A few weeks ago I wrote a post about Team Chemistry here. This World Cup gives me an opportunity to add to that post. Four teams from the World Cup are worth considering when looking at team chemistry and how it can effect their performances. On the bad side we can learn from France, Italy
Continue readingWith the Fourth of July weekend coming up most teams in the U.S. are on their summer break, except for those elite teams that are still participating in US Youth Soccer Regionals or have advanced to the Nationals. This month long break gives the players (and coaches!) a much needed break from the regular practice,
Continue readingEngland's highly paid players played well and put in a good performance beating Germany 2-0. In the quarter final, England got revenge for Maradonna's Hand of God goal in 86' World Cup by beating Argentina on a penalty kick from a phantom handball by Messi in his own box...Oh wait, that was the dream, reality
Continue readingLast week I gave examples of formations that you can use in the 6v6 format that is used in many areas of the US for U9 and U10 teams. You don't have too much flexibility when there are only six players on your team. With the 8v8 format you can do a number of things
Continue readingWhew! Some background. I was born and lived in England for the first 30 years of my life. Watched all the World Cups over the years. Used to stay up late or get up early when young and when I started work, I used to take vacation time or suddenly become sick for a couple
Continue readingI think it's time to rethink the archaic disciplinary system used in soccer all over the world. It just seems that the thin line between getting a yellow card or not or a red card or not, is just too fine when you consider the punishment. Let's take a look at a red card for
Continue readingI don't want this to turn into a "England" blog, but once they are knocked out of the World Cup, that will be that, so I might as well say what I want to say now while I have the chance. In the cold light of day, and after sleeping on it, I have to
Continue readingFirst, let's start with the Germany v Serbia game. Many people are saying it is a shock result. But I don't see it that way. Germany are okay but not as strong as the last two World Cups. They are young as well. I don't see them as a threat to win the whole thing
Continue readingThere are many books and dvds that discuss the different formations that can be played in the 11v11 game but I haven't seen that much discussion about how coaches organize their players when playing 6v6 or 8v8. While there are some areas that use 7v7 and 9v9, the former are the two most common formats
Continue readingOkay, I must admit, the England v USA game went pretty much as I expected. England playing poorly, USA playing better than many give them credit for and England finding a way to self destruct. As I said last week, England seem to only have one world class player (in form, which rules out Gerrard)
Continue readingOkay, so the World Cup has begun. I've actually been so incredibly busy over the past few weeks both at home and work, that I haven't had the usual anxious feelings of looking forward to the first game. But now the first game is done and in the books, I can't wait for the other
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Most coaches I know use some variation of a 5 v 2 keep away game in a limited area. I've never liked 5 v 2 as a teaching tool because I have always felt that it was too static. Anson Dorrance did a great demonstration at our International Seminar a few years ago where he
Continue readingI'm getting World Cup fever. Not sure why, England always seem to find a way to disappoint. Here are some personal memories of the World Cups I have enjoyed. I was born in 1962, so I have no memories of England's win in 1966 and 1970 was the first World Cup I remember. 1970 -
Continue readingThe start of a session sets the tone for the day, focuses the players on soccer and gets their body ready for physical activity. With younger teams (U12 and below) I like to start with a game that relates to the topic I'll be teaching. One of my favorites for days that we are working
Continue readingThere are a two main reasons (excuses) that England rarely do well in the World Cup or Euro Championships. I actually agree with both of them. Weather - The majority of the English season is spent in cool or cold temperatures with wind and rain. Obviously the training sessions are done in the same weather.
Continue readingIn the last week of May many teams enter their final week of practice before the end of the league season and end of the year tournaments. At least this is the case for our teams in the Midwest. If a team is not participating in State Cup and are one week away from the
Continue readingOkay, it's only another Champions League title (can it be described that way?), but my opinion of Jose Mourinho have sky rocketed after Inter won the Champions League this weekend. The "Special One" can certainly be described that way now. Let's look at some reasons why. He has generated success with three different clubs, winning
Continue readingCongratulations to Brian Mancill who was the winner of the $100 worth of books and DVDs for posting a comment on this blog. We decided on a blind draw for the first winner and I guess Brian got lucky. Brian will now get a certificate for $100 worth of books and DVDs of his choosing
Continue readingI wrote about the special intensity and atmosphere at playoff games earlier. There is just something special about the all or nothing outcomes of these games that make them such a pressure game that isn't replicated in cup finals. I am writing this on Friday night, so it is before the Champions League final and
Continue readingIn the current issue of the NSCAA Soccer Journal, Editor, Dr. Jay Martin discusses what he sees as the difference between a "Coach" and a "Trainer". His thought is that a trainer can possibly set up a drill/exercise or even plan a training session, but can't really coach that session. Whereas the coach can set
Continue readingWhile I was planning my sessions for this week I thought about how lucky I am to have access to a wide variety of goals. My club trains at the Overland Park Soccer Complex which will host the 2010 US Youth Soccer National Championship. There are 12 lighted Tiger Turf fields that each have as
Continue readingOver the years, I have begun to realize the importance of "team chemistry" as being a major component of a successful team. Over the weekend, I saw an article about William Gallas of Arsenal and the conflicts he has with some of the Arsenal players. Teammate Samir Nasri, says that there are 4-5 Arsenal players
Continue readingSince I was kid, I have always enjoyed playing the game of choosing who you would pick as the first player in your team. Not for the kick about game but when picking a team of the best players in the world...or for the England team. So let me get right to it. The first
Continue readingIf you asked a group of 100 players to list their 5 favorite practices I don't think that 'Long Passing' would show up on the list. The activity itself is not intrinsically fun or exciting. But you can make it challenging and competitive if you turn it into a game. It's important to first make
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