The Soccer Specialist Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Soccer Specialist
The Soccer Specialist Podcast is for players, parents, and even coaches that love soccer and want to discover ideas, tips and strategies focused on individual player development. Things like: building confidence, becoming mentally tough, improving 1v1 play, finishing, ball striking, how to get faster, and lots lots more. We'll talk about how coaches and parents can better support players, and strategies, tips and training ideas players can use to reach their potential in the best game in the world.
Everything you need to know about what you need to focus on and why. The secrets are here. Let's talk about it!
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Just because you completed a pass doesn't mean it was a good pass. You may have cost your team an opportunity to score a goal. Let's talk about it!
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If you want to improve almost everything about your soccer game, you need to be doing this.
Here's just some of what this one game will help you with to become a better soccer player.
Physical
- Reaction Time
- Change of Direction
- Agility
- Speed
- And more
Mental
- Decision-making
- Awareness and anticipation
- Reading the game
- And more
Technical
- First touch
- Both feet
- Ball Striking
- Creativity
- And more
Have a listen right now and level up your game!
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Welcome back to the show! If you're a typical youth soccer player, this is probably missing from your development. Learn what Phil Neville said about Ronaldo and what it means for your own development.
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There are many things you need to do when you don't have the ball at your feet. You need to constantly check your shoulder, scan the field, find the space to support the ball, and know what you're going to do with it before you receive it. How do you make that happen? It's not what you think! All of that and a LOT more inside the latest episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast!
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What do Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Billy Beane, Freddie Adu, Michael Jordan, David Beckham, and Carli Lloyd have in common? And how does this help you become a better soccer player? Listen and find out!
Consider supporting the podcast by becoming a Supporters Club member?
Learn more here https://thesoccerspecialist.com/supporters
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This drives me crazy! You've probably had teammates who do this during the game and it's anything but helpful. Here's how to fix it and make you and your teammates better players. Plus a bunch of other stuff you need to hear!
If you haven't checked out Chasing Greatness you can do so at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
Here's just some of what you'll discover:
- What elite really means, why it matters, and how to use it to speed up your development
- 3 different types of goals you need to set
- 5 things you need to consider when setting goals if you want to make sure you set goals that truly matter
- 7 things you need to know about habits for long-term soccer success
- Discover how to use the #1 confidence builder to crush doubt, skyrocket your progress, and put your development on an entirely new level
- 8 ways to start getting comfortable outside of your comfort zone
- Unlock mental toughness through failure and mistakes and why you'll never succeed if you don't embrace failure
Check it out at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
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If you want to separate yourself from the rest of the pack and become an elite player, this is what you need to do.
If you haven't checked out Chasing Greatness you can do so at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
Here's just some of what you'll discover:
- What elite really means, why it matters, and how to use it to speed up your development
- 3 different types of goals you need to set
- 5 things you need to consider when setting goals if you want to make sure you set goals that truly matter
- 7 things you need to know about habits for long-term soccer success
- Discover how to use the #1 confidence builder to crush doubt, skyrocket your progress, and put your development on an entirely new level
- 8 ways to start getting comfortable outside of your comfort zone
- Unlock mental toughness through failure and mistakes and why you'll never succeed if you don't embrace failure
Check it out at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
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Part 3 is the final part to this short series. We are going to finish our deep dive into the most important confidence builder in existence. It's the very foundation of confidence building. If you ignore this, you can forget about heading out onto the pitch with confidence levels so high you can't help but dominate.
If you haven't checked out Chasing Greatness on Amazon you can do so at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
Here's just some of what you'll discover:
- What elite really means, why it matters, and how to use it to speed up your development
- 3 different types of goals you need to set
- 5 things you need to consider when setting goals if you want to make sure you set goals that truly matter
- 7 things you need to know about habits for long-term soccer success
- Discover how to use the #1 confidence builder to crush doubt, skyrocket your progress, and put your development on an entirely new level
- 8 ways to start getting comfortable outside of your comfort zone
- Unlock mental toughness through failure and mistakes and why you'll never succeed if you don't embrace failure
Check it out at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
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We are going to continue our deep dive into the most important confidence builder in existence. It's the very foundation of confidence building. If you ignore this, you can forget about heading out onto the pitch with confidence levels so high you can't help but dominate.
If you haven't checked out Chasing Greatness on Amazon you can do so at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
Here's just some of what you'll discover:
- What elite really means, why it matters, and how to use it to speed up your development
- 3 different types of goals you need to set
- 5 things you need to consider when setting goals if you want to make sure you set goals that truly matter
- 7 things you need to know about habits for long-term soccer success
- Discover how to use the #1 confidence builder to crush doubt, skyrocket your progress, and put your development on an entirely new level
- 8 ways to start getting comfortable outside of your comfort zone
- Unlock mental toughness through failure and mistakes and why you'll never succeed if you don't embrace failure
Check it out at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
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In honor of the release of Chasing Greatness - Simple Strategies for Unbreakable Confidence and Elite Performance Every Time You Step on The Pitch we are going to start a deep dive into the most important confidence builder in existence. It's the very foundation of confidence building. If you ignore this, you can forget about heading out onto the pitch with confidence levels so high you can't help but dominate.
If you haven't checked out Chasing Greatness you can do so at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
Here's just some of what you'll discover:
- What elite really means, why it matters, and how to use it to speed up your development
- 3 different types of goals you need to set
- 5 things you need to consider when setting goals if you want to make sure you set goals that truly matter
- 7 things you need to know about habits for long-term soccer success
- Discover how to use the #1 confidence builder to crush doubt, skyrocket your progress, and put your development on an entirely new level
- 8 ways to start getting comfortable outside of your comfort zone
- Unlock mental toughness through failure and mistakes and why you'll never succeed if you don't embrace failure
Check it out at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/chasing
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You might be a wizard with the ball when you're nine. What happens after that? Let's talk about it.
