Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.

So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?

Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣

The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it

The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️

Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!

What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?

I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.

No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13

It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!

You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.

This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.

Sounds like how to develop a soccer robot

Then all those ball mastery skills realize they need a whole host of accompanying skills to be high level

Another very American response. If the Dutch are robotic, than I guess my kid is.

It is kind of amazing that you folks will break your necks on the Beltway to be on an A team clubs or pay tolls to make to 2x a weekly to the “elite” private training but when given the free blueprint on how to develop a baller, you scoff.

Do what works for you.

The Dutch have all the accompanying skills, not just unopposed ball mastery

🇺🇸 wins again.

You must be a former D1 American player who knows everything.

The Dutch brought unopposed ball mastery to the rest of the world 🤦🏻

You really can’t make up the ignorance of 🇺🇸’s. You know it is okay to just stay silent and learn.

Again, keep doing what you are doing. I am sure it is working out just fine.

You're saying the Dutch doesn't have other skills than ball mastery?

Nope. Just correcting your inaccurate comments so that novice parents don't actually take anything you say seriously and we get another generation of poor players.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.

So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?

Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣

The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it

The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️

Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!

What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?

I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.

No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13

It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!

You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.

This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.

Sounds like how to develop a soccer robot

Then all those ball mastery skills realize they need a whole host of accompanying skills to be high level

Another very American response. If the Dutch are robotic, than I guess my kid is.

It is kind of amazing that you folks will break your necks on the Beltway to be on an A team clubs or pay tolls to make to 2x a weekly to the “elite” private training but when given the free blueprint on how to develop a baller, you scoff.

Do what works for you.

The Dutch have all the accompanying skills, not just unopposed ball mastery

🇺🇸 wins again.

You must be a former D1 American player who knows everything.

The Dutch brought unopposed ball mastery to the rest of the world 🤦🏻

You really can’t make up the ignorance of 🇺🇸’s. You know it is okay to just stay silent and learn.

Again, keep doing what you are doing. I am sure it is working out just fine.

You're saying the Dutch doesn't have other skills than ball mastery?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone seen improvement after working with a speed coach (private or via a place like Peak Performance or HP Elite)? My son really wants to do something like this and I’m super hesitant to spend money. He’s actually pretty quick but short and I’m not sure this would have the desired result he is hoping for, which seem to be to make up for his height with increased speed.

I wouldn’t do regular sessions but at least one session to make sure they have good running form. If they’re not getting 10-15 minutes of running conditioning at practices, consider running with ur kid like the PP above.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone seen improvement after working with a speed coach (private or via a place like Peak Performance or HP Elite)? My son really wants to do something like this and I’m super hesitant to spend money. He’s actually pretty quick but short and I’m not sure this would have the desired result he is hoping for, which seem to be to make up for his height with increased speed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.

So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?

Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣

The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it

The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️

Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!

What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?

I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.

No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13

It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!

You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.

This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.

Sounds like how to develop a soccer robot

Then all those ball mastery skills realize they need a whole host of accompanying skills to be high level

Another very American response. If the Dutch are robotic, than I guess my kid is.

It is kind of amazing that you folks will break your necks on the Beltway to be on an A team clubs or pay tolls to make to 2x a weekly to the “elite” private training but when given the free blueprint on how to develop a baller, you scoff.

Do what works for you.

The Dutch have all the accompanying skills, not just unopposed ball mastery

🇺🇸 wins again.

You must be a former D1 American player who knows everything.

The Dutch brought unopposed ball mastery to the rest of the world 🤦🏻

You really can’t make up the ignorance of 🇺🇸’s. You know it is okay to just stay silent and learn.

Again, keep doing what you are doing. I am sure it is working out just fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.

So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?

Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣

The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it

The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️

Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!

What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?

I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.

No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13

It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!

You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.

This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.

Sounds like how to develop a soccer robot

Then all those ball mastery skills realize they need a whole host of accompanying skills to be high level

Another very American response. If the Dutch are robotic, than I guess my kid is.

It is kind of amazing that you folks will break your necks on the Beltway to be on an A team clubs or pay tolls to make to 2x a weekly to the “elite” private training but when given the free blueprint on how to develop a baller, you scoff.

Do what works for you.

The Dutch have all the accompanying skills, not just unopposed ball mastery

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.

So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?

Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣

The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it

The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️

Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!

What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?

I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.

No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13

It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!

You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.

This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.

Sounds like how to develop a soccer robot

Then all those ball mastery skills realize they need a whole host of accompanying skills to be high level

Another very American response. If the Dutch are robotic, than I guess my kid is.

