Month: December 2017

It seems like soccer fundraising is either a season-long effort or a quick hitter that doesn’t cover all your needs.

Well, the good news is that there are some ways to make money quickly, or even all season long, that merit your consideration.
What are your fundraising goals?

Many youth sports teams and leagues want:

1 – Fundraisers that can be done with little effort
2 – Fundraisers that may be done sporadically
3 – Fundraisers that will produce significant results
Soccer fundraising programs
In this article, we’ll examine several soccer fundraisers that are quick hitting and sure to score.

The three soccer fundraising programs are:

1 – Bottled water

2 – Shot cage and radar gun

3 – Fast-food discount cards

Soccer Fundraising: Bottled Water
The first soccer fundraising program is selling bottled water. Consider for a moment that each team member will bring water to every practice and to every game. That’s at least a couple dozen bottles right there and probably a whole lot more.

Add in sales to spectators and you’ve got at least 500 bottles that could easily be sold. Sure, you can buy in bulk at a warehouse club, but you can add extra value to your soccer fundraising with private branding of your bottled water, either as a team or as a league.

The initial setup for each label is $75 and afterward, the unique label with your logo emblazoned in color costs nothing extra. Prices for the bottled spring water are wholesale, which allows your group a comfortable 50% profit margin.

When you think about it, doesn’t it make sense to capture the wholesale-to-retail markup for your group while building team spirit at the same time?

Soccer Fundraising: Shot Cage
The second soccer fundraising program is best suited for a league-wide effort. On Picture Day, during a tournament, or at any other event with high attendance, set up a soccer “shot cage” with a radar gun to measure velocity.

Every player will want multiple chances to show just how fast their shot speeds toward the goal. You can set up contests with prizes for various age ranges, team awards, Top Gun, etc.

Soccer fundraising featuring a radar-equipped shooting cage is actually an inexpensive event to host.

Several companies rent the equipment by the week with radar gun, cage, and freight all included for less than $350.

You can also find suppliers who will put together a soccer fundraiser with a hosted radar cage and do a revenue split with your group, so there would be no upfront cost.

To maximize your soccer fundraising success, price shots in a multi-shot package, such as two for $1 or other combinations.

Count the number of players in your league or potential shooters at a tournament event and determine if this type of soccer fundraising is right for your group.

For additional information, you can contact national supplier Absolute Amusements.

Soccer Fundraising: Fast-food Discount Cards
The third soccer fundraiser is one that your group can use once or use to raise funds all season long. And that’s selling fast food discount cards.

This is a simple item to sell. Each fundraising discount card contains a certain number of two-for-one meal packages at a well-known fast food outlet.

Participating companies include McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dominoes Pizza, and other large fast-food chains.

Your group purchases a certain number of these cards in advance and sells them to families or individuals that will appreciate a substantial discount. The number of two-for-one deals on each card varies by company.

Pizza Hut’s card offers a free pizza with the purchase of another pizza up to a maximum of ten. The McDonalds card seems to offer the least number of “double deals” but its also one of the most popular.

Each card retails for $10 and costs between $1 to $2. Each one features the fast-food company’s logo on the front along with a message stating that 80-90% of the price of this card goes to support your soccer fundraising group.

It’s a nice way to tap into the consumer spending revenue stream with an attractive product that benefits both parties.

Find out more about fundraising discount cards from a supplier that handles all the different cards.

These programs allow your group to reap an excellent return by offering quality products that require only moderate effort. They are guaranteed to score a goal every time out with your players and your supporters.

While attending United States Soccer Federation (USSF) A license audit I had the pleasure of listening to the U17 National Team coach from Holland. The views of the Dutch indicate clearly that a different soccer culture exists in their country.

The Dutch coach stated that the development of the individual and the team was of the utmost importance. The best players should train together and play against each other, talented players should train between 3 to 6 times weekly and should play 1 or 2 competitive games during the week. The most important thing he said to me was that youth development is a joined responsibility of the countrys governing body of soccer and the clubs.

There is organization and connectivity from top to bottom. The reason for this is that there is a common goalto produce players that can play for the National Team, in the domestic professional leagues, and professionally throughout the other top leagues in Europe.

Let us look at the USA in the same categories. Players fall in love with the sport after they have started playing it. They do not start playing because they are in love with the sport. The most important thing is winning at many youth clubs, because it is seen as a measure of success. Individual and team development takes a back seat. The existence of so many clubs hinders the possibility of the best players playing together. In addition, our best players train 3 times a week at most.

The biggest problem is that there is no common goal or relationship with USSF and the youth clubs in the country. Let us examine first the goals of most clubs. They say player development, but constantly recruit players.

Why?because they want to win a State Cup or league title. This attracts better players to the club. What happened to developing your own? Then we deal with the disconnect between the USSF Academy Programs and the Olympic Development Programs. Players have to choose one, so the best players are never all together.

Then we have the training centers established to identify players with the ability to play for the National Team, who may have been missed. Guess what? USSF Academy players are not allowed to attend. The United States is also the only country where the better you are the more you pay. Some players, therefore, do not have the opportunity to play.

