AlmondIce Blog

Notice something about this picture that the girls are holding up and that they have on some of their shorts? I have been coaching youth sports for many years and last season I started purchasing and rewarding soccer players with patches.

Why are the patches so great?
The players are eager to see what patches they earned. When players do great things they make sure to find me on the sidelines to remind me of the assist they got or the goal they scored to make sure I have it down. My soccer teams went from good kids learning and having fun to winning teams thirsty to learn while having lots of fun.

What patches do I give out?
First, I give out many types. I make sure that the players know they are earned and that the gold star patch is the highest honored patch on my team. The gold star is for an assist. I also give out patches for hustle, being tough, passing, goals, and attendance/sportsmanship.

The website I buy these from is soccerhelp.com and I was skeptical the first time I bought them.