Soccer 101

By TSS

What's Soccer 101 about?

All the soccer history and explainers you can handle

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#152 What is a points deduc...

12.01.2023

With the recent news that Everton would be docked 10 points for violating Financial Fair Play rules, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing points deductions. What are they, who hands them out, and why do they feel like the ...

Soccer 101 episodes:

12.01.2023 #152 What is a points deduction, who hands them out, and how common are they historically? With the recent news that Everton would be docked 10 points for violating Financial Fair Play rules, Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing points deductions. What are they, who hands them out, and why do they feel like the ...
11.24.2023 #151 Why do throw-ins exist and how have their rules changed over time? On this episode, Graham and Taylor toss themselves into the world of the throw-in. It's more interesting than it sounds, I promise! What is a throw-in? What is its history? Who are the great Champions of the Throw? How could ...
11.17.2023 #150 The growth of the record transfer fee in soccer Graham and Taylor discuss a moneymaker... the expansion of the record transfer fee over the years. Why did the transfer record grow so quickly? Which ones have worked out and which ones weren't exactly a bargain? Which ones are responsible ...
11.10.2023 #149 Scarves! Why did they become so widespread in soccer, what are the different styles, and more! Graham and Taylor discuss your grandmother's favorite topic... scarves! How did they first become common in football, how have their usage and sales evolved over time, why half-and-half scarves are a sign you're a tourist, and much more! Plus, some ...
11.03.2023 #148 What is the ‘league pyramid’ in English soccer and how does it work? Graham and Taylor get into a topic that just sorta... keeps on going: the English league pyramid! How many different levels are involved and how many clubs does that cover? What is life like for the smallest clubs in the ...
10.27.2023 #147 How does prize money work in soccer? PRIZE TIME! We're answering all your questions about prize money in soccer, including how do teams get it, how does it differ between club and international levels, which leagues pay the most, and much much more!
10.20.2023 #146 Why are gambling and football so intertwined, and how big a problem is that for sport in general? This week, Graham and Taylor tackle a concept that is ubiquitous in soccer (and sport in general) but simultaneously seen as a problem and potential source of a conflict of interest… gambling! How long has gambling been intertwined with soccer? ...
10.13.2023 #145 What is Team GB, why is it controversial and will it be involved with the next Olympics? On this episode, Graham and Taylor dive deep into the branding statement/actual sports team known as Team GB. What is it, which countries are involved, how does it work when it comes to the Olympics, why is it controversial, and ...
10.06.2023 #144 What are coefficients, how are they calculated and why are they important? On this week's episode, we answer a question from the Discord, courtesy of Scouto: What are coefficients, what are they used to determine, how are they calculated, and why do they matter? We have answers, and Graham attempts to explain ...
09.21.2023 #143 More terminology explained! Recovery, duel, reducer, corridor of uncertainty, and more! On this episode, Taylor and Graham spend some time discussing a few terms that get commonly thrown around, but can be a little more challenging to understand if you're new to the game: 1) Ball recovery 2) Duel 3) Hospital ...
09.15.2023 #142 Why was the England-Scotland rivalry so significant? Plus, why it's lost some of its luster more recently Graham and Taylor explore the history of the historic rivalry between England and Scotland. What is the history of England v Scotland in soccer? Why did this fixture happen in the first place? Does this rivalry matter in the 21st ...
09.09.2023 #141 What is VAR, how does it work and why does it make people angry? On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor delve deep into a topic that isn't at all divisive and doesn't make people completely lose their minds... VAR! What is it, why was it implemented, how does it work, how has it ...
09.01.2023 #140 What are 'half spaces' and why are they important? On this week's episode, Graham and Taylor discuss a phrase that gets thrown around a lot but might not be as easy to understand: half spaces. What are they, why are they important, and which players are best at operating ...
07.14.2023 #139 How do teams prepare for a World Cup? On today's episode, Graham and Taylor go deep on World Cup preparations! When do teams announce their squads for a World Cup? What do warm-up friendly matches achieve? How do national federations decide on a training base? What do players ...
07.07.2023 #138 All about season tickets On today's episode, Graham and Taylor delve deep into season tickets: what are they, what are the benefits and drawbacks to becoming a season ticket holder, how has the process evolved over time, and what does the future hold? All ...
06.30.2023 #137 Why is it a yellow card for taking off your shirt? Graham (who managed to keep his top on the whole show) and Taylor answer the following listener question: Taking a shirt off is an iconic football celebration. Except that for a good long while now it has been punished with ...
