WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast: Recent Episodes

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WVSA provides information for youth soccer players, parents, referees and coaches to improve their overall development, including nutrition, hydration, mental health, soccer skills, injury prevention, sleep health and so much more. We talk to the experts every week to give you the information your need to be better both on and off the field.

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How can youth soccer players be mindful when fueling during the holiday season? Get some tips from Stephanie Militano, owner of SM Nutrition on the latest episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

Learn more about SM Nutrition: www.smnutritionrd.com.

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Check out our latest episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch podcast with sleep scientist, Dr. Amy Bender! She shares invaluable sleep tips for young soccer players as we transition back to standard time this weekend.

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What can we do to help our athletes that suffer from performance anxiety and sports burnout? We talk about it with Dr. Ashley Coker-Cranney of Whole Brain Solutions, LLC on the next episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

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Coaching soccer is more than just Xs and Os. Coaches need to be looking for opportunities for personal and professional growth. We speak with Marty Beall from Inkwell Sports Solutions (and former NCAA D1 women's soccer coach) about coaching development as well as college recruiting on this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

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WVSA State Referee Administrator Mike McCarthy came back on our podcast to give a state of the union on the referee program. We talk referee numbers, upcoming events as well as programs in place to help our referees develop.

For more information on the WVSA Referee Program, please visit www.wvsoccer.net and click "Referee" from the navigation menu.

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What are the top 5 most frequently asked questions when it comes to athlete nutrition? Find out and get the answers to those questions with Stephanie May-Militano, registered dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition.

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The numbers continue to dwindle. We are facing a serious crisis as there is a shortage of referees in youth sports. Find out the details behind this issue and what we can do to reverse the trend with Branda Hilton, Founder and CEO of Officially Human.

Visit Officially Human at: www.OfficiallyHuman.com.

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When it comes to your menstrual cycle, nutrition can play such an important part. Get some tips and advice to a healthier cycle from Lindsay Hazard, registered dietitian and owner of Cherish Nutrition.

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What are some things we can do as parents to help raise happy, healthy, successful athletes? We talk with Asia Mape, founder of ILoveToWatchYouPlay.com on this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

Website: www.ilovetowatchyouplay.com

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Excited to welcome back Jenny Rearick on this week's episode of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast. Jenny is a communication coach and owner of Fit To Speak. She will be providing our coaches tips to better communicating with players and parents this upcoming season. Check it out!

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What should you do when you wake up in the middle of the night? How is "blue light" affecting your sleep? Find out these answers and more with Dr. Amy Bender, director of sleep science at Cerebra. 

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What is the latest with US Adult Soccer? What is planned for 2023? Find out with John Motta, president of USASA, as we welcome him to the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

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We kick off a brand new year and and new season of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast with US Youth Soccer CEO, Skip Gilbert. We talk about some of the initiatives of USYS in 2023. Don't miss this "state of the union" with Skip Gilbert.

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What should youth soccer players be looking at when it comes to an off season strength and conditioning program? Find out with Karli Sewell, director of strength and conditioning at S2 Breakthrough.

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Have we let money and power take over youth soccer (and youth sports in general)? Will we do anything (and spend anything) to get that elusive college athletic scholarship? We talked to Linda Flanagan, author of the book "Take Back The Game" about this subject. Check out what she had to say on the latest episode of our podcast.

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What should a nutrition plan for soccer players during their off season look like? Get some advice from Lindsay Hazard, registered dietitian and owner of Cherish Nutrition, on the latest episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast. 

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Interested in the WVSA Olympic Development Program? What is it about? What are the benefits? Want more information? Dr. Peter McGahey, WVSA Olympic Development Program Director, answers most of your questions in the latest edition of our podcast. 

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It can be extremely hard for student athletes to properly fuel around the school day. Stephanie May-Militano, registered dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition, is here to provide tips to fueling and hydration between classes, before trainings and matches as well as after a hard session. 

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Why is it important that we have more women coaching soccer in our state? Why are coaching licenses important? Find out with Erika Yohn, USSF C License Coach and Goalkeeper Coach with the WVSA Olympic Development Program.

