This letter from a coach to his parents has a nice introduction and explains how the patches can be used.

"We hope that this football season provides your child with a basic knowledge and understanding of the game. We will work hard to make sure that your child has fun, gains confidence and builds their self-esteem during practice and in the games.

Each individual player will learn about teamwork and how to communicate effectively, deal with winning and losing, self control and self discipline. All of these qualities are the necessary building blocks or tools that will guide them to success through life.

Below is our football Patch Award System. It describes each patch and how to earn it.

The patches can be ironed-on to a plain white T shirt that your child can wear to training sessions. This is the preferred method. Alternatively, the patches can be fixed to caps or bags.

GOLD STAR  The player showed great leadership skills on and off the field around the other players at practice or during the game. The player takes the initiative to lead or rally the team to victory. This player gets fired up and gets the rest of the team on the same page. This player sets a good example for other players by listening and following directions at practice and during games.

BLUE football The player shows bravery by battling for the ball and being the first one to the ball. There is no player too big or too tall that you are afraid of taking the ball away from. This player takes the field and represents their team to the best of their ability. This player is very loud and vocal. This player is a GREAT COMMUNICATOR and is a true TEAM PLAYER.

BLACK football Given when a player scores a goal during a game. This is a goal patch.

 

LIGHTNING BOLT Given when a player works equally hard at both ends of the field. She is aggressive on offence and runs back to help out on defence too. The player understands that she must work just as hard on defence and protecting the goal as well as scoring goals on offence. Half of the lightning bolt is for defence and the other half is for offence. This is the two-way player patch.
 

download a free guide to using football patches