It is kind of amazing that you folks will break your necks on the Beltway to be on an A team clubs or pay tolls to make to 2x a weekly to the “elite” private training but when given the free blueprint on how to develop a baller, you scoff.

Do what works for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.

So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?

Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣

The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it

The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️

Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!

What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?

I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.

No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13

It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!

You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.

This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.

Sounds like how to develop a soccer robot

Then all those ball mastery skills realize they need a whole host of accompanying skills to be high level

Anonymous wrote:I think the proliferation of ball mastery clinics and small group training in the DMV area has been great.

I do think parents need to be realistic however that is ball mastery is just the foundation and doesn’t say anything about how good a kid will be able to play unless they are allowed to use those skills and experiment with them in real games and under intense pressure. A lot of these skills sessions are full of intense, motivated kids but nothing beats the pressure of games.

There are very, very few clubs that will allow players to do the latter. The pressure (including from the parents) to win is too much for the clubs.

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Anonymous wrote:Us parents tend to overthink things and forget about our younger days. I got quicker on the field due to playing basketball with my friends, I got faster due to my friends and I constantly racing each other. Think about what those two things entail and there's your recipe. Obviously genetics are a factor but because we have so many different variations of training at our kids disposal vs when we were younger it tends to make us overthink things that tend to be simple.

So in your opinion, what is posted above regarding what the European academies are doing from U8 onwards with experts in sports performance fields is useless nonsense and we should just let our kids play in the woods?

Nope but if you have a 8 year old that won't subscribe to a SAQ training regimen lol, it's not the end of the world. Settle down Doogie Howser 🤣

The topic is about sport performance improvement. What does the end of the world have to do with it

The OP is worried about potentially spending unnecessary money and is wondering if looking into speed training is worth it. Not doing so at a certain age isn't the end of the world 🤷🏾‍♂️

Yep that's what I was trying to convey earlier. It's definitely helpful, but at what cost/commitment or will it even matter if mechanics change after growing 6+ inches and entering puberty. Better to focus on other areas at U12!

What's your background and expertise that you recommend to do the opposite of what the best soccer academies do?

I am not the previous poster. However, if the OP kid can:

1) Juggle 1000+ in a row this week

2) Be proficient with both feet that a DOC will know not whether they are left or right footed. That is play right wing, left wing, right mid, left mid, right back, left back and no drop off with either side. You can shoot both ways and dribble both ways.

3) Can win 75% of 1v1 duels versus Flight 1 U12 talent

then, yeah, work on speed. If not, you are behind and working on the wrong thing.

I have a U12 and they have the first two down and working on the 3rd. We are currently working on speed and development but it does not come at the cost of ball mastery which comes through paid trainings. At this age, it is actually really simple:

Tag for agility, foot races for top line speed, hopscotch for bounce and single leg strength and monkey bars for upper body strength. Have fun with it but make it functional. Involve family, friends and siblings. These are the basic things that kids used to do that will build the system to handle real loads post-puberty if they are really serious.

My kid is a Flight 1 level kid in a pre-MLs Next team.

No need to juggle to a thousand. If you can, fine.

With the skills you listed I'm surprised your kid isn't playing U13

It really depends. If you are complaining about why you are not on MLS Next, D1, etc., then a minimum of 1k is THE BARE MINIMUM. My kid is not 11 yet and well over 1k and heading towards 2k.

Regarding playing U13, yes, my kid plays U12 and U13. It is not really about my kid. It is about educating parents on soccer development as people are focused on the wrong things.

I put real $$$ if you kid can’t juggle 1k their first touch is 🗑️. If it has not been exposed yet, it will when on the field with fast players.

Focus less on winning and more on development. You’re welcome!

You are willing to bet real money that if a kid can't juggle to 1,000 then their first touch is trash?
How far are you willing to take this?

Soccer is not the circus. Huge gap between can't juggle to 10 and juggling over 1K

The action of controlling a ball while juggling is partial skills required to controlling a ball during a game.
Take a hard pass from close range on the ground for example.

Every top level soccer player can juggle, juggling doesn't make you a top level soccer player.

This is a very American response. You know, Americans also keep complaining about there being no D1 spots because of internationals.

If they can't juggle 1k+ times which is a baseline we were taught by our coach, I doubt they are doing 300-500 wall passing drills daily needed to have the elite first touch you talk about. I doubt they are doing 30-45 minutes of sole rolls, bells, croqueta's that reinforce their ball mastery.

Do you though. The DCUM parent who knows everything is undefeated in their perspectives but their kids don't fare as well out on the pitch.