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What do we need to do as coaches and parents/spectators to keep keep our youth referees in the game for years to come? What can we do to help them develop? Find out with Jason Francois, Director of Referee Services for Nebraska Youth Soccer League on this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

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What are some things to keep in mind as you head into the pre-season as a youth soccer coach? Find out from Ian Barker, Soccer Coach Instructor. 

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Summer is over and it's time to get back into a productive sleep routine. Get some tips and advice from Dr. Amy Bender, Director of Clinical Sleep Science at Cerebra. 

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With pre-season soccer quickly approaching, soccer players need to get back into the zone when it comes to nutrition. What are some tips to getting your nutrition on point? Find out with Lindsay Hazard, registered dietitian and owner of Cherish Nutrition, as we dive into the subject here on the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

For more information on Lindsay Hazard and Cherish Nutrition, click here: https://www.cherishnutrition.net/

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Ever hear "If you score a goal, I'll give you $5."? Is there a problem with parents or families using this method? Excited to welcome Shay Haddow from Alpha Girl Confidence back to the podcast to talk about this subject and so much more about player motivation and incentives.

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Did you know there is a lot more to play college soccer than you think? Find out what it's like and the various pressures athletes face with Kerrigan Johnson, former D2 collegiate soccer player. 

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SOCCER COACHES - THIS EPISODE IS YOUR YOU! We are excited to welcome Jenny Rearick, communication coach and owner of Fit To Speak, back to the podcast to talk about how soccer coaches can give more effective feedback to their players. 

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Today, we talk about a tough topic: suicide. May is #MentalHealthMonth. WVSA is committed to the mental health of our members and not afraid to tackle the tough topics. With the recent deaths of two collegiate athletes, we speak with Dr. Ashley Coker Cranney of Whole Brain Solutions, LLC about suicide. What are the warning signs? What can parents and coaches do? Find out and listen.

National Suicide Hotline

1-800-273-8255

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Join us as Stephanie May, registered dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition, talks about how female youth soccer players can be properly fueled during their menstrual cycle. She will be providing FIVE tips for our players that can be implemented immediately.

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Great new episode of the podcast coming your way. We talk to Andy Seraphin, Doctor of Physical Therapy, about the things youth players can do to keep themselves fit and healthy this spring season. DON'T MISS IT! #soccer #fit #healthy #physicaltherapy #injured #wellness #development

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What can coaches, clubs, parents and associations do to better develop our young referees and keep them in the game? Find out the thoughts of Jason Hutchinson, State Referee Administrator, Idaho Soccer Referee Committee. 

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WVSA is excited to welcome author Jon Townsend to the show to talk about his new book, "It's Just A Ball". It's an amazingly insightful book for both soccer players and coaches. Don't miss this episode with Jon.

Buy "It's Just A Ball" here: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Just-Ball-Exploring-Complexity/dp/1911121936

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Did you know that the words you use as a youth soccer coach can affect your players? Same things goes for parents. Find out more from Jenny, Rearick, communication coach and owner of Fit To Speak on this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch podcast.

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So, what is TOPSoccer and how can you start a program in your community? Find out with Pete Bussa, US Youth Soccer East Region TOPSoccer Chair. 

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How should both youth soccer coaches manage a lopsided soccer match? Find out the answers with Tommy Geis, Assistant Technical Director of Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association on the latest episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

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How should youth soccer players be properly fueling for weekend soccer tournaments? Find out with Lindsay Hazard, registered dietitian and owner of Cherish Nutrition. 

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Are you looking for better, more fun training activities? Don't have the time you need to plan a session? Get the MOJO app and plan your training sessions for the season this Spring. Hear from John Howe of MOJO about the best secret weapon you can have in your coaching arsenal. 

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Excited to welcome Jerad Minnick, Director of Grounds and Environmental Management for Maryland SoccerPlex, to the podcast. We will be talking about tips and tricks to getting your fields ready for the spring season and how to keep them looking good. 

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Excited to welcome back Gerard Jones, UEFA A License Coach and Founder of Ulearnbly, to the podcast as we help soccer coaches prepare for the upcoming spring season. Don't miss this episode.

