Why Labels Aren’t the Same as Development. And What Truly Makes a Player Grow

In American youth soccer, there may be no word more powerful, more overused, and more misunderstood than “elite.” It appears on jerseys, banners, websites and team names. It shapes tryout choices and dictates which car magnets end up on the back window. For many families, the presence of the word alone implies a pathway to college soccer or even professional dreams.

The foundation of soccer players’ development is establishing adequate systems and tools, which will help players to achieve constant progress over the years. This is extremely important in Youth soccer categories, as designing appropriate training methods and approach will help young players reach their full potential.

Mental toughness is a crucial aspect of youth development, particularly in the world of sports. Youth soccer, one of the most popular sports globally, demands both physical prowess and mental strength to excel. This blog post will explore the importance of mental toughness in youth development, specifically for young soccer players. Furthermore, we'll provide practical advice, tricks, and tips on how to nurture and develop mental toughness in these budding athletes.

The question of whether or not to change teams is something I know is in the minds of a lot of youth soccer players and their families every off-season. It seems like such a simple, direct question for a player to ask themselves “should I change teams?” The answer is even more direct, just two or three letters needed – a simple “no” or “yes.”

If you're wondering how much training your young player should be doing, you're not alone. It's a question that comes up a lot, and the answer isn't always straightforward. Sadly the issue in the States is primarily where you spend your time and on what. And if you think the answer is more of what has failed the US Youth Soccer development over the past 30 years, then you will want to take notes.

We are 100% Club neutral at Own Touch and do not condone or recommend any soccer club over another outside of professional academy programs linked to pro 1st teams in the US or abroad. That being said, every new tryout season we are asked by dozens of parents about where they should put their kids and which are the “best” around. Below are the answers. If you have to read one soccer article this year, MAKE IT THIS ONE, compiled with the wonderful folks at A-Game Soccer.

The sport’s top tier is organized around the goal of producing a tiny group of elite players, at the expense of kids’—and parents’—well-being.

How the loss of play for kids is holding back American soccer.

by Brett Niebling

The player must learn to adjust to the motion, be precise with the adjustment, minimize or maximize speed. This is the REAL skill.