Category: coaches

  • 2010 Soccer MVP: Inside-of-the-Foot … Ease of Learning

    The inside-of-the-foot won five of six disciplines during the MVP tournament, validating that it is the MVP (most valuable part) in soccer. Too bad \’Inside\’ could not win the last discipline, \’Ease of Learning\’.

  • 2-4-6-8 Who Do We Appreciate?

    Everyone knows the \’2-4-6-8-Who-Do-We-Appreciate\’ cheer. Modified slightly, this is a great end-of-the-season cheer a team can use to give the players the opportunity to recognize and thank their parents.

  • Making Players More Vocal

    Most young players are not vocal on the soccer field. This is natural. However, the sooner they become more vocal, the better players they will become. After all, soccer is much more than just kicking the ball around and scoring goals.

  • Cheating Referees

    According to many young players, referees cheat. This seems to be a more prevalent sentiment when that team loses. However, it is highly unlikely that referees cheat. But they do make mistakes, like all of us. It is part of the game.

  • MLS Strike Averted: Now Watch and Learn

    With the MLS players\’ strike averted, youth players will have the option of attending or watching many soccer games this spring. It is important for youth players to watch professionals in actions so they can learn from and emulate their actions on the field.

  • Spring Forward and Prosper

    Besides an easy way to remember which way to move the clocks for daylight savings in March, \’spring forward\’ into open space to receive a pass is a great way to get more touches on the ball.

  • What Every Team Needs: A Reporter

    Joining a soccer team should be more than just learning how to score goals and learn about good sportsmanship. I strongly advocate that each team have a reporter to help publicize the team. That reporter should be a player (or players).

  • All Adults are Teachers

    An Oakland principal recently stated that he expects all adults on campus, including teachers, lunch and custodial staff, and even himself to be teachers. After all, \”It takes a village to raise a child.\” So are all adults associated with soccer being good teachers?\” The answer is, \”Yes\” but there is room for improvement.

  • Playing Out-of-Position is Good

    There is a lot of truth to the saying, \”Good forwards make the best defenders and good defenders make the best forwards\”. Players should welcome an opportunity to play out-of-position. Coaches have a responsibility to provide this opportunity. Players and the team will benefit.

  • The Worst Part of Coaching—the Tryout

    Most aspects of coaching are wonderful. However, the tryout is one of the toughest parts of being a coach, especially when the players are young. To make the post-tryout process less painful, catering to the feelings and needs of the players that did not make the team is essential.