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Is your youth soccer player suffering from confidence issues both on and off the field? Get some tips and advice from Shay Haddow, Author of the book "She The Confident" and owner of Alpha Girl Confidence.

For more information about Shay Haddow and her company, visit: www.alphagirlconfidence.com

To purchase Shay's book, "She The Confident", visit: https://www.alphagirlconfidence.com/book

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What should I do if I wake up in the middle on the night? How can I fall back to sleep faster? Find out the answer to these and other questions from Dr. Amy Bender, Director of Sleep Science at Cerebra. 

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Excited to talk to Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer, on this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast. Skip will let us know everything going on with the organization in 2022. 

For more information on US Youth Soccer, visit: www.usyouthsoccer.org.

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Excited to welcome back Stephanie May, registered dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition, to the podcast to talk about getting back on track nutritionally after the holidays. Get some practical advice and tips from our favorite RD. 

For more information on Stephanie May, click this link: https://www.smnutritionrd.com/

To purchase Stephanie's book, "Fueling Performance Playbook", click here: https://www.smnutritionrd.com/playbook

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Can parents count on a "full-ride" soccer scholarship for their kid? What do college coaches want in a player? Can poor sideline parent behavior cause coaches to not recruit a player? Find out the thoughts of Marty Beall, Head Women's Soccer Coach at the University of Richmond, on the newest episode of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast. 

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Are you a youth soccer player that wants to take their game to the next level? Performance nutrition may be your key. Hear the thoughts of Dr. James Morehen, performance nutritionist and author of the new book, "The Performance Nutritionist", on this episode of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

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Should youth soccer players be taking a different approach when it comes to fueling during the off-season? Find out with Lindsay Hazard, registered dietitian and owner of Cherish Nutrition. #soccer #nutrition #fueling

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Would you like to be a better soccer coach? Looking for some tools to help you build better relationships and improve development in youth players? Hear the thoughts of Greg Winkler, soccer coach and author of the book "The Transformational Coach". 

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What is the truth behind some of the food and beverage items that are marketed to youth soccer players? Find out with Lauren Link, registered dietitian and Director of Sports Nutrition at Purdue University.

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So...your soccer season is over. What should you be doing to help your body recover before your start again? Find out some tips from Kevin Brooks, Certified Athletic Trainer at Marshall Sports Medicine Institute. 

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Do you think your child is being bullied in youth soccer? Are you a soccer coach that suspects that bullying may be going on within your team? Get some advice and tips from Dr. Ashley Coker-Cranney, psychotherapist from Whole Brain Solutions. 

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Are you having issues towards the end of your soccer season? Maybe a change in your nutritional plan is needed. Find out some great tips from Stephanie May, registered dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition. 

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What can you do to stay healthy and fit in the last weeks of your soccer season? Get some great tips from Dr. Andy Seraphin, Doctor of Physical Therapy, on this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast. 

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How can youth soccer players better themselves both on and off the field? Find out with FIVE tips from longtime coach and mentor Jace Riley of 6am Practice.

For more information on Jace, follow him on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/6am_practice. Need help making a schedule: www.6ampractice.com/pl/2147535734

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As a soccer player, are you considering taking a supplement? Protein powder? Creatine? What are these supplements, are they safe and what's the best way to take them? Find out with Derek Lipton, registered dietitian and owner of Full Circle Sports Nutrition. 

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What can young adult soccer players do to better handle bouts of depression? Fin out with Dr. Ashley Coker Cranney, psychotherapist from Whole Brain Solutions.

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Should athletes be taking naps? How much sleep should a youth soccer player get a night? What are some tips on getting a good night's sleep when in a hotel at a tournament? Find out with our sleep expert, Dr. Amy Bender, Director of Clinical Sleep Science at Cerebra. 

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Can a soccer coach improve the performance of their team with the words they use (or don't use)? Find out from Jenny Rearick, Communication Coach and owner of Fit To Speak. 

Find out more about Jenny at her website: https://fit-to-speak.com/.

