Are there clues from previous tournaments to guide us to the winner?
* Leadership-First of all beware of smooth sailing in the qualification rounds as the past two Cup, 2002 and 2006 were far from that for the eventual champion - Brasil in 2002 went through a couple of coaches, a scandal and qualified at the 11th. hour. Whereas Italy chose to be challenged by a scandal that threatened more than just the World Cup team but the whole of Italian calcio. Luckily both teams had great coaches in Scolari and Lippi who bought sanity & calmness to their squads. Other signs : Read More
 

This is a great game in which to coach "attacking" technique and tactics. I first saw this game played in Rio in 1991 and it seems to be a popular game throughout Brasil. Its called "The Kitchen" as the area outside the penalty area is where you prepare the attack like preparing a
tasty meal.
 

Every Saturday, at around 4.51pm, one lucky member of the Guardian sports team is locked inside an airless pod with only an infinite supply of canned muscle relaxant for company, and told that they are not allowed to leave until they have used our brilliant newish chalkboards to demonstrate three key points from the weekend's Premier League action. So here they are.

In the midst of the excitement, I felt that my decision to come to Prague to study for a soccer coach’s license and live in a real soccer culture seemed like a good one. The Czech National Team had just become the first team in the history of the European Championships to qualify with a perfect record. The team finished this feat just weeks before the 10th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, when the country gained its freedom from the Soviet Union. Even as they sang their National Anthem before the match, I could sense the pride that the Czechs felt in the success of their National Team — currently ranked second in the world, for whatever the rankings are worth. forward to sharing it not only with my own players but also with other coaches when I return to the United States next year.

They (the Brazilians) get passionate about soccer skill like we get excited about trophies and tournaments. Their way creates a Pele or a Zico or a Romario or a Ronaldinho or a Rivaldo to name just a few of their run of the mill world class players.

Our trouble is we fake the words development & education under the cloak of results. If we are winning therefore we are learning school of thought is promoted. Then the proof is in the pudding when they get to their mid-teens the "learning journey" is almost done. Go out and watch 16 year olds play and they are the fruits of a 6 to 10 years of soccer education. If equated with regular school the majority would be remedial or drop-outs. Just go to a game and note how many players can't pass or control a ball smoothly. Then equate it to basketball - How long are you going to be on a team if you can't pass it? How long are you going to be on a team if you can't catch the ball? We have a long, long way to go............

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Many teenagers ask the question, “What does it take to become a top class player?” To help you, here’s a checklist a famous European club uses to identify “real players.”

I’m trying to suggest that there is a definitive pattern of behavior that you must cultivate to help you to success; enthusiasm to play football in any conditions, and as often as you can; an imagination that will help you think of endless hours of practice as pleasant rather than monotonous.

In how many ways can you shoot a sport in the foot? Youth soccer is coming up empty with a strain of S.A.R.S.G. – Shooting Aversion Resulting in Scoreless Games. It is what happens when teams try to win with a dull and graceless style of play – playing a “half-court defense” and waiting for the other team to make a mistake, and when it happens, to capitalize on that error with a goal, and then closure – defending for the rest of the game.

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From my observation of youth soccer coaches both in practice and clinic situations; I would like to pinpoint some of the common errors that they make. The more you know about them, the more prepared you will be to spot them and correct them – and improve your chances of winning.

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