March 22, 2021
- in Coaching , Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business , Volunteers by The Soccer Sidelines
Respect For The Remarkable Grassroots Game?
I had just earned my first coaching certification in the grassroots game and was still proud and amazed by how much I had learned. Standing in the foyer of one of my player’s homes, the mother of this player took in my happy chatter about what I had done and the plans I was making […]
Continue reading March 15, 2021
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Returning to Youth Sports
Returning to youth sports is something we all want to see happen – the sooner the better. Let’s get ready for the fun to come!
Continue reading May 5, 2020
- in Coaching , COVID-19 , Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business by The Soccer Sidelines
Solidarity Payments in US Soccer
Connect with me: https://thesoccersidelines.com/connect/ What are solidarity payments, why do we have them, and how do they work? Do they work at all in the United States? Let’s talk through a use case. In this episode, we share some recent news, then jump into the concept of solidarity payments. Specifically, we talk through the case of DeAndre […]
Continue reading April 27, 2020
- in Coaching , COVID-19 , Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business , Volunteers by The Soccer Sidelines
2020 Senior Prom MASKquerade
In this episode, post a thank you sign for essential workers, host a MASKquerade, and check in on the DA and ODP. From senior graduating without a prom or even a formal graduation to players finding new homes after being displaced from the DA, I cover several topics in an informal discussion format made specially […]
Continue reading April 16, 2020
- in Coaching , COVID-19 , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business by The Soccer Sidelines
US Soccer Development Academy Shuts Down
It is official. US Soccer has shut down the US Soccer Development Academy effective immediately. This is officially due to “…extraordinary and unexpected circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic…” but SoccerWire and other news outlets suggest that there is more to the story. Rumors, articles, social media, and blog posts have been circulating for days. Let’s talk […]
Continue reading March 16, 2020
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The Positives of a Global Pandemic
When bad news is filling our air waves and social media apps… when we’re locked in our homes, faced with empty shelves, overflowing with toilet paper, and feeling a little down, we sometimes need to look at the bright side. In this episode, let’s talk about the positives of a global pandemic! Making Lemonade out […]
Continue reading March 2, 2020
- in Coaching , Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Basics , Soccer Business , Volunteers by The Soccer Sidelines
Have-a-Ball Character Development Program
We need practical ways to bake character development into our youth sports programs. In this episode, I talk about one that I recently implemented in my own club and some of the ways that you can implement a similar program in yours. Being Intentional About Character DevelopmentDevelopment is a long game. It’s not something that […]
Continue reading February 24, 2020
- in Coaching , Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business by The Soccer Sidelines
Statement About The USWNT 2017-2021 CBA
On February 12th, 2020, the players association representing the men’s national soccer team made a public statement that sends shock waves through the United States soccer community. If we are to believe the statement they made, it effectively draws back the curtain on previously confidential negotiations between the United States Soccer Federation and its professional […]
Continue reading February 17, 2020
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Presidents Day Weekend 2020
Happy President’s Day 2020! Big news in the world of US Soccer this week. Full episode coming soon after the holiday. Get ready!
Continue reading January 27, 2020
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Gender Bias in the Game
I was minding my own business, eating my lunch alone at a table when two women asked to join me at my table. The conversation that would unfold for the next hour or so went way beyond my expectations. Before I went to this convention, I thought that gender bias in the game was mostly as […]
Continue reading January 6, 2020
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Crisis of Trust
Sure we have bad sideline behavior, but should we blame parents? What else is at play in our world today that might lead to poor sideline behavior?
