How to Show Well in the Soccer Showcase: here’s what coaches are looking for

Showcase…just the word puts you on guard. You’re the center of things. On the big field, the feature field, the stadium field, the special turf. Coaches come from far and wide to watch you play. You know who they are, … Continue reading

Len Oliver Can Predict Your Playing Position by Your Personality

  Len Oliver has been playing and teaching the basics of soccer coaching approximately forever, I suspect. He’s a fixture in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic region and is a USSF ‘A’ licensed coach and referee. He was inducted into … Continue reading

Core Fitness: Plank Exercises for a Strong Core

Don’t have an exercise ball? No problem. All you need is your body and a padded but solid surface. (And I’ recommend securing your pets in another room. My husky sometimes gets a bit “too helpful.”) Let me first distinguish … Continue reading

Core Fitness: Fitness Ball Exercises for a Strong Core

In my previous post called “Who Needs Core Fitness?” I made the case for the central role (no pun intended) for core strength in your body’s ability to move efficiently and hold still effectively. Sports require we are both stable … Continue reading

What Kind of Kid is Soccer Making Them?

“What is best for youth soccer development?” I keep reading this question. It’s all over the news, the wires, the blogs? I get it. We’re trying to figure out what will build our soccer programs in this country. What will put winning … Continue reading

Two Sports in the Same Season: What Can We Do?

Two sports in the same season, it doesn’t end. We just switch which team gets dibs on our kids. Now that fall soccer is over we head into the winter season. The fall soccer players are taking on winter sports, … Continue reading

Youth Soccer Cross-Over Programs: Is My Kid Ready for More?

She’s always where the ball is. She’s aggressive. Nothing gets past her. Other players defer to her on the field. She scores 4 goals single-handedly. You cheer. You smile. She’s only six years old, but you are sure she’s headed … Continue reading

Soccer Stretches for Coaches and Athletes

These stretches will take just a  few  minutes after each practice and game, but it’s time well spent. One coach contacted me to say his biggest challenge was parents who would want to whisk their kids away. Yes, we are … Continue reading