5 Goals). We totally dominated the same teams as the fall with basically the same group of 15 U12 players. The reason is because we played the Premium practice games. I can go on if you want but the poise my boys have on the ball is leaps and bounds above other teams now. The boys thank you even though they will never know you. We are in our leagues champion's tournament, the Commissioner's Cup this weekend and I am hugely confident about winning it.

--Coach T, U12 Boys travel team, MA, Premium member

I really enjoy receiving the newsletters and reading the comments. It's fun to "get lost" on your website like a kid in a candy store. I really love Coaching and get side tracked from one game on your site to the dictionary to the rules, etc... It's a great world of information you're building.

I just placed another patch order. I give out eight patches depending on what the boys do: Passing, Hustle, Attitude-Effort, Captain, Goalie, Skills, Bravery, and Defense. They also can earn the Smiley Face patch when they break their juggling record at practice. If they dribble across the square ten or more times in 30 seconds they'll get the lucky clover.

Thanks for SoccerHelp it's a blast.

-- John, CA, Premium member

Thank you again for your website. We are definitely a better team since I started using the site and I am hoping to win out in our final 5 games.

--Gary, U8

Thank you again for your website. We are definitely a better team since I started using the site and I am hoping to win out in our final 5 games.

--Gary, U8

I love your site and especially love using your patches for positive reinforcement. They remind me to focus on the positive things the girls do, which I think is the best way to motivate. I use them for both soccer and softball.

--Tony, CA, Premium member

Thank you so much!!! We love SoccerHelp!

--Kim, Premium member

I love your site. This is my first year as a head coach after two as an assistant. I have a mixed U6 team and a U8 girls team.

I want to share my U8 experience this year as it relates to your site. My girls are beginning-of-the-school-year first and second graders. I find that trying to count trips across a square or around a cone is something that is beyond them. The 2nd graders do OK, but the 1st graders are clueless. That doesn't diminish the effectiveness of Dribble Across a Square or Dribble Around Cone & Pass Relay Race. We just go until I say stop. We use these almost every practice and halfway through the season it's really paying dividends. My girls as a team are better dribblers than the opponents and they pass up the field better as well. We also play Strength On the Ball frequently and I think this had paid the biggest dividends from a scoring standpoint.

Almost all U8 teams I've observed for the past several years score most of their points on breakaways where an overly-talented individual beats a weak defender or two and scores. My girls are scoring in the goal box. They win the loose balls or legally move the defenders off the ball.

I have them play Strength On the Ball with a portable goal at the end. The winner is the last person to touch the ball before it goes in the goal. They love this.

We play 8v8. The first 3 games I played a 2-1-3-1 and defended deep. I had 4 really weak players (they're no longer weak) and two fast girls that love playing Stopper. I hid the weak players at outside MF and one of the FB positions.

I have a couple that make good CMFs and couple smaller girls that have a knack for scoring. They played forward. The record for the first 3 games was 1-0-2 with scores of 2-2, 4-2, and 1-1. I switched formations to a 2-3-2 with my 2 Stoppers playing Fullback but I pushed them up as both are fast and fearless. We also began using a goal celebration which they absolutely love. The opposing coaches don't like it but it seems to have brought the girls together as a team. We stop after we're up by 3 or 4.They won 7-2 the first week after the switch with our best player absent and won the next week 10-0, a game where I kept my best 4 on the bench for the first quarter. The past two games have been played entirely on the opponents' end of the field. Breaks are stopped before they start as even my weak girls are beginning to steal the ball from better players by moving them off the ball with a shoulder.

Thanks Soccer Help!

-- Coach Rob, Premium Member, Florida

The patches have been great for motivating my players in practice I coach U11 travel and give out Happy Patches to make it fun and I give Lightning Bolt patches for courage. I use Dribble Across a Square as a warm up. Because my practices are fun and I use a positive approach, my players continue to play soccer.

--Todd, IN, U11 Travel

"My U11 is undefeated, 2 draws, and 6 wins. I have trained my assistants in the SoccerHelp style. One of the first things I told my main assistant was "we never scrimmage" and he looked at me oddly, and then I explained the time on ball per kid math and other reasons for not scrimmaging. 2 v 2 and 3 v 3 are so much better than 7 v 7... He saw the light and told his old assistant back in the states who has adopted our methods and now his old team is undefeated and killing everyone too."

--Coach Doug (as of this writing Coach Doug is living in Belgium coaching U11)

Since I have wrote you our record is 3-2-1 after starting the season at 0-2-1. Our two losses were close games where if I had better positioning for our girls we would have tied or won - our tie was with playing one girl down and no substitutions due to a conflicting swim meet and dance recital. So we enter the playoffs with a nice win in the last game of the season and not allowing any goals in the last five halves. Your drills have been working like magic, our girls are tough and do not back down from any opponent. We also are getting a lot of passing that I have never seen in U10. The patches work wonderfully, our teamwork is probably the best in the league and girls want to be brave and play great defense so that they can earn the patch.

My daughter is doing really well and getting better each game. Word has gotten around the league about her and at the start of some of the games, the coach puts a girl to follow her around the field. Even with that extra attention on defense, she has managed to score or assist in 10 (7 goals, 3 assists) of our 12 goals this year and more importantly is probably the bravest girl in the league, exact words from two coaches we played. Since talking to you and getting the Mia Hamm DVD, every team we have played has feared her and has put a dedicated player to guard her throughout the game. This is a girl who was a below average player last year and went through games unnoticed. Also, I told her I would put her in defense if we got up a goal or two in the playoffs. She normally plays CF, good idea to put her on defense for a bit?

Our girls have been playing well since we have talked. A lot of credit goes to you for their improvement and my daughter's improvement. We enter the playoff tournament, in the first round to play a team we beat 2-1. They scored on a penalty kick last time we played and we controlled the game 80% of the game. I feel if we use our set lineup with rotating subs in the right positions, we will win.

If we win the first playoff game, we will play a team who we lost to 5-3. I think we can beat them, we have improved a lot since the first time we played. That team has a very fast and amazing dribbler, another tough girl who is also fast reminds me of my daughter, and two sisters who are tough and play very aggressive. We can score off this team but their best player can get free and creates havoc. I now have three amazing defenders who have not allowed a goal and probably only four shots on goal in the last two games. I plan to take a girl on our team who is not skilled but is very fast and great at following and bothering opposing players and having her guard the best player on that team. Good idea?

We do not meet the number one team that has rolled over everyone until the finals so we would have to win three games to get to the finals. The coach of that team watched us play the last game and told me he was thankful he did not have to play us until the finals. He said that we are a much different team than when he played us a month ago and does not want to play us.

I can't thank you enough for all the help that you have given me. With a less than talented squad, probably the least talented in the age group, I think we would have had a decent season but probably may have fallen into last place. My girls have all improved a high amount this season and are loving soccer and playing it the right way. The patches work marvelously and you should be receiving some orders from some of my friends and coaches who have seen the patches work like magic.

Best,

--Coach M, U10

I have learned a ton from SoccerHelp and intend to use it extensively in trying to educate parents. One main focus will be the U6 kids and their parents using the Coach Doug approach.

Thanks again for your help and encouragement.

--Ken, MS

We just finished playing outdoor, which was 6x6. I played a 1-1-1-2 and controlled the middle of the field. Very successful.

--Ed, MA, U10

I've had fantastic results with 2-1-3-1 soccer formation. I play in U10 boys and the 1 "Stopper" is very aggressive very strong and usually keeps the ball on the other half. He's scored many times, and can score from the mid line so he's an attacker as well. I don't push up my defenders they back up my Stopper, but they don't sit back in the penalty box either. They're usually around the center circle. We are 7-2-1. Thanks,

-- John, CA, Premium Member

I have been using many of your drills/practice games this year and my U8 boys team is undefeated.

--Jeff, Premium member, U8 select

My U11 Girls Rec Group went undefeated, 9-0-1. In the final championship game we won 6-0 with five different girls scoring goals.

--Troy, SC, Premium member

I played myself through varsity high school, but have found your site to be my best resource for youth soccer. I'm looking forward to learning more and more!

Thank you.

--Josh, CA, U6, U10 and U12, Premium member

I saw much improvement with my team over this season and the kids noticed it too. Thanks so much for your help.

--Sarah, U9, TX, Premium member

I have really enjoyed SoccerHelp and have recommended it to others. Thanks for all the information.

--Jeff, GA, Premium member for 4 years

I enjoy Soccer Help. Thanks for the "Great " Info. Keep on keepin on.

