FineSoccer Kids 4

Welcome to the FineSoccer Kids Newsletter. Today's subject will deal with fair play.

If a player gets past you with the ball, should you grab her shirt to slow her down? How about if you trip her knowing that while you will be called for a foul, it will allow you and your team time to get back and defend while they set up for the kick? How about "talking trash" to an opponent with the intention of getting them to lose their composure and get thrown out of the game? What about an elbow into an opponent's stomach while the referee isn't looking? Do you play for a youth coach who encourages any of these tactics? If so, my suggestion to you would be to find a new coach or a new team.

Youth soccer can be very physical but that doesn't mean it has to be dirty. There really is some honor in doing things the right way and not having to cheat to be successful (and you will find the players who do cheat aren't going to be successful long term). If you see a player who grabs jerseys in order to defend, realize that this is her way of saying she isn't good enough to defend without cheating. If you are playing against someone who is constantly calling you names, realize that she is doing this because she is afraid of you and knows that if she can't distract you, she probably can't beat you either.

There are people out there who will tell you that in order to win you will have to do things that are against the laws of the game. Do NOT believe them. You can be successful without cheating (and I wonder if you can actually be SUCCESSFUL if you cheat).

If you are playing against players that are better then you, your options are to cheat or to work harder then them so that long term, you will get better then them. Only you can make this decision but to me, the answer is pretty easy.

Whenever I played against a player that talked all the game I knew I had them beat. Rather then give in to the temptation of responding, I would just smile and realize that while they were concentrating on talking, I was concentrating on winning. In other words, while they were trying to get me to lower myself to their level, I just ignored them and stayed at a higher level. Which level do you want to compete on?

In short, there is a right way and a wrong way to play youth sports; only you as a player can make this final decision. Which are YOU going to choose?

Questions, comments or suggestions should be sent to kidscomments@finesoccer.com. 

Have a great day!

Lawrence