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In today's episode, we use some amazing thoughts but US WNT all-time great Tiffany Milbrett as a jumping-off point on how to revitalize US soccer and help you become a better individual player by letting go of what you think you need to do and embracing the risk of being different. Have a listen now and don't forget to consider supporting the podcast by becoming a Supporters Club member at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/supporters
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Loki would've been a great soccer player. Why? Because he had this one aspect of the game down pat. It can help you take your game to the next level and compete with better and better defenders as you move along in your career. It's pretty rare for youth soccer players so it will set you apart immediately. Have a listen and add it to your game today. Don't forget to check out The Supporters Club at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/supporters Become a support and help support the podcast. You'll receive some amazing gifts, such as the very popular 30-Day Ball Control Program. Thanks!
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It's here! Players, I guarantee you are going to love this episode. It's everything you've ever wanted to hear. Ha! You know that feeling you get when you arrive at class and the test you are NOT prepared for is canceled? Or the homework you didn't do is not collected? This is even better! Have a listen and find out the crucial things you need to know to become a better soccer player. If you're loving the podcast please consider becoming a Supporters Club member at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/supporters
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Do you train on your own? Of course, you do! Glad to hear it. In this episode, we cover 3 common training mistakes most youth soccer players make during their sessions. Fix these and you'll find your training will produce better results in less time. You'll take your skill development to another level a lot faster than you would have otherwise.
If you're enjoying The Soccer Specialist Podcast please check out the Supporters Club at https://thesoccerspecialist.com/supporters to help support the show for less than a cup of coffee.
Take a listen and improve your play now!
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Wow. 2024. Really?
It's gone so fast that it took me a minute to figure out why Baby New Year 2024 stopped by earlier to chat about all things youth soccer (she's a big fan).
I asked Baby New (I call her Baby New - we're ride or die) how she felt about all the memes, motivational quotes, and sayings out there this time of year.
People are excited.
I told her she may be the most popular baby new year EVER! Til next year of course, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings.
Parents and players can't wait to get back out on the pitch!
She didn't seem all that excited though.
It turns out she's stressed out about all the pressure.
I asked what she meant and she said everyone always expects the new year to be magically different and better than the previous one.
Then she dropped the bombshell.
She said it's not going to be different.
WHAT?! No one wants to hear THAT!
Thankfully, she clarified. Hit play and let's talk about it!
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As a soccer player, you know the ability to change direction quickly, efficiently, and effectively is an important part of the game. Soccer players are having to change direction all the time. Often, it's in reaction to something else happening on the pitch. For example, a defender in a 1v1 situation is going to need to be able to change direction well in response to what the dribbler is doing. If not, he's going to get beat, or worse, get nutmegged or end up on their butt. Check out what the difference is between change of direction and agility (they are not the same) and how you can train them properly to improve your own performance. Don't forget to check out https://impactsoccerperformance.com
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As you move up in competition the game changes. Things that worked at a lower level at age 8 aren't going to work at a higher level when you're 13. But there are specific parts of your game you can improve that will help you be able to compete and excel at the next level. Take a listen now and discover 7 things you need to master to play at the next level.
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First, we'll talk about the importance of learning to overcome adversity and challenges, how Dest is a bad example of doing so, the ultimate 5 ball challenge (you'll love this) and more! You'll also get the details on the ultimate holiday gift deal at https://impactsoccerperformance.com/holiday Thanks!
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Inside this amazing episode, we discuss the #1 confidence builder you need to know to take your game-day performance to the next level. We'll also share wisdom from Nick Saban and more! So much more!! It's almost shocking. Have a listen.
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In today's episode, we tackle the tough challenge of being overlooked as a player. What does it mean if you get benched or cut? How come you aren't getting better as fast as your teammates? Does this mean you'll never catch up or be the player you want to be? Listen to the stories of these athletes and discover how this can help you on your journey. Let's get it!
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After a very so so three games and being inches away from getting knocked out of the World Cup in the group stage for the first time every, Carli Lloyd had some words of wisdom for the national team that no one else seems brave enough to say out loud. Here's how it can help you become a better soccer player! Let's get it!
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Do you have dreams or goals for your soccer? Let's dive in on what you need to do to reach them. You'll even hear from Kobe Bryant on his "secret" to greatness. And a whole lot more. Have a listen!
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If there's one piece of advice I can give you to help you with your soccer development, it's in this episode. Have a listen!
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I ran into one of my players earlier this week. She's home after completing her freshman year in college. She'll be 20 in October! Crazy! Seeing her reminded me of one of our most interesting seasonal journeys (and her biggest goal ever scored). Come take a trip down memory lane with me and learn some valuable lessons about how to overcome set backs and huge mistakes. Let's go!
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Confidence is a crucial part of performance. It's a topic I get asked about all the time. So let's dig into it a little bit in this the latest, and longest episode that we've ever done! Confidence directly affects a player's decision-making, risk-taking, and ability to perform under pressure. When a player feels confident, they are more likely to take calculated risks, make quick decisions, and trust their instincts. On the other hand, when a player lacks confidence, they may hesitate, make poor decisions, and second-guess themselves, which can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities. Let's dig in!!
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How is it that a pro footballer can't do THIS? That's crazy! This is what happens when you don't get out of your comfort zone. Learn all about it and how you can be even better than this guy! Plus, a crazy walk off game winner, Alanis Morissette, and so much more. Take your game to the next level (don't you always wonder how many levels there are?)! Oh, and my first rating that isn't 5-star! Let's get it! Have a listen!
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Way too many players stay in their comfort zone. But you'll never grow or develop as a player this way. Take a listen to this episode to discover seven (or is it eight?) ways to get out of your comfort zone starting today. Learn how to spend time in the UNcomfortable zone, where great things happen!
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Discover the #1 obstacle to your development as a soccer player and how to fix it. We'll also dive into how to train to overcome a team situation that isn't allowing you to do what you need to do to grow as a player. Let's get it!
Don't forget to check out all our resources that go along with the podcast.
- The Soccer Specialist Site
- The Free 7-Day Ball Control Program
- Impact Total Touch Training - The 60-Day Ball Mastery Program
- Impact Soccer Performance - Quickly and Easily Increase Your Speed, Become More Explosive, and Be First To The Ball!
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Why do we let players stay in their comfort zone? How is this helping in any way? You don't develop or grow in your comfort zone. Let's talk about it. Oh and there's some good 1v1 stuff, too! Enjoy!
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Actions, expectations, goals, outcomes, behaviors, schoolwork, guitars, pop culture references and more... all leading to soccer greatness! Come hang out with us and start chasing greatness!
