The fall 2021 high school soccer season should be a welcome one for players, coaches, referees, parents and athletic programs after working through unprecedented challenges during the past academic year. Last fall, our region experienced a much different type of season, as the COVID-19 pandemic … [Read more...]
We face a referee shortage, and it’s on all of us to fix it
Over a recent holiday weekend, I found myself perched at the soccer field in tournament play. While the tournament was not a successful one in terms of results for the U14 boys team I coach, I left the event more focused on an issue that came about in a game that did not even include our team. This … [Read more...]
How coaches can adapt their approach to let the players play
As coaches, we should all be active learners and continue to improve our skill sets. We should look to push ourselves out of our comfort zones while at the same time educating our players. I have found that the routine of my personal coaching year can sometimes see me going through the motions. I … [Read more...]
Alyssa Naeher’s ex-teammate Jessie Davis on the Women’s World Cup
With the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup here, excitement is building for what should be an amazing competition. The world’s best soccer players will be on show for young female players in our region and across the globe. As I thought about the importance of this year’s event, I wanted to get the … [Read more...]
How soccer coaches can maximize the spring season’s early days
With March snow covering the ground here in Massachusetts, you know that the competitive spring season is on the horizon. Coaches of youth and town programs across the region will be eagerly looking to get back outdoors and get after their spring seasons. For most teams, the competitive season lasts … [Read more...]
Volunteer Coach: To develop, don’t cheat the offseason grind
Editor's note: This story appeared in our Winter 2019 magazine as part of our "offseason training" issue. The Massachusetts fall high school season comes and goes in a fast and furious way each year. Tryouts are held in late August, and the first competitive matches commence in early September. The … [Read more...]
Volunteer Coach: Club and school seasons offer unique focal points
As both a club coach and a high school coach, I experienced two vastly different and unique seasons this fall. Club Season At the club level, I am lucky to coach a talented and driven 2006 boys under-13 team. As a U13 side, their competitive season is fall to spring and so we are only a third of the … [Read more...]
Volunteer Coach: How to manage playing time
Playing time is a major talking point for parents, players and coaches within the game of soccer. From a coaching perspective, the parameters and guidelines for playing time can many times vary depending on the level of play, the age of the players, and mission or development model of the … [Read more...]
USMNT could use a manager like Brendan Rogers
With the 2018 soccer calendar coming to close, there is one item on my soccer wish list that I would love to see come to pass by the end of the year: a new manager for the U.S. men’s national team. It has almost been a full year since Bruce Arena resigned as head coach of the U.S. men’s national … [Read more...]
Volunteer Coach: Transition to 11 vs. 11 soccer brings excitement, challenges
I am extremely grateful to be able to coach young players and help them on their developmental path within the game. One of the teams that I have been coaching at the club level is a talented 2006 boys side that is an absolute joy to work with. This group is on the cusp of a big change. They enter … [Read more...]
Preparing for new season offers excitement, hope
The month of August is my favorite month as a soccer coach. In a span of a few weeks, I go from coaching our residential camps at Liverpool International Academy Massachusetts & Connecticut to immediately turning my attention to my boys at Pembroke (Mass.) High School as we reach the tryout and … [Read more...]
For me, my old high school coach was my mentor
As part of New England Soccer Journal’s "50 Most Influential" edition, I wanted to take the time in my column to recognize the most influential coach on my own career. That person is Steve Shoff. Coach Shoff was my head coach when I played at Weymouth (Mass.) High School (1996-99). Coach Shoff led … [Read more...]