--Coach Baras

I coach a U9 Girls Premiere team in NJ and love the Soccerhelp.com Premium site and everything that comes with it. The team loves the patches and the "B"ravery and red Blood patches are big favorites. Thanks.

--Coach Bob, U9, NJ, Premium Member

I used your site continuously during our season last year. It's by far the best out there.

--Chris, U10

Wanted to reach out and thank you for the advice. I've incorporated a modified version of the Dribble Across a Square game in our indoor practice (school basketball gym) and the results have been fantastic. The modification was a simple one and allowed me to integrate our foot skill based warm-up in to the drill. Basically, instead of making it in a individual competition I made it a team vs. team competition. We lined up 6 girls on one side of the gym and 6 on the other, width wise across the court. On "Go" the girls are required to dribble across the square, turn at the end line and dribble back, obviously through traffic. The first team to have all their players back to their original spot with a foot atop the ball got to pick the 10 count warm-up drill the other team had to do. In case of a tie I'd pick 2 girls to race length wise (usually the last 2 to finish). At the end of practice every girl was sweating and breathing heavy but they all had smiles on their faces. We haven't had a "real" game since we've incorporated the game but I can tell already the girls are dribbling with more control than they had before, which I expected based on your advice, but the surprise was that they were actually dribbling faster too.

Thanks again for the advice and I'll be keeping an eye out for more "fun" games to incorporate in to practice.

--Coach Bob, U9, NJ

I love your drills.

--Mike

From the article Will Your Players Smile at You in 10 years? "When your coaching days are over, hopefully you have good memories and have had a positive impact on the kids you coached."

Hi David,

I read your post about the boy you coached at 12 who was now 26 and you wondering whether or not he would remember you. I have been coaching for 13 seasons and I find that I wonder how I will be remembered by the kids I've coached. When I first began coaching I believed the measurement for how good I was at coaching was by the number of wins my team had. Looking back at it, it was probably more about me than about the players. I did not grow up playing soccer but played football, basketball, hockey and baseball. So I didn't start coaching because I had a love for the game, I started coaching because my two oldest children seemed to be good at soccer. Quite simply I was a dad who was a coach. That first year your site was one I used extensively to try and find training advice which would make my team successful. I read and researched, I talked to other people who were coaches and I tried to absorb everything I could. In the early years wins were very important and by that measure my teams over 13 seasons have been very successful. Somewhere along the line the wins and losses became less important. I was more concerned with the players learning soccer fundamentals and playing the right way. I remember having a conversation with a friend who is also a Select Trainer and telling her I was really happy with how my team had progressed with their skills during the season. Her comment at the end of our conversation was "you've gone from a dad who coaches to a coach who happens to be a dad." On my current team I now have siblings of players that played for me those early seasons. Even though wins were more important at one time than they are to me now, my number one priority was to set a good example for the kids and give them a love for soccer. I still get approached by former players, greeted with "hey Coach Doug" in any number of different places. I really do hope that I've had a positive impact on each and every one of them. A few weeks ago a mother of one of my current players approached me. Her daughter is in 2nd grade. She handed me a piece of paper, folded in half. As I opened it I saw that it was a school assignment where the student was asked to write about their hero. I was a bit overcome when I saw that I was her daughter's hero. So as coaches we need to be reminded that whether we like it or not, these kids look at us in a different way. I can only hope that I can be as good as a coach as this girl thinks I am.

Regards,

Coach Doug, TX

P.S. I have grown to love the game!

David's Reply --

Hi Doug,

What a great letter! I think you are a great coach and have a great attitude. You are the kind of coach I would like for my kids or grandkids.

That is a huge compliment to you that you are her daughter's hero. Nothing could be better than that. All coaches, teachers and parents need to remember how impressionable kids are and strive to be their Hero.

A great thing about SoccerHelp is that I get to hear from coaches like you.

I agree with you that over time winning becomes less important but having said that, I suspect your teams still win most of the time because your players come to practice, listen to you, hustle, have a great attitude, and because you have taught them good fundamental soccer, and because, simply stated, you are a good coach. Like you, I won most of my games but I can think of 3 losses that I didn't regret. In one we played great and still lost, In another the ball simply didn't bounce our way (you hear that statement and occasionally it is true - sometimes a team can just be unlucky). And in the other loss I was out-coached. At the time I regretted being out-coached, but it turned out to be a great thing for me because it forced me to reconsider what I was doing and figure out why we lost. I was coaching U14 Rec and I was trying to have my Rec team play like a Travel Team, and that wasn't possible because the teams were assigned and I had some very slow players. That loss caused me to re-evaluate Pushing Up slow Fullbacks on attack and led me to the conclusion that it isn't always best to Push Up on attack - sometimes it is best to Defend Deep. The result was that I had 2 slow players who became star defenders because we Defended Deep but who simply couldn't Push Up on attack because they were VERY slow. Those 2 boys became 2 of my favorite players because they loved to defend, had a great attitude, and were very brave. Since they weren't running much I let them play the entire game and that gave me more subs for Midfield and Forward, where I needed subs. A few years ago, even the great Chelsea Premier League team Defended Deep in a couple of games where their opponent had really fast attackers and Chelsea won both games.

I see you have been a Premium Member for 4 years and have used our motivational patches for 5 years. Thank you. I hope you will share with me any good ideas you have so I can share them with the 2 million visitors to SoccerHelp.

Thanks for writing.

--David at SoccerHelp

I have been using your ideas for years and the girls love the patches!

--Mike, CA

Your techniques rock!

My U6s (with my younger son playing "up" a year) went 7-1 this season; they lost one early season game to a very big, very physical team that had been together for the full previous season and had a coach who was clearly quite good. The boys went down fighting all the way, in an odd sense it was probably the proudest I was of them all year. And I think if we could run against that team again now we'd win; we got a TON better as the season went on.

My older boy's rec team (he also plays travel, but I coach rec) went two years without a loss, dominating the Boys Division I (rec) league in a major metropolitan area (five divisions in his age group, with teams advanced or relegated season by season according to previous season's results).

You know, I hate to admit this, but I only recommend your site to people that I don't think are going to coach against me directly. I can claim no good/honest reason for doing that. But for people in other age groups, or friends, etc., I recommend SoccerHelp consistently.

--Keith, Hawaii, Premium Member and Patches customer for 3 years

"I have been a subscriber and advocate of your Web-site for the past 5 or 6 years. I am the Director of Player Development for a Soccer Club in Pennsylvania and we have had tremendous growth thanks in large part to subscribing and implementing a lot of your philosophies for the various age groups. Each season I conduct a coaches meeting for 40 plus coaches and encourage them to visit your web-site and subscribe. In addition, I encourage them to take advantage of the patches to reward their players.

I have just renewed my membership for both the Premium site and Coach Doug's site to continue learning sound practice games and best practices.

Would it be possible to send me sample patches to share at my next coaches meeting for 40 coaches scheduled for March 25th? I feel it would go a long way to give each coach a sample of the patches that have made all of my teams a huge success. I give very specific examples of how I got every one of my u12 girls to strive every practice, at home, and game to improve their skills. Ex. Every player comes to practice ready to earn their gold star for 25 juggles, then 50 etc.. (I had a girl improve from 12 the first week to over 120 by week 8)

Anything you could do would be greatly appreciated as I encourage more coaches to get on board with reinforcing the right behaviors and motivating their kids to their full potential."

Regards,

--Larry, VP & Dir. of Player Development, Pittsburgh PA area

I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know that I have once again, subscribed to SoccerHelp Premium for the year and that it has been a tremendous resource for me in my many years of coaching!

-- Derek, PA

I just read from Coach Doug's site "How to Prepare for Your First Game" at www.soccerhelp.com/coachdoug/how-to-prepare-for-your-first-game.shtml.

Brilliant!!! So "right on".... Obvious good common sense stuff, but common sense is NOT common, of course.

I am going to encourage our league directors to recommend SoccerHelp and Coach Doug. From the top down the philosophy must be Development AND Fun AND Sportsmanship.

I am grateful I found you guys! I am an experienced player, but I never coached little kids before.

--Brian, U4 coach, Coach Doug Member, Premium Member, Coach Doug Streaming Video

Fantastic! I cannot believe how quickly you responded especially at this hour. Truly impressive. I have been coaching U4, U5, U6,U7 and now U8 for the past several years and have come across many teaching websites. I just signed up for Premium about an hour ago and I am so impressed with the drills (games) and the level of explanation.

