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Tips on helping develop aspiring young soccer player
Posted on 7/21/13 at 7:54 pm
Posted on 7/21/13 at 7:54 pm
I have many posts, mostly on LSU sports, but feel the readers of this thread would be more helpful for this. My young nephew shows much potential in soccer. His father played college soccer in another country and obviously has taught and encouraged him. His mother is from Texas, but met his father overseas. I did want to ask some general tips--how to find the best area travel soccer team, etc. Also, I do not live in the same city--just see this youngster maybe twice monthly.
Posted on 7/21/13 at 8:03 pm to rjokerlsu
If his father played college soccer and is from another country, he will know better than anyone on this board.
Posted on 7/21/13 at 8:09 pm to rjokerlsu
Accept his sexuality and he'll be a success no matter what happens on the pitch.
Posted on 7/21/13 at 8:14 pm to guttata
Thanks--I thought this was likely the case. He (the boy's father) is already talking about how soon & the steps involved in getting him into a travel league and or the best competition available for his age group.
I just wanted to be sure all possibilities are considered. Most of us in my family have competed in baseball or swimming.
I just wanted to be sure all possibilities are considered. Most of us in my family have competed in baseball or swimming.
Posted on 7/22/13 at 12:23 am to rjokerlsu
Ideally, find the nearest academy program and get him enrolled in that. Where does this kid live? How old is he? This is important.
Make sure that he plays for fun, A LOT. He needs to be getting touches on the ball as much as possible from an early age. Get his dad to put him on an indoor soccer team (like 6v6) ASAP to develop foot skills.
Find a soccer coach that emphasizes skill development over purely winning. You don't want him stuck with a coach who likes all the big athletes because they are faster and ignores the kids who have good skill but don't have the athletic ability to keep up with the early growers.
ETA: guttata and jwho rarely post here. I'm not sure about their knowledge of the developmental system, but there are others on this board who can give much better advice than what they have given. I think Hendersonhands in particular could help you, but others here are also good for general advice. I know there's my former soccer coach on this board (yo, Ali, quit banging your hot wife and post here more often) and I think he could help you too.
Make sure that he plays for fun, A LOT. He needs to be getting touches on the ball as much as possible from an early age. Get his dad to put him on an indoor soccer team (like 6v6) ASAP to develop foot skills.
Find a soccer coach that emphasizes skill development over purely winning. You don't want him stuck with a coach who likes all the big athletes because they are faster and ignores the kids who have good skill but don't have the athletic ability to keep up with the early growers.
ETA: guttata and jwho rarely post here. I'm not sure about their knowledge of the developmental system, but there are others on this board who can give much better advice than what they have given. I think Hendersonhands in particular could help you, but others here are also good for general advice. I know there's my former soccer coach on this board (yo, Ali, quit banging your hot wife and post here more often) and I think he could help you too.
This post was edited on 7/22/13 at 12:25 am
Posted on 7/22/13 at 1:09 am to cwil177
Looks like the guy's in BFE North Texas. If the kid is in North Texas, I'm sure that the guy's BIL has it taken care of.
A lot of the winning over development stuff has to do with selection.
ETA: And I think that it rarely deals with a player who is really good and a mediocre, athletic player
A lot of the winning over development stuff has to do with selection.
ETA: And I think that it rarely deals with a player who is really good and a mediocre, athletic player
This post was edited on 7/22/13 at 1:19 am
Posted on 7/22/13 at 3:49 pm to joey barton
I figured I would give this a bump since some people here are pretty knowledgeable about youth soccer.
Just one question for the OP. Where does your nephew live in Texas? If it's close to Dallas or Houston, I would imagine the FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo youth academies could be a possibility down the road, if he is very good.
Just one question for the OP. Where does your nephew live in Texas? If it's close to Dallas or Houston, I would imagine the FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo youth academies could be a possibility down the road, if he is very good.
Posted on 7/22/13 at 4:13 pm to rjokerlsu
This was the best program in Texas when I was playing against them about 16-17 years ago. They were called North Texas Texans back then. Nobody thought a team from Jackson, MS could compete with them, but we always did.
Dallas Texans
Dallas Texans
Posted on 7/22/13 at 4:30 pm to Ortho Reb
Numerous great clubs in Dallas. Dallas Texans (now merged with Houston Texans), Solar FC, Andromeda FC, and DFW Tejanos were the premier teams when I was playing.
Posted on 7/22/13 at 4:38 pm to raw dog
I don't think that all that much has changed in youth soccer (wrt clubs) in a long time apart from the introduction of MLS teams.
They were around when I was playing, i.e., had just started, but weren't all that great.
They were around when I was playing, i.e., had just started, but weren't all that great.
This post was edited on 7/22/13 at 4:49 pm
Posted on 7/22/13 at 4:56 pm to joey barton
Are they doing multiple teams from some of the states in Region III? Back in the mid 90s it was N. TX, S. TX, OK, AR, OK, TN, GA, SC, MS, AL, LA and FL. It looks like they added NC, and they also let teams that come in 2nd place in their state participate in the regional tourney.
Posted on 7/22/13 at 5:08 pm to Ortho Reb
NC is definitely Region III.