As you can see, there is no defined path. Every man for himself. Despite this, we are still very competitive internationally, but I wonder what our potential would be if the soccer structure resembled that of the Dutch, or any other developed soccer country.

The following always has been a hobby of mine to examine human practices as well as go over the variances in exactly how some of us consume then react to media, information, and today’s events. By comparing just how anyone acts, you are, in theory, in position to forecast the person’s upcoming activity. Firms do this frequently. Recognize your shoppers and also their habits, and then tailor your corporation to help suit their impending necessities. Marketing 101.

Whilst perusing through echelons connected with the Babble element on Datecover.com, I happened upon a fascinating topic beneath the group of World Cup Soccer . I was perplexed to observe how popular this group had become for the reason that it is certainly no secret that a great number of Americans openly do not like european football and refuse to accept its existence. These North Americans are content existing in a world dominated by football, baseball, and golf, and how can you blame them? American athletics are a $seventy billion dollar industry, and that’s an abundance to satisfy possibly even the biggest sports hunger.

Prior to making this post I asked a male friend of mine his stance on european football as well as the World Cup. He said, European football is for ameteurs, but I will check out the World Cup.” Professionally, I was intrigued. Personally, I was mystified. Why were people “babbling” about the World Cup by using an online dating web page? Just what exactly was their reason? Just what exactly were most people saying? and precisely why does my mate want to check out a couple of “sissies” playing european football?!? Fascinated, I looked over the World Cup Babble discussion and managed to acquire a little quick and dirty information how Americans are taking in the FIFA World Cup . Listed here are my findings.

Ladies: Ladies in the USA currently have a distinct point of view whenever it concerns european football. They have a true interest with the game and appear to recognize everything that is going on greater than many US fellas. While ladies typically are not competent to express to you how many shots on goal th US had against England (12 shots, 5 on target), or the reason why the 2-2- draw versus Slovenia was in fact an excellent conclusion (USA advances with a win vs. Algeria). And yet these gals could tell you Landon Donovan is certainly a family guy and married, Clint Dempsey likes to rap and also is from Texas, and David Beckham is a metro sexual and scorching. Gals aren’t going to be soccer followers, these females really are followers of soccer players.

Guys: Badly informed at best and patriotic at heart a worthy mix. My friend who believes “european football is for sissies” is a Texas male. These guys do not understand soccer. They really do not appreciate the pastime, and they don’t realize the magnitude or impact soccer has on the human race. The Texas male nevertheless grasps just what it means to have die-hard enthusiasm, they are patriotic to the bone, and they have an understanding of sport, skill and strategy. The Texas guy is generally a sports lover, not a european football fan.

The American Foreigner: He is educated, passionate, but tactful. The American foreigner realizes the World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet. These people are usually the people who ask to take a PTO day from their job, however bargain to use that day in 2 hour increments which means they will be able to follow the games on T . v. Although they comprehend the outdoor activity, these people also comprehend some individuals around them don’t. The American foreigner voluntarily educates their pals about the delightful game and efforts to cultivate the love of European football all through their societal community. They tend not to lecture, they tend to be tactful and instruct by well guided discussion, wit and debate. The American foreigner s trained to an ally for soccer, and not a promoter. You can find few better occasions in an American foreigners lifestyle in comparison with enjoying a soccer game on their own in a family room with the sound on high.

The majority of the US is unaware concerning soccer, yet these people do not want to be a part of it. These people know the World Cup is a gigantic sporting event similar to the Olympics, but many people don’t fully grasp why. Folks publish on Babble simply because posting in the Babble area and looking at comments is similar to gluing small puzzle pieces on to a wall. One submittle = one piece of the puzzle. Any man or woman who writes on the World Cup topic had a diverse standpoint as compared with the other and the attraction of this is the sum of all the parts creates a whole. A completed puzzle leads to a enhanced and comprehensive understanding . Between the American foreigner, the female follower, and the patriotic male, we are blessed with a World Cup soccer fan base. The online dating universe understands soccer and everything that is the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Particular to web based dating, the most important portion of the Babble ended up being when one particular participant proposed everyone who was a european football buff get together at a nearby soccer event. Just how perfect might that be? To have a group of clueless members meet and join over an event that collectively they can grasp and take pleasure in to the fullest. On their own, these people happen to be confused. Jointly, they learn and appreciate. This particular viral action is internet based dating magic! This is just how you uncover your perfect match because of the FIFA World Cup, and the reason why these individuals shared their opinions on an online dating site.

What a very good first date concept Go enjoy a european football match up at your neighborhood pub!

What a wonderful topic for conversation The World Cup.

What an outstanding singles group interest Mingle at a neighborhood soccer game, or start a group for single people in your city.

Here are a couple of soccer coaching tips that will really help your communication with the parents. I’ve been on both sides of the aisle…parent and coach. As a parent, you want to see your child do well, improve and have fun. Many parents also have a win at all costs attitude. This can be a real problem when it comes to your team.

If you don’t set some good ground rules ahead of time, you will very quickly find yourself with a pile of coaches on the sidelines all giving your players very different instructions.

