Commentary
TCM Survey: Youth soccer players who don’t practice at home are more likely to quit
Results from The Coaching Manual's survey.
Read More
All Commentary Articles
Four reasons why ‘Adultification’ of youth sports is hurting kids
"Changing the Game Project" founder John O'Sullivan explains four specific ways "Adultification" manifests itself in youth sports: The push to become “elite” at younger ages, over and under-emphasis on winning, the discouragement of enjoyment and treating youth sports as a means to an end.
Hummer: ‘Club-centric’ is more than a buzzword – and the proof is on the field
Amid the game’s decades of explosive growth here, plenty of youth leagues (and tournaments) have had it pretty easy, especially on the girls’ side. But a multi-year groundswell of frustration is cresting in the form of the “club-centric” movement, a development-oriented approach which continues to challenge incumbent organizations in an increasingly competitive youth soccer environment, writes SoccerWire.com Executive Editor Chris Hummer.
NPR’s Frank Deford says “Americans don’t care about Major League Soccer”
NPR sports commentator Frank Deford struck a nerve with the American soccer community on Wednesday morning with the release of a piece entitled "Americans Don't Care About Major League Soccer".
LeBolt: Real parents don’t need instructions
“Kids don’t come with instructions.” That’s often the lament of parents frustrated by kid behavior that’s unexplainable, writes Dr. Wendy LeBolt in her latest column, explaining that this is actually less of a challenge and more of a blessing.
Dougherty: Over-coached college basketball can’t measure up to The Beautiful Game
Columnist Joe Dougherty compares the role of coaches on the sideline in soccer to college basketball, and explains why he will take the free-flowing nature of "The Beautiful Game" over the stop-and-go, often over-coached game of basketball every time.
LeBolt: Let’s talk about “the unmentionables”
After spectating on a particularly soaking day on the pitch, a friend asked Dr. Wendy LeBolt, "Why do so many girls teams wear white? I don't really want to know the color of every player's sports bra." That exchange inspired LeBolt's latest column, a heartfelt take on body image, self-confidence and related challenges facing adolescent athletes in our society.
Canceling a youth soccer tournament is no easy decision
Columnist Joe Dougherty spoke with Arlington SA Tournaments & Events Director Jerry Ellison to provide an inside look at what tournament directors go through when bad weather hits and it's 'decision time' leading up to an event.
Why more coaches should use ‘The Coerver Method’ for soccer player development
Columnist Joe Dougherty advocates for the 'The Coerver Method', a player development philosophy focused on individual skill progression and tactical awareness. It was created by deceased Dutch coach and player Wiel Coerver, inspired by Pele and mastered by current Dutch superstar Arjen Robben.
