A player can always improve his fitness by working out hard. He can comprehend certain tactics by studying the game. But how far he goes will be determined mainly by how well he has mastered ball skills. Those are acquired by playing, day after day, year after year.

By Eric Steege Youth soccer players who invest countless hours to improve conditioning and technical skills and sacrifice their spring break and summer vacations for the soccer field expect to play on game day. When hard work fails to be "rewarded" with playing time, an athlete can quickly become frustrated and unmotivated. Unfortunately, many players define their personal value and contribution to the team as the number of minutes they play on game day. It can be difficult for a coach to correct this misperception. In an effort to avoid the …

Feedback from Soccer America readers on "Reviving the Pickup Game," by Sam Snow, US Youth Soccer's Director of Coaching Education.