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Ankle injury? Concussion? ACL? What's the next step for soccer players that get injured during the season? Find out the thoughts of Christa D'Edigio from Limitless Physical Therapy. 

For more information about Limitless Physical Therapy, click here: www.limitlessptwv.com. 

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What can youth players do to better handle the mental pressures and issues that come with playing soccer? Find out from Shay Haddow, mental performance coach and owner of Alpha Girl Confidence.

For more information about Alpha Girl Confidence, click here: www.alphagirlconfidence.com. 

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What are some common early soccer season injuries and ailments? How can players treat these problems? Find out from Tom Belmaggio, Marshall Sports Medicine Institute. 

To find out more about the Marshall Sports Medicine Institute, click here: http://marshallsportsmedicine.org/

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Why is hydration so important for youth soccer players? Not only does it help with physical performance, it aids in cogitative performance as well. Hear the thoughts of Stephanie May, Registered Dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition. 

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Would you like something to make coaching youth soccer easier and less stressful? WVSA talks to John Howe from MOJO Sports about their youth soccer coaching app. Create FREE training sessions with age appropriate and skill level appropriate activities. And, did we mention, it's FREE!

For more information about MOJO:

MOJO website: https://www.mojo.sport/   Download MOJO: https://yougotmojo.app.link/getmojo?~campaign=westvirginiapodcast1&~channel=emailfromsate&~medium=email   MOJO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mojocommunity/   Resource Request for Clubs: https://us19.list-manage.com/survey?u=563d753f9da54fec1a5747067&id=28439b4047&attribution=false  

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We are excited to welcome Tom Belmaggio of the Marshall University Sports Medicine Institute on the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast to talk about how we can keep players safe while training and competing this summer. Lots of good information and practical advice. 

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With the recent event involving Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen, WVSA welcomes Cindy Keely from the American Heart Association to talk about sudden cardiac arrest and how we can better be prepared in dealing with this situation through the use of CPR and AEDs. Don't miss this important discussion.

To find a CPR class and what types of classes are available, go to: www.cpr.heart.org

Hands-Only CPR video: https://cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses-and-kits/hands-only-cpr

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What should female soccer players know about their nutrition during their menstrual cycle? Find out from Stephanie May, Registered Dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition.

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What can coaches and parents do to help aid in the mental health of their young soccer players? Find out from Dr. Ashley Coker Cranney, psychotherapist at Whole Brain Solutions. 

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How can adult soccer players keep themselves safe and healthy during the season? Find out from Derek Raynes, Performance Enhancement Specialist at A-Game Sports Performance in Charleston. 

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Join US Adult Soccer Association President and Small Business Owner/Entrepreneur John Motta as we discuss the basics of the business world and how our youth soccer players can get and keep a job. 

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What are the steps to developing a fueling performance playbook for youth soccer players? Find out from Stephanie May, Registered Dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition.

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What tips and advice should we be teaching our youth soccer players about money and finance? Find out the thoughts of Erika Lee, Treasury Management Officer at Poca Valley Bank.

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Better sleep leads to better performance for youth soccer players. Hear the thoughts of sleep expert, Dr. Amy Bender, on the latest episode of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast. 

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Looking for some strength and conditioning advice and tips for youth soccer players? Hear the thoughts of Rachel Hayes, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach.

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You have nutritional questions? We have the answers! It's Ask The Registered Dietitian as we speak with Stephanie May, Registered Dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition. 

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What are some movement myths and mistakes we make with youth soccer players in the weightroom? Hear the thoughts of Conor Harris, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach and owner of Pinnacle Performance.

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How can youth soccer coaches better relate to generation Z players? Find out some tips and advice from Betsy Butterick, communication specialist. 

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February is National Heart Month. How can we keep the hearts of youth soccer players happy with proper nutritional choices? Find out from Stephanie May, Registered Dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition.

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Would you like to better communicate with your grassroots soccer players?  Find out some great tips and advice from Dr. Ashley Coker Cranney, psychotherapist at Whole Brain Solutions. 

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What's the latest in adult soccer in the US? How do we grow the adult game? Find out the thoughts of John Motta, President of US Adult Soccer Association.

