Success In Soccer by Kim Yokers           

In my journeys through youth club soccer, ODP, High School Soccer, College Soccer at Cal, U21 National Team camps, to present day endeavors and hopes to play professional soccer, I have seen plenty of obstacles and have experienced plenty of joys in playing the game, as anyone would expect. I have heard peers describe their relationship with playing soccer as similar to a relationship with a person, and I understand this comparison in my own experiences. As with seeking success in any avenue, there is a road that involves love, commitment, teamwork, perseverance, having expectations, letting go of expectations, balance, passion, and so forth. This has been my experience. Without fear of sounding colloquial, I will say...

Soccer has taught me a lot about life
And Life has taught me a lot about soccer

From the time I was 6 years old, my mom was my soccer coach. She coached me all the way through youth soccer until the time I left for college. SOmetimes I look back and am amazed we remained such close friends through it all - of course there were some bumps in the road. But now I am proud to say she was the biggest influence in my success in soccer, and my success in life. This is both because of her ability to teach the skills of the game, and also her energy in making the game fun and relating it to life. She often spoke of any obstacles I would run into in soccer as opportunities for "character building".

On the technical side of soccer, we worked on foot skills extensively at every
practice. From U8s to U11s my soccer team was mostly comprised of the same group of players - a core of which were school friends. We definitely did not win all of our games at those ages and were dominated by more organized teams, bigger teams, players that could kick the ball far. My mom always said to us and the parents of that time that we would continue to focus on learning foot skills and ball handling because it would pay off the most. And it did, we became one of the most skillful teams in the state and started winning tournaments and state cups - and we loved playing together.

There were certainly many "heartbreaks" and many joys. It wasn't just about playing soccer of course, it was about being active, having fun with friends, building relationships, and building life skills and values. And it was about enjoyment. Our team would often attach fun events on to tournaments and games like team camping trips or slumber parties. Of course, we were all pretty competitive, and playing well and winning always made the experience more enjoyable! My mom coached 2 teams so I would often practice with both teams. I loved running around and I loved using my foot skills. Sometimes I would practice with boys teams, especially as I was preparing to play college soccer at Cal. Anyway, the point is, playing soccer was an avenue for enjoying life in different ways I may not have without it.

The year I graduated from college the women's professional league folded (the WUSA). And to be honest, though there were some feelings of disappointment, I was mostly okay with it - I was tired after 4 years of college soccer and I wanted to spend some time on other interests. I delved into my schooling for the last semester of college, set out on post-college travels, and returned to explore the "post-college world". I always thought I was ready for this time, I had been excited about exploring my other interests, and I did do this, but I also didn't realize how much this change affected my identity and my lifestyle. Struggling with health issues since my travels, struggling with my "relationship" with soccer, and trying to make a living were some of the obstacles (or should I say opportunities for "character building") that have seen me to where I am at now - taking the opportunity to experience my life through soccer in the new professional league (the WPS).

So in preparing for this new goal, and thinking of ways to improve to a higher level of play, I have gone back to the basics in a way. As I was taught by my mom - ball-handling and foot skills, you must spend time with the ball! Working at Sutton Soccer, a training facility designed to accelerate skills training, has given me the opportunity to increase my own skill level and confidence, and be involved in that process with the youth soccer players in my area. Working with kids in soccer has been a reflection of why I have played, and why I am playing the game still. And I have gone back to the basics with my perspective as well - success in soccer for me comes from loving to play. And to put it simply, loving to play comes from self-expression and confidence.

The phrase "play with your heart" makes sense to me - and I wish all players to
experience playing with heart - that would be success in soccer.

Kim Yokers is currently training and hoping to sign on with the new women's pro soccer league next year. She is coach for the Bay Oaks U9 Girls and is a trainer at Sutton Soccer