--Brent, U8

Coach David-

I have been coaching my four kids, ages 4-11, for the past 6 years, almost exclusively using the soccerhelp games and drills (supplemented by the DVD's offerred and Coach Doug's website). Recently, my two middle children ( age 8 girl, age 9 boy) decided to try-out for Guam's elite soccer training program. I wasn't surprised that they were accepted. I was surprised to find that they could equally compete with other children who had been in the program for a year or more.

Thank you for the effort you place into the website, drills, approach, etc. It has enabled me, a father who never played the sport, to successfully prepare many young kids to reach their best and have fun at a high level of competition.

The 2 things that helped the most are the patches and the philosophy of maximizing touches on the ball through games that taught and honed individual skills while emphasizing FUN. The patches work wonders. My older kids love the sport so much, they run drills on their own between practices!

--Coach Scott, Guam, Premium Member and Patches customer for 5 years

I played a lot of soccer at some high levels, even coached camps. Your ideas are so common sense that they are brilliant! Fun, touches!, etc. I will be a customer for life!! You have taught me sooo much that I have everything I need to run a camp, school, league, etc.

I am SOOOO glad I found you!

--Brian, CA, U4, Coach Doug, Premium and patches customer

I want to thank you for SoccerHelp. I had my first practice as a coach this weekend and used some of the drills listed on your site. The kids loved it! It’s hard keeping the attention of a bunch of 5 year olds. The games really helped them stay on track. Again thank you!

--Juan, Nebraska, Premium member

The SoccerHelp newsletter and website are an immeasurable aid in coaching. Folks are crazy not to utilize the newsletter and the contents of the website. There is soooooo much on both that I can't go through everything. I find I go back to revisit the stuff that works. The latest videos are great!

--Mike, Premium Member, TX

Thank you so much! I'm not a soccer player, but I do have to soccer coach every once in a while when my hubby is out of town. That's why the videos are key for me. :)

-- Mara, AZ

Coming into the end of the school holidays. Didn't have a game during the break. Before the break we beat a good team 3-0. Yesterday was our first game back from the break and we beat another good team 6-1.

One of the boys went away for the holidays and didn't attend any of the training sessions during the break but scored 3 goals yesterday! Normally he has a short-span of attention and watches the game in the next field but yesterday he was going after every ball! After the game he said 'Now that I've scored three goals do I get a Gold Star now?. He was after the gold star patch!

So yes, the patches and Premium drills are definitely helping. But in the case of the player who hadn't been to training for two weeks but scored 3 goals, it was definitely the patches that did the trick.

--Rod, AU, Premium member

Love the defend deep concept! Saved us big time, I had an average rec team and due to flooding and weather we lost most of our fields and season. However I was able to get scrimmages with travel teams and it really negated their speed advantages. 2 games - one was 2 to 1 and one was 5 to 4 - we lost but I showed it as a victory!

--Coach Rich, PA

I must say that I really enjoy the website. I'm a second year coach with my u7 boys.

--Larry, MI, Premium member and patches customer

Well, we are finished with another Spring season of soccer - we finished 7-1. We made a big deal about assists and the “Gold Star” assist patch whenever a player earned one. One game we had 3 assists! By the last game most of the kids had passing on their minds and were earning “passing” patches. I will be sure to work on passing skills again next season. Any passing games/exercises that you could recommend would be welcomed. I can’t emphasize how important the throw-ins can be and how much it can improve the flow and tempo of the game in your favor. This season we played the 50/50 drill during every practice. The kids love taking on each other in this game and really “fight” hard to win the ball. I finally got smart and implemented a “50/50” patch the very last game of the season. I explained to the kids before the game the patch, its purpose what it looked like and how they could earn it. We had 8 kids out of 13 earn the “50/50” patch during the last game. I’m putting the “50/50” patch into my permanent arsenal of patches. I think that the kids will become braver during the next season as we play “50/50”.

The kids have made significant strides in their skills and abilities this season and for that I am grateful. They work hard. I see the enthusiasm that comes to them during practices and games. There is excitement as they witness the progress that they are making. The love and joy for the game is what I wish to instill in the kids so that they can develop a good set of skills and passion for the game that could take them beyond our team in years to come. The joy of being a contributing member of a team is also something that I wish to impart upon these kids.

In conclusion Soccerhelp.com was a great coaching aid in preparing me for every soccer season that I have coached. Thanks David. I look forward to further study of this website.

--Coach Mike, TX, Premium subscriber, U8

I have really enjoyed using soccerhelp premium to help make this season better for my players. Thanks for all the information on the site!

--Andy, AL, premium member

I've used your site for the past 4 years for recreational teams and my team became the best in the league.

--Robert, Kansas, U12

Wow! I love your new videos. I haven't had a chance to look at everything thus far (there is so much!) but I plan to when I have time. I know your dribble across the square drill is popular and you have emphasized it so much in the past but I don't use it. I tried to decipher the written instructions and implement it in a practice once. It didn't turn out so well. I was confused and unsure if I was doing it right. The kids were confused and not having fun. Seeing the video made it so clear. Now that I know how to better set up the drill I will definitely start implementing this immediately upon the start of our fall season. Keep up the great work with the videos. The videos really help make the drills easier to visualize and thus implement. The Dribbling Around the Cones Video was also a great help as well. This is also one that we will use in practice. My kids will love this one since it incorporates a sort of competitive edge to the game and they really get into those types of games. What is interesting is that these drills are an effective, efficient and simple way to quickly bring up a rec team to a competitive level of play when you only have an hour or hour and a half to practice each week. I don't know how you come up with this stuff but it works.

--Coach Mike, TX

Hey, did you know all the practice games are GREAT FOR ADULTS TOO?! At 6pm it was a 3v3 and by 6:40 it was 14v14! I broke it down to small sided games to maximize learning – all on my own, because they needed a leader to take charge. Eventually I was running drills to teach these “adult beginners” just like I would teach kids.

--Brian, CA

My husband and I got sort of forced into coaching our sons soccer team (U4 through YMCA) and I LOVE your site.

Thanks so much!

--Katie

Hi David,

Thanks for getting back to me I was very pleased with the speedy response to my letter. I took your advise and applied it to yesterdays training.

It worked great! all the kids had a blast, no day dreaming or mucking about. The best result was that my 2 weakest players were doing stuff that ive never seen them do before.

The kids had so much fun that they completely forgot to ask about a scrimmage match. I cant wait to see what the future has installed for us. Thanks.

-- Coach Chris, U7, Western Australia

I was so proud when in the championship game my son dribbled through 4 defenders to score. We beat a team that had beaten us last year.

--Coach John, U10, Premium Member who plays Dribble Across a Square to warm up

I have heard many great things about your SoccerHelp Premium and just joined today.

--Coach Landy, U9, TX

We ended the tournament on a high note 4-0. The other team had a better overall record than we did by 3 wins. The entire team showed improvement over the whole weekend. Especially they improved in the area of throw ins, getting very quick and aggressive throwing to the other teams goal and stealing throw ins from the other team. The weekend ended up being a recap of everything they had learned up to that point, and worthwhile doing.

Thanks for your encouragement and the soccer patches, I ordered a bunch more to share with my summer players.

--Dan, OH, U8, Premium member

"I like your site and read it constantly."

--Coach Dave

The day has finally come. I can no longer deny giving credit where credit is due. It's true. I'm not naturally the Napoleon of kiddie soccer. I owe much of my coaching success to Soccerhelp.

Five years ago I inherited my older son's U7 team from a coach who had made too many commitments and gave up the team after the second game. I've played soccer for most of my life but had never coached anything. We promptly lost our first game under my less-than-stellar leadership. The next week I ransacked the web for coaching how-to sites. I found Soccerhelp and read as much of the free info as I could, then used the practice games and tips. What did I have to lose?

We tied the next game and showed improvement. In part because of what I had seen while playing rec soccer in Germany, that even very little kids can learn to play correctly, I stuck with the Soccerhelp approach. In the five years since that first loss and tie, including four seasons with my older son (now a travel team center mid) and last year with my younger son (five years old, joining a U8 travel team next year) the teams I have coached have a combined 38-1-1 record. Combined with my own soccer mania, Soccerhelp games and drills worked so well I even bought patches and coughed up the cash for Premium access. And I'm such a cheapskate you know that's serious!

