Sometimes as coaches we ignore universal truths. “I just think they should go to school,” remarked a friend of mine commenting on home-schooled children. “Why?” Iasked. “So that they learn something,” she replied. “And if they learn just as much by not going to school?” I responded. 1. Childrenlearn. They are wired for it and […]
youth boys
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Should you play sports when you're sick?
We’re in that time of year when people start sneezing and coughing all around you. It’s pretty easy to catch a cold or sinus congestion to generally make you feel lousy. And at the same time your teamcontinues to practice and play games. You want to keep playing, so should you just try to play […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
United Soccer Coaches announces National Players of the Year
United Soccer Coaches announced its National Players of the Year at the youth, high school and college levels and its National Scholar Players of the Year for high school and collegestudent-athletes. The 2017 MAC Hermann Trophy recipients for NCAA Division I men’s and women’s soccer will be named Jan. 5. The National Players of the […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Advice for young referees — and a plea to the adults who scream at them
I was asked to give some words of encouragement to young refs who would be refereeing their club’s intramural games. The refs were from 10 to 14 years old and they ref players age 6 to 12. Tworefs to a game, one on each touchline, on small-sided fields, the largest which is 65 x 35 […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Let your kids play soccer in the house — with small balls
When I went to China to coach 6-year-old kids in a pilot program at five elementary schools in Beijing, I wanted to see what they were doing before I started with my contribution. All thekids had a big ball. Wrong! Have you ever seen what kids do when they are trying to control a big […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Dear Coach, Forge relationships before results
“Winning isn’t everything; it is the only thing.” This Red Sanders quote popularly attributed to Vince Lombardi has misguided so many youth coaches and I was one ofthem. It is so clear, so powerful and so macho that it resonates with every fiber of testosterone in my competitive body. I hate losing, as my friends […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Brazil star Sissi on coaching American girls, appearing in Chelsea Clinton's new book, and what's impressive about U.S. youth soccer
Former Brazil star Sissi, one of the 13 women featured in Chelsea Clinton’s upcoming book, “She Persisted Around the World: 13Women Who Changed History,” coaches girls soccer and is Technical Director at Walnut Creek SC, located 20 miles east of SanFrancisco. Brazil’s No. 10 before being succeeded by Marta, Sissi was the Silver Ball MVP […]
Posted inAround The Net in Soccer World Daily, Story
How Colorado became an unlikely hotbed for U.S. women's soccer development
Reporter Richard Farley: That Denver is experiencing a boom of girls soccer talent has become undisputed. What’s disputed is why. Why has a medium-sized city far from thetalent bases that seed other sports become, per capita, some of the most fertile ground in U.S. women’s soccer?
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
The most difficult role in officiating: assisting a poor referee
So I’ve officiated lots of games and realize what is my most difficult job as an official. And it’s not what you might think: A ref with two teams that do not like one anotherneeds to control the game, which can be challenging, but very doable as long as the ref uses the letter of […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
A simple training technique with many benefits: running backwards
There’s a little bit of science supporting the benefits of backwards running, also known as retro running or reverse running. Not a ton of science but just enough for me to recommend that yougive this some consideration in your training, regardless of sport. You’d use backwards running occasionally to change up your typical training routine. […]