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How can we grow adult soccer in the US? What is the Ohio Valley Premier League? Hear the thoughts of Brandon Ponchak of Ohio Valley Premier League and owner of S1 Goalkeeping. 

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What can youth soccer players do to help get recruited to a collegiate soccer program? Hear the advice of Marty Beall, Head Women's Soccer Coach at University of Richmond. 

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Need tips and advice as a brand new grassroots soccer coach? Hear the thoughts of Ian Barker, Director of Coaching Education from United Soccer Coaches.

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WVSA is excited to welcome US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert on this episode of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast. Skip will give a "state of the union" of youth soccer and the changes coming to US Youth Soccer programs. Don't miss our conversation with Skip.

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What can youth soccer players do to get back on track nutritionally after the holidays? Find out some tips and advice from Stephanie May, Registered Dietitian and owner on SM Nutrition. 

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The WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast welcomes Dave Robinson, Chairman of US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Program on the latest episode. We talk everything about the program and how clubs can start one in their area as we celebrate US Disability Soccer Month. 

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Did you know that December is US Disability Soccer Month? We speak with Stuart Sharp, US Soccer ENT Technical & Grassroots Director and head coach of the US Soccer Paralympic National Team about disability soccer in the United States. 

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Youth soccer referees must manage many adult components within the game from coaches to parents/spectators. What can they do to better deal with that dynamic? find out from Dr. Ashley Coker Cranney from Whole Brain Solutions in Morgantown. 

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Do you have dreams of being a part of an MLS academy program? What are they all about? Find out with Larry Sunderland, Director of Player Development at FC Cincinnati. 

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Why should soccer players in West Virginia be a part of the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program? Find out the benefits from Ryan Dicce, US Youth Soccer ODP East Region Administrator. 

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What should soccer clubs across the state being doing to prepare their fields/facilities for the winter season? Find out the advice of Mitch Litz, Director of Grounds & Environmental Management at the Maryland SoccerPlex. 

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What is your relationship with the food you eat as a youth soccer player? Can that relationship lead to an eating disorder? Find out the thoughts of Jaimee Cooper, Registered Dietitian.

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Today, we speak with Dr. Ashley Coker Cranney of Whole Brain Solutions to discuss the clinical side of eating disorders. What are they? How do they develop? What can we do to help? Check out this important episode and share with your youth soccer player.

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Eating disorders happen more often than people think. Hear the story of Kerrigan Johnson of the Fairmont State University Women's Soccer team and her struggles with the disorder. This is a MUST LISTEN for all coaches, players and parents.

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When you coach your soccer players, do you take into consideration their mental health? Find out some great tips and advice to help your players handle the pressures of soccer, school and home from Dr. Ashley Coker Cranney of Whole Brain Solutions in Morgantown.

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What are some things soccer coaches can do to better communicate with players? How Can players better communicate with coaches? Find out some great tips with communication specialist, Jenny Rearick.

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Are smoothies a good option for youth soccer players? Is there a recovery smoothie? What mistakes do athletes make when it comes to making smoothies? Find out more about smoothies for youth soccer players with Stephanie May, Registered Dietitian and owner of SM Nutrition. 

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What should high school soccer coaches being thinking about as the new season begins? How can coaches keep their players healthy and available? Get some sound advice from Rachel Hayes, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach.

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Looking to improve your nutrition to increase your performance as a youth soccer player? Here's seven important nutrition tips from Kennedy Haney, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and owner of Elevate Performance Nutrition.

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WVSA welcomes registered dietitian Stephanie May of SM Nutrition to talk about the importance of hydration for youth soccer players. Should most of the hydration come from water? Are sports drinks beneficial? What happens to a youth soccer player when they are dehydrated? Find out the details on the latest episode of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

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US Youth Soccer And the West Virginia Soccer Association are teaming up to present a FIFA 20 ESports Community Event Program to our members. Find out more about the program and it's offerings from Nick Bellows of US Youth Soccer. We'll talk registration dates, length of the program, prizes players can win and the safety features offered with this eSports program.

