Development Model
Why 5v5: The Power of Small-Sided Games
At the forefront of everything we do is individual player development. This is especially true for U10, U9, U8 players as they truly begin to love the game. As we constantly challenge ourselves to evaluate how to best develop and inspire the players, we recognize and believe in the power of the small-sided games. Here’s…
Read MoreFind the Right Fit: The 6 Considerations for Choosing a Soccer Club
The youth soccer industry can be a tough one to navigate. Unlike anywhere else in the world, there are comparably less ‘top-level’ organizations despite the country boasting more registered youth soccer players than many of the world’s leading soccer nations. There are multiple arguments as to the reason for this with many laying the blame…
Read MoreThe Steel City Goalkeeping Model
Let’s be honest, whenever anyone talks about “models” in soccer, rarely are the goalkeepers mentioned. No doubt, goalkeepers are part of the team process and approach and need to be included in all aspects of the team. But the role is unique and requires its own attention. At Hotspurs we have a plan along with…
Read MoreThe Phase Model: Youth Development Phase – Train to Understand the Game
In the Youth Development Phase (YDP), we see kids who are going through the biggest period of ‘change’ that they will experience. Physical, cognitive, and emotional maturity plays a huge part in terms of soccer development. It’s our role in the YDP to help players navigate this. In a soccer sense, players at U13 move…
Read MoreThe Phase Model: Performance & College Prep Phase – Train to Win the Game
In the Performance & College Prep Phase (PP/CPP) we look to challenge our players individually and as a group. With long term player development at the front of everything we do as a club, in the Foundation Phase (FP) we were teaching the players in a fun yet challenging way to ‘train to love the…
Read MoreThe Phase Model: Foundation Phase – Train to Love the Game
At the front of what we do, we are trying to help build a love and passion for the sport we all love so much. This is especially true in the Foundation Phase as we focus on ‘training to love the game.’ As a club and individual coaches, we strongly promote training our players in…
Read MoreThe Phase Model: Why It’s the Steel City Way
Throughout a majority of soccer clubs, the unspoken balancing act to determine who a coach is for a team is based on how long a coach can keep the parents happy. If the parents are happy, then everything is OK. Right? We don’t believe so. This approach leaves out the most important pieces of the…
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