If everyone would take their children to the playground for an hour a day, run around it fast, run hard for 60 seconds or more, rest to eat oranges for a few minutes, then repeat, I wouldn't need to write this article. Alas, here I am:...
"Erica, you're getting in the car and going to soccer practice!" my mom yelled at 6-year-old me. "1...
If your players aren't in-season strength training, I question if the longevity of their careers is important to you. And if you're a coach who says, "well, weights will make them sore for my practices and the games!" My answer: the two-to-three game a week template and...
Overuse injuries are a lot like stepping on dog poop: the more you ignore there's a problem, the more it's going to stink. I mean, come on...
Fun fact: no one knows what it takes to train in the off-season. Okay, okay, before you get triggered, here I am explaining why in this two minute video: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj0MEVERcqU[/embed] You see? Off-season training is no joke. It's long. It's a grind. It's a process. As a coach, it...
Sport science technology is like owning a sexy car: it won't last if you don't have a good mechanic. While most clubs utilize technology in an effective manner - to monitor player loads, elicit a specific conditioning effect, customize to the individual, and tweak fitness programming...
Ever wanted to plop on the couch, eat take-out pizza, and binge watch Netflix after a youth soccer tournament? Or perhaps you don't even make it to those. Instead, you get home late on a Sunday, unpack the smelly cleats and damp socks, shower three times, go...
The hips are the foundation to high performance soccer. And as long as they are strong, injuries are reduced, and sport specific actions are improved. Shooting, cutting, passing, sprinting, decelerating and accelerating, and jumping all involve durable, powerful hips. And in order to optimize these, players must train...
“Run harder!" “Defend!" “Shoot!” “Sprint!” “Attack!” "Clear it!" “Shoot!” “Floss your teeth!” Oh. My. Goodness. Parents, shut up. In fact, back the heck off. Look, I don’t want to get belligerent in my writing, but sometimes, a feisty call-to-action is needed. And this is only because I care about the development of youth athletes. I...
As much as you think you know player development, you don't. Did I just trigger you with my opening line? Good. Let's trigger some folks with the hopes they analyze their actions and grow. And chances are, you want to grow. Isn't that why you follow my blog in...