They added a number of regional premier leagues. So, states can send more than one team if they have a team qualify through that avenue.
It still looks the same, I think, but the academy system kind of changed the overall layout, and that was after my time.
They added a number of regional premier leagues. So, states can send more than one team if they have a team qualify through that avenue.
It still looks the same, I think, but the academy system kind of changed the overall layout, and that was after my time.
Posted on 7/22/13 at 5:19 pm to joey barton
I don't know what I'm thinking, bc we played in the '96 or '97 regional tournament that was in Greensboro.
Posted on 7/23/13 at 1:10 am to Keys Open Doors
Sorry, I had a busy day & could not get back on the soccer board. Well, unfortunately, he does not live in North Texas--wish he did--bigger population, more soccer interest, resources available, etc.
But he lives in Lubbock--college town, most high schools in that city have soccer programs. So that is a challenge--Texas as a whole is not a big soccer state, but West Texas with its smaller population seems to offer fewer chances. That is why I asked & again, apologies for not responding sooner.
But he lives in Lubbock--college town, most high schools in that city have soccer programs. So that is a challenge--Texas as a whole is not a big soccer state, but West Texas with its smaller population seems to offer fewer chances. That is why I asked & again, apologies for not responding sooner.
This post was edited on 7/23/13 at 1:12 am
Posted on 7/23/13 at 1:20 am to rjokerlsu
Did you say how old he is? Honestly, the best thing for him to do is play a lot. It seems simple but that's the best way. Tell him to work on his weak foot.
Just go outside and kick against the wall with his weak foot, this is also a good exercise for trapping. Speed isn't the most important aspect of soccer but you'll want to work on being quick with the ball, have him hit it against the wall and work on turning with the ball and sprinting 10 yards out of the turn. You want to be able to stay under control even when you're playing fast.
If his dad is there to help him, that's a huge bonus too. Most young kids don't have a dad who was good at soccer.
Just be sure to always remind him that it's ok to be creative on the field, even if his coaches try to stifle his creativity. Don't ever become a robot.
If you have any more info you can provide, we can probably give you more advice.
Just go outside and kick against the wall with his weak foot, this is also a good exercise for trapping. Speed isn't the most important aspect of soccer but you'll want to work on being quick with the ball, have him hit it against the wall and work on turning with the ball and sprinting 10 yards out of the turn. You want to be able to stay under control even when you're playing fast.
If his dad is there to help him, that's a huge bonus too. Most young kids don't have a dad who was good at soccer.
Just be sure to always remind him that it's ok to be creative on the field, even if his coaches try to stifle his creativity. Don't ever become a robot.
If you have any more info you can provide, we can probably give you more advice.
Posted on 7/23/13 at 7:20 am to rjokerlsu
quote:This is false.
Texas as a whole is not a big soccer state
Posted on 7/23/13 at 7:12 pm to cwil177
I should have been a bit clearer with the statement about TX not being a big soccer state. I was speaking not in general terms, but in a comparative sense, as comparing it to football, baseball and softball. I understand that even most smaller towns have youth leagues & have for years, and most 4A & 5A high schools have soccer, along with a few 3A schools & some private schools even.
But I greatly appreciate everyone's tips & will of course share it with this boy's parents, who I know will be appreciative as well.
And I suppose I'll go ahead and answer a question I had avoided a bit--he is only 4.5, but played in a league of 3-5 years old last spring and scored goals. In a skills test involving several boys in his league and age group, he was well ahead of the second highest score. I understand a lot can happen & he may even get interested in other sports, but for now he seems to be highly motivated to enjoy soccer and compete in it. So we'll see. I believe these days, it is never too early to begin playing, but to just allow the children to enjoy whatever sport they play & not feel pressured to be the absolute best or win all the time.
Thanks again, everyone, for your input.
But I greatly appreciate everyone's tips & will of course share it with this boy's parents, who I know will be appreciative as well.
And I suppose I'll go ahead and answer a question I had avoided a bit--he is only 4.5, but played in a league of 3-5 years old last spring and scored goals. In a skills test involving several boys in his league and age group, he was well ahead of the second highest score. I understand a lot can happen & he may even get interested in other sports, but for now he seems to be highly motivated to enjoy soccer and compete in it. So we'll see. I believe these days, it is never too early to begin playing, but to just allow the children to enjoy whatever sport they play & not feel pressured to be the absolute best or win all the time.
Thanks again, everyone, for your input.
This post was edited on 7/23/13 at 7:18 pm
Posted on 7/23/13 at 7:25 pm to rjokerlsu
Have him continue to compete against kids older than him. Playing up an age group usually helps.
Posted on 7/23/13 at 7:30 pm to rjokerlsu
It looks like just about every single top plyaer in the state besides Jose Torres has some level of affiliation with the Dallas Texans from his youth career. Most of the guys are close to Dallas, but hell, even Brek Shea went from College Station to play for their A squad. Apparently their director is a former Iranian national team player who came to the US during the days of the NASL.
Searching for travel teams in Lubbock I couldn't find anything except a girls' select side though.
Searching for travel teams in Lubbock I couldn't find anything except a girls' select side though.
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