Comments on: U.S. Development Academy — The Future? http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/ Exploring football culture around the world. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:36:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Coach Mark http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-6094 Coach Mark Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:00:42 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-6094 The chance to watch this level of soccer on TV is tremendous for my team's education/entertainment. Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to plan a soccer party around it! The chance to watch this level of soccer on TV is tremendous for my team’s education/entertainment.

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to plan a soccer party around it!

]]> By: AvgWizFan http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5938 AvgWizFan Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:42:07 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5938 The KC Wizards Juniors will be joining the Academy in 2009, see the press release here - http://kc.wizards.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080418&content_id=151421&vkey=pr_kcw&fext=.jsp&team=t105. The KC Wizards Juniors will be joining the Academy in 2009, see the press release here - http://kc.wizards.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080418&content_id=151421&vkey=pr_kcw&fext=.jsp&team=t105.

]]> By: Nick http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5909 Nick Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:31:44 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5909 To those that continue to state that we need to start younger and younger, you're on the right track. I coach for a club team (one with low fees by the way) in a semi-rural Illinois town. I was asked by the club to go scout the rec league for players that might be able to make it in the more competitive club environment. Watching mainly u-10 and u-12 games, I was sickened, literally. (Note: The following is not meant as a deroggatory rant against the people coaching these teams themselves, moms and dads who volunteer their precious time.) The coaching at these key ages, and younger was, for lack of better terms, horrible. Coaches would applaud when kids would simply 'hoof' the ball half way down the field to no one in particular. They would yell and scream when the kids did something that didn't look to them like it was good soccer (another note: I've seen club coaches do the same.), but as anyone with two eyes and some limited soccer knowledge could see the coach had never taught these kids anything. The biggest problem is that these coaches who are teaching the youngest and most eager to learn pupils know next to nothing about the game. Some take it upon themselves to learn, get licensed, etc. But most are simply doing it to donate some of their free time and give their kids an outlet for all of their ADD energy. Personally I think that US Soccer should not only plow money into this development program, but also ensure that every rec-league coach has passed the Youth Module and/or 'E' License courses, even if they have to do it pro-bono. Part of these courses should also teach how to properly shoot, pass, chip, head, etc. So that we can teach kids who haven't figured it out. These coaching philosophy changes, along with the Development Academy will go a long way towards curing what ails US Soccer at the highest level. To those that continue to state that we need to start younger and younger, you’re on the right track. I coach for a club team (one with low fees by the way) in a semi-rural Illinois town. I was asked by the club to go scout the rec league for players that might be able to make it in the more competitive club environment.

Watching mainly u-10 and u-12 games, I was sickened, literally. (Note: The following is not meant as a deroggatory rant against the people coaching these teams themselves, moms and dads who volunteer their precious time.) The coaching at these key ages, and younger was, for lack of better terms, horrible. Coaches would applaud when kids would simply ‘hoof’ the ball half way down the field to no one in particular. They would yell and scream when the kids did something that didn’t look to them like it was good soccer (another note: I’ve seen club coaches do the same.), but as anyone with two eyes and some limited soccer knowledge could see the coach had never taught these kids anything. The biggest problem is that these coaches who are teaching the youngest and most eager to learn pupils know next to nothing about the game. Some take it upon themselves to learn, get licensed, etc. But most are simply doing it to donate some of their free time and give their kids an outlet for all of their ADD energy.

Personally I think that US Soccer should not only plow money into this development program, but also ensure that every rec-league coach has passed the Youth Module and/or ‘E’ License courses, even if they have to do it pro-bono. Part of these courses should also teach how to properly shoot, pass, chip, head, etc. So that we can teach kids who haven’t figured it out. These coaching philosophy changes, along with the Development Academy will go a long way towards curing what ails US Soccer at the highest level.

]]> By: CHAOSLTD http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5697 CHAOSLTD Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:19:08 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5697 I love futbol more than any other sport, I played from jr. high thru college and then in the city leagues. There are to many other sports in america that get all the attention. To play futbol you must start at the youngest possible age and if they do not have the passion for the game let them play something else. They have schools and academys in europe for small kids. Futbol is a passion like no other sport, I just wish I had started at a younger age. We have separate the kids that want to play for fun from the kids that want to really learn the game. Futbol is not a game it is a way of LIFE!!!!! I love futbol more than any other sport, I played from jr. high thru college and then in the city leagues. There are to many other sports in america that get all the attention. To play futbol you must start at the youngest possible age and if they do not have the passion for the game let them play something else. They have schools and academys in europe for small kids. Futbol is a passion like no other sport, I just wish I had started at a younger age. We have separate the kids that want to play for fun from the kids that want to really learn the game. Futbol is not a game it is a way of LIFE!!!!!

