Both the ‘freestyle‘ game and the ‘structured‘ game are critical. But much like the rec & pro mindsets, each has their place. Freestyle This is the place for tons of experimentation and individual play. This is where you “let the kids play”. Where you: Dribble all you want Long ball all you want Play on […]
Problems
Chivas USA is a Lemon
In case you don’t follow us on Twitter or Facebook, we were in St. Louis, Ft. Lauderdale, and Indianapolis last week for the MAC Hermann award, MLS combine, and MLS superdraft, respectively. The most worthwhile thing to mention from the combine and draft is the comportment of Chivas USA. I think it’s safe to assume […]
Quality Pro Player Development or Recreation? People don’t know the Difference.
Before we go any further, something must be made clear. A line must be drawn between two camps: Those who ultimately view soccer as recreation. Those who are about creating professional footballers of the highest quality. Both have vastly different requirements. 1) Recreation This does not mean the ‘rec soccer community’ – as in reserved […]
Who Developed Him?
A player ‘makes it‘, and then everyone who’s ever touched him claims development credit. So who’s responsible? All of them? Some of them? None of them? And how can credit (or blame) be distributed? Age So at what age(s) was a certain player under the tutelage of a certain coach? Much is made of “the […]
It’s Time for Some Tough Love Again
Gary, let’s ‘move on’ already. What is all this crap you’re writing? Start telling me / showing me, how to do ‘it’. You’re repeating yourself. Ok guys, I hear you. Ever consider the possibility that I’m doing exactly what I should be doing? Ever considered that these so-called ‘repetitive’ posts are crucial? Think about this: […]
How Much Time Does US Soccer Need?
People like to believe time fixes problems. Yes. It’s important, but only if spent doing the right things. Consistently do the ‘wrong things‘, or simply not ‘right enough‘, and no amount of time will EVER produce quality. Part of 3four3 is about illuminating the wrong things, the right things, and the continuum in between. For […]
US Soccer Unravelled in Under 140 Characters
You know, it’s been with me for a long time, but I finally aired it out via twitter. So in less than 140 characters … another fortune cookie: When it's 50/50 jungle ball soccer, results are mostly random with an edge to whoever has better players at 50/50 jungle ball soccer. — 3four3 (@3four3) September […]
I Opened 101 Soccer Fortune Cookies For You
One fortune cookie after another – in my brain – was just cracked open and its contents written down. Totally free-flowed and not second guessed. Winning is important. Possession is the optimal, if not the only, way to develop a player to their potential. Possession significantly increases your chances of winning consistently at all levels […]
23 Goals and 14 Assists – This Player is Legit!
Uh … no. Don’t ever cite to me a player’s goals and assists … as if that were proof of player quality. Do that, and you expose just how much of a newbie you are. What was the quality of their goals? What was the quality of their assists? How many goals should the player […]
Recruiting is The Right Thing to Do
The perception and values associated with the practice of recruiting depends on who’s doing the perceiving and the act itself – be it an organization, coach, player, parent, or whoever. This post will take the position of what every interested party supposedly wants. Development and a meritocracy. Right? Recruiting If the goal is to develop […]