Youth Soccer Fun http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/ en Copyright 2010 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:48:36 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Xavi: So good you can hear it Xavi, Spain's 30-year-old midfield maestro, has played with just one club, Barcelona, since age 11. His memory of one youth coach helps explain the smooth passing style of Spain's World Cup team, which is stocked with products of Barca's youth program.

By Mike Woitalla (from SoccerAmericaDaily)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/07/xavi_so_good_you_can_hear_it.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/07/xavi_so_good_you_can_hear_it.html Profiles Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:48:36 -0800 High school soccer still gets short shrift Long gone are the days when soccer in the USA existed on the fringes. Its massive popularity among the nation's youth, among other factors, moved it deep into the American mainstream. So it's easy to forget there are still battles to be won.

By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/05/post_1.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/05/post_1.html Commentary Sun, 30 May 2010 16:47:54 -0800 How Reyna can really make a difference When U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati announced the hiring of Claudio Reyna as Youth Technical Director, they spoke much of learning about player development from foreign clubs. That's the least crucial element of Reyna's quest to improve the youth soccer environment in the USA.

By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/04/how_reyna_can_really_make_a_di.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/04/how_reyna_can_really_make_a_di.html Commentary Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:17:48 -0800 The Professionalization of Youth Soccer ... By Mike Woitalla (from PLAYSOCCER Magazine)

I thought it must have been some kind of mistake. E-mails were being sent out to the wrong address list or something. There's just no way that 7-year-olds were being invited to soccer tryouts, I figured.
But it was true.

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/04/the_professionalization_of_you.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/04/the_professionalization_of_you.html Health & Fitness Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:39:01 -0800 'Most important is scoring' The youth coach faces many formidable tasks. Carrying a net full of soccer balls, a big duffle bag, the fold-out bench and pop-up goals from the parking lot to the field - that's no mean feat. But probably the most critical challenge for the youth coach is how to use the limited practice time in the most productive manner.

By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/03/most_important_is_scoring.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/03/most_important_is_scoring.html Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:16:33 -0800 From the kids, literally
By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/02/from_the_kids_literally.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/02/from_the_kids_literally.html Commentary Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:46:08 -0800 Adults and their funny instructions By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/01/adults_and_their_funny_instruc.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2010/01/adults_and_their_funny_instruc.html Commentary Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:40:55 -0800 A Nation Gone Tournament Mad If you've been wondering why tournament play has become such a major part of the youth soccer experience, follow the money.

By Mike Woitalla (Soccer America Magazine)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/12/_a_nation_gone_tournament_mad.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/12/_a_nation_gone_tournament_mad.html Commentary Tue, 08 Dec 2009 07:56:38 -0800 On sideline screaming ... "Unfortunately, our children are granted far less adult-free playtime than previous generations, and the pickup game has become a rarity. Soccer, because it is a safe, simple game, can serve as a substitute for the free play that today's children are being denied -- if adults learn to keep their mouths shut." ... From an interview on parent behavior at youth games I did with momlogic.com.

-- Mike W.

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/10/on_sideline_screaming.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/10/on_sideline_screaming.html Further Reading Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:43:31 -0800 Getting the most out of the best For a decade now, U.S. Soccer has put the nation's top young boy players into its U-17 Residency Program. For the last two years, they have been mentored by Colombian World Cup veteran Wilmer Cabrera, who takes them to the U-17 world championship in October.

By Mike Woitalla (from the October 2009 issue of Soccer America)

When the players at the U-17 Residency Program hit the field for their daily practice session, they are first met one-on-one by the coaches.

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/10/getting_the_most_out_of_the_be.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/10/getting_the_most_out_of_the_be.html Youth Development Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:47:52 -0800 Why is scrimmage dessert? By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

It seems to be conventional wisdom that scrimmaging - letting children actually play soccer - is something that should happen only at the end of practice. It's promised to them like a dessert, the reward for eating the broccoli.


]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/10/why_is_scrimmage_dessert.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/10/why_is_scrimmage_dessert.html Coaching and Player Tips Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:17:53 -0800 For Kids Only ... By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

This column is for the kids. Adults can stop reading now

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/09/for_kids_only.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/09/for_kids_only.html Commentary Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:27:01 -0800 The Real Problem with Women's Pro Soccer The first season of the Women's Professional Soccer league produced smaller crowds and bigger financial losses than anticipated. Of course, the nation's economic downturn has been blamed, and the analyses of the league's struggles have focused on off-the-field issues.

By Mike Woitalla (from Soccer America Magazine's Youth Insider)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/09/the_real_problem_with_womens_p.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/09/the_real_problem_with_womens_p.html Commentary Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:17:53 -0800 The Internet Impact The game will always be played on the field, but everything that leads up to it has become easier thanks to high technology.

By Mike Woitalla (from the September 2009 issue of Soccer America)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/09/the_internet_impact.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/09/the_internet_impact.html Commentary Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:14:12 -0800 Getting 'em while they're young The age at which players are being offered college scholarships is getting younger and younger. Not everyone believes it's a healthy trend.

By Mike Woitalla (from the August 2009 issue of Soccer America)

]]> http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/08/getting_em_while_theyre_young.html http://www.youthsoccerfun.com/2009/08/getting_em_while_theyre_young.html Commentary Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:08:31 -0800