I am a former professional soccer player who’s produced collegiate & pro standouts, I have students ranked in the top 25 in the Nation in high school, committed to BIG 12 & PAC 10 schools as Freshmen & more. Since 2007, my focus has been the principles of long-term player development. LEARN MORE
Today, I’m honored to introduce a guest blogger to the GFT family: James ‘JR’ Reid. JR has been featured by some of today’s top authors, leaders, and speakers for his Champions Ranch™ Program. JR has worked with professional athletes and their families from all sports, including a 16-year old figure skating prodigy to some of the top names in Major…
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What most players learn when they are older [ages 17+] is that they weren’t as good as they thought they were. I recently watched a video of US Women’s National Team player, Crystal Dunn who said she learned when she was 17 that she was behind technically compared to other top players. She grew up as a top youth soccer…
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One of the most important things in youth soccer is how a soccer practice is organized. Below you’ll find some of the best ways to run a soccer team practice for any age or level. Whether it’s ages 6 and 7 year olds or ages 14-17, how a soccer practice is run will determine how much a player improves. Let’s…
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To have mental toughness in soccer takes both teaching and self-learning. You can be told, but if you don’t try, believe or want to learn it will be hard to have mental toughness in soccer. It’s a game of mistakes and you have to learn to deal with them and overcome tough times. Unfortunately soccer is a game that takes…
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The other day I read a quote that said “Youth coaches will impact more kids in 1 year, than most people will in a lifetime.” I remember growing up moving a lot. I was born in Texas, moved to Colorado and Michigan all by age 7. Once I was settled in Texas, I started to play sports. Besides my family from…
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