By Randy Vogt You will know that you have become a good referee when: • After the game, players and coaches go out of their way to say “Goodjob,” “Great job!” or “You were the best ref we’ve had all season!” • People say to you, “Could you officiate all our games?” • Your phone […]
Youth Soccer Insider
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Sleep well, play well (The teenager's challenge)
By Dev K. Mishra, M.D. I’m sure anyone who’s raised an adolescent or teenager can attest to the idea that teenagers don’t get as much sleep as they need. For the adolescent or teenager a number of outside influences take place: more demands on time for homework, socializing, sports, music, or any number of other […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Anson Dorrance: 'Coaching is stealing best practices'
Interview by Mike Woitalla Twenty years ago, Anson Dorrance coached the USA to victory at the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991. During his1986-1994 national team tenure he coached the USA’s first generation of great female players, including Mia Hamm, April Heinrichs and Kristine Lilly,who also played for him at the University of North Carolina, […]
Posted inStory
U.S. Club Soccer has changed radically in 10 years
Interview by Mike Woitalla This year marks the 10th anniversary of U.S. Club Soccer, which since gaining U.S. Soccer Federation membership in 2001 has served as analternative to U.S. Youth Soccer. We spoke with U.S. Club Soccer chairman Phil Wright about the past, present and future of the organization that now has member clubs and […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Fueling the young athlete: How much water and when to drink it
By Dev K. Mishra, M.D. Water seems to have gotten a bad rap lately. It used to be perfectly acceptable to drink water during sports events, but nowadays it seems thatthere is a big push toward flavored waters and so-called “sports drinks.” Human bodies are about 60% water. Drinking water is critical for all human […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Director of Coaching – What's the job?
By Christian Lavers The role of the Director of Coaching (a “DOC”) of a youth soccer club is often misunderstood — by players, parents, and sometimes even staff. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the people who actually do the hiring (or supervision) to be somewhat confused as to what exactly they are looking for […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
The best food for the young athlete
By Dev K. Mishra, M.D. Here’s a revelation: eat the least processed food you can find. Right, that’s not a revelation. You’ve heard itbefore but it’s not an easy thing to do when feeding the typical American teenage athlete. But it can be done, especially if you try to stick to the 80/20 rule that […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
The latest coaching recipe
By Mike Woitalla For the second time in six years, the U.S. Soccer Federation has produced a handbook designed to improve youth coaching in America. Claudio Reyna, the USSF’s Youth Technical Director, unveiled the “U.S. Soccer Curriculum” last week. It offers specific, age-appropriate guidelines on how to runpractice sessions throughout a season. The aim — […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Claudio Reyna: 'Coaches should sit down'
By Mike Woitalla For many reasons, Claudio Reyna was the perfect choice to be named U.S. Soccer’s Youth Technical Director one year ago. The New Jersey product, who captained the USA at two of his four World Cups, played American youth club, high school and college ball before embarking on a career in Europe that […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Field play important for young keepers
By Tim Mulqueen When goalkeepers reach their midteens and are serious about the position, they’ll be competing for a starting spot on their club team. Some may betrying out for state or regional teams — or even the national team program. Goalkeepers who have mastered most aspects of the position may find themselves losing out […]