It is very important that you open a clear line of communications with the parents before the season begins.

Take some time to explain your philosophy to the parents. Your goals and what you need the parents to do to help out.

Some of the things that you will want to cover here are:

==> Don’t yell at the players
==> Don’t give praise for bad habits
==> Don’t yell at the refs or other players
==> Don’t focus on just winning/losing

I recommend putting together a small handout that hits on the key points you want the parents to know. Things like:

==> Equipment requirements for each child
==> Practice times and locations
==> Game times and how early the kids need to be there
==> Snack schedule
==> Your phone number & email address
==> A quick run down of your coaching philosophy and goals

The number one thing that parents want is to know what is going on. I had one horrible season as a parent with my son Donovan. His coach was consistently late to practice or didn’t show up at all. He frequently missed games or failed to let us know when games had been cancelled.

This is not a way to give your parents a good experience, and believe me there is a trickle down effect to the kids. Be sure to let your parents know as soon as possible about any changes in the schedule.

If you are going to be late for practice, be sure to text and email your parents. A little courtesy will go a long way towards developing good will with your parents.

If you can find a parent to help be a communications coordinator, this can save you a bunch of time. Find a responsible parent that can be a part of the phone chain. This way you can call her (usually a stay-at-home mom is your best bet here) and have her pass the word to the other parents.

Remember, your parents are the #1 asset you have to make your job easier, more fun & more stress free!

Tips for the Parents

Before you do anything else, make sure that you have the phone number and email address of your coach. It took me half a season to get this for one of my boy’s coaches and this made every practice and game an adventure.

As a parent, you are responsibility to re-emphasize your coach’s philosophy with your kids. Remember that at this age the most important thing is for your kids to increase in skill and the enjoyment of the game.

Anything that you can do to make things easier on the coach will be greatly appreciated. Helping pass the word about schedule changes, coordinate the refreshments for games and support the goals of the team are all-important parts of being a good soccer mom or dad.

Make sure that you do your best to get your kids to practice and games on time. If you have something in your schedule that will prevent this, please let the coach know as well.

Most coaches at this level coach because they love the game and they love to teach kids soccer. They are not always compensated by the league/club financially, or are paid poorly at best. A small gift at the end of the season is very appropriate and makes a coach feel appreciated for his or her efforts.

Here are are couple of other key things to remember:

==> Kids want to play because soccer is fun!
==> Buy a good lawn chair. You’ll be spending a lot of time hanging around the soccer field
==> Be consistent with your encouragement of the players
==> Let the coach do the coaching
==> Let the ref referee the game

One of the best soccer coaching tips I can give both parents and coaches is to communicate!

First of all, let’s start with a simple question, what is freestyle soccer ? Freestyle soccer is simply the style and ability to combine various soccer tricks in juggling and ground moves. It’s a new trend in soccer along with other types like five a side futsal and beach soccer. In a soccer context, freestyle is perceived as less significance to the modern game. However, freestyle soccer does improve a footballer’s ability to control the ball.

The ball control is what I perceived as the most important element in soccer before other attributes like fitness and tactics. There’s a saying that if you can control the ball you can control the game. In fact, I stumbled one of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s, an Inter Milan player, quotes saying that as long as you have the ball, you’ll have the advantage.

Yet majority of footballers still ignore the importance of freestyle soccer. There are reasons behind it and one of them is that the soccer tricks are difficult to execute and only brings less to the modern game. True enough, but let’s not forget the concept of ball control. Learning freestyle allows a player to enhance his touches especially the first touch. A great first touch buys you thousands of mili seconds to give you an edge over the opposition. Those seconds could change the game in an instant especially in the modern game where it demands fast and furious soccer. As a result of those reasons, they don’t even bother in the first place.

On the other side, the ones who love freestyle soccer perceived it as something that they can express their creativity and improve on ball control and touches to a greater heights. But I’m more concern to those who are ignorant and may not have the slightest interest on freestyle soccer.

The problem is, they may not know where to begin especially after watching a series of freestyle videos on streaming sites like Youtube. I’m assuming that they only watched the difficult tricks and instead forget the basics of freestyle soccer. I believe that freestyle soccer should begin with the basics like juggling and planting before moving on to the more advanced soccer tricks like the around the world, crossover, flip flap and others. It’s important since juggling is the principle of all types of ball control along with dribbling. In this case, I shall focus on juggling since it’s related to freestyle soccer.

Juggling the ball Simply done by doing kick ups without letting the ball fall on to the ground and expanded to different parts of the body from foot, thigh, shoulder and head. The aim is to be able to link your juggling skills from one part to the other. For example, transfer your juggling from foot to your thigh. You can start with a simple transfer and improve to more advanced transfers like juggling from foot to thigh and then head. Once you’ve mastered juggling, you can start planting or stalling a soccer ball.

Planting the ball The ability to balance the ball on a specific part of your body like balancing the ball on your foot. You can start by placing the ball on your foot and once you’ve mastered, you can plant the ball during your juggling. For example, juggle with your foot which is then transferred to your thigh and then balance it with your foot i.e. foot plant.