One of the things that I have implemented with my U8 team is Praise Monday. On Monday, I gather the boys around me during a water break and tell each of them something positive they did in the game. I will call their name and say - John - you made a great pass on Saturday. Tom - you gave really good effort. Bob - excellent goal and so on. I start on the left and go around and say something positive about each of the kids. During this time, I do not correct them. It has been shocking how much they eat it up and say - hey Coach did you see me do ….I wanted to pass this along because it seems like my boys are starving for praise and maybe yours are as well! Try it and let me know the results.