Yes, we've been fortunate to never get assigned a group of truly dreadful kids and mostly I've been allowed to keep my teams intact and build on success from year to year -- which makes things a lot easier and more satisfying for the coach. But most of the teams were nothing special, talent-wise, when we started. They were the typical assortment of a couple of good kids, mostly average kids, and a couple of awful kids. But the only games that are ever close (including the loss and tie) always come at the beginning of seasons, with a new team, before the training and practice has time to take effect. Because once it takes hold the gap between kids trained the Soccerhelp way and the other teams gets larger and larger every week. Things can get so out of control that by the end of spring season in our last U6 game I found myself telling my very young team -- composed of one six year old and a bunch of five year olds playing "up" -- "I told you to stop scoring or I'll TAKE PATCHES AWAY." (No, I don't usually yell at my five year olds, but at 10-0 in the third quarter I needed to slow down the slaughter somehow)

Yes, the patches, small and expensive as they are, have been part of the process too. I swear, by the end of a season I've got kids who would happily walk on hot coals barefoot if they got a patch out of it ("...yes kids, this is the rare and elusive steamy hotfoot patch, the HARDEST of all patches to win... OOOOOOOOH!!!). It pains me to spend $100+ per season on patches, but there's no denying the results. Just don't make them too easy to win and 90% of kids will get obsessed and way motivated. It works.

Anyway, you seem to enjoy these testimonials so I thought I'd offer mine up. The total system of maximizing touches on the ball during practice instead of waiting in line, running all drills as close to top speed as possible, and motivation via patches is mad effective. Couple it with an enthusiastic coach to put it all together and you produce a nearly invincible little-kid soccer machine.

I'm moving up to assistant coaching travel this year so I can keep hanging out with my older boy. Still haven't decided if the older travel kids (U11) will be motivated by patches or not. I'll keep you posted.

--Keith

Well, I can't swear to any experience but my own, but I really mean it - your site made a huge difference for me and for my teams. Really, truly. I'm not sure how things would have gone without you but Soccerhelp brought things into focus, including my own latent soccer knowledge that I hadn't properly conceptualized into an action plan. It does require sifting through the very large volume of data you have available, but once I read enough it all came clear and the process of coaching just took off.

Your concepts often seem like common sense, like many great ideas do in hindsight. Now, after five years of coaching, I look like I'm the best coach ever -- though all I'm really doing is applying your concepts in an organized and experienced fashion.

Thank you again. Soccerhelp has made a real difference.

--Keith

"Another father and I coached our U7 soccer team because no one else would, but we didn't have a clue. I found Soccerhelp.com and scoured it extensively and used it exclusively. We won the U7 end of season tournament. My kids love it when I see them around and shout out "Hey Champ!". Now I have a clue and my wife is going to help me coach next year."

‎
Lee, U7, posted on https://www.facebook.com/SoccerDrillsandGames/

I very much enjoy the detail found on your site, and that it is tailored toward coaching. It has been very helpful.

--Peter, league officer, Maine, Premium Member

I stumbled across your site last fall and quickly became a premium member...great info. I coach a U11 girls team - we plan to go C1 this fall.

--Mike

"SoccerHelp is by far the best resource available for coaching youth soccer. I have used countless drills and implemented styles of play based on what I have learned through your site. It has been extremely successful. My rec teams have gone 30 and 3 over the past 4 years and have won their division championship every year.

Please feel free to use that as a testimonial on your site."

All the best,

--Jim, NY, patches customer for 4 years

I'm a first year soccer middle school soccer coach. Let me say SoccerHelp Premium is worth the price without any doubt.

--Dave, middle school soccer coach

"GREAT SITE!!! I'm a rookie soccer coach and love your videos. "

--Coach Paul

I've really enjoyed my soccer help premium subscription. One thing I found on soccerhelp that I loved was "how to evaluate a game". Last season I kept asking the other parents "what is the one thing that would help this team improve most?" No one ever knew, they always said "I don’t know, good question!" After reading "how to evaluate a soccer game", the answer to this question was always completely obvious. Game one we were missing all the 50/50 balls and getting beat on defense, Game three we lost due to the individual brilliance of one player, but we had matched them in all other areas of play. Game four we were clearly bigger, faster, and more skilled than the other team. Being able to make these observations transformed me from a parent to a coach.

--Regina, U12

I am a fan of "dribbling across the square". It teaches a multitude of concepts. It forces players to keep the ball close to better protect it. The crisscross pattern of dribbling players in the drill causes players to become aware of, once a player moves across my path, space is "created", where they left. You can now accelerate into space.

--Clint, Canada

"I have seen a ton of drills online and in books and videos. Some are good, and a lot are horrible. I really like the drills shown on SoccerHelp. I use the Dribble Across a Square game as a warm up for every practice."

--Coach Glenn

Just wanted to take a second and say that you are seriously the best kids' soccer coaching resource on the web. Great advice, great website. Maybe I can't actually get everyone to implement your suggestions, but I sure wish I could.

--Keith, U6

Because of playing Dribble Across a Square and Dribble around Cone & Pass Relay Race, my players are better with their weak foot than players on the teams we play.

--Jeff, comp coach, CA

I'm looking forward to getting back online with SoccerHelp Premium.

--Gary, subscriber for 2 years

"We won our game today 3-0. It should have been much higher but we could not find the back of the net after the 3rd goal. I am still putting my best players in the critical center midfield and stopper positions to control the center of the field so opponents can't easily attack straight toward our goal. This is critical and it works! Our defense was great. They did not allow a single shot on goal for the game."

--Mike, TX

"Just a note back to you that we beat a tough opponent yesterday by moving back to your 2-1-3-1 formation from 3-2-2. We were a completely different team with more attack and unrelenting shots."

-- John, CA, U12

I am a premium member and I am using you site for the first time. I have been coaching a group of boys up through the ranks since U-6. They have always been a timid group and have not won many games. This year I followed your advice and did the dribble across the square game, shoulder charge/strength on ball game and dribble around the cone and pass relay every practice before the start of the season. I am happy to say that the team looks like a completely different team! We scored 12 goals our first game (a win) and were all over the ball. Thanks for that.

--Brian, VA, U8

"I want to thank you for soccerhelp.com. I am a coach for a 4th grade CYO school team. Some of the drills I have seen here have really helped my girls and me. It is a very informative site. My team is currently 9-0 and we have won our league, with a game to go. Then we have our tournament. Some of the speed drills have really helped my team and it has installed them to be physical and aggressive. Thanks for this great site. I will update you after our tournament is over."

--James

I added two games to our practice schedule this week, 2-team Keepaway and Across & Back Ball Tag. Using only the change in games we played at practice this week (we always start with dribble across the square and dribble around cone pass relay) I am happy to report we won 7 - 1. The Ball Tag game in particular helped out immensely. During the game I was yelling things like "tag it" or "way to tag that ball" to encourage the kids to just touch the ball to slow down the attack. Needless to say it worked. The boys were very brave in getting to the ball and challenging and they had just enough poke tackles to slow the other team down and allow help to arrive. Thanks so much for such a great site.

--Brian, Premium member

I just wanted to let you know we are 3 and 0 so far! The first two games we won 7 to 0. Today we won 6 to 3. We have been dribbling around the square and dribble around the cone pass relay every practice as our warm-up. They have been a hit. I was wondering what do you recommend for the problem we are having during games now. What I see our problem has been is lack of control in the midfield. Even though we are able to win our games because we have great talent up top, I feel we can really dominate if we control the midfield a little better. Any tips? Also what would you recommend for practicing making my defensive backs more comfortable with the ball. Our sweeper is phenomenal, a real work horse, follows the ball, takes throw ins, but we have very young left and right backs that need some work. I want to make them better.

Sincerely,

Dave, Middle School Coach, Premium member

(Reply from David at SoccerHelp is below)

Hi Dave, Good to hear from you - congratulations, your team is doing great.

My advice is:

Use Dribble Around Cone and Pass Relay Race to teach Aggressive Receiving, to pass ASAP and One-Touch Play. Those skills will let your team play FASTER.