06.23.2023 #136 What is the Gold Cup, and why does it seem less important these days? With the 2023 iteration of The Concacaf Gold Cup right around the corner, Graham and Taylor discuss the history of the competition, how it has evolved over time, the various guest nations that have played, and the most successful teams ...
06.07.2023 #135 Where does transfer speculation come from and what’s the fascination with it? The season is coming to a close, which means the silly season insanity is about to ratchet up! But instead of looking at specific rumors or pending transfers, they're discussing the speculation itself. How does transfer speculation come to be? ...
05.26.2023 #134 What is the A-League Men, is it the same as the A-League, and how has Australian club soccer evolved over the years? Graham and Taylor discuss all-things Australia, without attempting to do accents or make jokes about shrimp and barbies. Instead, they focus on The A-League Men: the history of the league, how it has evolved, why it rebranded, current controversies, and ...
05.13.2023 Bonus episode! Part 2 of our crossover with the Can I Kick It podcast: Understanding the Culture I joined my buddy Elliot Barr on his podcast Can I Kick it, and we went way way over time. So, we split our chat into two segments. Part 1 is available over on their feeds and Part 2 is ...
05.12.2023 #133 Why is multi-club ownership becoming increasingly common? On this episode, Graham and Taylor delve deep into an increasingly common setup: multi-club ownership. Along the way, they answer questions like... What is the difference between a selling club, a feeder club and a sister club? What are the ...
05.05.2023 #132 What is relegation? Plus, the ways teams cope with it, the disastrous ramifications, potential silver linings, and much more! As a logical counterpoint to last week's Promotion special, this week we're tackling Relegation! What sort of damage can relegation cause? How do relegated teams respond to dropping down a division? What does relegation change for fans? All that and ...
04.28.2023 #131 It's a Promotion special! What is promotion, what are the benefits and drawbacks, and how do clubs approach trying to stay up? This week, Graham and Taylor dive into one of the happier things that can happen to a club: promotion! What are the approaches to getting promoted and then staying up, what are the obvious benefits and the less obvious drawbacks, ...
04.14.2023 #130 Why does Graham dislike Dumbarton FC? Or, the proper protocol for postponing a match With Graham thoroughly enjoying his 4th cancellation of the season courtesy of Dumbarton, we discuss why a match might be postponed, who makes the decision, what happens after the decision is made, and much more!
03.31.2023 #129 All about stadiums! This week, Graham and Taylor are taking a look at a big ol' concrete structure of a topic: stadiums! What makes a great stadium? What are the main differences between the facilities of the past and those of the present? ...
03.24.2023 #128 What is The Old Firm Derby and why is it so historically significant? Graham and Taylor spend some time discussing the historic rivalry between Scottish clubs Celtic and Rangers, AKA The Old Firm Derby. How did the rivalry originate, how has it evolved over time, the key figures and moments in the derby's ...
03.10.2023 #127 Why are entrance anthems played before games, what makes a good anthem, how do their vary between clubs and international competitions, and much more! This week, Graham and Taylor do their best to avoid having to sing while discussing anthems in soccer: when did the tradition begin, how do they differ between club and international competitions, which ones work and which ones don't, and ...
03.03.2023 #126 What are reserve leagues and how do they work? On this week's episode, it's a look at not-quite-ready-for-primetime competitions, aka development leagues. What is a reserve league, is it different from a development league, how do they differ from country to country, and much much more!
02.17.2023 #125 What is The New Manager Bounce, and is it a real thing? Graham and Taylor take a look at a narrative that pops up every time a coach gets sacked: The New Manager Bounce. When things aren't working and clubs decide to sack their manager, it's often expected that with the hiring ...
11.18.2022 #124 The Backheeled Show: What’s wrong with England? And can the USMNT take them down? We don't know about you, but we're pretty excited for the USMNT's game against England that's coming up next week. On this special episode of Soccer 101, courtesy of The Backheeled Show, we dig into that matchup and answer questions ...
11.11.2022 #123 The Backheeled Show: How to win the World Cup, by the numbers What if we told you there were some tricks that your team could use to boost their odds of making a deep run in the World Cup? Sounds pretty good, right? Today, we’re talking about some of those tricks. On ...
11.04.2022 #122 Why do children escort players onto the pitch before a game? On this week's episode, Ryan and Taylor answer a listener question that felt Soccer 101 appropriate: why do little kids walk onto the pitch with players before games? Who are these children, how did they get such a good gig, ...
10.28.2022 #121 Does politics belong in soccer? AKA Why soccer and politics will always be intertwined On today’s episode, we're tackling a topic that won’t cause any furor online, never has copious columns written about it in newspapers, and always makes Piers Morgan keep a level head: politics in football! Does politics belong in soccer? What ...