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High levels of motivation aren't going to help you become a great soccer player. On this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast we talk about what will! Join us on your journey to chasing greatness!
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Okay, there's some chat about eating between tournament games, Ted Lasso, and even Band of Brothers! What? Exactly! You simply have to listen!
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Yep, that's right. We owe a lot to dirty teams. They can help take your performance to an entirely new level... IF you approach the experience the right way. Learn how inside and discover how it can happen for EVERY game you play, not just against the dirty teams.
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Take a look at what it takes to become the best player you can possibly be, learn how one moment can change everything and how to use it to your advantage.
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One day she was a keeper on a very low-level team. The next she was the starting (and only) keeper on a much, much better team that has their sights set on a conference title. How'd she do? Come on in and learn about the triumphs and the tears and maybe take away a few powerful nuggets that can help you on your own soccer journey.
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Your mental game plays an important role in your physical game on the pitch. Have a listen as we discuss three different athletes and how their mental game had a huge impact, positive and negative, on their physical game. Don't dismiss the mind. If you want to achieve excellence on the pitch you need to train your mind just like you train your body and your skills.
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Finally, we talk about the World Cup! Why did the US lose to the Netherlands? Take a listen and find out and you'll also discover how it can help you become a better soccer player! What's so great about Messi? Did you know he might be a better X than he is goal scorer? Find out what, why and how it can help you and your development.
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From participation trophies to 'everyone makes the team' trends where a club creates as many teams in an age group as it can based on the number of players at tryouts, it seems all you players are special. Is this true? And does that mentality really serve players best and help your development? Let's examine who isn't special, who is, and how it can be you!
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That's right! The Soccer Specialist Podcast has survived to it's 100th episode! I wasn't sure we'd get to episode 10 but here we are! Have a listen.
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I'm saddened and frustrated by how I often I come across the "my 8 year old is an attacking mid, my 9 year old is a keeper, my 7 year old is a striker..." stuff.
99.9% of "Elite" youth players in America can't control the ball at their feet or check their shoulder! Your 11 year old is NOT a position!
Please don't worry so much about what position your young player plays (when they are young they should play them all anyway). They need to become soccer players, not strikers, or wingers or attacking mids. Who knows where they will be needed or wanted when they are older, trying to play at a higher level. They should be developing as soccer players, NOT soccer positions!
Come on inside and learn WHY this is important and HOW it can help you become an even better player!
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A player (that the coach selected for the team) asked what he could do better to get playing time. The coach told him to gro. WTH!?!! Are you kidding me? As you can imagine this nonsense fired me up! Hopefully there's something useful in here for you, like all the things you can do to be a great player that have ZERO to do with your height!
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Story time! Discover how 10 days changed everything for a team, my view on development and how it can help you become a better player, too! Listen! Listen now! Ha!
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Conventional wisdom is to spend a lot of time working on your weaknesses. Is that really the best way to go about becoming a great soccer player? Let's take a deep dive into the reality of that wisdom and see if we can come up with a better plan for your development. Take a listen!
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Have you ever seen (or been a part of) a team that is playing really well and then it completely collapses? Or they are getting dominated and manage to turn it around? It's like watching two very different games in one. Come take a listen as I walk down memory lane to talk about two games just like that... and what you can take away from the experience to make you a better player.
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Yes, the game should be fun. It doesn't mean it will be fun every second. What does that mean for your training? What if you want to play in college? Do you need to be on some fancy national league team? All this and more. Have a listen.
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Could horse racing be the key to your development as a soccer player? Sounds crazy, right? Maybe not so crazy. Take a listen and find out!
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Can you believe it? Sounds crazy but it's true. What can you learn from it? Guess you'll have to listen!
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One of the most difficult things in youth soccer is understanding how to make off the ball runs successful. Too many players don't want to commit to them unless they know they are going to get the ball. This dooms the run to failure before it even happens. Take a listen and learn simple secrets to turning off the ball runs into a success that also make the passer a much better player with the ball.
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This is part 2 of last week's episode, focusing on 14 different ways to help build your confidence. Last week we covered the first 6 and today we'll talk about tips seven through 14. Have a listen!
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If you want your performance to be the best it can be on the pitch, you need to play with a lot of confidence. Sadly, this is a struggle for many players for many different reasons. In this episode of The Soccer Specialist podcast we'll discuss 14 fantastic confidence boosting tips you can use right now to improve your confidence, including the #1 confidence builder there is. Take a listen now!
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Had a crazy thing happen in a game that I've actually never seen before in my coaching career. Or while playing. Or while watching soccer! That's how rare it is. Listen to how my player reacted. It's all about your reaction when it comes to overcoming obstacles. You'll also discover what music scales have to do with soccer and how you can re-frame your negative thoughts to become a better, more confident player. Whew!
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Did I call Ada Hegerberg the world's best striker? I did! I mean, she does hold the single season Champion's League record of 15 goals. That's a pretty good record to have. In this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast Ada talks about her experience as a 17 year old player in Germany and what it takes to become a great player. Have a listen!
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We all have periods when everything is going great. We're working hard, having great training sessions that we never miss. And we see the results, too! But then, for whatever reason, we have to miss a session, or we have a bad one. Then we miss again. And again. Next thing you know, we are way off track, far from our goals, and we feel overwhelmed and frustrated with trying to get back to where we were. Many times that keeps us from even getting started on the journey back. Have a listen. Maybe this will help!
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Last episode we talked about the role of skills versus athleticism in soccer. In this episode we take a dive into the world of how to go about improving your athleticism to help you become a better soccer player. This means getting faster, becoming more explosive, and improving your agility and ability to change direction. Have a listen!
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Here we go! There is always a lot of talk around this topic in America. Many think we focus too much on athleticism and that's why we struggle to compete with the rest of the world (on the men's side and yes, increasingly on the women as their game grows around the world). Is this really true, though? Is our focus on athletic traits the problem? Before Cruyff arrived, Barcelona had a height requirement. Germany has size and speed minimums as well. So what's the real problem? What matters more? Get all your answers inside and become a better soccer player and better athlete today!