Keep playing Dribble Across a Square (www.soccerhelp.com/soccer_drills/Dribble.shtml) and Dribble Around Cone and Pass Relay Race (www.soccerhelp.com/soccer_drills/Dribble_Around_Cone_Pass.shtml ) at every practice. Re-read the instructions for those games so you can use them to teach the Most Skills. Play Dribble Across a Square 3 times to 6 with the square 10 of your steps and then 3 more times to 6 with the square 17 of your steps AND ask their scores and give tips after each game. To win in the larger square the players MUST look for Open Space and "burst" into it - that is an important skill.
When a team has easy wins they tend to get sloppy and do things that won't work against better teams. You should force your players to play the best way and not let them get sloppy or you will lose when you play a good team. FOR EXAMPLE, make the players off the ball keep moving to get open for a pass AND force the players with the ball to pass ASAP IF they have a pass instead of holding the ball too long. They can dribble against weak teams but if they try that against a good team they will lose the ball.
To improve your player's skills. keep playing the SoccerHelp Practice Games - it takes time to improve skills. Look thru the list at http://www.soccerhelp.com/premium/Alphabetical_Practice_Games.shtml . If you keep playing Dribble Across a Square and Dribble Around Cone and Pass Relay Race and doing as I recommend in # 1 above, I promise your player's will get better with the ball. There are 2 games you should try - First 1v1 Attacking & Defending at www.soccerhelp.com/premium/practice_games/1v1_Attacking_Defending.shtml and then Win the 50/50 Ball or Be the First Defender at www.soccerhelp.com/premium/practice_games/Win_The_Ball.shtml
Have you taught Coaching Rule N0. 3? If you haven't, watch the video at www.soccerhelp.com/premium/videos/Attacking_And_Defending_Demo.shtml. This will make a difference in your games and can be worth 2 goals per game.
With your success, I would ask the parents if someone will be a sponsor and buy some motivational patches. Get some D's for Defense and encourage defense all over the field AND reward shut outs. Choose other patches to reward the things you want to teach and ONLY give the patches when players EARN them. Use them to get players to improve and reward individual improvement - if every player improves your team will improve. Do NOT give MVP awards - that is counterproductive.

Please let me know what helps. Your team is doing really well and as I recall, this is your first season with this team.

David at SoccerHelp

--Dave, Middle School Coach, Premium member

"I read some help you had on the internet that was free that helped out my team tremendously. I have never played soccer and my son was placed on a no coach team (U6) so I had to step up as coach if I wanted him to play this season. On this "left over" team were three girls. At our first game, the girls just stood there with big eyes! At the next game, I asked them after reading your article to do just one thing that was brave. Two of my girls made multiple goals! They were so proud of themselves. Of course we were too! And I will continue to applaud the other girl. And one of the boys who never has done a lot made goal after goal. I know what you said was key."

--Judy, subscriber to Coach Doug website and video

We played a much larger team today that had been beating up on other teams. Our much smaller kids played great and if we had been keeping score we would have won. They were not afraid, they showed their skills. I credit Soccerhelp.com and Coach Doug with many of the games that help our kids learn.

--Brian, U6 coach

I changed to the 2-1-3-1 formation this year after reading about it on soccerhelp.com. It has made a big difference. We are 5-1. Last year we were 1-5 using a 2-3-2 formation. The 2-1-3-1 has allowed my team to dominate the middle of the field, with my best players at stopper, CMF and FWD. This formation also allows me to hide a few of my weaker players at outside MF.

--Scott Simpson, posted on Facebook

The kids definitely have been improving with each season and this season they really blossomed with their passing and aggressive play. Our U8 kids went undefeated this season at 8-0. Most games we won by a margin of 6-7 points. They played aggressively at each game winning the 50/50 ball, they finally started effectively passing to one another causing defenses to be split and creating opportunities for our team to score. Once again...thanks for helping me out with my team this season. We had a really good and successful season with both teams and I look forward to the next season.

--Mike, TX, U8

"Wanted to let you know we finished our fall season at 10-0-0. Another satisfying season of common sense, Soccerhelp-based coaching, comes to a super-successful close. Thanks!"

--Coach David, Premium member

"I found your site and read through all the free content you have and implemented Dribble Across a Square and the Throw In game, both of which helped a lot. I also used your site to figure out formations and how to rotate players…. Our last game we faced the team who had beat us the first week. Our team played great, we controlled the ball the entire game, they only had a couple shots on goal and we won 7-0. Looking back, I am amazed at how the team got so much better at everything."

--Chad, U12, Premium member

I've been a premium member for several years now however this is my first time writing in for advice. First off I've won U10 and currently am the reigning U12g champion from last Rec season primarily from all the fantastic information on SoccerHelp Premium.

--Scott, CA, Premium member

"Well things have been going great since the U12g Rec Championship in November. Our City Championship Rec Team went to the Area Championship Tournament where we played against the other City Champions from the 8 Cities in our local region in December. We finished in second place only losing the Championship game 2-0 against a much deeper squad from the largest city in the pool. We had them 0-0 at the half but the girls tired a bit down the stretch. On a positive note we forced the other team to earn their two goals. Lots of fun and second place exceeded our expectation.

In December we also started the Winter ALL STAR season. We still run the 2-1-3-2 formation (and I still keep my defenders deep due to lack of speed). We finished 13-0 with a goals for vs goals against differential of 49-1 vs ALL STAR teams from around Northern California."

--Scott, CA, SoccerHelp Premium member

I just want to thank you for giving some really good info on your site. I've only been a premium member for about a week and I can see how the drills games and step by step instructions are a huge help. I'm coaching a U10 travel town team and we have done well. I can't wait to see how things are going to turn out in the spring when we have been using soccerhelp for a few weeks.

--Chad, IN

"I started patches two weeks ago and I think it's really helping motivate and build confidence in some of the players. I have one girl who couldn't believe she earned one and was positively beaming all practice (and has played better every practice since then). Just got my premium membership today, although we started a few of the games recently and the girls (U10 rec) seem to enjoy them (Dribble Across the Square and Dribble Around the Cone and Pass). Looking forward to trying more games if the weather will cooperate!"

--Dave, VA (posted on Facebook on https://www.facebook.com/SoccerDrillsandGames )

Very helpful stuff on your site. I've been doing the "Dribble Across a Square" drill to warm-up my U9's and U7's and it's been great. They love it and it provides such a great situation to teach/remind them about keeping their head up, ball under control and quick on the turns.

--Jason

Dear SoccerHelp: Love your site! So much so that I'd like to surprise and purchase a SoccerHelp Premium subscription for each of the three other coaches I work with. Is there a way I can purchase three additional subscriptions in advance, yet allow each of the coaches to create there own usernames, passwords and so-forth. Thank you.

Coach Steve

"I've been using soccerhelp for years now and always love it! This is my 5th or 6th order of patches from y'all; thanks a ton for everything you do."

Greg, VA

"I just want to thank you for giving some really good info on your site. I've only been a premium member for about a week and I can see how the drills games and step by step instructions are a huge help. I'm coaching a U10 travel town team and we have done well. I can't wait to see how things are going to turn out in the spring when we have been using soccerhelp for a few weeks."

Chad, IN, U10 Travel

"I've been a premium member for several years now however this is my first time writing in for advice. First off I've won U10 and currently am the reigning U12g champion from last Rec season primarily from all the fantastic information on SoccerHelp Premium." Scott, CA, Premium member

Scott, CA, SoccerHelp Premium member

Chad, U12, Premium member

"SoccerHelp.com is excellent and I'm so happy to have found you when I started coaching in the summer of 2012. I played soccer all through high school starting at the YMCA where I'm coaching now and had never coached until my son was 4.5 years old. I wish my old coach would have known these techniques and philosophy that you preach. My skill level would have been much better than it was. My players LOVE soccer and the patches, and people request to be on my team."

David, SC, U8, Coach Doug, Premium and patches

Soccer Coaching Tips from a Successful U10 Coach Playing U12 - I got an email last week from a U10 coach in Australia who is playing U12 that includes some good advice. Notice how he plans his practices. Also, notice that he reads the Testimonials and Success Stories on SoccerHelp for ideas. He has used our motivational patches for 4 years and is a Premium subscriber. His team was playing older and bigger girls. Most of the SoccerHelp drills don't have lines, so players get LOTS of touches on the ball. -- "It was wonderful to watch the girls progress, learn new skills yet most importantly having fun. The success the girls achieved was memorable for all involved , players , parents, the team manager and I. This was especially true due to the age and size difference of our girls compared to the opposition. I make a weekly training programme and utilise many of the drills from the SoccerHelp.com website and watch the videos online to help me learn how to demonstrate skills . I also read examples on SoccerHelp of what other coaches were doing, which was a huge help. Our training sessions would go so quickly and every player was involved. I have no lines and every player has a ball at their feet for 95% of each session. As you can see I also have a patch programme. I created a programme whereby patches represent different skills that the girls earn if they try these skills on game day and they all try to earn different patches. I also allocate a soccer ball to each player who arrives to training and they collect all the colours. By the end of the season their shirts looked great. The V patch is for victory and as you can see I am hopeful for this 2014 season and ordered a lot of these V Parches again for this 2014 season as they are all gone from last season."

