I wanted to share the following correspondence with you and ask for your comments:

To Whom It May Concern:

Recently I received an email from California Youth Soccer Association's Executive Director, Helena Iceman. She asked for my personal opinion, as State Coaching Director of the Association on "a child being exposed to soccer because it is an extremely violent game and would it be detrimental to the child should her Father be in the sport?"

My initial response was to smile at the screen and wonder why Helena would ask me to respond to such a ludicrous question. She knows that this is the busiest time of the year for me since we are in the process of organizing/teaching close to 300 coaching courses throughout Northern California. In addition, the theme of our coaching school is based on my closing statement: "The outcome of our children is infinitely more important than the outcome of any game they will ever play." It took a follow up phone call on her part to make me understand that her question was indeed seriously posed.

Some personal history will be necessary in order for the reader to understand my response. My personal future looked very dim during my adolescent years. It took some very patient, yet very strict teachers and coaches, to straighten me out. Realizing that my adult successes were due to the hard work of these individuals I wanted to give back to other children what was given to me.

My motivation for using soccer as a vehicle to help children began with my initial failure as a classroom teacher. After two years in the classroom I realized, in order for me to reach a child, the child must either like me or like what I have to offer. As students the children were given no choice of teacher. Teachers in turn had no say as to which students would be in their rooms. 'The law' forced both the child and teacher to be with each other for one full year whether they got along or not. Sports participation provided a totally different environment. The child could decide to participate in one of many sports. The coach had the option of keeping a child on a team. The chemistry between individuals had to be right in order for both to benefit. I found this environment more enjoyable and definitely more conducive to reaching and helping children. So why choose the sport of soccer to reach and influence children in a positive manner? I was intrigued by the rules of the game, which clearly state what is fair play!

In his booklet, 'Know Soccer and its Rules', Sir Stanley Lover eloquently explained the nature of this sport: "Every player wants to show skills with the ball. So do opponents. To get the ball often involves physical challenges that can be tough. Apart from physical qualities soccer develops character traits of courage, self control, and discipline - the basics of sporting behavior and fair play."

Soccer rules are extremely clear on what is fair and unfair play. Rule #12 -FOULS AND MISCONDUCT states: A player may not kick or attempt to kick an opponent, trip, jump at an opponent, charge, strike or attempt to strike, hold or push the opponent, or handle the ball.

Rule #12 also gives three reasons for which a player may be sent off the field, or red-carded:

• Violent conduct or serious foul play.
• Using foul or abusive language.
• Persistent misconduct after receiving a yellow card.

Sir Stanley Lover also includes a CODE of FAIR PLAY which reads something like this:

• Don't play recklessly.
• Respect the rules and accept decisions of the officials.
• Respect your opponents as fellow soccer enthusiasts. Show self-discipline in difficult situations.
• Help others to avoid spoiling the game.
• Show concern for injured players.
• Do not retaliate.
• Play to the whistle.
• Be modest in victory, dignified in defeat!

As Coaching Director and a father of an eighteen-year-old daughter, I am extremely offended by anyone suggesting that my child was influenced toward violence due to my participation in soccer. I would probably take less offense had that accusation been made of me when I was a schoolteacher. After all, the violence in our schools seems to be more prevalent and more deadly than in soccer. Newspaper headlines from across the country attest to that fact.

Should you wish to receive more detailed opinion on my position on this issue, do not hesitate to contact me personally!

Coach Karl

Dear FUNdamental Soccer Reader: We would be interested in receiving more detailed opinions from you on this issue…!