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Following up on last week's episode of The Soccer Specialist podcast, we expand on the idea of failure being the road to success, how to apply it to your development and using it to become a better player. Plus other stuff, too! Like Bella! Simple! Listen now!
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Remember the Miracle on Ice when the US Olympic hockey team won gold with the greatest upset of all time? Check in for some thoughts on the movie Miracle and the lessons you'll learn that can help make you a much better soccer player. You'll also discover how some of the greatest players in sports are also the biggest failures. Oh, and maybe a lesson on avoiding quicksand, too! Have a listen!
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Steph Curry is one of the greatest outside shooters in NBA history. How he got there can help you become a better soccer player. You'll also discover how easy it really is to start pulling off moves like the Maradona, the Matthews, not to mention putting together multiple moves like the 3 Move Sequence (not a rock band). Have a listen and become a better player today.
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If you want to become the best soccer player you can be, you need to focus on certain things and avoid others. Take a listen and discover where you need to put your time and focus, as well as what you need to stay away from on your journey to becoming your best.
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Yes, Bruce Lee knows Kung Fu. Apparently, he also knows soccer! Come inside and learn the soccer secret Bruce Lee knows that can help you take your game to the next level!
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We talk a lot about mental training and how your mind is so important to your performance. While this is true, it's also possible that it may be the other way around. Instead of the mental leading the physical state, maybe we need the physical state to lead the mental. Take a listen inside to find out how the simple idea of action may be the key to your soccer success!
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Let's get the new year started off right and build some positive momentum and confidence. In this episode of The Soccer Specialist podcast we talk about how to set the right goals, avoid overwhelm, take action and achieve success. Take a listen!
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Yep, it's that time...a new year is here. Are you prepared to make it an amazing part of your soccer journey? Dig in and learn how to get started on the right path to becoming the best soccer player you can be as well as learn how pressure can be a great thing to drive you to being your best.
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I get asked all the time by parents and players for advice on how to handle tryouts. In this episode, we'll talk about the different things you can do to stand out and get noticed. The great thing is, this advice won't just help with tryouts but you'll find it beneficial at training and practices as well as games. These tips will simply make you a better player. Have a listen!
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It's not all about physical talent and skills. Many players with talent have flamed out because they didn't have the mental game to go with all that physical talent. You can't get by on physical talent alone. If you aren't training the mental game you're going to get left behind. Don't let that happen to you.
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If you want to become a better player and do it quickly, you'll want to listen to this tip on how Carli Lloyd trains. You'll also discover the secrets to quickly and easily beating a defender in a 1v1 situation, not to mention learn about the two greatest passers (based on assists) of all time (it might surprise you) and how they'll encourage you to dribble more. And more of course! Take a listen now!
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Welcome to the Thanksgiving episode where we delve into a masterclass on ball control We'll also talk about training, Rocky Balboa, Miracle, the Death Crawl scene and more! Join us!
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Dive in and learn some of the important skills you need to master to become a great soccer player. As a bonus, you'll also learn which player everyone HATES to play against, and how you can become that player so you'll always have a spot on the team! Give it a listen and rejoice! Ha!
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Soccer is a very unique sport. There's a reason people say by the time you learn to play soccer you're too old to play soccer! One of the great things about it is all the things a player can do to become really good that have nothing to do with skill or athleticism. In this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast we go over all those important things a player can do to be really effective on the pitch without being the biggest or fastest player out there. And if you are fast, you'll be unstoppable if you add these things to your game!.
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In this episode of The Soccer Specialist podcast we cover a number of technique issues, such as how to perform the scissors properly, how to be quicker with the ball at your feet and how to shoot with more power. Who doesn't want to do all of that? Have a listen and become a better player today!
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Mental toughness separates players in soccer. If you're not mentally tough, you are going to struggle to perform when your team needs you most. It also greatly impacts your development, not just how you do on game day. Take a listen to the latest episode of The Soccer Specialist podcast on some of the best ways to take your mental toughness (and your development) to another level.
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This is a follow up to last week's podcast on how to get faster for soccer. In this episode, we answer some audience questions on how to increase your soccer speed. Join us!
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Let's clear something up. You can train to get faster. Period. Most people see speed as something you are born with, you have it or you don't. Not true. You can develop speed with proper training, just like any other physical skill.
Sure, where you ultimately end up has a lot to do with genetics (there is only one Usain Bolt but even he did a lot of training over years to maximize those genetics).
But everyone can get significantly faster with the right mindset and training program (Impact). Remember, it's not about whether you can get faster than someone else, it's about improving on your own speed.
someone with average speed can become above average and someone with above average speed can become elite.
All else being equal, speed is a game changer! The sports cliche “speed kills” really is true and soccer is no different.
With improved speed you can:
- Win more of the 50/50 balls.
- It’s easier get in behind defenses with your off the ball runs.
- You can break down a defense out wide to play dangerous crosses.
- When a defender knows you have superior speed, they will back off, which gives you more time and space to make a good decision.
- As a defender you can erase mistakes by quickly closing on the opponent to stop transitional attacks.
Take a listen if you want to increase your speed and get faster for soccer.
Discover how To Take Your Soccer Performance To The Next Level And Dominate Game Day With a Step by Step Program To Increase Your Speed Agility, Quickness All While Improving Your Athleticism with Impact Soccer Performance <<--
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Ever see the movie Whiplash? The Farmer's Insurance guy (J.K. Simmons - great actor) plays a sadistic music teacher/mentor. A very talented drummer quits. A few months later they run into each other in a bar. Andrew (the drummer) says: But is there a line? You know, maybe you go too far, and you discourage the next Charlie Parker from ever becoming Charlie Parker? Fletcher (the sadistic mentor): No, man, no. Because the next Charlie Parker would never be discouraged.
In this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast we talk a little bit about this idea of mental toughness, overcoming obstacles and never being discouraged so you can overcome and become the best possible player you can be.
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So this is timely. I had planned this episode before Carli Lloyd announced her retirement. Inside we talk about how Carli Lloyd's stellar career was almost derailed, what she did to right the ship, and how it can make YOU a better player! In order to stay in the plans of the US Women's National Team Carli Lloyd made some big changes in her approach to the game. So much so, that she's known around the world for her training, focus and mental toughness. Learn how this can help take your game to the next level. What's the controversy? You'll have to listen to learn about that, too!
