Fun! It is critical that players involved in youth soccer enjoy the game in which they are playing. If the organization is able to instill a passion and enjoyment in the game then half the battle is already won. This also relates very closely to how players perceive their coach(es) and their interaction with them. One of the main reasons players under 12 decide not to continue is that they no longer are enjoying the game; it has become work.

Development: A necessary element to support fun. Without it, training and games get stale because there is no improvement.

Life skills: In our case through the sport of soccer.

- Jim Cosgrove, US Youth Soccer Executive Director, USSF National "A" Licensed Coach, Feb 2002