News
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Thoughts on the State of NCAA Soccer Recruitment from a College Coach
As an American soccer parent, I do worry about opportunities for my kids.I understand the concerns brought up in this X post.And yes, 22-year-old freshmen from top European academies are a unique issue in NCAA soccer.I get it.
The path to the top is muddled.
Just know, opportunities are there. -
"We will see fewer and fewer players with that self-confidence" - Lionel Scaloni on Robotic Footballers, Analysis, and Youth Development
Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's World Cup winning coach, bemoaned the state of analysis within the game and the negative impact on players, including our youth.
His criticism is fair, but not because analysis lacks value. Rather, the issue is with the application of analysis. Copy and paste, which is the norm in this global state of the game, misses the point.
So what is the point? Find out here.
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11 Steps to Create Your 20 School Universe
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When searching for college athletics programs, one common error I've seen is that potential student-athletes feel the need to maximize their option... -
College Contact Day – The Start of the Process, Not the End
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Breathe.
You heard me, class of 2024 soccer players and parents.
Take a deep breath and put College Contact Day into context.
June 15th is the earliest college coaches can contact rising juniors. Some of you will inevitably receive a call or email. Odds are you know the coach, have attended one of their camps, or are a nationally recognized player.
For those of you who were contacted, congratulations! This is merely the start of the college recruitment process.
For those who didn’t…take another deep breath.
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The Day Pfeiffer Played Clemson - NCAA D2 Men's Soccer Data Analysis
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What can the NCAA Division 2 Men's Soccer College Cup tell us about the average D2 roster? Lots. Using data from the tournament, this article shows the NCAA D2 Men's Soccer roster, positional, and class trends. This article is a recruitment tool to educate high school students on the realities of the collegiate game. -
4 Steps to Better Off the Ball Movement
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Coaching movement off the ball is really difficult. The context of the game is constantly changing. New realities emerge, then disappear in an instant.
But, as Johan Cruyff said, “soccer is a thinking game and the feet are the tools.” So how can we train players to break bad habits and move with greater intent off the ball? This post explores that topic. -
10 Tips for Battling the Grind
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Preseason is a grind. Managing the grind with outside interests and pursuits isn’t an obstacle to fulfilment. Rather, those core values and desires give meaning to our professional and playing pursuits. Here are 10 tips to managing the grind as you pursue greatness. -
The One Area Teams Always Feel They Need to Improve
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When teams struggle with communication, it’s not the act of verbalizing that’s an issue…it’s the quality and clarity of the thoughts conveyed.
Communication starts with a thought.
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My Kids Aren’t Allowed to Kick the Ball – The Importance of Soccer’s Attacking Lingo
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My kids are entry-level aged. They love playing soccer, racking up hours of 1v1 games and shooting competitions each day. Our living room has becom... -
Self-Training: Athlete Development That Goes Beyond Soccer Performance
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Let’s continue with the theme of summer training opportunities for youth soccer players.
In last week’s blog post, we covered private training. We’re going right back to topics covered in The Soccer Parenting Handbook this week, looking at alternative training options.
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Thinking about Private Soccer Training This Summer? Here’s What You Need to Know
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School is out, the club soccer season has come to an end, and your kids have loads of free time. Did that sentence make your heart skip a beat? Su...
