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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Coach, at what point is it obvious that a player is there only because Mom and or Dad have insisted and have paid for private coaching, camps, etc?  Can you spot genuine love of the game?[/quote]

Our trainer and past coaches have told me they can tell my kid cares because he gets so upset after a loss or in a training session when they are trying something new and struggling or miss a goal by something small and get angry and kick a ball across the field.

They said most parents can't watch that and let the kid go through the emotions---but he see's it as a sign the kid really cares and is a competitor.

Look at the faces of the kids on the field and what dad is doing on the sidelines.  It starts to become obvious who is showing up because they feel it makes dad happy and who really wants to be out there (and, yes, win).  I really have started to notice the kids that just don't have the drive or competitiveness by around U12/13.  They can be down by just a goal or so and they won't even run to get the ball when it goes out of bounds.   There is no urgency.  They will move slow like they just don't give a shit.  My kid played up with some of these kids---and while some had really great technical skill there was zero passion in their play.  They didn't have any fight or competiveness.  When things got tough or heated, there was no motivation.  I would rather have a kid that is going to give it 120% and make an impact that a highly talented kid that never works to his potential or just doesn't care when he's out on the field.

My kids have always burst into tears after a loss young.  It's been a struggle getting them to learn how to handle it.  The older one can now make it to the car or blink back the tears in the handshake line--but it was a long lesson.  The toughest losses are the ones where they've fought tooth and nail until the last minute and that frustration bubbles over.  It can be embarrassing as a parent, but I can't tell you how many dads have come up to me and told me they wish their kid cared half as much as that.  Without passion and a competitive drive, all the talent in the world won't amount to much.

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