PASA Soccer Blog

It should come as no shock to anyone – especially soccer parents – that “club” soccer can require a rather significant financial investment, but will it always be this way? Are the days of the ridiculously high priced soccer clubs numbered? They are if they are they are doing what they advertise… Download as PDF

One of my pet peeves is a youth soccer coach who [incorrectly] feels that he/she must micromanage every aspect of the game. A coach cannot hope to develop players that can proactively adapt to the constantly changing speed and mental aspects of the game if he/she is continually shouting positional information from the sidelines. Instead, the coach [...]

Recently, Sam Snow – the Coaching Director for US Youth Soccer (and a prolific USYSA blogger on Youth Soccer topics) - held an informative coaching clinic for local travel club and recreational coaches in Roanoke, VA. The session focused on proper training of defensive principles for the U11/12 age groups. He feels (and I have to agree) that there is far [...]

Change is simply defined as “a transformation or modification”. Is change good? Is change bad? Change, in and of itself, is simply a fact of life. It always has been; it always will be. It is our personal reaction to change that makes it “good” or “bad” at a personal level. I prefer to think of [...]

While PASA head coaches are held responsible for virtually everything about their teams, they are not expected to do all of the work. PASA head coaches are expected to know how to effectively delegate administative tasks so that they may focus on youth soccer player development. Effective delegation, however, requires organization, communication and interpersonal skills, and these skills are not always [...]

Volunteerism is neither a new concept nor an uncommon occurrence. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, a volunteer is “An individual who performs hours of service for a public agency [or organization] for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation or receipt of compensation for services rendered.” People willingly working together for the betterment of their [...]

PASA is strongly committed to good sportsmanship on the part of the parents, players, and coaches, and with the fall soccer season kicking off, it is a good time to remind everyone about the club’s zero tolerance policy. Download as PDF

“Mom, I don’t want to play anymore!” After all of the support and effort by parents to keep their child involved in youth sports, is there anything more shocking to hear? The truth is, however, that adults are usually responsible for statements like this. “There is a terrible imbalance between the needs kids have and the [...]

Earlier this year – as is typical in the summer time – the PASA skills training session had to be cancelled at the last minute to lightning observed at the field. This led me reemphasize my stance on player safety when it come to lightning. Download as PDF

Summer is “Soccer Camp” season. Many youth soccer players will enjoy themselves at any of the countless youth soccer camps across the US, and some may even learn a new trick or two! Although the players are excited, parents need to make sure that they go off to camp prepared. What follows are a few [...]