We asked The NAIA Conference Coach of the Year many questions regarding youth and collegiate soccer. The second question we ask is if WINNING between U9 - U18 is IMPORTANT. His answer? Listen to find out.
We've all talked about how PAY to PLAY is bad for youth sports and it just simply ruins the development. I COMPLETELY agree. However, today, I will explain to you - WHY Pay to PLAY actually exists. There are two main options for organizations when it comes to operating: Pay to Play vs Compensation For Formation There is always a COST associated with playing sports, both models have different individuals PAYING for that cost. Learn how.
I get this question a lot, 'I feel like I am a good technical player with a strong footballing knowledge; what am I missing? CHARISMA. PERSONALITY. THAT INNER FIRE. Zlatan said the following after signing for Manchester United, "I admire Cantona, I heard what he said. But I won't be the KING of Manchester. I will be the GOD of Manchester." He's a perfect example of that CHARISMA. PERSONALITY. THAT FIRE. HE WANTS IT. He's a Winner. "Winner's want the ball when the game is on the line." Find out h...
a FFF scout said the following, players don't make the grade due to a lack of talent. No, they fail because they do not have the mental fortitude or HUNGER to fight through adversity. Here is a PART of my FUTURE PRO CHECKLIST. Get the Future PRO Player Checklist https://www.signnowsports.com/myprodream Get access to the FREE (for a LIMITED TIME) College Recruiting Course https://www.signnowsports.com/collegerecruiting...
USA vs France - I will discuss what is better known in French Football as "Concrete Football" or street football. This is a major part of the inter-city players; I remember living right outside Saint-Ettiene and being able to walk 5-minutes and see about 5-7 different types of fields from grass to concrete, rubber to turf and all different sizes as well. The street is a major component of the identity of French football as many world-class players grew up playing in the street with no coaches, n...
After signing his FIRST PRO contract - Sanjay discusses the realities of PRO football and even shares what you need to make it. A key being the INNER FIRE and PASSION to want to make your DREAM a reality. Sanjay even dives into the next steps after becoming a PRO. The next level of WORK just begins. The GRIND is a lifestyle. Listen to LEARN more.
“If you are not willing to own a stock for 10 years, do not even think about owning it for 10 minutes.” - I live in America and most individuals listening are American and we all love business. So here is my take on Why Player Development is Like The Stock market. For me, with my minimal education in the stock market, there are two main options when owning stocks: Short-Term and Long-Term. The market is volatile and will change many times of the course of a year up and down; but in the long-term...
Football's Secret Weapon? Find out what it is and how to take the Challenge I set forth in this episode. By 14 years old, if you can complete it, you have 1 FOOT through the door at WORLD FAMOUS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM in France. The Key? Technique. Read about the David Beckham article here: https://www.soccermastermind.com/soccer-training-or-the-ipad/?fbclid=IwAR0wrJgAs1KtgUQk3fYBNmm_V85WDEVZ3rlbcw3bcHzFZME5avOiz39mBAw...
Just like the title says, Are you good enough? Listen to find out how scouts determine if you really are GOOD enough for whatever level you're trying to reach: High School, College, Pro Academy, Professional WARNING! You may be SHOCKED.
This is a trick question... and you're probably confused by the title. What that on purpose? Yes. I really want you to answer the question, how many TEAMS (NOT PLAYERS) have signed PRO contracts? The answer may surprise you. Or not. However, so many FACTS are dropped in this episode. It truly ANSWERS the question about #ThePROJourney development process. Enjoy.
USA vs Holland - Welcome to the series where I start diving into specific differences between cultures. In this scenario, I discuss a specific club in Holland that is producing elite talent through their academy: AZ Alkmaar. For example, their captain is an academy graduate who is 22-years old. Their top goal-scorer is a 19-year-old academy graduate. AZ actually has an objective of at least 50% of their first-team squad members to be academy graduates. In the 2019-2020 season, they smashed it wi...
Welcome to U12! This is a fun age group as lots of details change, although, from a training standpoint, it will be identical to U11, with a bit more complexity and difficulty in training exercises. It is all about developing individual creativity and COMPETITIVENESS to win playing a good brand of football (possession). Players must be introduced to the 15 technical elements and continue to refine the ones from past age groups. If the same group of players has been training, the fluidity of the ...
In this episode, I dive into what I believe from an overview standpoint should be taught at U11 (ASSUMING) that the players have been taught correctly at the U9 and U10 age groups. This will be their first year of 9v9 and another major adjustment will be needed to prepare to play possession and quality football from the start as all other teams will utilize kickball. Players need to be introduced to the 15 technical elements recommended at U11.
Listen to Sanjay Karim and Brazil Clarke, who both play high-level football. Sanjay recently signed his FIRST PRO contract for Bangladesh Police FC and is currently on the radar for the Bangladesh Senior National Team and Brazil plays for JWU Women's Soccer in Miami. Listen to their stories regarding GRINDING their way through to reach their current level of play. Sanjay in particular shares tremendous insight into the life of being a PRO and what it really takes to make it.
In this episode, I break down U10 and what I believe is the critical developmental structure players at this age group need including maximum repetitions of 1v1 play and technique! There are 30 technical elements that must be introduced at this age group. Listen to learn. :)
Practically every single organization related to soccer has a mission statement, and I recommend you evaluate your club's mission statement and clubs you will be trying out for as this will give you a MAJOR indication of what kind of training and game environment to expect. 90% are not centered around developing the next PRO; they are focusing on providing an experience for soccer. If your son/daughter is coming to you and wanting to be a PRO, you need to find an organization that matches. Read ...
