Most will agree that possession style soccer passing is far more pretty than long ball. Anyone can just kick the ball, while few can pass with purpose. Players need to know when to hit the long ball, through ball or simply play it back. You need to have good vision on the field and know where the numerical advantages are….
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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 at 17 that she was behind technically compared to other top players. She grew up as a top youth soccer player – dominating…
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One of the most important things in youth soccer is how a soccer practice is organized. Splitting your practice into 3 stages, 20 minutes each stage. Example: Technical, tactical, scrimmage. 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 – 7 or 14-17, how a soccer practice…
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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.” Growing up I moving a lot. 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 grandparents, aunts,…
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Understanding which youth soccer league is best for you in each age group is important. Please remember I am speaking to a national audience, so I’ll touch on most levels and ages from 6-17. U-10 is where many parents find out that youth club soccer is a bigger deal than they thought. The biggest problem for U10-13 is, many parents think…
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