Doing my best to help out during what seems an unprecedented referee shortage, I’ve have already managed to referee 14 games this fall. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the good behavior of parents and coaches. Perhaps the parents, after watching from afar during the spring in accordance with pandemic protocol, have realized their kids do […]
Youth Soccer Insider
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Hey, Mom! Hey, Coach!
Westport, Connecticut, has a robust youth sports scene. Kids fill our fields and courts, running, playing, laughing and learning life lessons. None of it would be possible without parent coaches. Thousands of boys and girls benefit greatly from the volunteer efforts of hundreds of dads and moms. Well — mostly dads. Tara McCarthy is both […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Mind your body language
The following is an excerpt from The New Way of Soccer: Skill + Instinct + Mentality = Success. * * * * * * * * * * A coach’s body language is a deciding factor in whether players aptly receive his or her message. Body language is subconsciously registered and (unfortunately) also subconsciously used. […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Overuse Injuries: How parents can watch for the signs in their children
“How can parents of youth soccer players be proactive or reactive to injuries and overall health?” It’s a question I got that was specific to soccer, but the point I make here is applicable to all sports. By far and away the area where we can have the greatest impact with a sport that’s in-season […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Mental health and athletes: U.S. Soccer provides comprehensive resource
In April of 2020, U.S. Soccer added a Mental Health section to its Recognize to Recover Player Health and Safety Program. The current Olympic Games have shed further light on athletes and mental health — an opportune time to revisit our 2020 interview with George Chiampas, U.S. Soccer’s Chief Medical Officer, and share links to […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Youth refs should emulate Willy Wonka, not Pierluigi Collina
With this summer being the 50th anniversary of the movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” we repost this article by Randy Vogt on why youth soccer refs should emulate Wonka: * * * * * * * * * * Officiating professional soccer is definitely not for the faint of heart. This is not […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Four ideas to foster discipline
This an excerpt is a followup to “The 5 Worst Punishments,” which appeared in the Youth Soccer Insider last month, from The New Way of Soccer: Skill + Instinct + Mentality = Success. * * * * * * * * * * Here are four tips you can apply to discipline players without employing […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
The 5 Worst Punishments
The following is an excerpt from The New Way of Soccer: Skill + Instinct + Mentality = Success. * * * * * * * * * * Punishments are an extremely common way of conditioning behavior (not just in the world of soccer). Fundamentally, there is nothing wrong with punishments; however, you should be […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
The Emergency Action Plan: a necessity for every sports organization
By now, most sports fans have heard about the cardiac arrest sustained on the field by Denmark’s Christian Eriksen at the European Championship. Exceptionally fast and superbly skilled action taken by the medical staff (and Denmark’s captain Simon Kjaer) looks to have saved Eriksen’s life. That medical team knew exactly what to do because they […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Heel pain known as 'Sever's disease' frequently affects young athletes
Heel pain is one of the most common complaints in young athletes. This generally occurs during the early portion of the growth phase around 8-10 years old, and can recur toward the end of growth (14-16 years old). Symptoms are typically in the back portion of the heel, can occur in one heel or both, […]