Commentary
TCM Survey: Youth soccer players who don’t practice at home are more likely to quit
Results from The Coaching Manual's survey.
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All Commentary Articles
It’s not about the revenue: Shawhan on USSF vs. USWNT
In the wake of the USWNT filing a gender-discrimination complaint with the EEOC, one idea, in particular, has dominated the response from U.S. Soccer and its defenders: revenue. If USMNT bring in more revenue than the USWNT, the argument goes, so it’s only fair they get paid more, too. Columnist Mark Shawhan takes a hard look at this idea.
Olympic failure another red flag: US players still too green on global scene
Gamesmanship is dyed into the wool of most established soccer cultures, particularly in Latin America. Yet on the field it remains distasteful, even outrageous, to most US and Canadian players and fans – and those two countries' national teams continue to suffer dearly for that enduring naivete, most recently the U.S. U-23s as their Olympic qualifying dream was crushed by Colombia, writes Charles Boehm.
Dure: “Development vs. winning” can be taken to extremes in youth soccer
“Development over winning” is a great philosophy. We’ve seen too many coaches who go to the other extreme, yelling themselves hoarse and refusing to let players figure out the game from different positions and perspectives. Like most philosophies, though, it can be taken to absurd lengths, writes Beau Dure.
RIP Johan Cruyff: Soccer pays tribute to an all-time legend
One of soccer's all-time greats passed away on Thursday, as Dutch legend Johan Cruyff succumbed to lung cancer at age 68. Tributes have flowed in from media outlets around the world, and deservingly so. Here's a brief sampling of some of our favorites.
Dure: USL coaches insist they’re not just farming for the future
Save the “winning vs. development” talk for youth soccer. USL coaches want to win. That’s the message as North America's third-tier professional league kicks off its 2016 season this weekend, writes Beau Dure.
Guest commentary: Will U.S. Soccer’s early-specialization decree trigger unintended consequences?
U.S. Soccer's new Girls Developmental Academy will mandate that players will not be allowed to play other sports or in other competitions, just like the boys version does. Guest columnist Skye Eddy Bruce wonders what athletic qualities will the young athletes affected by the DA soccer-only mandate have five to 10 years from now, when they are entering the college and professional ranks as a result of their non-participation in other sports?
Urban Soccer Symposium: What “Leveraging Sport for Social Change” really means
We talk a lot about developmental soccer. We have developmental programs and developmental leagues designed to help kids make progress on their skills, fitness, mental toughness and game play. We develop the sport, but what about developing the youth? It was something Dr. Wendy LeBolt had to take a second look at this weekend as she participated in the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s 10th annual Urban Soccer Symposium in Washington, D.C.
Dure: No full-time travel before age 12? Momentum is growing
Should the whole concept of "travel soccer" be limited to kids at U-12 and older? It's what some smart development experts have long suggested, and Beau Dure makes a strong case for the idea on his latest SoccerWire column.
