It's often said that the #1 reason for playing any sport, including soccer is fun.  I agree.  However, I think this idea of the game being fun does need to be defined and put into some context.  This is probably the number one subject I hear about from parents.  It's usually framed in the idea of how do they encourage players to get out with the ball and train at home, yet not push them so much that they begin to dislike the game. Because the thing is, while number one is fun, it's very rare that anything in which you want to excel is going to be all fun all the time.  In this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast we'll take a look at the balance between fun and development and how the two can co-exist!

This got really long and I had to cut it in half to save the second part for another podcast episode.  Inside, you'll hear from a podcast listener how it helped his daughter overcome some mental obstacles that had been bothering her.  We'll also look at some great advice from Michael Jordan as well as the importance of specific 1v1 skills that don't seem to be taught anywhere.  And maybe more?  Join Bella and myself on a caffeine fueled drip inside the mind my poor players have to deal with on a regular basis!

Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference.  This is true for your soccer development as well.  In this episode we talk about 4 simple things you can do to make your training more effective, which will make you a much better player over time.   No matter what you're doing right now, add these and you'll accelerate your development immediately!  Plus, other stuff, including a very important question that needs to be answered!  Change these things, change your game!

Confidence plays a huge role in performance on the pitch.  If a soccer player lacks confidence, they are unlikely to play as well as they can.  Not just on game day either.  This can also hurt long term development.  Listen in to hear about a simple way to change your mindset and improve confidence almost instantly.

In this exciting new episode we follow up on the importance of goal setting and confidence and then dive into the story of two players.  Both say they want to play in college.  They are equal in ability.  On the road to their college playing goal, they make different choices.  In this episode we talk about the different choices these players make and the impact it has on their goal of playing college soccer.  Discover how it goes and what this means for your soccer journey, grasshopper.

In talking ti many, many MANY soccer parents, one of the biggest issues seen with young players is a lack of confidence.  This is a huge problem because confidence is a big part of development, performance, improvement and FUN!  Without it, players will struggle and most likely eventually quit the game. We absolutely don't want that.  Listen in to find out how the simple act of setting goals can increase confidence.

Recently I came across a letter today's Kelley O'Hara wrote to a 14 year old Kelley O'Hara.  It's packed with a lot of great advice for today's youth soccer players.  I discuss it on this episode of The Soccer Specialist Podcast.  If you have a youth player or are one, you really need to listen to this.  Sometimes we see the top players and we think it was easy for them, that somehow their journey was different and blessed.  Sure, it happens, but it's rare.  Kelley faced a lot of obstacles, heart ache and heart break on her way to the top.  Many lesser people would've quit.  Please listen to Kelley's story.

This season is going much differently than any of us imagined it would.  Instead of training with our teammates, playing rivals we hate and battling for a shot at regionals, nationals, or simply a chance to move up, we are sitting at home.  But here's the thing, it doesn't have to be all bad. There are some good things that can come from it because make no mistake, soccer WILL be back! Will you be ready?

We missed a few episodes for reasons that are obvious to everyone.  It seems appropriate that the next podcast was going to be about overcoming obstacles and adversity as a soccer player.  Just like right now, you'll find many obstacles throughout a player career.  How you hand them will determine what type of player you are going to be.  Take a listen!

If you struggle with the mental game, if you get down on yourself all the time, if nothing you do is good enough, you need to listen to this podcast right now!  You'll learn a simple 5 minute exercise you can do to totally shift your mindset from self defeating to self empowering, ramp up your motivation, get you inspired and have you playing great, confident soccer!