We constantly remind ourselves that we are working with very young soccer players and our approach with them has to be quite different than, say, working with high school players.

Whereas with older players we can concentrate on multiplicity, advanced strategy and winning, we coach the younger players on areas such as fundamentals, good habits and basic discipline.

Young players have a desire to prove themselves to others and in order to perform skillfully, players must be taught correctly from the start.

To motivate young players we always consider the following:

• Teach good habits and the proper fundamentals. When working with younger athletes, we cannot coach just to win. Instead, we focus on how to play the game and hence lay the foundation upon which to build for the future.

• We keep players interested and enthusiastic. Players who are not interested will develop a closed mind. Soccer is about creative thinking and a closed mind can be destructive. Players will learn more if the we keep the players interested. Players also require a need to be involved and to participate.

• We constantly praise work ethic, skill, good attitude and enthusiastic effort, but do not hesitate to make "sharp verbal corrections" when necessary. We expect our players to work hard and apply what they have been taught by giving them positive reinforcement for their efforts.

• We emphasize the 'team concept' and de-emphasize the individual. One of the greatest lessons a young player can learn in soccer is teamwork. Finding their place in the team structure is all-important as well. We let all our players know that each one is important and to the team, as a whole.

• We teach sportsmanship and self-control. What will our players take away with them after playing on the team? Will they love the game? How will they motivate themselves against an opponent? We teach them that winning is not everything - but, then again, remind them 'that's why there's a scoreboard!' We teach pride in self, pride in the team, loyalty, playing by the rules and the joy of accomplishing goals together as a team.

• We teach personal responsibility and proper work ethic. Under our leadership, players learn how important it is to make every practice and every game. To be unselfish. To sacrifice. To do the job that is expected of them, no matter how difficult it is. And lastly, we demand respect for their teammates and the coaches.

• View a recent newspaper article by local sportswriter Rick Assad.