Coach Mike, AU, U10 G soccer playing U12, Premium subscriber, has used patches for 4 years

"Five Years ago, I was in my 4th year as a Rec only coach, having never played soccer. Using the SoccerHelp advice and direction, I improved as a coach. In the 5 Rec season prior to using SoccerHelp.com, my teams did well for three seasons, and then below .500 for two seasons. We were winning or losing based on how athletic our players were, not how good our coaching was. When you look into the numbers, the improvement is dramatic. I have only had one team that was below .500, which was a Girls U14 Rec team this past Fall. And, that team made the County Championship Final losing 0-1 on a penalty kick against an undefeated team that beat them 0-5 and 0-2 in the previous two matches. Bottom line, the team was poor athletically to start the season and in very poor condition. But, by season's end, they were winning and were as good as any team in the county.

In the Summer of 2012, I moved my kids to a local club into their Rec Program. I coached there as a volunteer for one year. This past Fall, my Rec boys team was an outstanding group. And, the club has moved us up to their Challenge Level. I was hired as the coach of the team! In fact, I have even had an offer from a competing club to move next season for twice the pay (not that I am trying to earn money as a soccer coach). But, this just shows how awesome the SoccerHelp.com teaching really is.

I have experienced so many examples of how well your program works. One extreme example came about a year ago, when I challenged a U14 Girls Classic coach to a dual. My U13/U14 combined Girls Rec team played his U14 Girls Classic team. We played 8v8 for 20 minutes and beat them 3-0. Then we played 11v11(which my girls had never played) and they beat us 0-1. How does a Rec team beat a Classic team? Solid defense and quick strike ability, all of which we learned from SoccerHelp. Every formation, nearly every exercise/game we play comes straight off of SoccerHelp.

Everything from Player Evaluation, Practice Games, Formation Selection, to Motivational Patches makes up my program. I am successful because I follow your plan. Soccer has become one of the best parts of my life and my family's life since we discovered SoccerHelp. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

You turned a recreational parent coach who had never played soccer or even watched a soccer match into a paid competitive soccer coach who absolutely knows how to develop players. Kudos to you and Soccerhelp!"

Sincerely,
Coach B

"Great principles to coaching kids soccer. I have been using them and the soccer patches for over 5 years and see the positive results. I'll be putting my patch order in soon for the upcoming spring season."

Coach Mike D

"Our plan was good and the girls executed flawlessly. We worked all week with our “Shadow” on staying goal side of the GREAT the entire game as you advised. Good thing we trained on this as it took some time to keep her focused on the player and not necessarily the ball. She got beat a few times but our “Stopper” was right there as the 2nd defender often. A few times the Great got through both but we put our Bravest Defender on the left side and she cleared all balls that got through as the GREAT works right to left. All players were instructed to kick the ball hard and straight, always away from the GREAT. We kept with the plan of putting or weaker girls in the goal….they all made the stops they needed to and even surprised us a few times. Our CMF focused on the space between the penalty areas and while she did tire towards the end had done enough damage. Our CMF scored early in the 1st. We got a PK on a handling call in the 2nd and converted. Just before half our Stopper drove one from the mid field and scored from just outside the 18 so we were up 3-0 at the half. CMF scored again in the 3rd and we had them on their heels most of the 4th as the GREAT started to wear down with relentless goal side Shadow coverage. Final score 4-0. Thank you guys very much. Girls are thrilled."

Scott, Premium member for 3 years

"You guys are the best. I'm definitely recommending the site to other coaches here in Dallas."

John

"Thank you!! Your patches have changed our program!!!!"

Ashley, Church Sports Coordinator, soccer and basketball

"I'm back! It has been several years since I have used your patches, but they are still magic for motivating young players. I broke out my stash and my new team has really responded. I'm glad to see your site is still running strong."

Chad, California

"Fantastic. I knew I found a great site, you've proved it again. I can't tell you how excited I am for the upcoming fall season for my U8 girls. I am a non soccer guy so I have approached the game the last 5 season with the same girls from a pure athletic, out hustle, out Desire approach. I have instinctually looked at a lot of things on the field and your site has given me better ways to teach things and then taken me a step further!"

Thank you.

Mark, U8, Utah, SoccerHelp Premium member

"I'm praising Coaching Rule 3 today. We stole a goal away off a goal kick. It was beautiful. I love when the other team uses their keeper to take the goal kick instead of the defenders. It plays right into our strategy. First game was a breezy 11-0 win. Today a hard fought 3-1 victory. Lots to learn but making progress.

Thanks for your wonderful advice to this non soccer background coach. I had a parent approach me after the game, she has a daughter that plays for a Comp team so she doesn't practice as much with us. Her mom told me she is sure our fun little rec team would beat her comp team and that her daughter would get more out of our practices. I attributed so much of that to Soccerhelp.com!!!"

Thank you.

Mark, U8G, UT

“Thanx LARGELY To you & a FANTASTIC Bunch of U12 Boys..They're Truly Great. I really don't want to "curse" their streak, but they've won all their games so far, our 5th today! Due to our local leagues desperate need of coaches, my assistant coach & I sorta jumped in, myself ESPECIALLY, feeling VERY unsuited for the honor. Thankfully, I found you before our 1st practice (all of just a cpl of days)..and have been nose deep in the amazing premium site every free moment I have ever sense! LIFE SAVING!!! I truly got into this knowing NOTHING more than "the Mom" who whooped & hollered PROUDLY for her Son at his games, but never understanding the rules, what or where even the penalty box was...! "People" say this often, but with all sincerity...I, and on behalf of my team, I truly can't Thank You enough! The time & effort taken to explain things so very carefully, so that someone like "me" can make sense of it. Plus, the affordable price of premium is MUCH appreciated coming from a "struggling" single Mom.. Thanx there too! I share your posts at www.facebook.com/SoccerDrillsandGames & tell ALL other coaches, even those we play against... It's the kids who benefit!! Off to the game we go now...WISH US, "The Blue Bullets" Luck”

Katrina, U12 Boys, Premium subscriber

"I love the website and will definitely be ordering patches again. The patches are great for the players and I'm going to be needing more soon."

Mike, Club Coach, MO

"I already can tell that this subscription is money well spent. The website is exactly what I was looking for!"

Frank, U8, SoccerHelp Premium subscriber

"I have to say I'm taking a totally different approach to coaching since discovering your site and going for the premium material. I used to sift through books and other web sites trying to find things to work on in practice, and found most were either too complicated, too punishing (for the weaker kids), or too boring. I found it very stressful trying to organize practices, and found the game much easier. But this season, I feel I am armed with so much good coaching material and games, that I wish we could have 5 practices a week just to work in all the material I have learned! The parents say the kids all love coming to practices because of all the games they get to play and there's no standing around like I see so many other teams doing. I've thrown out all the coaching crap I was using before, and have made a binder of games and articles from your site that is all I use."

Don, Canada, Premium subscriber

"Everything I've ever done in my coaching - 8 years of it now - has been built on a framework of concepts that you advocate, primarily the ideas of minimizing line drills and practicing at full speed whenever possible. Because players actually develop using those techniques we've won an incredible percentage of games over that time. I've put a lot of work into it, of course, but the foundations came from SoccerHelp."

Keith, FL, Premium subscriber

"Won our first game 2-0 on Saturday. Thank you so much for your advice!! It's been 2 seasons since we had a win."

Eric, AL, Premium member

"I have always used the 3-3-1 formation but we hadn't won a game for a year, until today. Last week we lost 10-2 using a 3-3-1 formation. I looked on SoccerHelp for some advice on the formation, feeling like maybe it was something that I was doing wrong. It was. I switched to a 2-1-2-2 formation, put my most athletic player in the Stopper position (my son) and told him to run the field until he needed to be carried off. Well, we won the game 6-4 and my son scored his first goal. Actually, he didn't just score his first goal, he scored his first 5 goals! That formation made such a huge difference, that the kids were screaming after the game about how much fun they had.

Lastly, the patch system is such a success with my team. The patch system gives incentives for working hard, just like life. For my team, the blood patches work the best. Everyone wants one, so they play their hearts out. Victory patches are great too. It has become so much fun for everyone.

Thank you so much."

Jason, U8 boys, CA

Hi David,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you. Our season ended last week and what an amazing season for my players! We finished 8 - 2. The first game we lost before I had time to implement all of your strategies and advice. The other game we lost because we hadn't practiced in 3 weeks due to weather and Fall Break. We shut out the remaining games - I mean completely dominated the field and the play. I can't begin to express my sincerest gratitude for your help! YOU are THE MAN! I've been coaching this team for 4 seasons and never had this much improvement so quickly. We always had a losing season and frankly my players were getting bummed out - not to mention myself as you know.

We've always had about 5 of the same returning players who were strong but not excellent and about an equal number of weaker players. Playing the main strategies of not getting thrown over, controlling the center, one-touching the ball, and having a formation that fits my players skills and strengths worked perfectly. We played as a team and that made all the difference - even against teams that had a star player or two.

