I
really do not know how to begin this article. I suppose I could begin with pithy statements about how demoralizing blowouts can be but I won’t (of course I just did). What is more important is that you, the coach, know how to prevent a blowout with dignity. In the list below I will present several techniques that have been and can be used to keep the score down. While many are obvious some can backfire by having the players yell obvious instructions at each other (i.e. “don’t shoot”). When we control the offense in such a manner to curtail scoring it is critical that it be done surreptitiously. The other players must not be aware of what you are doing. 
The purpose of the preventative action is not to prevent a tournament or league director from coming down on you for a ridiculous point differential but to preserve the dignity of the players on both teams and ensure their love of the game.
You will find my techniques to prevent a blowout with dignity at fundamentalsoccer.com
By Leonard J. Marks, MD FAAP and USSF “C” Licensed Coach