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If you want to improve your 1v1 play you MUST master this one move!! But that's not all we talk about. We'll talk about my embarrassing moment, too, not to mention the #1 key to becoming a more confident player. But wait! There's more! Ha! What's the key to Ronaldo's success and how can it help you? Yep, we talk about that, too! This episode is epic! I mean, elite! Ha! Listen, you'll know what I mean! Take a listen and become a better player!
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A lot of mistakes are mad toward the end of games that aren't made in the beginning. This happens for a few reasons, the biggest being simply fatigue. When players get tired, they make mental, physical, and technical mistakes. Listen in to today's podcast on how to fix this and become a better plater late in the game!
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Watching Wales play the other day reminded me of a story about Gareth Bale that can help you become a better, more confident player. Take a listen and learn the Bale lesson. You'll also find out how I survived soccer camp in a way no one should! And plenty more!
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Big. Strong. Fast. Those are the traits that stand out in youth soccer in America. But what if you aren't any of those things? That's okay. That's what is so great about the beautiful game! Take a listen and discover all the ways you can become a great soccer player, even if you aren't the biggest, or fastest player on the pitch!
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Tryouts are a cray time. Knowing you're making the right decision in terms of a coach isn't easy yet it's so important. Not just for player development but for the love of the game. Take a listen and see if this helps!
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Fuggedaboutit? Listen and learn. Players will struggle for all kinds of reasons. It's not always that they aren't developing, or have a bad attitude, or are even thinking about quitting. It's important we, adults and players, understand what drives these struggles so we can move through them together.
Do you want more power on your shot? A better weak foot? An improved 1v1 game? Not a problem.. Have a listen and you'll learn the secret to creating those outcomes you want as a player. Seriously. Go listen.
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There's a lot more to being a great soccer player than technical skills, smarts and even athleticism. You have to have all these things, but you also have to have a great inner game. Your mindset and your body language play a crucial role in how you develop in training and how you perform game day. And how you separate yourself in the big moments, the one's many players shy away from, such as the championship deciding penalty kick. Step inside and find out some simple tips and strategies you can use to elevate your game. Don't forget to check out the newly released Impact Soccer Performance at https://impactsoccerperformance.com
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Inside you'll discover:
the one fear you must overcome to become a great player.
the one thing you must do if you want to become a great player.
the secret ball skill progression you have to use if you want to control the ball like Marta or Messi!
a announcement that could change your game forever!
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There's a lot that goes into reaching your potential and becoming the best soccer player you can be on the pitch. The 4 P's talked about in this episode are crucial to helping you do exactly that. Take 15 minutes and discover how to accelerate your development and become a much better player than you are right now.
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Soccer tryouts are a very stressful time. But there are some simple things you can do to help yourself stand out and play with confidence. Take a listen to the latest episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast to learn more.
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I answer an important question from a parent who doesn't want to mess up their child's development. I also talk about the most important thing a player can do to become great and discuss the many different aspects of their game they need to embrace. Look, there's just a lot of goodness in this episode okay? Go listen!
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There are a lot of different aspects to good 1v1 play from completely beating a defender, to keeping the ball under pressure until you can escape and make a pass, to simply unbalancing a defender a bit to create a good shooting or passing angle. In this episode of The Soccer Specialist podcast we take a look at three different 1v1 games that cover a wide range of 1v1 skills you need to be a successful soccer player. And of course, some other great tips, too! Have a listen!
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Nutrition for your youth soccer players matters a lot more than most people think. Good nutrition doesn't matter less because they are running around burning calories, it matters more. They don't only need good calories for the physical aspect of the sport but for the mental part of the game as well. Check out this primer on nutrition for soccer players and learn how nutrition can help you perform better.
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Apparently this is episode 50 of The Soccer Specialist Podcast. Time really does fly! But don't worry, we've got fireworks, a huge cake, and world famous guests. Okay, well, we don't actually have fireworks, a huge cake or world famous guests. But it's still an amazing podcast episode filled with goodness. Your life will be pretty empty if you don't listen to it.
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One of the biggest obstacles for most players (and a pet peeve for coaches and parents) is training on their own. Listen in and learn how much training you should be doing, how to make it easy, and how to turn it into a habit that will help you long past your soccer playing career. Good times! And there's an appearance from Carli Lloyd, too! Well, she doesn't actually speak but I talk about a story she told when I met her. Enjoy!
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Touting multi-sport playing as the holy grail of athletics compared to the pure evil of playing one sport seems to be all the rage nowadays. But is any of it actually true? Let's find out!
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Development versus winning is an ongoing debate. Some focus way too much on winning. Some say it doesn't matter at all and if you're focused on winning with young players you're hurting their development. But what if it's not that simple. What if winning does matter? But what if it's about HOW you win and the message you send when you don't? It's a fascinating topic and figuring it out is crucial for young players to not only survive youth soccer but thrive, both on and off the pitch.
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In many past episodes I've talked a lot about all the important things you can do as a player that will allow you to be great without being fast. It's all true. But it doesn't mean speed isn't important in the sport of soccer. It is. The good news is, no matter who you are, you can increase your speed for soccer. Combine increased speed with all those other skills such as vision, awareness, anticipation, checking your shoulder (and more) and you'll be well on your way to becoming the best player you can be. Listen in to part 2 on increasing your soccer speed as we dig in to more details on how to make you a faster player.
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We talk a lot about how winning doesn't matter at the young ages because it's development that's important. Is that true? If so, why? And if not, how come? Can knowing the difference and the context help you become a better player? Is losing a lot a good thing? Is winning a lot a good thing? Learn all the secrets of the (soccer) universe inside!
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One of the great things about the sport of soccer is that all types of players can excel. There are so many things you can do that can make up for not being the biggest, fastest or strongest player on the pitch; soccer IQ, technical skill, anticipation, awareness, vision and more.
In fact, I talk about them on this episode of the Podcast How to Become an Elite Soccer Player <<==
That being said, when all else is equal...
Speed kills.
Anyone involved in almost any sport has heard that expression. For good reason. It's true! All else being equal, speed wins out. It's an important part of most major team sports and that includes soccer.
You can't teach speed.
