There’s so much upheaval in our personal and business lives now so it’s only natural that we’re on the lookout for the fastest possible solution. We’d encourage each of youto be particularly vigilant regarding unproven quick fixes, often promoted by social media influencers. The influencer is exceptionally skilled at avoiding language that could be interpreted […]
Youth Soccer Insider
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
The high school view (Part 2): How coaches can raise their game during the pandemic interruption
Spring high school soccer seasons are over before they began. Fall seasons seem increasingly imperiled – at least the way we’re used to. What’s a high school soccer coach to do? Plenty. Although the loss of high school soccer has devastated coaches and players around the country, COVID-19 provides a few opportunities for coaches to […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Becoming a Better Ref During This Down Time
With health authorities isolating us to combat the coronavirus, the economy is tanking, people have lost their jobs, kids are missing school, nursing home residents are no longer being visited andsoccer games are not being played. Yet thousands of people are still dying even with all these changes. Half the positive cases in the United […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
This crazy time can be an opportunity to reboot and recover
We’re in the midst of an unprecedented health challenge with the coronavirus, and I don’t want in any way to minimize the serious impact this is now having on individuals, families, andbusinesses. But I also want to point out that amid all the upheaval around us is an opportunity to rest,recover, and reboot. I have […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
The new role of the coach: Evolving to fill gap in our social safety network for children
To my fellow youth sports coaches, We’re all slowly coming to terms with the magnitude of this current crisis. While many of us lament the sudden loss of our seasons, some cut short withheart-wrenching cruelty for our athletes, it’s a hard justification to claim the importance of youth sport in these times. But there’s a […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
John Cone on staying fit with individual training
As competitive players face this period of isolation, we checked in with John Cone, a previous Youth Soccer Insider contributor on health, fitness and sports science, who has served as fitness coach forMLS, NWSL, college, youth and U.S. national teams. Cone, also an instructor for U.S. Soccer’s highest level licenses, is the co-founder of Fit […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Navigating the college choice process during COVID-19's interruption: Advice and info from Lisa Lavelle
COVID-19 is impacting the college admissions process and college recruiting. We checked in with Lisa Lavelle, the president of The Sport Source, which has spent more than 25 years in college counseling for student-athletes. SOCCER AMERICA: What information and advice can yourelay to high school seniors who have not yet committed to a college for […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
When in-person training and games are not possible, the coach can still coach
Last week, Seattle United reached out to United Soccer Coaches with a contemporary question. Since then, many other youth coaches and clubs have asked us the same question. How can we engage andencourage our players while training in person is suspended? Youth coaches have long considered ways to keep their players connected to the game […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
COVID-19 impact on youth soccer: Haley Carter provides advice for clubs and parents
Upon the suspension of youth soccer activities because of COVID-19, United Soccer Coaches‘Haley Carter reached out to clubs around the nation knowing players, parents, coaches and directors are concerned about the immediate and near-term future. We asked Carter, theChair of the United Soccer Coaches Women Coaches Advocacy Group, to share her advice for America’s youth […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Kids playing on their own: Juggling develops skill and provides fun with the ball
Pele juggled with a grapefruit or a ball of old rags tied together with string when he didn’t have a real soccer ball available. He later reflected that juggling helped him develop control with his left foot, concentration, balance and touch, both gentle and hard.While Rose Lavelle was helping the USA win the 2019 World […]