Tag: let them play

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Injuries in Youth Soccer

01Coaching, Featured news, Injuries, Youth SoccerTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Carl Shearer was a player with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the NASL. I had the privilege of coaching him. After the NASL folded Carl used his considerable intelligence and determination to graduate as a physician – Dr. Carl Shearer. Carl has put his knowledge from on the soccer field and off it to become one of the leading experts in the world regarding soccer-related injuries. Dr. Carl commented in one of our earlier articles about the controversial topic of heading and injuries associated with that exciting skill (Click here for the link). In our World of Soccer newsletters Marc Rizzardo, another internationally-recognized injury expert, has been doing a series of articles about injuries. Marc and Carl know each other well and have worked together with the Canadian National Team program. Just recently Marc covered the importance of the proper warm up exercises. I was quite surprised when he said that ideally Warm-Ups should last at least 20 minutes. Now Dr. Carl reveals some really cutting-edge information out of Sweden about warming up and avoiding injuries.

Injuries in youth soccer
We can we decrease the carnage – getting the word out
by Carl Shearer

There can be no doubt that competitive team sports bring many benefits to its participants. However, injury risks are very real. There is not much doubt that there is an epidemic of youth sport injuries. In my professional life I see on a first hand basis the carnage that organized sports can bring. I have seen players whose careers are ended due to injury; I have seen teams that have been decimated by severe injury. I have seen many players who are looking at a bleak musculoskeletal future as a result of injury. I currently coach my 11 year old daughter’s soccer team and, while I love the fact that these young girls are enjoying the beauty of the game that their predecessors (from my era) were, discriminately, unable to partake in, I do fear that they may be walking through the door of injury and future disability. More info

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Ranking 9-Year Old Soccer Players

07Coaching, Featured news, General, Youth SoccerTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I read an article on the Soccer America website by John O’Sullivan. He was very critical of an organization called GotSoccer, who have chosen to rank 9-year old soccer players. Mr. Sullivan was not impressed. For the moment, I am not going to join the argument. Instead I am going to provide the link to the article to allow you to make your own decisions and we would be really keen to hear your observations. More info

How to Raise a Young Healthy Soccer Player

04Youth SoccerTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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In this day and age with so much emphasis on winning and being the best, how do you guide your child in youth soccer to continue enjoying it whatever the outcome, whatever the skill level?

Here are some basic guidelines:

Let the kids play

  • Yes there are rules & better ways to kick , throw, cross, catch etc.  but in the end let them just be kids and play!

Mistakes

  • Kids make mistake (so do adults) don’t make them a huge deal!

Praise

  • Make sure as a parent you continually praise your child, make them feel good about themselves!

Fun

  • We all know from experience if it isn’t fun we aren’t going to do.  This applies even more for children.

Motivation

  • Continually motivate them! Coaches, parents, family , encourage teammates to motivate each other!

Support

  • No matter what win or lose, good soccer day or bad support them unconditionally!  This isn’t the World Cup, they are just kids and this is just youth soccer!

If you need more information as a parent coach or soccer volunteer check out Byte Size Coaching!

You will find all your soccer needs for coaching youth soccer, stuck on games to introduce to the kids, what about soccer skills or soccer drills.  Need a soccer practice plan that is simple and laid out for you to grab quickly.  Byte Size Coaching has it! Contact us for your free temporary user name and password.