A few other notes: The 50/50 Win the Ball drill really taught aggressive smart play. The Dribble Across a Square drill helped them recreate the field of play and how to manage getting the ball around opponents. And yes, you were right, the patches were very effective. The kids were always talking about what badge they were going to earn next. Each player received a badge at the end of the game for their particular performance - a few were - D, defense; B, Brave; Smile - Listening to Coach; Lightning bolt - hustle; Star - Star play (great play, strategy, moment, score, save, etc.)

I will be emailing again for suggestions and tips on how to help my players improve this spring when our season resumes. Thanks again for your help and encouragement!

Feel free to use my notes to share with others, etc.

Best Regards,

Eric, Premium subscriber and patches customer, U8 Rec, 7v7 no goalie

"I have based my whole coaching philosophy around SoccerHelp.

I had a team of girls that I started coaching 3 years ago in Recreation, one of them is my daughter. I don't know how I got talked into coaching, but since I've started, I've enjoyed it and find myself looking forward to soccer season, it's my favorite time of year. We didn't do well in my first season, the first 3 games or so, I went back to the drawing board and that's when I found SoccerHelp, we then dominated the rest of the season by a huge margin. I have naturally talented girls who are quick with great footwork. The next Fall, we dominated again. The following Spring we lost 2 games to the same opponent. The last game was 2 - 0, we lost to them again but remained competitive. This past Fall, my team went undefeated this Fall, 7 - 0, scoring 40 goals to opponents 4. My girls knocked off a U10 boys rec team in a scrimmage that were undefeated. The coach said he had never seen girls play that aggressive.

During this time period, I watched my daughter, who was a good fullback, go to a scoring machine, she's averaging about 2-3 goals per game in Rec. After she scored in the first game, she scored 2 more times in the same game. Then the next game, she had 2 goals in 2 minutes. It's been awesome watching my daughter turn into a great player just by religiously doing SoccerHelp drills."

Thanks,"

Derik, Premium subscriber, U10

Hi David,

Re your tips, I agree with each one. We do Dribble Across a Square every practice - it really makes a difference! Coaching Rule No. 3 should be Coaching Rule No. 1, as it is why my girls are so successful at dominating the opponents - it is rare that an opponent manages to get the ball clear from their end on a goal kick as my girls just step in front of them and steal it. I have also done your revised Dribble Around Cone and Pass game, and it is a favorite with the girls - they are *very* competitive, so that sort of game always works well.

Regards,
Bryan

"I've been a member of your site since my oldest was in U6 next year she will be in U14. I owe our Championship win this season to you David as i know the game (and didn't know how to teach the sport) and you helped me understand how to teach my love for the sport to make great players. Proud supporter for 7 years of soccerhelp.com"

Will, U14, Soccerhelp Premium subscriber

"I returned to coaching about six years ago, mainly to protect my granddaughter from bad coaching. I have used your website since my return to soccer and think it's by far the most practical one on the internet. My coaching philosophy and your philosophy are in agreement."

Rich, VA

"The Practice Games that were most effective for us were the 50/50 game, the dribble pass relay and the square. I made the mistake of going to 10 instead of six on the Square drill and that caused my players to burn out a little bit on it and did not look forward to that activity as much as the relay, lessons learned.

Without question the goal kicks, corner kicks and throw ins are the most important aspects of the game. We have work meticulously on these three areas and have finally addressed our problems. Rehearsing and practicing these three components are the key to winning soccer games.

Finally, your tips on the 3-2-3-2 formation have been a very big key to our success. The shift and sag diagram and the easy way that you explained it allowed my players to quickly grasp their role without causing mass confusion.

I found Soccerhelp as a sort of last resort to get my team to play like a team, without Soccerhelp there's no question our team would not have been prepared to play this season.

The patches are such a worthy investment! My players and their parents have all bought into and contributed to it."

Brian, Middle School Coach, Premium member

"Your tips are great... last nights training started with a 10 to 15 minute dribble across the square game (which is awesome) followed by the pass and relay game (again awesome)".

Adrian, U8, Premium member

Today we won our first playoff game since 1998 1-0!!!!

I owe you so much thanks.

Brian, Middle School coach, Premium member

"i just recently signed up to this program, and going through all the information is awesome..."

Adrian, U8, Premium subscriber

"Thanks so much for your website and your patches. I needed to order more because my girls are playing so well in winning all the games. I can't thank you enough."

Robert, MA, Premium member

"I have seen such remarkable results on my teams that I wanted to let others know. Our first game was yesterday and we won 6 - 2 and that is with 5 first time players."

Richard, VA, Premium member and patch customer

"Hello, I am coaching soccer this season and it is my first time. I found your website and am blown away at all the amazing resources you have available. This will really help me navigate this experience and bring a lot of fun to my 5/6 group of players. I do plan on ordering a pack of 60 patches as well."

Coach Jessica W.

“We had lost our first game 9-0, and I needed some help. I found Soccerhelp online, subscribed to Premium, and studied for a week. I also ordered patches. During the practice between my first game and the second game, I implemented: 1.) a formation (1-1-3-1), 2.) taught throw-in tactics (markup, behind mark, throw down line or to goal), and 3.) defensive tactics (don't rush, shoulder tackle, win the ball, first/second defender, clear ball). We had hemorrhaged in defense and I needed to fix that, and we only had one practice between games. After the 9-0 loss, the kids were demoralized. I woke up at 5 every morning to learn more from Soccerhelp. I owed it to my son (and his teammates) to help him enjoy the game.

They picked it up. I would at random times during practice say "formation" and give them 10 seconds to get into it. by the 10th time, it was flawless. They put it all together. And Saturday was game time. We won. 2-1. I handed out patches (although I need some more guidance on how many and how to properly hand out). Also, thank you, they arrived just in time!

Anyway, thank you. I will continue to study this. I have also just volunteered for my daughter's U4 coaching.”

Coach Doon, first time coach, U8 boys, 7v7, Premium member

"Just want to drop you a line and let you know how much I like your website and soccer drills. It is just awesome especially if you coach rec league soccer. I came from a soccer family, all 5 boys played elite club soccer and many of us played Div 1 soccer in college. I played competitive soccer for over 20 years but I was at a loss of how to coach U8 and U10 boys, I live in Minnesota where hockey is king and most of my boys play soccer for 2 months in the late summer/fall for something to do after summer hockey has ended and before fall hockey starts, my son included.

I quickly realized that the way I was taught, 2 hour practices Mon/Wed/Fri games Saturday and Sunday would not work for kids that practice once a week for an hour.

What I learned, dribbling is the most important skill, dribble across the square every practice 3x. My kids can dribble under pressure in traffic. Dribble around the cone and pass 3x every practice, passing is still difficult but they are improving. Play fast, play the ball to empty space and chase it down. Brave defenders and the concept of 1st defender and 2nd defender this really works in our last game the other team had ZERO shots.

Patches are a huge motivator, my boys will do anything to earn a patch.

We have not lost a game in 2 years!"

Jeff, MN, premium member for 3 years

"I think the best way to teach dribbling with both feet is to play SoccerHelp Practice Games that teach players to “naturally” dribble with both feet. The reason is because you want your players to be able to dribble naturally, comfortably, confidently and instinctively without thinking."

from perfectpracticesports.wordpress.com

"So far, we are undefeated. Premium member since last season. We play in Italy in our Military communities Youths Sports program. In the First game the coach of the other team complemented me in the second quarter on how well we were doing and after the game the Italian referee for our game went out of his way to congratulate me and said we were the only team "that does it right" which means a lot since generally Europeans don't have much regard for "American" Soccer. Last game on Oct. 1 we got compliments from the other teams coach, and Tuesday night I saw the coach of the first team we beat doing drills that looked at lot like ours for the first time. Keep up the good work!"

Lee, U8, Italy, Premium member, posted on https://www.facebook.com/SoccerDrillsandGames/

"I want to thank you. I will be encouraging parents to go for the next order of patches because we are running low. Your website has truly changed my coaching philosophy for the better."

Brian, VA, Middle School Coach

"I was a college soccer player and had coached club U17 girls and HS varsity women's soccer teams in the past. I decided to volunteer as head coach for my daughter’s U8 team, but was looking for easy drills to get the kids as many touches as possible while we were at practice. I had noticed last year that out of the 1 hour practice, my kids were only touching the ball a small fraction of that time, and were standing in lines for most of the time waiting on their turn. I spent much time on your site getting ideas for drills, formations, etc...and utilized them in my practices. I focused on dribbling through traffic drills, especially the Dribble Across the Square drill. I chose to experiment and ONLY do drills I got from your site. I also used your suggestions for our lineup, and had a 1-1-3-1 the whole season which worked really well. Happy to report that we were undefeated this season, and that was with three younger 6 year olds on the 7-8 team! We only got scored on 3 times all season, and most of our players were very comfortable dribbling through traffic!"