Continue reading December 9, 2019
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Crafting Your Soccer Experience
Crafting your soccer experience have a place in the future of youth soccer. Imagine the stuff you want without the stuff you don’t need. #nopaytoplay
Continue reading December 3, 2019
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Alphabet Soup in US Soccer
How do you get from wherever you are in the youth soccer ecosystem to the Olympics, a National team, or a professional team? How do you make the most of your experience and come away happy that you participated? As simple as this question should be to answer, it is anything but simple. The array […]
Continue reading November 18, 2019
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Rewarding Development and Suing Coaches
In this episode, we continue the dialog about bad apple officials, introduce some practical ways we can be intentional about coaching character, and share a warning story about a lawsuit against a JV baseball coach that dragged on for 7 years and cost $75,000 for telling a player to slide into third base. More Bad […]
Continue reading November 4, 2019
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How To Win More Youth Soccer Games
This episode is about winning more youth soccer games. Everybody wants to win, right? So how specifically do Clubs, coaches, and teams ensure the wins? Continue on with me as we explore several ways in which you can win more games. These are tips and techniques that I have personally witnessed and are widely in […]
Continue reading September 30, 2019
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Varsity Soccer Mixed Bag
I’m hearing some variation of this over and over again: “My kids looked forward to playing varsity soccer in high school, but they (or we) have been disappointed with the experience.” Why? In this article, let’s explore the downside of the varsity experience and what we can do about it. The Varsity Experience SummaryWhere we live, […]
Continue reading September 9, 2019
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Youth Sports Access and Affordability is at Risk
Support the Show (https://thesoccersidelines.com/go/) Access to affordable youth sports is at risk. It’s facing extinction in communities all across America. I’m afraid that too few people understand how precarious the situation is. In this article, I share two very personal stories that I hope illustrate the problem as well as some solutions. Volunteers Keep Costs Low […]
Continue reading August 26, 2019
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Playing Varsity Soccer Without Breaking the Bank
My team came to me two years go with the goal of playing varsity soccer. Today, my team makes up half the varsity bench. They didn’t pay thousands!
Continue reading July 29, 2019
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It Takes a Team to Win
It’s Easy to Support this Show You would not dream of suiting up and taking on the New York Giants by yourself. I don’t care if you’re the biggest and strongest dude on the planet. You’re going to die. Literally. I have found in my lifetime of working in corporate America and in business that the […]
Continue reading July 22, 2019
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Is Youth Sports in the US Dying
Youth sports in the US is dying, not because the business model isn’t working, but because it is working too well. It’s drawing in $17 B at what expense?
Continue reading April 22, 2019
- in Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business by The Soccer Sidelines
International Youth Soccer Tour
In Episode 34 I first revealed our partnership with Global Image Sports and the Stoke City Potter. I interviewed Andy Foxall from the Stoke City Academy after we spent a few days together running the Maryland ID Camp together. Then in Episode 40, I talked about taking my kids to Atlanta for the National Soccer […]
Continue reading April 1, 2019
- in Coaching , Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business , Volunteers by The Soccer Sidelines
Parent Engagement in Youth Sports
Youth Sport is bigger than any player. We do our best to let them go and let them play when they’re on the field. That’s a good thing. But coaches only get kids for at maximum, 2 or 3 hours at a time. Parent drive them around, pay for their access, eat and play with […]
Continue reading March 25, 2019
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Improving Access To The Game
Not enough kids have access to the game. Language barriers, cultural differences, and financial paywalls are leaving significant numbers of kids on the sidelines. How big is the problem and what can we do about it?
Continue reading February 25, 2019
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#69 – Volunteer Jobs That Support Kids
Supporting kids in our soccer clubs is more than coaching or being the snack parent. Volunteer jobs that support kids range from cleanup to marketing, to managing awards to organizing BBQ’s. Community Clubs are powered by volunteers of all kinds!
Continue reading February 4, 2019
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#66 – Playing Soccer in College
For many players, playing soccer for their college is a dream. This article is about how to get there. Below you’re going to find a collection of video and linked resources that will get you well on your way to:Understanding the processGetting your plan togetherKeeping you and your athlete […]
Continue reading December 24, 2018
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Pay to Play in Youth Sports
Pay for play is unequal. It’s unfair. And it’s hurting youth sports more than it’s helping. Pay to play in youth sports has been a thing for at least 10 years. It’s a bad thing. And it’s something you should be aware of no matter what sport your kids are playing. Listen to the show for […]
Continue reading October 22, 2018
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#51 – Being Beside THAT Mom or Dad
In the Line of FireThis past weekend, I was asked to be the Assistant Referee (AR) for my son’s 2003 travel game. I’m not a referee, but on this day I had just come from a game and was wearing my coaching uniform. We look like race cars on the field and stand out from […]
Continue reading September 17, 2018
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#46 – Synergy on the Sidelines and the Power of Relationships
