It is all too exciting to see a professional soccer player take the ball away from an opposing player with a slide tackle. The timing, the strength and the grace of a slide tackle are beautiful to watch. Naturally, youth soccer players want to imitate what they see the pros doing. But is it safe?…
Youth soccer clubs have been around for years. Many of us grew up playing in a youth club of some sort. We paid our fees and played with our friends. Then, we had to buy our uniforms and travel to regional tournaments. And then you start to wonder – where does that money go? Do…
Soccer leagues everywhere support players of all skill sets, with those players constantly looking to develop their skills to become the best they can be. With soccer being one of the most popular sports globally, many younger players are starting to set their sights on becoming much more skilled than ever before. One way this…
Youth soccer involves a lot of running (for just how much, take a look at How Far Do Youth Soccer Players Run in a Game?). Consequently, youth soccer players will get tired and need to be substituted at times. Also, many recreational youth soccer leagues will require a certain amount of participation for every player…
Many soccer parents imagine their kid is going to be the next Lionel Messi or Alex Morgan and tear up the soccer world, but, at a young age, how do you know your kid is good at soccer? What signs should you be looking for that your child may be special and need a little…
Starting at about the U13 age group, high level soccer players will likely be faced with a number of options to choose from for continuing their accelerated soccer development. But, determining which of these options is best for a particular player can be very difficult and confusing. Which youth soccer league is the best in…
Soccer camps sure sound like a lot of fun. Everybody loves a “camp”, and these promise soccer development and identification under the watchful eyes of some apparently preeminent and well-qualified coaches — for a price. But are soccer camps worth the time and money? Unfortunately, usually the answer is no. Two Types of Soccer Camps…
Soccer cleats are a weakness of mine – in a good way. I love shopping for and purchasing cleats. When I was a kid, soccer cleats were usually black and nondescript. Now, they’re full of color with some fantastic designs and interesting technologies. That said, cleats should be matched to the playing surfaces — especially…
As with most youth sports, soccer is a balancing act. You want your player to develop without burning out. You want to push your player’s limits without injuring them. It’s difficult to know where to draw the line – what is optimal. So, how often should kids practice soccer? US Youth Soccer recommends the following…
Soccer is a very active sport that involves a LOT of running. If fitness is one of your goals in picking a sport for your child, soccer is a great activity. But, how many miles do soccer players run in a game? Youth soccer players can run between 2 miles and 10 miles in a…