10.21.2022 #120 Everything you need to know about the Women's Champions League The 2022-23 Women's Champions League season is underway, so Ryan, Graham and Taylor are here to explain the history of the competition, its dominant teams and players, and its outlook for the future! The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of ...
10.13.2022 #119 What is a 'Golden Generation' in soccer? Ryan, Graham and Taylor convene to discuss the meaning of the term 'Golden Generation' in the beautiful game, while offering some examples of the teams that lived up to the moniker—and those that didn't. The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty ...
10.07.2022 #118 What does a scout do and why are they important? On today's episode, Ryan, Graham and Taylor dig into the world of scouting. Why do teams need scouts, how does one become a scout, and which teams have the best recruitment networks? The Soccer 101 theme, and plenty of other ...
09.29.2022 #117 What is a medical and what happens when a player fails one? On this week's episode, we're taking a closer look at something that every player does when they join a new team, but something we don’t necessarily know a ton about: the medical. Why are they necessary, what actually goes into ...
09.23.2022 #116 How to host a World Cup and what makes a good one WE’RE DOING A LIVE SHOW! The TSS foursome will be in New York for a live show on Sunday, November 20th. We’ll be talking World Cup, USMNT, and so much more. Check out this link for tickets and the rest ...
09.09.2022 #115 What is a ‘number 9’ and how has the position evolved? On this week's episode, we're looking at a position on the field that's made a comeback on the pitch, quite literally in most cases: The Number Nine. The center forward has long been a staple of the beautiful game, but ...
09.02.2022 #114 Why are World Cup jerseys such a big deal? On this episode of Soccer 101, Ryan, Graham, and Joe talk all about World Cup jerseys. Why are they important? What can they look like? How have the changed? And what are some of the best and worst ones of ...
08.25.2022 #113 How did the Premier League become the most dominant league on the planet? The Premier League is regarded as the gold standard for global domestic soccer. It has the most fans, the most money, and the biggest brand of all the top leagues. On this week's episode, Ryan is joined by Graham and ...
08.19.2022 #112 How has the Qatar national team been preparing for the 2022 World Cup? With the 2022 World Cup looming, Taylor is joined by Graham and Joe to discuss the Qatar national team itself... a team, we should note, that has never been to a World Cup before. What is Qatar’s soccer history? How ...
08.11.2022 #111 What are the most surprising relegation campaigns in soccer history? Ryan is joined by Graham and Taylor to discuss all-things relegation: what is it and which teams have successfully avoided it? We then turn our attention to the most surprising relegation campaigns in soccer history, for whatever reason. England, Scotland, ...
08.05.2022 #110 What makes Jurgen Klopp such a good manager? From his days as a prospective med student-turned-footballer to winning the Champions League with Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has had a fascinating career. On today's episode, we go deep on his history and influences to get a better idea of the ...
07.29.2022 #109 It's kicking off! How have the rules for kickoff changed, what are the best approaches to getting the game underway, and how could we improve on the present system? Ryan is joined by Joe and Taylor to answer the age old question (in your best Jerry Seinfeld impression), "What's the deal with kickoff?!" How does a game get underway, how have the rules regarding kickoff evolved since the mid-1800s, ...
07.22.2022 #108 What is a front office and how does it work? Who makes what decisions? We have answers! Ryan is joined by Graham and Taylor to discuss front offices in football: what they are, how they work, which ones do it well, and which ones could use some help. The Soccer ...
07.15.2022 #107 Everything you need to know about preseason It’s preseason time! On this episode of Soccer 101, Ryan Bailey, Taylor Rockwell, Graham Ruthven, and Joe Lowery dive into the world of preseason. What is it? Why is it important? How has it changed? We talk about all that ...
07.08.2022 #106 How to become a referee, and why someone might do that to themselves? On this week's episode, we're taking a deeper look at officiating! Why become a referee, what are the paths to qualification in the US and the UK, are there actual tests to be taken, who does the assigning, and much ...
07.01.2022 #105 What is the soccer schedule for the rest of 2022? On today's episode, we go through the remaining calendar for 2022 to determine what competitions are happening and when, how the winter World Cup will impact club scheduling, and which leagues might suffer the most from fixture congestion? The Soccer ...
06.24.2022 #104 What are coaching badges, how long do they take to acquire, how do they differ between federations, and how should they evolve? On this week's episode, we're taking a deeper look at Coaching Badges (aka coaching licenses). What are they? Why does soccer have them? Can you coach without them? Can you actually sew them onto your uniform like a Boy Scout? ...

