Last August, Pete Zopfi was elected Chair of U.S. Youth Soccer, whose 2.7 million players represent 74% of the youth players registered under the U.S. Soccer Federation’s umbrella. Asthe U.S. Youth Chair, Zopfi became a member of U.S. Soccer’s Board ofDirectors, and a member of U.S. Soccer’s Youth Task Force,which was launched in October of […]
youth soccer
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying: Bill Taylor
“The real world, as soon as you step outside of Idaho, plays a much different style of soccer. … That’s why they come. That’s the reason why they invest the time and money andeffort, because the likelihood of getting into a college is slim to none being in Twin Falls. Playing for us, he has […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
For Kids Only …
(With fall soccer starting around the country, the Youth Soccer Insiderrepublishes this article, which first appeared in 2009.) Dear Soccer-Playing Children of America, The fall season is getting underway and I’m hoping you’rehaving a great time. I’m hoping that you’re playing soccer more than you have to stand in line and do drills. I hope […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Review: Twin 'Champions' books by Ann Killion to delight both boys and girls
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Ann Killion has covered soccer and other sports for more than a quarter century, including men’s and women’s World Cups and Olympictournaments. The 2014 California Sportswriter of the Year, and New York Times bestselling author, delivers a pair of extensive and entertaining soccer books for middle-grade readers. Champions of Women’s Soccer is […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Caffeine for Athletic Performance: Good or Avoid?
Lots of American adults consume caffeine. It’s estimated that 80% of U.S. adults consume at least some caffeine each week, with 55% consuming caffeine daily (usually coffee) and 25% consumingoccasionally. The average intake is about 200mg caffeine or about 2 small cups of coffee. A very large number of teenage and adolescent athletes also consume […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Low-back pain in the teenage athlete: Early intervention is the key
I’m seeing more young athletes with low-back pain, it seems that the incidence is increasing. Many times, mid-back and low-back pain is muscular. This is typical at the beginning of the season– perhaps combined with the weight of a heavy school backpack. This type of low back issue is a mild to moderate achiness that […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
A Parent's Guide to Game Day and Practice — from Kaz Tambi
“If there is one single variable I can isolate as a predictor of success (beyond obviously a base level of talent and ability in the child), it is how negative andcritical the parents are. The more intrusively involved, the more pressure, and the more critical the parents are, the higher the likelihood the kid will […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Not enforcing rules becomes a slippery slope
The assistant referees were having a lively debate at halftime. I was the ref of a Division 3 women’s college game. The white team had dominated the first half and was up 3-0 as weapproached halftime. In the last minute of the half, a white shot was going into the goal until a maroon defender […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Your crucial preseason checklist — first-aid kit and emergency action plan
With the spring season kicking off, this is the perfect time to make sure you’ve got the first-aid kit in order — and have prepared an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Your First AidKit Every youth coach should have a very basic sideline first-aid kit. You should have this at each training session and game. Remember […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Director of Coaching: What's the job?
The role of the Director of Coaching (a “DOC”) of a youth soccer club is often misunderstood — by players, parents, and sometimes even coaches themselves. Unfortunately, it is not even uncommonfor the people that actually hire a DOC to be somewhat confused as to what exactly they are looking for from this position. In […]