In this episode, we shift our focus to the defensive side of soccer, following a previous discussion about offense.

We go into the nuances of training defenders, the importance of defense in comparison to offense, and practical defensive training exercises from the 3four3 coaching program.

We emphasize the concept of ‘thinking defense while on offense,’ the critical role of communication among defenders, and how defensive qualities vary with player positions.

We also touch on the challenges posed by the restrictions on heading the ball in youth soccer and the overarching importance of developing a strong defensive culture.

Additionally, we critique the structure and incentives in American soccer, particularly within Major League Soccer (MLS), and stress the need for genuine journalistic accountability in sports media.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 369: How to Best Think About Defending, Defenders, and How to Train it. appeared first on 3four3.

Breaking the Final Third Conundrum in Soccer

In this episode, we discuss one of the most common challenges possession-based coaches face: dominating possession but struggling to score goals.

We dive into various strategies to improve our finishing in the final third, including the importance of rehearsing attacking patterns, working on individual skills outside of team training, and the role of set pieces.

We also touch on issues such as the American soccer ecosystem, the value of talented strikers, and more.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 368: The MILLION DOLLAR Question – How to Solve Scoring Issues with Your Teams and Players appeared first on 3four3.

Debate on the Value of US Soccer Coaching Licenses with Rory O’Neill

In this episode, we discuss the intricacies and controversies of soccer coaching licenses in the U.S. We go into our personal experiences, comparing U.S. and UEFA coaching licenses, and discuss the impact of licensing on both youth and professional coaching.

We highlight the high costs, stringent requirements, and the gatekeeping nature of coaching licenses, while also contemplating the potential for a more meritocratic approach. We touch on the practical aspects of coaching, differences in educational content between U.S. and UEFA licenses, sideline coaching philosophies, and the broader implications for American soccer’s growth and competitiveness.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 367: US Coaching Licenses – Another Credentialism Scam or Education? appeared first on 3four3.

Per usual, the mainstream narratives are all wrong.

In this episode, we discuss US Men’s National Team’s lack of attendance and ultimate loss.

We then jump into our first comments regarding USL’s promotion and relegation announcement.

Is it truly pro/rel, or a gimmick?

Lastly, we answer a couple of audience questions surrounding the education programs.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 366: What a Week! The USMNT Loses Again, and USL Wins With Pro/Rel. appeared first on 3four3.

In this unique episode, we tackle toxic comments received across our various social media platforms.

We respond to criticisms about U.S. soccer coaching licenses, player development, coaching strategies, and more.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 365: TOXIC Comments Episode! Your Anon Criticisms Answered appeared first on 3four3.

The episode is a discussion on game management principally in the youth game, focusing on pregame, in-game, halftime, and postgame strategies.

The hosts recount specific instances from their experiences, particularly highlighting a match against FC Barcelona’s youth team. They emphasize the importance of structured training, professional conduct, and balancing instructional coaching with motivational support.

Additional topics include the perception of modern youth softness, the significance of professional presentation, and the impact of promotion and relegation systems on game management.

The episode concludes with discussions on addressing online critics and the philosophy behind effective coaching.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 364: Insights into Game Management – Balancing Tactics, Team, and Individual Dynamics appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of captains in soccer teams, debating whether leadership qualities are innate or can be developed.

We explore what makes a good captain, using real-life examples from both professional and youth soccer.

The conversation later transitions to the political nature of sports, emphasizing how soccer serves as a vehicle for social, political, economic, and cultural expressions globally and domestically.

We also touch on the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged fans in accessing live games. Insights from the hosts’ personal coaching experiences and testimonials from professional coaches are shared throughout the episode.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 363: Team Captains – Who and How Important Are They Really? appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of captains in soccer teams, debating whether leadership qualities are innate or can be developed.

We explore what makes a good captain, using real-life examples from both professional and youth soccer.

The conversation later transitions to the political nature of sports, emphasizing how soccer serves as a vehicle for social, political, economic, and cultural expressions globally and domestically.

We also touch on the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged fans in accessing live games. Insights from the hosts’ personal coaching experiences and testimonials from professional coaches are shared throughout the episode.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 363: Team Captains – Who and How Important Are They Really? appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, we go into scouting and recruiting practices in American soccer, offering tips and insights from our 20 years of experience.

We start by addressing the recent news about USL’s ambitions for Division 1 status and the potential implementation of promotion and relegation. We emphasize the significance of understanding these developments at the youth level.

The conversation then shifts to the practical aspects of scouting and recruiting players, highlighting the importance of physical, technical, tactical, and psychological assessments. We also discuss the limitations and benefits of traditional tryouts and underscore how promotion-relegation could incentivize better scouting and player recruitment across the ecosystem.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 362: Insights into Youth Scouting and Recruiting, Plus is USL Doing Pro/Rel? appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode we discuss the intricacies of establishing a strong team culture in American youth soccer, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, accountability, and commitment from both coaches and players.

The episode covers practical ways to handle star players and toxic parents, stressing the role of parents in supporting team dynamics. We again mention the ever-present root problem in youth soccer – culture or otherwise – stems from the lack of promotion and relegation at the professional level.

The episode also touches on common misconceptions surrounding coaching licenses, along with the pitfall that is “letting the players play”.

00:00 Intro

If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.

The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.

Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.

You don’t have to be lost and confused.

This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.

Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.

The post Ep 361: Crafting Team Culture – The Role of Coaches and Monkey Wrenches appeared first on 3four3.