As August approaches many teams in the Midwest United States are starting their preseason program, including my U12 girls. At this age I think it’s important for the kids to have a break during the summer months and have time to just be a kid. This makes preseason even more important because I need to
Continue readingLast night I watched (on TV) the KC Wizards (my home team) v Man U game. Over the years I have often wondered how to put into perspective the results of these exhibition games and I still struggle with it. On one hand, the Wizards played well and deserved to win...a tie at worst. From
Continue readingI have been on record (prior to the World Cup, so not an excuse) as saying that one of the reasons England struggle in World Cups and Euro Championships is that the players are physically worn out from a season in the English Premier League. Note, I said "one" of the reasons. There are other
Continue readingToday is an article by guest blogger,Vinicius Dos Santos. Vinicius is the author of our best selling book and DVD, the Brazilian Box Midfield. Speaking from the heart to US Soccer on how to win the World Cup The joy of the task of playing the game of soccer is its own reward. The performance
Continue readingToday is an article by guest blogger, Andy Barney. Barney is the president of Legends Soccer Club and Happy feet and writes his own blog here. In youth soccer coaching culture we are seeing an ever greater divide between potential optimizing methods of teaching and its antithesis where coaches use their players to achieve short-term
Continue readingToday is an article by guest blogger, Stephen Constantine. A UEFA Pro License Holder & FIFA Instructor, Constantine is the manager of Apep FC in the Cyprus 1st Division and the author of the book, A Year In the Championship from his time at Millwall F.C. Well so much for the total football that Dutch
Continue readingToday is another article by guest blogger, Terry Michler. Terry is the nation's winningest high school coach with over 800 wins at CBC High School in St. Louis. Terry is also the author of these books, Dutch Total Football, Coaching Soccer Champions, Full Season Training Program - Elite Team and is the subject of our
Continue readingToday is an article by guest blogger, Alex Mason. Mason is the Director of Coaching for Omaha F.C. England’s slow road to failure With so many experts, coaches, fans, and critics all trying to understand the downfall of the English game, I wanted to add some thoughts. Without a doubt the game was modernized by
Continue readingToday is an article by guest blogger, Terry Michler. Terry is the nation's winningest high school coach with over 800 wins at CBC High School in St. Louis. Terry is also the author of these books, Dutch Total Football, Coaching Soccer Champions, Full Season Training Program - Elite Team and is the subject of our
Continue readingToday I have some random World Cup thoughts. 1. How come Germany manages to over exceed expectations at the World Cup. I can't remember the last time they had a "bad" World Cup. Of course, they don't win it every year, but they seem to always do well or better than expected. This WC is
Continue readingWell, it's finally got to the stage where I have to say something. I am steadily losing my respect for the "Beautiful Game". I am finding it difficult to enjoy watching any soccer game lately...including these World Cup games. Actually, when I think about it, it's been bothering me for years and I suppose it
Continue readingMost people I talk with, think Argentina will win the World Cup or it will take a special effort from a special team to beat them. Let's face it, Messi is on fire as is Tevez. They have other players playing exceptionally well. And the team chemistry seems wonderful. Maradonna, seems to have a great
Continue readingA 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
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