Don’t Miss or Underestimate This!Something powerful happens when a group of good people come together around a common goal. Bringing people together in a positive way around youth sports activities in our community not only benefits the kids, but brings adults together in really positive and powerful ways. There are more than two teams on […]
Continue reading September 3, 2018
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Effective Weather Policy for Youth Soccer
Who Cares?”How’s the weather?” is a common conversation opener, but when I hear it, I brace myself for a boring discussion. I get it. This is important stuff though. People have been hurt or killed, and thousands of games get cancelled or delayed every season. I’ve heard parents and coaches complain about a closure or […]
Continue reading August 6, 2018
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National Soccer Camp
National Soccer Camps offer a channel for kids interested in soccer to pursue higher levels of competition, gain exposure to many coaches (often world class coaches), a chance to build unique memories, and to gain exposure on a much larger stage for those interested in college or professional soccer careers. This experience is not for […]
Continue reading July 9, 2018
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#36 – Bad Sideline Behavior
A National EpidemicWhat I’m about to share with you is a problem of National consequence. I’m not exaggerating! Producing this podcast, acting as Club President, and coaching, I tend to be reaching out and connecting with a lot of people. I’m hearing the same story from all corners of my world. Bad sideline behavior is […]
Continue reading July 2, 2018
- in Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business by The Soccer Sidelines
#35 – Getting To Play Soccer
“Necessity is the Mother of Invention.” Plato Playing Soccer Can Cost Money and TimeWhile “the Beautiful Game” can be played with just a ball, a flat surface, and bare feet; in the US, we tend to throw in paid coaches, paid referees, field fees, travel fees, uniform fees, and we need to pay someone to […]
Continue reading June 25, 2018
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#34 – English Football in America
Partnering with Stoke CityIt’s taken months to put together a partnership with Stoke City Potters and Global Image Sports. This past weekend, we realized a major benefit from that partnership: an ID camp for kids throughout the region. We got rained out for part of the camp, but the camp continued – even when wet. […]
Continue reading June 18, 2018
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Soccer is Coming to America – Bid For the 2026 World Cup
North America Won The Bid for the 2026 World Cup!What Did We Win? The United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup. This will be a 48 team World Cup – a global phenomenon – with 80 games played in total. 60 games will be played in the US. 10 games will be […]
Continue reading May 28, 2018
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The Soccer Mom Uber
Mom and Dad’s investment in soccer is not just money. It’s shopping for stuff, replacing stuff, cleaning stuff, picking up stuff, vacuuming the lawn of dead grass and astro turf bits that multiply in corners, cleaning scuff marks from car footwells, cleaning scuff marks from walls, scooping up a never ending tide of water bottles, […]
Continue reading May 7, 2018
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#27 – Safety on a Soccer Field
“It is estimated that half of all sports-related injuries among children can be prevented. Protective equipment, safe playing conditions and the development and enforcement of safety rules help reduce the number and severity of sports injuries.” Sarah Cox Who is Responsible for Safety in Youth Sports? Players Parents Coaches RefereesHost Org Pre-Season check Be sure […]
Continue reading April 30, 2018
- in Coaching , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business , Volunteers by The Soccer Sidelines
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Fundraising For Youth Clubs and Teams
This is About Your MissionFundraising is about finding more fuel for your club or organization. We simply can’t do what our mission calls us to do without money. As a youth sports club, a school, or a not-for-profit, even if you think you’re all set, the reality is: there are people we could and should be […]
Continue reading March 19, 2018
- in Coaching , Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business , Volunteers by The Soccer Sidelines
#20 – Protecting Our Kids From Predators_Youth Protection
This episode made me sad to have to deliver, but this is a subject that is important to talk about. Better now than after another child is abused. Violations of youth protection result in pain that can last a lifetime. It’s important to talk about the pain that’s already happened, but it is equally important […]
Continue reading February 19, 2018
- in Culture , Parents , Podcast , Soccer Business by The Soccer Sidelines
#16 – How Much Does it Cost to Play Soccer – Part 2 (The Programs)
In this episode, Part 2 of How Much Does It Cost To Play Soccer, we dive into the programs available. We reveal what each program costs in the area we live in, and what you get for the money you pay. [spp-player] Anyone new to the game of soccer – or interested in exploring hat’s […]
Continue reading February 12, 2018
- in Parents , Podcast , Soccer Basics , Soccer Business , Volunteers by The Soccer Sidelines
#15 – How Much Does it Cost to Play Soccer – Part 1 (The Variables)
Soccer families that understand the economics of the game early will make better investment decisions over time. It’s possible to just “follow the crowd” and see where it takes you, but you’ll spend more time and money this way than you need to. By understanding what’s involved in costing a soccer experience, you’ll go in […]
Continue reading January 22, 2018
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#12 – Get Ready to Enjoy a Tournament!
[spp-player] So much of the tournament experience happens beyond the pitch. Building esprit-de-corps, enjoying local food, experiencing the hotel, and checking out many different game and coaching styles are just a few! In this episode, we explore two real-world soccer tournaments that are hosted in the Maryland area. As co-owner for both of these tournaments, David shares […]
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