That's another popular one and the two go hand in hand. The first one is true. This one is not.
You absolutely can teach speed. If someone tells you that you can't, run fast and run far (I'll help you get faster! Ha!).
Sprinting is a skill. Skills can be improved.
We would never refuse to teach a young player how to dribble because we don't think they can become Messi or Marta. We would never refuse to teach a young basketball player how to shoot a jump shot because they'll never become Steph Curry.
Yet we refuse to teach a player how to get faster because they won't become Usain Bolt. Or maybe they are the slowest player on the team and we don't think there's any way they'll become the fastest.
That might very well be true but that doesn't mean we can't help a player get faster than they currently are right now.
We seem to take athleticism for granted and believe that it's immutable. In other words, there are great athletes and not so great athletes and everything in between and that's all there is to it. It's the luck of the draw to use a cliché. This is a myth! Athleticism can be improved and it can be improved significantly! And speed is part of that equation.
It's not about turning someone into a world class sprinter. It's about improving their speed in order to help them perform better on the pitch.
Let's use a simple example.
There is a lot that goes into increasing speed and stride length is not everything. But for the sake of argument let's say, with proper training, we are able to improve a player's stride length by a whopping two inches.
It doesn't seem like much but that player will cover 24 more inches of ground over 12 steps. That's two full feet.
In soccer, that is the difference between making a play or not making that play.
It's the difference between being first or second to the ball.
It's the difference between finishing a breakaway or stopping one. Covering an extra couple of feet of ground is big on the pitch.
It can be the difference between sitting the bench or being the star.
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Confidence is crucial to success in soccer. Just ask any player who has to take a penalty kick in an important situation. Inside you'll discover just how powerful the mind is by walking on a balance beam. You'll also learn the #1 confidence builder and how to use it to boost your own confidence and performance. The great thing is, it's completely under your control. Whether you use it or not is entirely up to you. Listen now and take your performance to the next level!
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It's that time! New year, new you! Better soccer player! One thing I've found that youth soccer players don't do nearly enough of is setting goals and putting together an actual plan to achieve those goals. Take a listen and find out how you can set the right type of goals and use a 90 day action plan to achieve those goals and skyrocket your soccer development. And get your 30 day ball control plan at The Soccer Specialist
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Can you believe it's almost 2021? Thank goodness, right? Good riddance, 2020!! In today's episode, we're going to talk about all good things you can do to get a jump on 2021 and skyrocket your development. Inside are the keys to more confidence, better performance, and becoming the best player you can possibly be! Listen now! DO IT!! Don't make me send Bella over there.
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Here is part 2 - It's a two parter because the file was too big to upload. Crazy, I know! We're going to continue our deep dive into my player development philosophy and discuss what I believe are the two most crucial skills you need to mater to become a great player. You'll also learn the challenges in doing so within the current youth soccer landscape and why you can't rely on your organized soccer career to help you.
This is based on a lot of experience, research, on going education, etc in which I've learned from those before me. Standing on the shoulders of giants as they say. It's been an evolution for sure. How I coach now is not the same as how I coached 10 years ago. It continues to evolve and be refined over time but I believe 100% that the overall concept is the best development path in order to help our players become the best they can be.
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This is a big one. It's a two parter because the file was too big to upload. Crazy, I know! We're going to take a deep dive into player development philosophy and discuss what I believe are the two most crucial skills you need to mater to become a great player. You'll also learn the challenges in doing so within the current youth soccer landscape and why you can't rely on your organized soccer career to help you.
This is based on a lot of experience, research, on going education, etc in which I've learned from those before me. Standing on the shoulders of giants as they say. It's been an evolution for sure. How I coach now is not the same as how I coached 10 years ago. It continues to evolve and be refined over time but I believe 100% that the overall concept is the best development path in order to help our players become the best they can be.
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Here is Part II!
The Power of the 7 day mental diet - Simple NOT easy!
What good free throw shooters can teach us about the key to proper development
How framing training makes all the difference
The keys to the Dutch kingdom of Total Football and what it means to you.
Why Billy Wagner's recruitment matters to you as a player
Are you the next Jaime Vardy and what you need to find out if you are.
A simple way to minimize injuries that all players, teams, clubs and leagues should take note of now.
How the development process looks versus how we want it to look and why accepting the difference matters.
Why being on time means you're late.
If you can do THIS consistently, your development will skyrocket!
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This episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast has so much goodness in it, I had to break it up into Part 1 and Part 2! Here's just some of what we are going to cover!
- The Power of the 7 day mental diet - Simple NOT easy!
- What good free throw shooters can teach us about the key to proper development
- How the words you use in framing training makes all the difference
- The keys to the Dutch kingdom of Total Football and what it means to you.
- Why Billy Wagner's recruitment matters to you as a player
- Are you the next Jaime Vardy and what you need to find out if you are.
- A simple way to minimize injuries that all players, teams, clubs and leagues should take note of now.
- How the development process looks versus how we want it to look and why accepting the difference matters.
- Why being on time means you're late.
- If you can do THIS consistently, your development will skyrocket!
- And lots more!
Listen now! And don't forget to grab a free copy of The Soccer Speed Report <<--
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It amazes me how many young soccer players are afraid to dribble. They don't want to be considered a ball hog, or selfish, or get yelled at by the coach because they lose the ball. Yet, mastering the ball is the key to development. Without it, you can't play the game. But we as adults actively discourage players from dribbling! We are actually hurting them with this nonsense! Listen in to find out what being selfish really is, how dribbling helps the entire team, and discover tips on how you can help your players understand that dribbling can be the right decision and why it doesn't mean you are being a selfish player. Let's stop constraining our players, and unleash their greatness!
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Creativity is the backbone of why soccer is known as the beautiful game. It's a problem solving sport that looks for creative solutions within its patterns of play. Without that creativity, teams become predictable and unable to create opportunities against good defenses. But by understanding the rules of this particular genre of music you can learn how to become a better, more creative player who can create opportunities for the team.
Be sure and check out Dominate Game Day on Amazon (Kindle) (Paperback)
Inside you'll discover the one key that will unlock your improvisational skills and creativity as a soccer player.
Struggling with your confidence? Do this and you'll become the most confident player on the pitch!