In this episode, I discuss what I believe is critical for U9 players to be developing during their critical formation years to have the future potential to become elite football players. For example, there are 28 technical elements that players need to be introduced too. Learn about my recommendations by listening!
For parents and players, there are what I consider three-player categories to provide an overview of a player level in youth soccer: Beginner --- Intermediate --- Advanced --- Listen to the following information to have a better understanding of where your player is. There are outliers to the following, but understanding this is a general template.
In this series of episodes, you will learn about what I believe is critical for players to learn during specific age group years from U9 t0 U18 covering technical, tactical, physical, mental, discipline and charisma development they need to achieve to become strong future football players. Sit back, relax and let's enjoy the ride!
Make sure to get a pen and paper out. As I am going to share with you the MOST IMPORTANT question that you need to ask club officials and/or the coach at your next tryout. If you have a son/daughter or you are the player that WANTS to go and play professionally in the future. This question is critical! This will give you either the positive or negative confirmation you need to make the best-informed decisions. The following quote from a former PRO Club Manager in Croatia should give you a bit of...
We have a cultural football (soccer) problem in the United States. Most of our players do NOT love the game. If you go to places around Europe or South America. These cultures live, breath and repeat football every single day. It was the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where I got my 'AHA' moment and truly fell in love with the game. For young players, you need to find your moment so that you love the game. That way you dedicated your life to wanting to be successful in it to make your dream a reality. Wit...
You know what I am talking about, the club tryout and they are RIGHT around the corner. Do your research and be prepared. The biggest disaster probably in youth soccer. Players get lined up, put pennies on, do a quick warmup and then scrimmage the remaining duration for an hour and 20 minutes; while all the coaches stand there with a clipboard and discuss internally and share a few laughs. Vince Lombardi said, "Winning isn't everything, but making the effort to win is." The same principle applie...
Many young players talk about wanting to BECOME PRO. In this episode, I break down the 6 CRITICAL Characteristics a player needs to become a PRO and to play with their IDOLS - The Messi's, Ronaldo's, Neymars. 1) Technique 2) Tactical 3) Physical 4) Mental 5) Discipline 6) Charisma
You read that right. The DA has pulled a Star Wars Episode 9. Emporer Sidious died in Episode 6 but return in episode 9. He created the Empire in 4, 5 and 6. It collapsed. He rebuilt under a new umbrella called the First Order and then re-released into the Final Order. The DA is following the same path. The Development Academy has collapsed and 5-minutes later the MLS announced a new league that will include MLS academies and TOP non-MLS programs in this league. You don't believe this has been i...
Killed in Action. The Development Academy or better known as the DA is closed. Many principles about the DA were fantastic, however, there have been rumors circulating for about a week the DA is closing. There have been talks for about 2-3 years about necessary changes to the DA, but now with the CoronaVirus (COVID-19) - no official announcement as of yet has been made, but if it's true - the DA failed. The Objective of the DA was to develop WORLD CLASS PLAYERS - which is the main message on the...
Ah yes. This topic. One of the greatest and well-discussed problems in youth soccer. Let me be honest, clubs WILL NOT make a change because if they centered on the development of players, they would LOSE money. The average parent believes winning is what is necessary for development. While winning is important, it's not the only detail that matters. In fact, in my opinion, there are 6 qualities a player needs to master to reach the highest level of the game. Technique, Tactical, Mental, Physical...
In this episode, I discuss everything wrong with 'FANCY' and how we seemingly have this obsession with the LOVE of the ball and not the LOVE of the game. Players rather spend time or are spending time doing TONS of skills work with repetition of skills, skills or move skills. The whole purposes of the a skill is 1 of 2 things: 1) Beat an Opponent 2) Get away from an Opponent Too many players are trapped by doing skill work, skill work and more skill work, but they do NOT learn STEP 2 and STEP 3 ...
I wanted to DIVE into why America has been a SUPER POWER of Basketball. What you maybe did NOT know as well is that basketball is directly related to soccer (football) and futsal. In my research, I found that there were four(4) primary reasons for the success of American basketball. 1) SSGs - ALWAYS under 5v5 2) Accessability to play in the STREET 3) Competitive Drive 4) FUNDAMENTALS The first 3 lead to the LOVE of the game. American basketball players LOVE the game. They spend time every day pl...
What I am going to discuss with you may seem radical, however, I feel we are at a POINT where radical changes are necessary for the survival and regrowth of this game. For the United States to truly take OFF. I am sharing with you my US Soccer Mandate. There will be a written report on this, but I needed to at least discuss it since my last episode highlighted all the issues. This will be segmented into two separate episodes as there is simply too much information to discuss. I feel that to star...
This is my MOST HONEST and BRUTUAL EPISODE YET...US ⚽ Grassroots is FLAWED and is DESIGNED for you to fail; that is if you want to play at the highest level in the world. There are 3 main reasons for this: 1) American Clubs develop players for the MLS a (TOP 20 league) and NOT TOP 5 Leagues (PL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1) 2) $$$$$ 3) Clubs across the country are NOT delivering As of now, if you're goal is to play at the highest level in the World. You're best chance to have a SHOT at...
