This comes as no surprise to many of you that already ‘get this’ intuitively from having played and watched this
read more Soccer success is about skill according to new university research
Last Saturday’s Atletico Madrid vs FC Barcelona game was a perfect example of modern top-level soccer. It had everything – skills, technique, creativity, excellent off-the-ball movement, great defending and goalkeeping, playing out from the back, spacing, pressing, shooting, passion, pace, team work….the list goes on. This is how huge the gap is in our country. This is where we need to be if we want to compete internationally. And to reach this level of soccer sophistication requires a fundamental revamp of how we teach, play, and organize soccer. It starts with our coaching quality, and includes finding a way for our best/better players to avoid college soccer. I’m including here a 12-minute highlights clip, but it doesn’t do the game justice. I strongly encourage you to find a recording of the full game and watch it with your soccer-playing kids. It’s very entertaining and a great learning opportunity.
When Bruce Arena was appointed US MNT coach last November I had serious doubts. We were taking a big step
I’m sharing the full text of an excellent Oct 11 Wall Street Journal article on the state of U.S. Soccer following
This is my first post in many months – I’ve simply been too busy at work and with family. But
I coached my youngest daughter’s U11 futsal team this winter, which ended with the U.S. Futsal Northwest Regionals in San
read more Playing to win felt great! And that’s the problem.
The launch of U.S. Soccer’s Girls’ Development Academy (GDA) this August is probably the single most discussed topic in girls’
read more Comparing Girls’ Development Academy with ECNL and High School Soccer
Read the below letter from Ronaldinho and then watch the clip at the end. Enjoy! Dear eight-year-old Ronaldinho, Tomorrow, when
read more Play with happiness. Play free. Be creative. Just play with the ball.
I was watching the European La Liga Promises youth tournament a couple of weeks ago and, apart from the quality soccer these
read more One more time: the critical importance of small-sided games
These Football Times published a must-read article a couple of weeks ago on the big gap in coaching quality here
read more A 3,000 mile journey in search of real football: a coach’s education
GoalNation published an interview with soccer legend Paul Breitner about youth player development in our country. Below is an excerpt
read more Soccer players are artists not athletes – encourage freedom and creativity
The above image is from the France vs USA game at the U20 Women’s World Cup on Sunday. It shows
Please leave a comment at the end of this post if you know of any more futsal clubs, leagues, and/or
“You are very strong technically and tactically. But you are not fit. Mentally, you are weak. You don’t push yourself
read more What it takes to become a national team player (talent is a given)
Some of you might be familiar with the Kleiban brothers already. Brian is a coach at LA Galaxy’s youth academy
SoccerAmerica published a great article on one Bay Area family’s experiences in the Italian youth soccer scene. It’s written by
If you’re familiar with my blog then you know how important I think creativity is for player development and that
read more Youth National Team coach: “Players aren’t as creative as they used to be”
Take a look at the clip below showing Pep Guardiola coaching one of his young Bayern players immediately after a
read more The passion to teach – the difference between great and mediocre coaching
