In this fifth masterclass session, the hosts delve into the overuse and misunderstanding of the term ‘elite’ in the context of American soccer.

With Benny joining as co-host, they discuss what truly constitutes an elite soccer player by global standards, tackling the misuse of the term at both youth and professional levels. Highlighting issues from player development, technical and tactical capabilities, to the intricacies of soccer in the U.S. versus Europe, the episode provides a guide for parents, coaches, and fans.

Additionally, the hosts touch upon the implications of the absence of promotion and relegation in US soccer, and its impact on player development and visibility.

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 351: Masterclass Lesson 5 What’s an Elite Player? appeared first on 3four3.

Today centers on Masterclass lesson number four, where we focus on “the ball and the wall.”

As I've always said, the wall is the best teacher. Don't just take my word for it listen to the countless historical and current professional soccer players who swear by it. If you take the time to work by yourself with a wall, in a very deliberate and specific manner, you will drastically increase your capacity as a soccer player, particularly your technique.

Benny Rogers joins me once again.

Of course, we meander a bit, taking tangents here and there to discuss other soccer-related topics, but we always bring it back to this core lesson.

Our previous three podcast episodes covered Masterclass lessons one, two, and three, each tackling different topics. If you haven't listened to those yet, you might want to check them out. This episode continues our series, going lesson by lesson through the Masterclass.

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 350: Masterclass Lesson 4 Using the Wall to Develop Technique appeared first on 3four3.

This episode features a discussion about why possession soccer is what should be getting taught in youth team training.

It is prompted by a lesson taught in the 343masterclass program.

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 349: Masterclass Lesson 3 – Possession Soccer is the Way appeared first on 3four3.

Unpacking the Mental Side of Soccer: Insights from the 3four3 Podcast

In this episode of the 3four3 podcast, the focus is on the mental and psychological aspects of soccer, highlighted by their growing importance at higher levels of play.

Real-life examples, including anecdotes about Efrain Alvarez and Lionel Messi, to illustrate how mental toughness, discipline, and sacrifice differentiate top players. They also touch on the roles of parents and coaches in nurturing a player’s psychological resilience and the difficulties of balancing multiple roles and responsibilities. The episode aims to offer invaluable insights for players, coaches, and parents striving for success in the American soccer landscape.

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 348: Mentality – The Most Important Player Attribute Gets The Least Attention appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode, the discussion centers around the importance of promotion and relegation in the American soccer ecosystem. Terry Ransberry, an entrepreneur and father of a young soccer player, shares his personal experiences as his son navigates the soccer world in Europe.

The conversation highlights the differences between the American closed system and the open systems abroad, emphasizing the need for a meritocracy in U.S. soccer.

Additionally, Terry discusses his venture, Accelerator School, which blends academics and soccer training to cater to young athletes. The episode also touches on broader societal impacts and includes a brief digression on the achievements of Elon Musk. Finally, Terry invites listeners to join a training trip to Argentina, emphasizing the deep cultural connection to soccer in other countries.

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 347: The Impact of Promotion and Relegation in Soccer – A Father’s Perspective appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode of the podcast, Gary and Benny discuss the 3four3 Masterclass, a parent education program aimed at equipping parents on how to better guide their kid’s soccer development.

They explore how the program evolved from personal training to a comprehensive tool for parents, highlighting the critical role parents play in their kid’s soccer journey.

The conversation dives into the five key components of player development:

We also touch on the standards in academic settings, the changing quality of students over the years, and the influence of cultural and societal factors on education.

The episode concludes with discussing the importance of finding the right environment and overcoming systemic challenges in American soccer.

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 346: Inside the 3four3 Masterclass – Elevating Soccer Education for Parents appeared first on 3four3.

This episode dives into the balance between winning and youth soccer development, addressing challenges faced by parents, coaches, and clubs.

The discussion covers the impact of media narratives and the structural shortcomings of American soccer, such as the lack of promotion and relegation. It explores how losing can be a learning tool and the need to sustain a competitive yet positive environment.

Additionally, resources for coaches and parents are highlighted, such as programs from 343coaching.com and 343masterclass.com, with an emphasis on possession-based football as effective in developing players and teams.

The episode underscores the responsibility of coaches in fostering player growth on and off the field, advocating a long-term approach to development in American soccer.

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 345: Balancing Winning and Development in Youth Soccer appeared first on 3four3.

Navigating the Complex World of Youth Soccer Coaching with Rory O’Neill

In this episode Gary and guest Rory O’Neil drop unique gold nuggets.

Quite a bit of Argentina talk, and how it’s different from the US.

Rory shares his journey as a coach and a parent, his experiences with his YouTube channel, and his professional background as a physician. The episode covers the importance of authentic education for coaches, how to identify well-coached teams, the challenges coaches face, and the crucial role of parent education in young players’ development.

05:43 Coaching Philosophy and Youth Development

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 344: Rory O’Neill – Argentina, Coaching, and How to Identify Well-Coached Teams appeared first on 3four3.

Unlocking the 3four3 Soccer Coaching Methodology

The episode delves into various aspects of coaching philosophy such as the importance of structured training, balancing the pressure to win versus player development, setting clear expectations, and building trust with players and parents.

Real-world insights are shared into adapting these methods at different levels of play, managing parent expectations, and ensuring player engagement.

Emphasis is placed on the significance of having a consistent training framework and the role of coach charisma in effective communication.

The episode also highlights the practical utility of the coaching program and its positive impacts across different soccer levels.

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 343: Get Your New Coaching Season Started on the Right Foot appeared first on 3four3.

Transformation in US Soccer: What’s Mauricio Pochettino’s Impact?

This episode discusses a potential turning point for U.S. Soccer with the hiring of high-profile Argentinian manager Mauricio Pochettino for the U.S. Men’s National Team.

Hosts explore the possible cultural impact of this hire, both on and off the field, emphasizing the need for soccer excellence and addressing the challenges of the American soccer landscape.

They delve into the monopolistic influence of Major League Soccer on U.S. Soccer Federation decisions and speculate on Pochettino’s authority within this system.

04:53 Rumors and Speculations about Job Offers

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 342: Pochettino to the USMNT – Things You Are Not Told appeared first on 3four3.