]]> By: Patrick http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5523 Patrick Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:30:42 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5523 The Crew's Academy is associated with Brad Friedal's academy in Cleveland and that is a great facility in it's own right, also players I think 14 and up pay nothing. The Crew’s Academy is associated with Brad Friedal’s academy in Cleveland and that is a great facility in it’s own right, also players I think 14 and up pay nothing.

]]> By: Jim http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5421 Jim Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:12:05 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5421 I will argue that the pay for play issue, vs. play based on performance & the source of funding will continue to hinder the games domestic development. Granted, some MLS clubs are getting more involved in this, however, how many USL 1 & 2 clubs are engaged (not merely loaning their name out in a pay for play format)? I will argue that the pay for play issue, vs. play based on performance & the source of funding will continue to hinder the games domestic development. Granted, some MLS clubs are getting more involved in this, however, how many USL 1 & 2 clubs are engaged (not merely loaning their name out in a pay for play format)?

]]> By: Tom Dunmore http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5345 Tom Dunmore Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:43:26 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5345 Steve, I think that's the key point, and from what I've seen of other MLS academies, that is their focus -- unlike the trophy hunting clubs, who need glory to justify their high fees to parents. MLS academies should not have that same pressure. Steve, I think that’s the key point, and from what I’ve seen of other MLS academies, that is their focus — unlike the trophy hunting clubs, who need glory to justify their high fees to parents. MLS academies should not have that same pressure.

]]> By: Steve http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5344 Steve Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:35:20 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5344 I was fortunate enough to visit the Chivas USA youth academy and observe for a week in May.Despite some of the obstacles they face, they really do have the right ideas about how the game should be coached at this level, with an emphasis on performance over outcome, even in such a competitive league. If other MLS clubs follow the Chivas USA model, encouraging players to play rather than just try to "win", then the future of youth soccer is bright. I was fortunate enough to visit the Chivas USA youth academy and observe for a week in May.Despite some of the obstacles they face, they really do have the right ideas about how the game should be coached at this level, with an emphasis on performance over outcome, even in such a competitive league.

If other MLS clubs follow the Chivas USA model, encouraging players to play rather than just try to “win”, then the future of youth soccer is bright.

]]> By: soccer fan http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5327 soccer fan Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:17:22 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5327 the problem with US soccer is that they invest so much in Under 18 teams. Kids start as low as 7 year old maybe even younger but as soon as a players become 18 years old and go to college, the colleges they get lost. Colleges don't care as much about soccer as they do for American football, basketball, or baseball. So all these talents get wasted.'' For American soccer to grow, colleges need to invest more into their soccer programs. <a href="http://www.soccernationonline.com" title="soccer" rel="nofollow">Soccer </a> Fan the problem with US soccer is that they invest so much in Under 18 teams. Kids start as low as 7 year old maybe even younger but as soon as a players become 18 years old and go to college, the colleges they get lost. Colleges don’t care as much about soccer as they do for American football, basketball, or baseball. So all these talents get wasted.”

For American soccer to grow, colleges need to invest more into their soccer programs.

Soccer Fan

]]> By: FUTBOLR http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5274 FUTBOLR Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:06:14 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2008/07/03/us-development-academy-the-future/#comment-5274 I THINK THE ACADEMY IS A GREAT ADDITION TO AMERICAN SOCCER BUT THIS HAS TO START FROM AGE 12 TO REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT ON DEVELOPING YOUNG PLAYERS. UNTIL THAT HAPPENS WE ARE STILL AT AN DISADVANTAGE WHEN COMPARED TO THE EUROPEAN PROGRAMS & PLAYERS. WWW.FUTBOLR.COM I THINK THE ACADEMY IS A GREAT ADDITION TO AMERICAN SOCCER BUT THIS HAS TO START FROM AGE 12 TO REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT ON DEVELOPING YOUNG PLAYERS. UNTIL THAT HAPPENS WE ARE STILL AT AN DISADVANTAGE WHEN COMPARED TO THE EUROPEAN PROGRAMS & PLAYERS.
http://WWW.FUTBOLR.COM

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