GotSoccer is Now Ranking U9 and U10 Teams, Got a Problem with That?
Many are taking aim at the recent decision by GotSoccer.com to rank U10 and U11 teams. Why not rank ’em? We’re a country that ranks and compares. We boast and brag. We compete. I’ll be happy to tell you that… I graduated ____ in my high school class, or with _____ honors from college. I […]
Forget Mike, I Wanna Be Like Raul!
I just can’t stop watching the replays of Raul Jimenez rescuing Mexico’s World Cup hopes with the game-winning goal in the 86th minute vs Panama on Oct. 11! Along with a couple million other folks, I was amazed, delighted and astounded. My friend Gerardo, who hails from Mexico, said he literally leaped off the couch in […]
The Injury You Can’t See
An athlete who is sidelined with a sports injury has to battle through more than the physical repair and recovery. Downtime, where they aren’t allowed to participate or compete, is especially hard on an athlete who is used to being active and contributing, perhaps as a leader, to a team. Making them sit and watch […]
Dynamic Warm up for Soccer Players
Schedule time for dynamic warm up, skills training and play at every practice. Here are the first 2 phases of warm up: Gathering – when they arrive, have something for them to get started with. Otherwise, girls will chat and await instructions. Boys will see how far they can kick it into the woods. A team […]
When Health and Recreation Programs Become Human Performance Laboratories, Who Pays?
Last week I saw a friend I hadn’t seen in some time. She has three kids: one graduating college, one beginning his second year at university and one nearly finished with high school. “So, what about you?” I asked, “What are you doing with yourself?” “Oh, the kids are still keeping me busy. I really […]
Are Sports Too Much for Your Kid? Dismantling the Dagwood Sandwich, An Equation for Healthy Youth Sport
Everybody’s talking about injuries. Coaches, doctors, league administrators, and parents are worried about the increase in injuries from SO much soccer! Kids are stuffed with teams and tryouts, tournaments and competitions. What used to be a tasty part of a balanced diet, now sits on their plate like a dagwood sandwich, daring them to eat […]
Ramping up for Pre-season Fitness: Chantilly Coaches Clinic
Hey Coaches, Great session last night, introducing warm ups and pre-season fitness ideas for your players. Special thanks to Mike Jorden’s U-16 Strikers team for being our demo’s and putting on a good show. Here’s a re-cap of the highlights from me and from Mike. (I am going from memory with Mike’s stuff.) First, ask […]
Junior PGA, Who’s Watching the Kids?
They’re kids! All freckle-faced and smiling. They joke around with their friends. Wolf down plate after plate from the buffet. Then drain a breaking 4 footer for birdie on the 18th to win the tournament. Nerves of steel, these kids. And they’re only 15, 16, 17 years old. But where are the crowds? I followed […]
Len Oliver Can Predict Your Playing Position by Your Personality
Len Oliver has been playing and teaching the basics of soccer coaching approximately forever, I suspect. He’s a fixture in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic region and is a USSF ‘A’ licensed coach and referee. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1996. Of course I didn’t know any of […]
What Color is Your Fitness? Take the Quiz
What’s your fitness color? Really. Your fitness has a personality and a color. So says author Suzanne Brue, who wrote The 8 Colors of Fitness: Discover Your Color-Coded Fitness Personality and Create an Exercise Program You’ll Never Quit. Take her quiz here. Find out your “fitness color.” See if you agree. Author Suzanne Brue, building on the […]