‎Nicole, U8, posted on https://www.facebook.com/SoccerDrillsandGames/

"Your method of self discovery, no lines and every kid has a ball is the best."

‎Lee, U8, Italy, Premium member

"It's official. Undefeated season! Players dominated this game 7-0. 3 straight winning seasons. Now I am headed to coach U10 since my son turns 9. Thanks again!"

--Eric, Premium subscriber, U8 Rec, AL

"We won AGAIN!!!!!! LAST GAME OF THE SEASON!!! We went out with a BANG!!!! Final score: 4-1!!!!!! I WISH I found out about SOCCER HELP at the beginning of the season. That's okay, cause NOW I have plenty of time to look through it without any pressure of the season. I can pick and choose what will help the team and have it all ready for the Spring.

The constant layers of pressure defense proved too much again for the other team. NOW WE ARE SCORING. Their offense got tired because we kept stopping them. Once we got to their 3 fullbacks, our front line used their moves and speed to penetrate and score!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!"

Coach Pasteur, U9, VA, 8v8, Premium member (Coach Pasteur subscribed to Premium 2 weeks before writing this, and won his next 2 games after having lost every other game up to that point. The first 2 things he did were to teach Coaching Rule No. 3 and switch to a 2-1-3-1 formation with the Fullbacks Defending Deep)

"Just wanted to tell you what's goin' on: I was asked to help with an indoor clinic 2x a month due to the change coaches saw in my team. Isn't that great?!? It will be 8-11 year olds. Thanks,"

Coach P, U9, VA, 8v8, Premium member (his team started winning after the prior coach didn't win for 3 seasons)

"Thanks for such a great website. It has made a Huge difference in my team over the past couple of years."

Rob, U10G Travel, MA, Premium member

"The soccerhelp methods focus on the fundamentals so they have a good foundation to work with and build on. The kids on my team are impressive because of soccerhelp."

Lee, U8, Italy, Premium member

"About a week ago in practice I noticed that all of my boys were dribbling and passing like a boss in the Dribble Around a Cone and Pass Relay Race; the difference between the start of the season and now is amazing."

Rob, U10 B Rec, GA

"Your site has been a life saver for me being a first time coach. I just don't want to screw up player development and your site has been my savior lol. Thanks for the prompt response."

Mike

"I've been reading through your premium site for hours, and there's some great stuff in there!"

Jake

"Hi David,

Season is coming to an end for our rec league. Last game is tomorrow. We’ve won every game and given up only 1 goal for the entire season. Exception - we tied one game but I was out of town and wasn’t coaching. Using 1-1-3-1 formation. Players know position and strategy. We use one-touch on defense. They can cross and play near and far post and center. Other parents comment on wanting their child to play on our team.

Introduced a red soccer badge called the blood badge. Can’t remember if I got this from you but my players love it. It teaches them not to be afraid of the ball even if it means a scrape, bump or bruise. My players still play clean. They play the ball not the player - using shoulder tackle really effectively. Even my smallest player who is under 4 ft (for a 10 year old) is not afraid of larger players.

Thanks again for all you’ve done. Your website is a treasure trove of soccer knowledge and your quick replies and advice have been so crucial to our development as a team and for me as a coach."

Eric, U10, Premium Member and patch customer for 2 years

"Well coach, not surprisingly you were right. We've had two games since. A 4-0 win last week, and today a 3-0 win against a team that was 3-1, in 90 degree humid sunshine. Even in the 4th quarter when everyone was extremely fatigued, we got our third goal and missed a 4th by inches. Thank you for the tips on your site about playing in the heat. The ice water in a garden sprayer is a great idea, and I have no doubt it helped today!"

--Dan, OH

"We did it!!! We won the division championship!! Thank you so much for your website and all of your tips. We used them at every practice. Now it's the playoffs. Thanks again for SOCCER HELP!"

Reg, U9, NJ

Hi David, As requested, here's the final recap of our season... With a regular season record of 7-1-2, we led the league in goals scored (26), goals against (4), and shutouts (8). That was good for 2nd place, behind a team that went 10-0.

I truly believed we were even better than our record, and come tournament time it showed. Long story short, we won it. During the course of the tournament we had goals from 5 different players (9 players on our tournament roster), which I'm very proud of. What made it even sweeter? The team we played in the final was from a very wealthy school, and had the fanciest uniforms I've ever seen for a bunch of 7 year olds. Their coaches & parents had branded/embroidered everything, four adults leading them through stretches... it was all a little over the top. And with us being the "home" team we are supposed to supply the game ball. Well, their coach decided our ball wasn't good enough and returned it to us. When the ref brought our ball back out (he again asked for our ball), the coach inspected it, and tossed it back to us again. Don't get me wrong, I made small talk with them during warmups and they were nice people. But this is still U8 soccer right? I have to admit the ball snobbery incident got under my skin. For the first time ever I told my kids I want to see them "play hard, play clean, but to beat the living snot out of them. We are winning this game today." I have yet to decide if this was a good coaching move or not. Regardless, apparently that worked because we took it to them, playing our best game of the year. We won the final 2-0 in a shortened game where we played 5 minute quarters due to storms approaching. This was against a team that had not lost a single game all year. Had their goalkeeper not been an absolute monster it could have easily been 4 or 5-0. The longer the game went on the more physical the other team tried to play, and our boys were not having it. The strength on the ball/shoulder charge game really showed it's true colors.

Without Soccerhelp, I have no doubt we would not have enjoyed such a memorable season. I received tons of compliments and kind words from parents, stories about how much fun their kids are had, it goes on and on. My deepest thanks to you for such a great ride. I attached a couple photos, one of our team and another with me and my oldest son. Look at his face! What fun.

Dan, U8 Rec, 7v7, assigned players, OH, Premium member & patch customer

“Hey David, just want to let you know we ended up winning our tournament! The first team was one of the other top teams and we won 2-0, second game we won 3-2 in overtime. The third game we won 3-1. And we won the championship 4-0. We had the 4 in the first half. 2nd half I put my best players on D and rotated some other players who normally don’t play at fwd,to give them a chance to score, in which they did well considering they were not too familiar with fwd, but they also had fun and that is also important to me. Thanks again for your help and your website. Keep up the great work!”

Derek, U12G Rec, 8v8, Premium member

"Thanks again for SoccerHelp - I can’t believe I’ve been coaching a winning team for this many years. People look to our team as the leaders in our age group season after season. I couldn’t have done it without your help!"

Eric, U12, AL, Premium member

“U6 5v5, no goalkeepers, no scores, assigned players. This was my first season coaching U6, so I wasn't really sure what to expect based on the skills shown at the first practice. Unfortunately we had terrible weather this spring, and only had 4, maybe 5 practices all season (8 games). Our first two games we got run over. From there, if there were official scores kept we were struggling, with very few goals. Admittedly I was doing my best to stay positive but I was getting discouraged. Regardless, I continued to play the practice games and trust the process. The kids had great attitudes and really tried their best. We only "won" a single game, but we became more competitive and you could see the tide turn. To my surprise, the parents were very complimentary at the end of the season.

Fast forward to the fall season and we had great weather. Plenty of practice time. I continued to trust the process... and it paid off. The first game we dominated play, to the point I had to find ways to slow down the scoring. In fact, I had to do that 3 or 4 more times over the 10 game season as we steamrolled our way through. There were times I held back 3 players on defense and had two attackers against the other teams five. And they still scored. The amount of improvement from the spring to fall season was simply, as one parent put it, "staggering". I couldn't be more proud of these kids and the support we received from their families. Unfortunately we are at the time when the rosters reset so this will be it for this squad. I will miss them dearly.

Thanks again David.” .”

Dan, OH, U6 and U8, Premium subscriber

Coach D, CA, U6, Premium Subscriber and patches customer

“Without Soccerhelp, I wouldn't be half the coach I am right now.”

Dan, OH, U6 and U8, Premium subscriber for 2 years

"My boys team is now 16U and we have been moved to the 1st Division. My son is the starting CDM and is a formidable player. He is only in 9th grade and plays like a college player already. He is showing signs of becoming a real superstar player. He is dreaming of playing in college as well. If I had not found SoccerHelp.com, none of this would have happened to us. And I am eternally grateful to you."

Brad, NC

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