Have a listen!
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There are a lot of things you need to be able to do well on the pitch to excel at soccer. Physical qualities like speed, quickness, explosiveness, and endurance. Then there are the technical skills like a great first touch, taking the ball out of the air, a variety of different passes, shots and dribbling skills. Not to mention a high soccer IQ, great decision making, vision, awareness, anticipation. But in this podcast we're going to talk about the one thing that means more than all of those, the one thing that ties everything together. If you want to be great, you need to listen to this.
Be sure and check TheSoccerSpecialist.com and get your free 30 day ball mastery breakthrough plan.
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A member of The Soccer Specialist Private Facebook Group was talking about the idea of parents of very young players, 7-9 or so, chasing rankings and things like "elite" etc.
Sadly, that does happen a lot and with players of all ages. On this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast we are going to talk about why it shouldn't.
This isn't a be all end all list but nail these and you're well on your way to doing this soccer parent thing right. I think it's important for the players listening to pay attention to this as well. It's your journey, you should be part of the conversation about where you play and understand what it means.
At those ages there are a few very important things you need to consider or understand. Listen and discover 6 things you need to focus on to help your player develop and create a love for the game.
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Take a listen and find out the 2 movements every soccer player must learn, and strengthen, in order to help prevent injuries while at the same time improve overall athletic performance. When you include these two movements within a properly designed training program you'll improve your strength, your overall athleticism and help prevent injury. You'll become stronger, faster, quicker, more powerful and more explosive while at the same time become all all around better soccer player. If you want to be a better soccer player, you MUST perform and master these 2 movements! Listen now!
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It's often said that the #1 reason for playing any sport, including soccer is fun. I agree. However, I think this idea of the game being fun does need to be defined and put into some context. This is probably the number one subject I hear about from parents. It's usually framed in the idea of how do they encourage players to get out with the ball and train at home, yet not push them so much that they begin to dislike the game. Because the thing is, while number one is fun, it's very rare that anything in which you want to excel is going to be all fun all the time. In this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast we'll take a look at the balance between fun and development and how the two can co-exist!
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This got really long and I had to cut it in half to save the second part for another podcast episode. Inside, you'll hear from a podcast listener how it helped his daughter overcome some mental obstacles that had been bothering her. We'll also look at some great advice from Michael Jordan as well as the importance of specific 1v1 skills that don't seem to be taught anywhere. And maybe more? Join Bella and myself on a caffeine fueled drip inside the mind my poor players have to deal with on a regular basis!
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Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference. This is true for your soccer development as well. In this episode we talk about 4 simple things you can do to make your training more effective, which will make you a much better player over time. No matter what you're doing right now, add these and you'll accelerate your development immediately! Plus, other stuff, including a very important question that needs to be answered! Change these things, change your game!
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Confidence plays a huge role in performance on the pitch. If a soccer player lacks confidence, they are unlikely to play as well as they can. Not just on game day either. This can also hurt long term development. Listen in to hear about a simple way to change your mindset and improve confidence almost instantly.
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In this exciting new episode we follow up on the importance of goal setting and confidence and then dive into the story of two players. Both say they want to play in college. They are equal in ability. On the road to their college playing goal, they make different choices. In this episode we talk about the different choices these players make and the impact it has on their goal of playing college soccer. Discover how it goes and what this means for your soccer journey, grasshopper.
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In talking ti many, many MANY soccer parents, one of the biggest issues seen with young players is a lack of confidence. This is a huge problem because confidence is a big part of development, performance, improvement and FUN! Without it, players will struggle and most likely eventually quit the game. We absolutely don't want that. Listen in to find out how the simple act of setting goals can increase confidence.
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Recently I came across a letter today's Kelley O'Hara wrote to a 14 year old Kelley O'Hara. It's packed with a lot of great advice for today's youth soccer players. I discuss it on this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast. If you have a youth player or are one, you really need to listen to this. Sometimes we see the top players and we think it was easy for them, that somehow their journey was different and blessed. Sure, it happens, but it's rare. Kelley faced a lot of obstacles, heart ache and heart break on her way to the top. Many lesser people would've quit. Please listen to Kelley's story.
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This season is going much differently than any of us imagined it would. Instead of training with our teammates, playing rivals we hate and battling for a shot at regionals, nationals, or simply a chance to move up, we are sitting at home. But here's the thing, it doesn't have to be all bad. There are some good things that can come from it because make no mistake, soccer WILL be back! Will you be ready?
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We missed a few episodes for reasons that are obvious to everyone. It seems appropriate that the next podcast was going to be about overcoming obstacles and adversity as a soccer player. Just like right now, you'll find many obstacles throughout a player career. How you hand them will determine what type of player you are going to be. Take a listen!
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If you struggle with the mental game, if you get down on yourself all the time, if nothing you do is good enough, you need to listen to this podcast right now! You'll learn a simple 5 minute exercise you can do to totally shift your mindset from self defeating to self empowering, ramp up your motivation, get you inspired and have you playing great, confident soccer!
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If you want to be a great player, you'll need to master this one thing. Also in this episode, we talk about labels and why you should ignore them. Learn how to rapidly improve your game in only 10 minutes per day, and finally you'll discover how this very podcast was responsible for winning a college showcase tournament last week! Listen now!
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When it comes to your performance on the soccer pitch, confidence is everything. It’s confidence, not technical ability, that separates the big time penalty kick takers from those that never take them. Confidence allows you to keep the ball under pressure, try new and creative things and makes you an all around better teammate and player. Check out this podcast and get a much needed confidence boost!
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Have a listen and learn about 9 soccer tips you need to know that will help you develop and become the best soccer player you can possibly be. Discover how one of them took a player from a low level team to a much higher level team that is even a year older. Take a listen now!
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Talented matters. Without it, you are not going to go very far. But having it is no guarantee of success either. There are many other attributes you're going to need to be a great soccer player. Or, for that matter, to be successful in life as well. And teaching those things to our players are really important. Learn what this guy can teach you about succeeding on the pitch and in life.
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Don't have five, six, ten grand a year to spend on youth soccer? Learn why that's not only okay but why you may be better off.
I know youth soccer is a crazy world and it can cost an insane amount of money to give your kids the opportunities you want to give them or think they need.
