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.

Balancing Playing Time and Sideline Conduct in Youth Soccer

In this episode, we dive into the contentious topic of equal playing time in youth soccer.

We explore when playing time should be evenly distributed and under what conditions it should be earned, stressing the importance of a player’s age and competitive level.

We also get into sideline behavior, particularly whether coaches should “yell” at players, and discuss how to balance being demanding with maintaining a positive environment.

Our conversation extends to youth player development practices, the pros and cons of guest playing, the pernicious issue of corrupt journalism in American soccer, and the MLS’s monopolistic influence on all these things.

We emphasize the need for listeners to seek and support truly independent voices. Lastly, we share some insights on how cultural differences impact coaching and soccer in the U.S.

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 360: Balancing the Bench – Equal Playing Time vs. Competitive Reality in Soccer appeared first on 3four3.

In this episode we go into the unspoken realities of the ‘pay to play’ system in American soccer.

We explore its consequences at the youth and professional levels, while also debunking the common perception that it is the root problem in American soccer.

The discussion also extends to the pressures faced by coaches, both from parents and club management, to play certain players.

The episode sheds light on the U.S. soccer landscape, touching upon the role of MLS franchises, the impact of closed systems, and the challenges of operating youth clubs.

We also discuss the broader implications of these issues on the sport's development and competitive integrity in the U.S.

Gary stresses the importance of maintaining a merit-based environment and highlights the lack of incentives for genuine competition and player development under the existing system.

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 359: Unpacking Pay-to-Play And Playing Time – Myths, Realities You Are Not Told, and More appeared first on 3four3.

The Golden Rule of Soccer Development: Do Less, Not More

In this episode, the focus revolves around the principle of ‘doing less, not more’ in soccer coaching.

We emphasize that unlike common beliefs, effective team and player development doesn’t require an extensive range of activities but rather a focused and consistent approach.

We discuss technical and tactical training methods, such as implementing rondos for skill development and structured drills for building out from the back.

The conversation highlights the impact of parental pressure in a pay-to-play system and underscores the importance of winning games to mitigate such pressures. Issues related to player cutting and opportunities in lower socio-economic regions are also addressed. Finally, the hosts draw connections between promotion-relegation systems and optimal player development practices, arguing that an open system fosters the best methodologies.

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 358: The Golden Rule to Player, Team, and Coach Development appeared first on 3four3.

Today, we are recapping the origin story of 3four3 itself.

Usually, I avoid discussing our accomplishments, but after receiving an email from a coach on January 7th, suggesting that we share our history and the brainchild behind our pioneering training methodology, I decided to oblige.

This episode explores the beginnings of 3four3, our reluctance to self-promote, the journey that started in 2009, including key milestones like our viral video showcasing unprecedented youth development.

We also discuss the challenges and resistance we faced from mainstream soccer culture in the U.S. and our ongoing commitment to continue pioneering the advancement of American soccer.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or young player, today’s episode offers an in-depth look into who we are and what drives us.

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 357: The Story of 3four3 – Challenging the Norms of American Soccer appeared first on 3four3.

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.