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How can youth soccer players take care of their skin during the summer months? Find out with Dr. Susan Boiko, dermatologist at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.

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Did you know that sleep reorganizes your brain and helps keep it running smoothly? Find out the details with Tara Dodd of University Hospitals. 

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WVSA is excited to welcome Brittney Bearden, Sports Dietitian with Texas Health Sports Medicine, to discuss how youth soccer players can get back on the nutritional track as we return to play. How long does it take athletes to get back nutritionally? How can families eat well if they are experiencing financial hardships? What are some great nutritional snacks for players? Find out some great advice and practical tips.

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College soccer coaches across the country are uniting to help feed those that are hungry in our local communities with Soccer Coaches United Against Hunger. We spoke to Bob Warming, men's head soccer coach at the University of Nebraska - Omaha about the project and how folks can help. 

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As we get ready for a return to play for soccer here in West Virginia, how can youth players prepare for the upcoming "season"? What can they do to help reduce their chances of injury? Find out with Rachel Hayes, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach.

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What should adult soccer players be thinking about from a fitness standpoint and staying healthy during a season? Find out some great advice from Dr. Matt Frakes, Registered Dietitian and Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach.

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What is the US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer program? Who is it for? How can you start a program in your community? Find out with Ed DeMulder, US Youth Soccer East Region TOPSoccer Committee.

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How can soccer coaches better communicate with their players? Do the words they use or their body language affect the performance of their team? Find out some tips and get advice from The Coaches Coach and Communication Specialist Betsy Butterick.

Any coach who is interested in taking Betsy's "Winning with Words: Championship Communication for Coaches" digital course can do so for $200 off the usual course price of $297 by using the coupon code BEYONDTHEPITCH at checkout.    More information about the course can be found here.

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WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast welcomes Brandon Ponchak, General Manager of Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC, to talk about adult soccer and how it fits within our soccer culture.

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Want to play soccer in college? What are the expectations? How do you get recruited? Find out some tips and get advice from Marisa Kanela, Associate Head Coach for WVU Women's Soccer.

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How important is sleep to a youth soccer player, especially during a stressful time? Get advice and tips from Dr. Amy Bender, Sleep Performance Specialist. 

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How should soccer players be dealing with their nutritional needs during the pandemic? Get some great information and tips from Lauren Link, Registered Dietitian and Director of Sports Nutrition for Purdue University Athletics.

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With soccer being suspended in the state of West Virginia and across the nation, how can soccer players find opportunities during this coronavirus pandemic? Find out some positive tips from Erica Suter, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach.

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Hamstrings are an important component for a soccer player. Find out everything about hamstrings including injury prevention with Conor Harris, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach. 

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What is periodization and how can it help with the development of your soccer player? Find out the basics with Andrew Wiseman, Head of Performance with the Utah Royals FC of the National Women's Soccer League.

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How can an eating disorder affect our youth soccer players? What are some signs to look for? Hear some great insight and advice from Kelsey Herrick, Registered Dietitian who specializes in eating disorders for Sanford Health.

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What should female players expect when they have aspirations of playing at the next level? How can we get more female players into coaching? Find out with former college and professional coach and current Antigua & Barbuda Women's National Team Head Coach, Lisa Cole.

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How can the words a soccer coach uses help in the development of their players? Find out as we speak to Gerard Jones, US Soccer Federation Grassroots Instructor, on the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast.

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What should soccer players be thinking about for their nutritional needs after training, match or workout? Find out with Allison Koch, Sports Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian.

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Are you new to coaching grassroots soccer? Not sure where to begin? Find out the first steps you should take for the upcoming Spring season from Sam Snow, CEO of American Made Soccer Consultants.

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If you are a referee in the West Virginia Soccer Association Referee Program, there are some changes you need to be aware of and plan for when it comes to your recertification. Get the details with WVSA State Referee Administrator, Mike McCarthy.

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What are some nutritional myths and mistakes that youth soccer players make? Do athletes need to make changes to their nutrition and hydration during the winter months? Find out with Matt Frakes, Registered Dietitian and Associate Director of Athletic Performance for Sports Nutrition for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.

