From the unrealistic expectations placed on coaches, to the impact parents play in a child’s development, and the lack of promotion and relegation in American youth, the conversation covers a wide array of topics.

The discussion further emphasizes the importance of setting actionable goals, the necessity of good coaching, and the cultural differences in soccer development between the U.S. and overseas.

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 356: The Ultimate Guide for Parents – Navigating Youth Soccer Development appeared first on 3four3.

In the 3four3 podcast’s eighth masterclass lesson, the focus is on the importance of repetition in soccer development.

Coaches, players, and parents are encouraged to understand that repetition involves not just continual practice, but the right kind of practice.

Host Gary highlights that incorrect repetition can lead to bad habits, while proper repetition is key to mastering fundamentals such as receiving, passing, and more. The episode also touches on how repetition in coaching techniques and even parental support can significantly elevate a soccer player’s development.

Additional discussions include the significance of a good mentor and the difference between initial improvements and marginal improvements in training.

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 355: Repetition, The Unsung Hero of Soccer Excellence – Masterclass Lesson 8 appeared first on 3four3.

In this unique episode of the 3four3 podcast, we dive into a listener-focused Q&A session, addressing various comments and questions from our YouTube channel.

We discuss differences between MLS, USL, and Liga MX products, the impact of playing up in age groups, the importance of structured and unstructured play, mentorship, and the realities of coaching youth soccer.

The conversation also touches on broader topics such as societal issues affecting sports culture and the importance of maintaining authenticity in our content.

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 354: Q&A Special – Answering Your Posts from The Youtube Channel appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode hosts Gary and Benny discuss the critical role of pickup soccer in player development, and the notable absence of this culture in suburban American soccer.

They highlight the benefits of unstructured play, such as mixed-age interactions and increased touch frequency, and examine how its deficiency might contribute to the US’s struggles on the international stage.

The episode contrasts the passionate pickup culture in countries like Brazil and Argentina with the more structured, less freeform soccer environment in the U.S.

They also touch on the impact of helicopter parenting, the importance of promotion and relegation, and how the commercialization of soccer in America stifles genuine player development.

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 353: A Huge Deficiency in the Suburban American Soccer Player Masterclass Lesson 7 appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode the hosts discuss the concept of Soccer IQ, exploring what it truly means and its various layers.

They discuss the importance of decision-making on the field, the balance between letting young players experiment and teaching them good habits, and the role of coaches in developing Soccer IQ.

The conversation also touches on cultural aspects of the game, such as the ‘dark arts’ of football, and the impact of promotion and relegation on elevating soccer intelligence in America.

Featuring guest insights from Benny Rogers, this episode provides valuable recommendations for parents and coaches alike.

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 352: Soccer IQ and the Dark Arts – Masterclass Lesson 6 appeared first on 3four3.

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: What’s an Elite Player? Masterclass Lesson 5 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: Using the Wall to Develop Technique – Masterclass Lesson 4 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: Possession Soccer is the Way – Masterclass Lesson 3 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 Attribute Gets The Least Attention – Masterclass Lesson 2 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.