Can a young player who is slow become fast later on?

She grew up playing with and against boys, it’s obvious. The body shape, posture, movement, scanning, aggression, attitude. All of it.

Cavan Sullivan ticks so many boxes for optimal player development: - engaged with a ball before he was 2 - father was a pro, mum played college - multiple siblings to compete against - joined pro academy aged 10 - played ‘up’ 2 years against older kids

This one almost looks like a magic trick. Has anyone ever done it in a game?

This is how great teammates respond. No questions, just loyalty and unity. Like Arsenal?

The belief/psychological part is crucial 🙏

Does this kind of training improve a player or just provide good clips for social media? Everton’s Ndiaye is having a fantastic season so far.

Mateta doing his ‘ball and wall’ work

Not a huge fan of crazy tricks but this one is very smooth.

So much value in practicing barefoot. Develop a touch like this and your confidence will skyrocket.

Clip from Episode 3 of the Youth Soccer Podcast, links below. This episode will be released on Monday 10 Nov. Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/4j6HM1…

“My kid didn’t pick up soccer until they were 11 and you’re just telling them that they can’t be good?” “No, that’s not the point.”

On my way to Tallaght for some Conference League action, and just had time to publish this podcast with a man who went from the Vauxhall Conference to coaching full-time in Santa Monica @PaulJSpacey 🇺🇸 ⚽️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 open.spotify.com/episode/0AJ… podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcas…

You don’t need crazy stepovers or tricks. Focus on improving your ability to read opponents and deceive them with small body feints and movements. Ask Messi.

“Stop treating them like pro’s, they are just kids.” Great coaches hold players to incredibly high standards and keep them accountable. Kids, adults, amateur/pro is irrelevant. Standards do not change. This way they become the best they can be, on and off the field.

YOUTH SOCCER PODCAST Ep 1: Player Mentality - What Is It And How Do You Develop It? In this first episode of the Youth Soccer Podcast, Paul Spacey, Ricky Collett, and Phil Walsh delve into the critical topic of player mentality in youth soccer. New podcast episode every week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and here on X. 00:00 Introduction to Youth Soccer Podcast 02:19 Resilience in Youth Soccer 05:07 The Role of Environment in Building Resilience 07:51 Transition from Rec to Club Soccer 10:29 Cultural Differences in Soccer Mentality 13:31 The Importance of Experience in Developing Resilience 16:23 Balancing Coaching and Player Support 18:51 Understanding Individual Player Needs 21:51 The Journey of Self-Discovery through Soccer 27:13 The Importance of Connection in Team Dynamics 30:37 Emotional Maturity on the Field 32:34 Understanding Limitations Through Sport 34:20 Commitment and Details at Higher Levels 35:47 The Transfer of Skills from Football to Life 37:10 Lessons from Early Experiences in Football 39:24 Building a Strong Foundation for Life 40:33 The Blend of Old and New School Values 42:17 Actionable Tips for Building Resilience 45:17 Proactivity vs. Reactivity in Performance 46:36 Finding Your Unique Contribution to the Game

Look at his body shape, posture and the way he strikes the ball. Already ahead of many kids twice his age. He isn’t going to *burnout*. Competence and confidence helps players stay in the game for longer.

If a player has flimsy limbs and can’t control themselves when running, you know they’re not good before they even touch the ball.

No quarter asked or given. These are the games and environments where you develop resilience and character.

Jersey pulling, time wasting and the dark arts.

Youth Soccer Podcast: Episode 2 Winning - How Important Is It? In this episode, Paul, Ricky, and Phil dive into the divisive topic of winning in youth soccer. They discuss the balance between prioritizing winning and focusing on player development, the role of coaches and parents, and the impact of club hopping on player growth. The conversation also touches on the business side of club soccer and the importance of teaching young players about the realities of competitive sports. 00:00 The Importance of Winning in Youth Soccer 03:33 Balancing Winning and Development 08:07 The Role of Coaches in Prioritizing Winning 11:13 Parental Influence on Winning and Team Dynamics 16:10 The Consequences of Team Hopping 17:46 The Business of Youth Sports and Player Development 20:42 Coaching Responsibilities and Player Stagnation 23:43 Winning vs. Development: A Balancing Act 27:14 Understanding the Stakes: Livelihoods & Performance 31:31 Parental Perspectives: Questions and Insights