Tag: individual growth
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Healthy kids, healthy communities. Support soccer for free.

I’m revisiting this two years after my initial publication. I’m not seeing a change. I still see a situation where children are for profit in soccer clubs. I’m looking for ways to change the current status. We need to find more ways to make soccer for children. Me- Dec 2025 Writers note- Phoebe has started…
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Ref Life: When the US Futsal league in Pittsburgh, changes buildings.

New location, new courts, working through the house rules. US Futsal in Monroeville has a new home with Pro Sports at All American Fieldhouse
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Ref Life: Has the soccer gotten any better?

After a long weekend of officiating a lot of games from U12 to open men, I have my answer. The question I have for you is what do you think?. . . Has American Soccer Improved? I’m not a kickball fan. When I played my teammates and I kicked around on our own, played 2v2…
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Protected: Wrapping up Pro-Sports Futsal 2024-25 Season.

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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Ref Life: Homophobic slurs in a U9 game?

Football is supposed to unite. Football is supposed to be for everybody. Football is the universal game that reminds us we are all on this same planet together. In Lancaster this past winter my ears heard it from one of the parents in a U9 pool play game. Luckily the little GK didn’t speak Spanish…
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Let the game be the teacher.

The coach is frustrated with the impact of Youth Soccer Regional Travel Super Clubs on futsal training in Pittsburgh. He’s exhausted from officiating bad soccer, limited opportunities for players to play and master basics, and the lack of creativity and experimentation. He suggests thinking outside the box or creating a new playing environment.
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Ref Life: when questioning isn’t questioning.

Originally this was published for the referee community. After bouncing it around with a few of my colleagues I figured it was time to share this with all. Remember be kind to your referees. They are likely giving up family time to make sure you have a game. Can you name US Soccer’s 6 tasks…
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Ref Life: What does your map look like? Pennsylvania edition.

I’m reaching the midway point of the high school soccer season in the Pittsburgh region. As a referee this is a crazy time of year with games available 7 days a week between USSF, PIAA and adult soccer. The coach in me does not like the approach of 2 games and 3 training days per…
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Jr. High: Believe in the game, believe in change, believe in our community.

The author emphasizes the importance of community-based soccer for youth in various Indiana counties. Key strategies include creating local play opportunities, encouraging regular training, and fostering community. The proposed program involves structured training, open play, weight training, and mentorship from college players, all aimed at developing competitive skills and fostering a passion for the sport.
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Jr. High: Development guideposts, bus ride discussion.

Some of our players took the time to review roles and responsibilities in our learning formation. They realize that we have a lot of players that are comfortable as positional 2 & 3, but some of those players can also be effective at 4 & 5. in order for us to be a balanced squad…