August 20, 2022, marked my two-year work anniversary as League Director for the New England Premiership (NEP). As I compose this column, the current state of the NEP is, well, not great. Our member clubs have left the NEP to join the New England Club Soccer League (NECSL). We have no clubs or teams. … [Read more...]
Coach’s Perspective: Fall success starts with careful planning
It seems like only a short time ago, I was discussing the end of the fall 2021 high school soccer season. Fast forward to now, and we’re only a little more than a month away from the start of our upcoming fall 2022 high school season. As we ramp up for another highly anticipated season at Pembroke … [Read more...]
Coach’s Perspective: The soccer referee crisis is upon us and needs to be addressed
The game of soccer is experiencing a referee shortage. This issue is facing our youth, club and adult leagues here in New England, and elsewhere across the country. This crisis is not isolated to the game of soccer, as sports such as hockey are experiencing the same issues. Here in New England, we … [Read more...]
Coach’s Perspective: Mass. coaches, players grapple with new tourney system
The United States Soccer Federation provides a "Profile Of The Grassroots Coach" for all of the Coach Education Grassroots courses that they run. Coach candidates learn the importance of "Evaluating and Reflecting" as they coach their teams throughout a given season. The evaluating and reflecting … [Read more...]
Coach’s perspective: High school coaches amped for normal return to the game
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...]
