Posts Tagged ‘longterm development’
Find 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, goalkeepers are rarely mentioned. Goalkeepers are undoubtedly part of the team process and approach and need to be included in all aspects of the team. But their role is unique and requires their own attention. At Steel City, we have a plan and a pathway…
Read MoreThe Phase Model: Youth Development Phase – Train to Understand the Game
Within the youth development phase (U13-U14), we continue to expose players to a variety of training environments focused on developing new skills while introducing new concepts relating to our club’s principles of play. Here are some of our common training methods – The Rondo – A rondo activity involves a group of players maintaining possession…
Read MoreThe Phase Model: Performance Phase – Train to Win the Game
In the Performance Phase (PP) 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 game.’ In the Youth Development…
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…
Read MoreYouth to Adult: A Full Pathway
When it comes to ‘football,’ Pittsburgh is known for the American game. The Steelers have won the Super Bowl six times, and the area has been the home to numerous household names in the NFL. Unfortunately, the city doesn’t hold the same reputation for producing our type of football players. The most common argument for…
Read MoreFinding the Right Fit to Maximize Development
It’s all about fit. It was during a summer tryout for the ‘05 girls PA Olympic Development Program (ODP) — the first tryout for a higher-level squad — that it was clear it was finally time for more. Emily had been playing soccer for her local recreation program, 2 hours outside of Pittsburgh, all of…
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