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What do athletic trainers do? Why is it so important that soccer programs have them? Find out from Chris Fuhrman, Certified Athletic Trainer. Chris talks about the safety and liability issue along with the wellness of our student athletes. 

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What should student-athletes be thinking about during their holiday break when it comes to sleep and trying to recharge? Get some tips and advice from Dr. Heather Clawgess , Medical Sleep Lab Director at WVU.

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Is your student athlete using social media in a productive way? In this episode, we speak with Casey Miller of Positive Coaching Alliance about the best practical uses for social media and some of the potential missteps athletes make that could affect their future. 

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What kind of stress are student-athletes under during the holidays as they wrap up the semester? We speak to Laurel O'Neal Thornton, neuro-psychotherapist, about how coaches, parents and players can deal with the stress. She will also provide practical tips for everyone involved. 

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In today's episode, we talk with Brandon Ponchak, GM & Assistant Coach of the Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC and Director of Goalkeepers for Ohio Elite Soccer Academy, about fostering a love for the position and how we can help with their development.

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How can soccer players be mindful of their eating and nutrition with a world of temptation during the holiday season? Wendi Irlbeck, Sports Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian, gives some practical advice and tips to navigate through all of the delicious food in the next month in this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast. 

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What goes into properly training a soccer player that plays year round? Find out some tips and advice from Rachel Hayes, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach.

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Are you a grassroots (recreation) soccer coach? Looking for advice and guidance? In this episode, we talk to Gerard Jones, USSF Grassroots Instructor, about the basics of grassroots coaching and the importance of the USSF Grassroots coaching courses. Gerard also provides practical advice and tips for those coaches to make it the best experience for their players. 

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In today's episode of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Wendi Irlbeck, Sports Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian about the importance of nutrition for youth soccer players. Wendi provides sound advice and practical examples on how you can control your controllables and get an edge on your competition.  

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In today's episode, we speak with Jon Solomon, Editorial Director at Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program, about how we can improve the youth sports experience for our kids. Check out the ideas presented by Jon and the Aspen Institute for our grassroots program. 

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In this edition of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach Erica Suter about overuse injuries in soccer players. Find out what an overuse injury is and steps you can take to avoid them.

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So, you've agreed to be the coach of your child's 6-Under soccer team....the Bumblebees. You've never played soccer before and don't know much about it, but no one else was willing to step up. What do you do?! In today's episode of WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Ian Barker, Director of Coaching Education for United Soccer Coaches. Ian gives his advice and provides some practical tips to those grassroots coaches and how they can make it a great experience for the players and parents.

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In this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Meagan Frank, author, speaker and coach. Meagan talks about how we can be better sport parents/coaches to our young athletes including tips on how to have a supportive dialog with your player, dealing with fair playing time for players as well as the important dynamic between a female athlete and her father. 

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In this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Conor Harris, Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach from Sandhills Sports Performance & Physical Therapy about some strength and conditioning myths. We'll address why putting your hands on your head when you are winded is NOT a good idea, how your athletic footwear may be hampering your performance/well being and so much more. We'll even discuss a growing problem among female athletes...involuntary urination during exercise or sport.

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In this episode of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Robyn Kenney, Director of Mind Body Athletics, about the mental aspect of a youth athlete. How can these soccer players improve their mental focus and tune out all of the noise and distractions they face everyday from school to friends to parents.

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In Episode #6 of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Dr. Heather Clawges, WVU Pediatric Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine. Dr. Clawges provides some important insight and tips about the need for proper sleep for young athletes and how it can dramatically improve their performance on the pitch and in the classroom.

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In Episode #5 of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Jennifer Schwartz, Master Level Muscle Activation Techniques™ Specialist and certified Exercise Physiologist. Jennifer provides some important insight and tips about pre-session routines for soccer players transitioning from school to performing on the pitch as well as "priming" techniques as an athlete.

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In Episode #4 of the WVSA Beyond The Pitch Podcast, we speak with Julia Kirkpatrick, Director of Sports Nutrition, at Relentless Athletics. She provides some tips and advice to soccer players about proper nutrition and proper hydration.