Attendance has sucked recently. I'm getting about half my team to practices the past two weeks due in various parts to school commitments, other activities (ugh), injuries, and vacations. I guess it can't be helped?
In other areas of life incentives are used to get people to behave a certain way. Next season, I'm going to harness this idea for improving soccer attendance.
Each season we have about 20 training sessions and 8 games. 28 opportunities for us to gather and learn. I'm mandating that each family give me $280 at the beginning of the season as a deposit ($10 per practice or match). For each practice or game they miss, they forfeit $10. So they can miss practices, but it'll cost 'em.
The second idea is to have game-jerseys with "my sayings" on the front and back. Each player will have a different message on the front and back (in addition to their number). I find myself constantly reminding them about the same things so may be visual reminders during the game will end the need to say anything at all.
Shirts would say:
"First touch away from pressure."
"Body shape."
"Check over your shoulder."
"Disguise your intent."
"Follow your pass."
"2-arms length."
"5-second rule."
"Don't give away possession." (although I don't like giving instructions in the negative)
"Both feet off ground when receiving."
"Foot on a line."