Older episodes

Soccer 101

What's Soccer 101 about?

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Soccer 101 episodes:

#152 What is a points deduction, who hands them out, and how common are they historically?

#151 Why do throw-ins exist and how have their rules changed over time?

#150 The growth of the record transfer fee in soccer

#149 Scarves! Why did they become so widespread in soccer, what are the different styles, and more!

#148 What is the ‘league pyramid’ in English soccer and how does it work?

#147 How does prize money work in soccer?

#146 Why are gambling and football so intertwined, and how big a problem is that for sport in general?

#145 What is Team GB, why is it controversial and will it be involved with the next Olympics?

#144 What are coefficients, how are they calculated and why are they important?

#143 More terminology explained! Recovery, duel, reducer, corridor of uncertainty, and more!

#142 Why was the England-Scotland rivalry so significant? Plus, why it's lost some of its luster more recently

#141 What is VAR, how does it work and why does it make people angry?

#140 What are 'half spaces' and why are they important?

#139 How do teams prepare for a World Cup?

#138 All about season tickets

#137 Why is it a yellow card for taking off your shirt?

#136 What is the Gold Cup, and why does it seem less important these days?

#135 Where does transfer speculation come from and what’s the fascination with it?

#134 What is the A-League Men, is it the same as the A-League, and how has Australian club soccer evolved over the years?

Bonus episode! Part 2 of our crossover with the Can I Kick It podcast: Understanding the Culture

#133 Why is multi-club ownership becoming increasingly common?

#132 What is relegation? Plus, the ways teams cope with it, the disastrous ramifications, potential silver linings, and much more!

#131 It's a Promotion special! What is promotion, what are the benefits and drawbacks, and how do clubs approach trying to stay up?

#130 Why does Graham dislike Dumbarton FC? Or, the proper protocol for postponing a match

#129 All about stadiums!

#128 What is The Old Firm Derby and why is it so historically significant?

#127 Why are entrance anthems played before games, what makes a good anthem, how do their vary between clubs and international competitions, and much more!

#126 What are reserve leagues and how do they work?

#125 What is The New Manager Bounce, and is it a real thing?

#124 The Backheeled Show: What’s wrong with England? And can the USMNT take them down?

#123 The Backheeled Show: How to win the World Cup, by the numbers

#122 Why do children escort players onto the pitch before a game?

#121 Does politics belong in soccer? AKA Why soccer and politics will always be intertwined

#120 Everything you need to know about the Women's Champions League

#119 What is a 'Golden Generation' in soccer?

#118 What does a scout do and why are they important?

#117 What is a medical and what happens when a player fails one?

#116 How to host a World Cup and what makes a good one

#115 What is a ‘number 9’ and how has the position evolved?

#114 Why are World Cup jerseys such a big deal?

#113 How did the Premier League become the most dominant league on the planet?

#112 How has the Qatar national team been preparing for the 2022 World Cup?

#111 What are the most surprising relegation campaigns in soccer history?

#110 What makes Jurgen Klopp such a good manager?

#109 It's kicking off! How have the rules for kickoff changed, what are the best approaches to getting the game underway, and how could we improve on the present system?

#108 What is a front office and how does it work?

#107 Everything you need to know about preseason

#106 How to become a referee, and why someone might do that to themselves?

#105 What is the soccer schedule for the rest of 2022?

#104 What are coaching badges, how long do they take to acquire, how do they differ between federations, and how should they evolve?