On The Pitch

Here is a neat idea for a coaches gift to preserve memories from the previous season

One of the fundamental teaching points of the USSF National Youth License is ‘age appropriate activities’ – ensuring players are taught in a way they can comprehend. This varies based on their age. Dr Ron Quinn’s research serves as part of the foundation of current USYSA thinking about youth soccer player development.

The debate over what hydrates the body better – water or Gatorade – likely will never be settled. But when you look at the consumption habits of children in sports, they consume MUCH more of one than the other, helping them stay hydrated.

Earlier this Spring, the US Youth Soccer Association published a vision for Youth Soccer in America. Much of what is laid out in this document if forming the basis for changes being advocated nationally. So let’s read the vision and debate it a bit!

Part of the fun of being a youth soccer blogger is finding other sites from other youth soccer coaches and parents.

This past season was definitely one of the busiest ever for me, because I couldn’t learn to say no. Was worth every second.

Anson Dorrance’s storied UNC Women’s Soccer program is built around the ‘Competitive Cauldron’, something SoccerDad hopes to adapt for his youth soccer players.

Everyone knows U5/3v3 is mainly ’swarm ball’, but not always…

For decades, parents have been convinced by the media that we’re ruining our kid’s lives by having them participate in too many activities. Yet new data shows that may not really be the case.

I may not have been able to write like I wanted to, but my summer certainly hasn’t been boring!

SoccerDad shares a funny comment made during a recent U12 soccer match in the heart of NASCAR country.

As the risk of a H1N1 or swine flu pandemic increases, soccer leagues should be thinking about how they will handle an outbreak if it occurs. Parents will be getting very nervous if this continues and leagues should be ready to answer their questions and know where to look for valuable information and direction.