Welcome & Introduction
I think the most difficult thing to write is the first sentence of the first entry. I have labored over this in my head — have told myself for months to do it (even years), but I finally decided to...
View ArticleCoaching Youth Soccer: 8v8 Formation Idea — Applying Spanish Team Tactics to...
So…let me start by saying that I have spent way too many hours thinking about this issue. While development is the goal, particularly in the small-sided years (anything below 11v11), does there exist...
View ArticleDribbling v. Carrying the Ball
I want to give credit to our Head Trainer, Thomas Shenton, who gave me the name for dribbling when you are not necessarily beating an attacker. Watching the Euros this summer, I couldn’t help but...
View ArticlePlayer Development Series: The Value of Tournament Play
When I first started coaching teams, as we advanced we quickly distanced ourselves from local competition. Being close to the Houston area, we used tournaments in Houston to find competitive matches...
View ArticleCan a parent-coach be a professional soccer coach?
***Note on this blog*** I realize now after writing this that I have wanted to get this out for a while. This is a bit more personal than my usual entries, but these ideas have been banging around my...
View ArticleParent-Coaching: Perspectives of an Elite Player’s Parent (College-Bound Player)
This comment was left to my post on Can a Parent-Coach be a Professional Coach. I received a lot of email regarding that post – Sam Snow, our U.S. Director of Coaches, distributed it to all 55 State...
View ArticleSoccer Camp Review: Manchester United Soccer Schools (“MUSS”)
We made the trip over the pond and took our 11-year-old to Manchester United Soccer School. This is a 6 day camp. The location of the boys camp was Denstone College – a Boarding School south of...
View Article12 Years In – The Most Important Question I Ever Ask A Player
OK, so those here know I am a lawyer. And, as a lawyer, I am actually a trial lawyer – the ones that go to court, object, cross examine, etc. I love a good question. One thing I loved about the...
View ArticleMVP of Premier League
Great article about “the most effect player in the EPL.” http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/22/football/kante-chelsea-roi-football-stats-win-percentage/ Love this article because of the point it makes....
View ArticleWhy You Should Have 2 Center-Mids in Small Sided Formations (9v9)
Our league (United Soccer Club) transitioned from 8v8 to 9v9 this year. In any event, in any league you play, you will encounter variations of small-sided games. As you balance development versus...
View Article