A week ago, my son Patrick, who co-coaches his 3rd grader's 8v8 team in Colorado, called for advice.

His questions and my responses follow.

1. How do we help our defenders who are mis-kicking or whiffing balls rolling at them?
   
   Teach players to "run through the ball," using first touch to push the ball on right/ left forward diagonal to set up for a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th touch kick or pass, or to continue dribbling toward the nearest sideline alley.
   
   (At the next practice, Pat set up a small goal on each sideline at midfield. He and co-coach rolled balls to two separate lines where receiving players dribbled ball toward nearest sideline alley and took a shot.)
   
   
2. Where should we position weaker, less skilled, or less aggressive players?
   
   Place the strongest players at defender and midfield, weaker players at forward. If you have the luxury, team a relatively stronger forward with weaker forward. Put a relatively strong midfielder on the same side as the weaker forward.
   
   
3. We often leave the center (on line between middle of two goals) of the field open. And, when we are on attack, there is a big gap between our defenders and the midfielders. How can we fix these spacing problems?
   
   If you have the ball pretty far up field, "stack" the defenders, moving one defender in front of the other, with space between them. This addresses both "gaps."
   
   (For smaller sided teams, say 5v5, use stacked rather than side by side defense. i.e., at kickoff, the forwards are the top of the "T" and the midfielder and the defender are the leg of the T. Put the strongest player at midfield.)
   
   For center line coverage: Give the center line a name (e.g., "the runway" or "middle of the street") so you can tell players during practice, "There should always be at least one player from each position (i.e., forwards, midfielder, defenders) near the runway." (In 5v5 either the midfielder or the defender must be on the runway.)
   
   The key for defender-midfielder gap is transition to defense:
   
   As soon as the ball turns over to the other team, the player nearest to the ball MUST challenge the new ball holder.
   This "pressure on the ball" allows your other players to set up defensively (i.e., get their bodies goal-side of the ball holder). Weak-side midfielder (the one near sideline away from the play) should sprint toward his goal. Weak-side forward retreats toward his goal. In practices, this is learned during small sided scrimmages with man-to-man marking, using small goals and no goalie. (In 5v5, all players not directly challenging should retreat to defensive, goal-side position.)
   
   It often helps a younger player to understand your instructions by giving names to the soccer positions. For example, you might call the positions "defender-bear" or "defender-lion", "midfield-foxes" (fox has endurance, runs fast, plays both offense and defense), and "forward-eagles" (eagle soars, gets back on defense).
   
   For a swarming team, designate one person as "the outlaw". This player stays away from the group around the ball (swarming bees) and goal-side, waiting for the ball to pop out at which point he immediately pushes the ball into open, attacking space.
   
   During games, I coach positioning of players "off the ball" (e.g., instruct the defenders when ball is near opponent's goal area, forwards when ball is near our penalty area, and weak-side players).
   
   "Sonia, get on the runway." "Mary, you're the outlaw, get away from the pack." "Jimmy, you're a fox, you need to get back nearer our goal on defense."

My son called last night. The final score of Saturday's game was 4-0 over the Tigers, a team which they had lost to 2-4 the previous week. Overlapping midfielders score three goals. And the team's weakest forward scored his first ever. The Tigers had 3 shots on goal.

• See NBC4.COM story
• See CPSC Movable Soccer Goals Safety Alert
  

1. Always be prepared
   
   Get enough sleep and eat a good meal about an hour before the game.  Set aside a bag that is just for refereeing and do not unpack it.  Well before your game, prepare water and food.  Wear a watch and a clean, neat uniform.   How you carry yourself affects your presence on the field and your confidence.
   
   
2. Know the rules of the game
   
   A referee that does not know the rules of the game runs a poor game of soccer. A soccer referee's job demands knowledge of the rules.
   
   
3. Have control of the field
   
   Blow your whistle loudly and pay attention. Lack of control threatens the safety of the players.
   
   
4. Earn respect from players and coaches
   
   If you take the attitude that doing a good job is important, it will be evident on the field.  Be verbally respectful.  Don't show your irritation, you will lose respect.
5. Mentor the players, if needed
   
   Remember that this is a learning experience.
   
   
6. Ignore most negative things that coaches and parents say
   
   Most of the time you know more about the game of soccer than they do.
   
   
7. Run the field
   
   Don't walk! You will make better calls and earn respect by doing your job enthusiastically.
   
   
8. Know that you will make mistakes
   
   Everyone does, even the pros.  You can't see everything.
   
   
9. Relax, it's just a game
   
   It's okay to smile.  Remember part of this is to have fun and smiling can help with that.  Children prefer a friendly ref to a stern one.
   
   
10. Don't give up
    
    Even if you are confronted with a hostile coach or parent, don't lower yourself by yelling or being disrespectful.  Often speaking one-on-one with a softer voice is more effective.

1. Know who the home team is. 
   
   The home team chooses which sideline they take along with their spectators.  The referees are assigned by field and time and don't usually know who the home team is or what teams are scheduled to play.
   
   
2. Have a "game ball" available, properly inflated. 
   
   It is the responsibility of the home team to provide the game ball, but it makes it easier for the referee if both teams have a suitable game ball (especially when neither coach knows who the home team is).
   
   
3. Have a penny or other colored shirt readily available for the goalie.
   
   
4. "Parents want kids to win, win, win.  Kids just want to have fun." 
   
   Let the kids be kids and have fun.  And remind your parents of that whenever necessary.

Please inform your teams playing at Greenbrier Stadium and Swanson that no dogs or pets are allowed.

Facility monitors will ask anyone bringing a dog or pet to leave.