Here’s a neat little animation that helps explain the Offside Rule:
Offside-Clickette

Click on thumbnail for larger image of the Kalispell Kidsports soccer field map:

Youth Soccer Coach Wanted: Only Those with Patience and Perseverance Need Apply
By Gary R. Allen
Virginia Youth Soccer Association Director of Coaching Education

Following are excerpts from an article in The Scientific American by Phillip E. Ross, dated July 24, 2006, entitled The Expert Mind. The article focused upon studies of the mental processes of chess grandmasters and clues to how people become experts in other fields as well. These excerpts can help us address some important points concerning the development of young soccer players in America.

“Simon coined a psychological law of his own, the 10-year rule, which states that it takes approximately a decade of heavy labor to master any field.”

The 10-year rule, or 10,000 hours rule, can be applied as easily to soccer as to chess. (more…)

Just out of college and wondering what to do with that brand new degree?

Wondering how to wrangle a “Soccer Job”?

How about an internship with Adidas Soccer in Portland?!

Adidas is looking for a Soccer Intern!

Here’s a great article on Cobi Jones partnering up with Sports Authority to send soccer balls to Iraq. He has become the spokesman for “Little Feet, Big Goals,” a campaign to send soccer balls to children in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jones, who has played more games for the U.S. national soccer team than any other player, is using his popularity for a good cause.

“I don’t think anything else can touch these kids like a soccer ball can,” Jones said

Next time you’re at a Sports Authority - help Cobi send a ball to the desert.

Here’s the article

Blog post from a local soccer player on her soccer dreams: Anyways to all of you out there. If you have a dream never let go of it and fight for it no matter what. For dreams can come true, if they didn’t we wouldn’t have them.

Good advice for all of us…

Excellent Yahoo! article on What it takes to Be Great

Research now shows that the lack of natural talent is irrelevant to great success. The secret? Painful and demanding practice and hard work.

Talks about the “10 Year Rule” to become world class (in whatever endeavor you’re striving for), and about how: The best people in any field are those who devote the most hours to what the researchers call “deliberate practice.” It’s activity that’s explicitly intended to improve performance, that reaches for objectives just beyond one’s level of competence, provides feedback on results and involves high levels of repetition.

The conclusion is that you’re not born with greatness - you have to work REALLY hard for it…