Chance Stoodt

Feel like I ask this every year. Coaches, how do you plan your training sessions for the season? Where do you start? Do you plan most of the season in advance or do you go week by week?

@CoachPrunt “Formations are for the journalists,” is a quote I enjoy. Kids are becoming more informed about soccer tactics and concepts generally, but it’s often through FIFA which I think leads to the reductionism you mention. I also see this when they evaluate pros (static rating).

: The Myth of the Formation A quick reflection from a recent match with the youth team I currently work with. We faced a strong local opponent that challenged our group in all phases of the game.

Long-term, I see more rural programs dissolve as numbers consolidate into a fewer number of programs while we lose what makes high school soccer special - the local pride and social dynamics. Only the top players will be invited to switch, creating a transfer culture.

Many of the HS programs in my area toe the line on numbers. Some have gone co-ed to survive. Others have disappeared altogether. If 2B or HB 625 pass, a few disgruntled players could band together, refuse to sign up, allow their team to fold, and then commit to play elsewhere.

Honestly, the goal should be to build up your local soccer programs until they reach the point travel soccer no longer is necessary except for the top 10% of players. Allow the overwhelming majority of players to play locally and develop locally. Cut costs, make it more fun.

@KleimeyerLucas @BG_FMSN This was really good, man! Well done.

My final story with @BG_FMSN! Please check it out! It was an honor to tell Eric Nichols’ story, and it was great getting to interview some of his loved ones.

@Jon_Mackenzie Woohoo! Can’t wait to read it!

Some news: I've written a book about how football has evolved over the last fifteen years or so. It's called The Spectre of Pep: How Guardiola haunts modern football tactics. It's out in August and you can pre-order it right now from this link: geni.us/TheSpectreOfPep

@PonchakOVPL This would be a good change for kids. But as someone who is in the process of starting a soccer program at a small school, I’m terrified of having my roster picked apart by the many local programs also struggling for numbers.

About time.

Football Starts at Home, Book, for FREE! #footballstartsathome #soccerstartsathome tomsan.com/books/football…

Bear Bryant says he was poor at Xs and Os. John Wooden says he was poor at in-game coaching and was more of a trainer. Carlo Ancelotti famously delegates training to focus on game management. In coaching, lots of things work. Do *your* thing.

How important was last season’s loss in the U8 Strawberry Festival? Yeah, I forgot about it as well. Perspective is a wonderful thing. #TOVO #intelligentfootball

How to play your way out of danger 😮‍💨

Madden Orlovsky had a heartfelt message for his family and friends in honor of World Autism Awareness Day 🥹 This was a special moment for all of us at ESPN. Thanks, Madden and @danorlovsky7 ❤️

Had a recruit call today & she’s going elsewhere. She was out of our league, which we knew from the start, & committed P4. But even she, a P4 commit, took the time to call. It was a “Big Girl” call. Not an easy one. She has a fan, in me, for life. #outlove

Certainly a loss to MLS to see Wilfried Nancy depart for Celtic - but a huge opportunity for him. I always loved his approach & philosophy - this quote, from a preseason sitdown I did with him a couple years ago, always stuck with me.

New group. Same mission. Looking for better ways to inform / educate players & parents — leading with insight, not mystery behind the why of our work. Concepts are still new, but we’re building a shared reference library for everyone to grow together. youtu.be/XKBT3TRV1Vc?si…

@CoachPrunt I caught this video last night and enjoyed the more concise presentation. Really like the habits - concepts - game framework.

@FathalliMo Watched Cucho every weekend for a couple years while he was at #Crew96. Special player!

That Cucho Hernandez guy is decent, isn’t he? Saw he score a great goal vs Sociedad recently and now he plays a huge part for Betis’ equalizer with that final 3rd play. Might post something about the goal he scored, was really top.

It’s the National Day of Noticing (Monday) and so let’s get to it… It was the Manchester Derby this weekend and #DidYouNotice the tactical gamble Pep Guardiola used against Manchester United that eventually paid off?