| Practice. Oh, I know, you were thinking that you | | | | sportsmanship. A good coach is not one that shouts |
| were going to get some magic formula that would let | | | | or jumps around at every single mistake during |
| you strap on a pair of cleats, trot out onto the field | | | | practice, or so-so call during game time. Nor is a good |
| and be an all pro without ever a single day of | | | | coach one that will ignore these same things. Passion |
| practice. To become really good at anything, (and | | | | is good, obnoxious behavior is not. Your coach should |
| really good is not even near to pro-level, mind you), | | | | be willing to give constructive criticism to point out |
| there has to be hours and hours of practice. Study | | | | your mistakes, but should also be willing to find a |
| the game. Listen to your coaches advice. Play as | | | | way to correct the problem rather than hoping it will |
| much as possible and watch tapes of games- your | | | | change by itself. A coach does not, (and probably |
| own if possible. | | | | should not) need to be your best friend, but he |
| The best players start at a very early age and work | | | | should be courteous and available for any questions |
| very hard. Learning to play soccer like a pro is not | | | | his players might have for him. |
| just a matter of natural talent- even the best players | | | | Ultimately, coaches, parents and the other players |
| refine their game constantly. And, it is not just a | | | | should not necessarily have anything to do with your |
| matter of the subtle refining that they must do | | | | learning to play soccer like a pro. The onus is on you- |
| either, they work on the fundamentals of the game, | | | | you have to get your cleats on and get out on that |
| even after they have won championships and | | | | field. You have to practice. You have to eat well, to |
| individual awards. There is no substitute for hard | | | | keep your body strong and healthy. You have to |
| work in anything that is worth doing, and playing | | | | practice kicking, and running and do all of your drills. |
| soccer like a pro isn't different. | | | | The drive and spirit to play soccer like a pro must |
| Besides hard work and dedicated practice, making | | | | come from inside of you, it is internal, and cannot be |
| your coach an ally is important as well. The coach | | | | bought, created or faked. Either you have it or you |
| should be well educated about the game itself as well | | | | don't. And if you do have it, what you do with it is |
| as some of the other fine points of good | | | | up to you. |