But I'm here to tell you that it's not only not necessary it may be counter-productive! Learn why you don't need to keep up with the Joneses in this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast!
You only need to give your player ONE thing and they only need to bring ONE thing to the table!
One Plus One = Everything You Need to Succeed In Soccer!
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I know it doesn't seem like kids listen very often. But they hear everything coaches and parents say. In fact, they probably hear a lot more of the negative things. And many of these might not seem negative to the adults. Communication with our soccer players is important. It's even more important to communicate in the right way to make sure your players are in the right frame of mind. The wrong thing said can completely destroy a young player's confidence and ruin the game for them for life. Learn how to avoid these mistakes!
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At young ages, the players that stand out and get the attention in soccer, are the biggest, fastest, strongest athletes. But athleticism is not a key to soccer success at the higher levels. While it gets attention and can be successful at younger ages, if you truly want to be elite there are a lot of things in soccer you can excel at without it. It's what I refer to as little things. These little things may not have anything to do with a player's speed or athleticism, or ever their technical skill, but they are the key to getting big results and becoming an elite soccer player. Learn all about them in the latest episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast from TheSoccerSpecialist.com
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Goal setting is really important when it comes to playing a sport like soccer. And I don't mean goals like "I want to be a better player" or "I want to be the next Messi" or "I want to play in college." I don't even mean goals like "I want to score X number of goals this season." No, I'm talking about specific, incredibly powerful goals, and a specific way of setting them, that will help accelerate your development way beyond that of the other players on your team. Have a listen!
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Excellence is simply being the best soccer player you can possibly be. But while coaches and parents are always talking to our players about effort, and working hard, and being aggressive, we never seem to get around to the important part. We don't help them to understand what it takes, mentally, to be a great player. If a player has big goals for their soccer, such as playing in college, they need some guidance in understanding what that really means. What does being the best player you can be really mean? What does it take? What choices are going to need to be made to get there? How can we help players figure that out so they make the right choices for themselves? Learn all inside when you share in the journey of player 1 and player 2 and how their choices help or hurt their soccer careers.
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If you want to be a good soccer player, you'll need to make choices. You can't do everything. Parents and coaches, it's our job to help our players understand and prioritize those things that are important to them so that they can reach their goals. Learn about the sacrifices and rewards of working hard to be the best soccer player you can possibly be. And most important, learn the best jersey number in soccer! Don't forget to check out http://thesoccerspecialist.com/podcast
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Players, parents, coaches this is a must listen. This is a letter I wrote to my own players a number of years ago. I think one of the things we need to change is the culture and environment surrounding our players while helping them to get all they can out of their youth soccer experience, in addition to helping them on their journey to becoming the very best soccer player possible. If there is an episode I want everyone involved in youth soccer, but especially players, this is the. I hope it motivates, drives and inspires you to great things. Learn more at Letter To A Youth Soccer Player
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Not many players set goals for soccer. Too many focus on the wrong things. These are usually things they can't control, or at least not control completely. They may go into games with the goal of winning. But does a goal of winning really increase your chances of winning? Not really. But there are things you can control, as a player and as a team, that will help you improve and develop. Take 6 minutes and learn about them now.
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Competition is an important part of learning and development. Players don't get better without competition. It's what drives them. But allowing competition to cross a line into a toxic learning environment where players are stressed out and afraid to make a mistake or perform poorly at practice won't help them improve. It will stunt their development and maybe even drive them out of the great sport of soccer. The adults are key here. Parents and coaches need to be on the same page, communicate with and support one another, for the players. Because it's not about the adults.
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Discover the biggest thing a player can do to accelerate their development as a soccer player. You'll learn how to combine this with all the little things a soccer player can do that don't require talent but will equal big results! When a player zeroes in on these aspects of the game their development will rapidly jump to another level, allowing them to compete with bigger, faster, stronger and even more technically skilled players (yet, also improving their own skills faster than ever before). This episode is BIG!
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Youth soccer in America can seem overwhelming for coaches, parents and players. From club politics to all the different leagues, from pay to play to the quality of the coaches, there is a lot to consider and worry about. There are so many things in which it seems players don't have any say. But that's not the case. There are many things players can do on their own, and parents and coaches can support, that can help them develop much more quickly into the player they want to be. Here are 2 simple put powerful ways players can quickly improve their soccer game without relying on clubs, coaches, leagues, organizations or even parents!
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While it seems there is a lot about youth soccer about which we seem to have no control, coaches and parents at the grassroots can have a huge impact on the game and it's players. First, let's stop chasing good coaches out of the game and empower them instead. Parents and coaches should be working together, not butting heads. We can change everything!
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Episode 5 is a continuation of the Elite Youth Soccer Summit talk and we dig in to a lot of goodies, such as why so many players quit around age 13 and how we can fix this problem. You'll learn why we need to stop calling soccer THIS. It's not. Discover why chaotic practices are not only not bad but are actually crucial for long term player development. Listen up, competitiveness is not a dirty word. Discover how to use it to your advantage to become a better player. You'll also learn how to skyrocket a player's focus and intensity. We'll also talk about why you need to lower your expectations and stop treating them like little adults if you really want them to love the game and become better players. And lot's more. Grab some caffeine and have a listen. I also mention the importance of foot skills players can do at home and videos I've created they can use. You can find those foot skill videos here <<==
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Inside you'll learn the most important thing a young player needs to be successful and how you as coaches and parents can support them in developing it. We'll also discuss why we need to stop yelling THIS at games, and what to do instead. Inside is also the magic formula for young players, how it's fun, and how parents can't get mad about it! Discover how a certain type of player will struggle when they are younger but will have the last laugh as an older player. And much more! Enjoy!
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America lacks creative soccer players and there is a big reason for that. In this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast we dive in to what's preventing America from developing creative soccer players and how we can all work together to fix it.
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As players develop and move up to play higher levels of competition, what worked in the past won't always work at another level. Discover the difference between an average player an an elite player and how to make changes to your training (or your kid's) to bridge the gap and become a better player.
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In this short initial episode we talk about what you can expect from The Soccer Specialist podcast going forward and how we can help soccer coaches, parents and youth players on their journey through the greatest sport in the world.
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