The future of Bob Bradley with the U.S. National Team is still uncertain. His contract is up at the end of the year and although it seems like Bradley has met with US Soccer about the future, nothing has happened yet. Personally I like Bob Bradley. I observed a few of his training sessions during
Continue readingHolding practice during the late summer in preparation for the fall league and tournament season means that you’re dealing with the potential of extreme heat and humidity. As adults we have to be careful about being outside when the combination of heat and humidity drive the heat index above 100 degrees. Children are particularly vulnerable
Continue readingToday's post is from guest blogger, Lawrence Fine. Fine is the author of four of our weekly email newsletters and a number of top selling coaching books. I was a good patient and therefore I can be a doctor. I can drive a car and therefore I can manufacture an automobile. I like to eat
Continue readingFirst, I wanted to announce that Bill Arrandale, is the latest winner of our $100 books/DVDs prize. Bill, if you contact me by email, I will give you the details of how you can claim your prize. Remember, don't just read the blog, post a comment. If you post a comment, you are automatically entered
Continue readingI've always liked the way that Anson Dorrance attempts to quantify everything that his teams do in practice. Keeping score creates motivation and encourages a competitive attitude better than anything else. This also creates a benchmark that you can test against later in the season to gauge how effective your training sessions have been in
Continue readingI have thought for years that the games top players play too many games. As a young kid, I used to follow Leeds United in the 70's and they used to have the same line up pretty much week in week out, unless there was an injury. Now with the additional European games, more international
Continue readingYears ago, a contract was a contract. If a player was in the middle of a contract with his team, he stayed there. If he wanted to leave and go elsewhere, it only happened if his team allowed it or wanted it to happen. But over time, things have gradually changed to a point where
Continue readingAs 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
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