How many of you have seen Star Wars? Hopefully you’ve all answered yes. If you haven’t, it’s the classic battle between good and evil.

Do you remember a young boy called Luke Skywalker? A young boy who wanted to be a Jedi Knight just like his father.

Well before you stop reading, Youth soccer today has a lot of similarities to Star Wars.

How’s so?

Luke Skywalker symbolizes a young player starting out in soccer. His dream and ambition is to become a Jedi Knight and to harness the power of the force. The stature of a Jedi is the equivalent to a professional contract.

Obi Wan Kenobi is a Jedi Knight and has given up the fight against evil. He know teaches the way of the Jedi and teaches young students like Luke to harness the power of the force.

Obi represents the typical player turned coach. Was a great player and now coaches young kids and helps them in the pursuit for that elusive contract.

Master Yoda is given the title “master” for a reason. Wisdom, experience, knowledge and the complete mastery of the force make him the chosen one. Yoda resembles the likes of Sir Bobby Robson, a legend that gave every last breath he had to the game.

Sir Bobby coached many young children and unearthed some of the best Jedi Knights this world will ever see.

Both Obi and Yoda have experience and understand the dangers and temptations lurking ahead. Both are willing to listen, train, coach and educate their children just like any great coach should.

Han Solo is the accidental hero. He pursues the fight against evil without even knowing it. He doesn’t understand the force and is not a Jedi Knight either. Han Solo resembles all the parents that volunteer to coach soccer. They have never played the game but get involved because of their kids.

Chewbacca is Han Solo’s co-pilot and helps him smuggle spices throughout the universe. Chewie is the stand over guy. Chewbacca is like the assistant coach that has been assigned to the parent to help set up the cones and to keep all the kids in order.

What about the Droids C3PO and R2D2? Can you see how they fit into this analogy?

Anyone that has played the game with a little success will relate to this. The droids are like your little fans that follow you everywhere. If you’re playing U16’s they are the 10 year olds that look up to you. If you’re playing senior soccer, they’re the youth team or reserve players that secretly idolize you and want to be like you. They long for the day to come when they will dethrone you.

Both droids are protocols that are designed to serve humans but secretly believe they are superior.

Princess Leia is a driven, strong, dedicated individual with a loud personality.

Any guesses who she represents?

Princess Leia is the soccer mum (mom, for the folks in the U.S) always there to lend a hand, transportation and guidance when required. The soccer mum always puts her family and more importantly her children first and ensures they steer away from the Dark Side.

Now it’s time for the Dark Side. Does anyone remember the soundtrack played when Dark Vader entered the room? Dan Dan Dana Da Dana Da Dana, anyway back to the story.

The dark side incorporates everything that the force is against. Fear, insecurity, lies, pettiness, aggression, abuse, screaming and yelling are all part of the dark side.

Most players want over night success and are willing to take short cuts to get results. Some may even be tempted to wear the black helmet by using sport-enhancing drugs.

Anakin fell to the dark side because he believed he was above his teaching. Anakin represents the players that don’t enjoy the game and only worry about winning. Development, skills and improvements are a distant second to 3 points and winning the championship. These players lack patience and dedication and usually end up quitting the game or failing miserably.

Darth Vader is the product of Anakin.

When these players become coaches they usually live in the past and try and relive their youth through coaching. Yelling and screaming is common followed by a round of intimidation and bullying. They believe they have the power to make or break players just by putting their thumb and index finger together and choking every little bit of hope out of them.

Storm Troopers are the soldiers of Darth Vader and the Death Star. Storm Troopers are those abusive parents you get to confront at Soccer. Know very little about the game but prey on weaknesses and insecurities in order for their kids to get the competitive edge.

Jabba The Hut is a 600-year-old crime lord that employs criminals, bounty hunters and bodyguards to run his illegal business in Star Wars.

Has anyone encountered a Jabba in real life? Those scummy player managers that sign up young talent for peanuts and then manipulate their lives for the term of the contract.

What about the death star?

The Death Star could resemble quite a few things in Soccer. From giant corporations trying to exploit every last dollar out of the game to soccer hooligans that continue to hold the game at ransom.

A great portion of the death star would also comprise of soccer politics that will always prevent some of the best players from playing at the highest level and allowing the mediocre, “connected” kids to proceed.

Last but not least, the force. The force is a binding; metaphysical and ubiquitous power that Jedi’s use to fight evil. How would you describe the force in real soccer terms?

To become a Jedi Knight (professional soccer player) you must harness and use the power of the force. The force is your belief, the trust in your playing ability and your character. The force is your confidence and your self-esteem. You will never become a Jedi Knight unless you master the power of the force.

Master Yoda once said to Luke during his Jedi training,

“Try Not! Do or Do Not; There is no Try”.

He also had these words for Anakin, who inevitably turned into Darth Vader,

“Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you.”

Hopefully one day the Ewoks will over power the Storm troopers and the game of soccer will return back to its original beauty.

So before you try on the black helmet for size remember to always use the force.

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”