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Category: development

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Development

How Small-Sided Games Can Transform Your Team’s Tactics

Soccer is often called “the beautiful game” for its elegance, fluidity, and moments of sheer brilliance. But what if the secret to unlocking these magical moments lies not in flashy footwork but in small-sided games? New research shows how these scaled-down games—commonly used in youth soccer—can foster creativity that disrupts defenses and opens opportunities for […]

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Development

Understanding Maltreatment in Soccer

Maltreatment in sports is an uncomfortable but necessary topic of conversation. For soccer players, coaches, and club managers alike, understanding maltreatment and its implications isn’t just theoretical—it’s about changing lives and improving the game itself. A recent study, Towards an Understanding of Maltreatment in Football (will download a .pdf) uncovers the hidden realities within professional […]

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Development

How Data Revolutionizes Soccer Coaching

Imagine you’re a soccer coach preparing for a crucial match. You’ve analyzed your team’s strengths, but predicting the opponent’s tactics feels like guesswork. What if technology could provide precise predictions to refine your game plan? Machine learning is transforming soccer by analyzing complex datasets, offering insights that were once the domain of intuition. A recent […]

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Development

US Soccer Delays School Year Adoption

In a leaked memo, US Soccer delayed the adoption of the controversial switch from birth to the school year. Such a decision will not come until the 2026-2027 season and will be up to the local federations and clubs to determine whether to make the switch. Check out the not-yet-released document below. Elevate your understanding […]

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Development

Tactical and Emotional Development

Imagine your soccer team down by one goal in the last five minutes of the match. Players scramble to keep their composure, make split-second decisions, and push their physical limits to equalize. Soccer isn’t just about running fast or kicking hard—it’s a symphony of physical fitness, tactical brilliance, and emotional resilience. A recent study dives […]

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Development

How Speed Shapes Women’s Soccer Success

Imagine this: you’re coaching a women’s soccer team in the Spanish First Division. It’s game day, and every sprint, every dash counts. Now, picture two players—one darting down the wing at lightning speed, outpacing the defense, and another controlling the center, moving with intensity but less explosiveness. What’s the difference? And how could understanding their […]

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Development

Testing for Soccer Success

Imagine standing on the sidelines of a soccer game. The energy is electric as players sprint, pass, and shoot with precision. But what separates a promising young player from a future star? Behind the scenes, soccer clubs use science-driven testing to shape careers and enhance performance. From youth academies to elite leagues, these assessments reveal […]

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Business

Does a Long-Term Contract Really Improve Soccer Performance?

When a talented soccer player signs a long-term contract, fans and coaches alike may assume that they’ll see a stellar performance. After all, security in a player’s position should free them to focus on the game, right? However, new research challenges this assumption, revealing that contract length may not actually drive increased effort or improve […]

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Development

How Soccer Boosts Young Minds and Focus

Imagine a group of five-year-olds dribbling and dodging on a soccer field. In my house, we call this “Wednesday night”. Each child is learning to focus amidst the chaos of teammates, opponents, and the elusive ball. Soccer, it turns out, is more than just a game for these kids—it’s a powerful tool for enhancing their […]

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Development

The Age Factor in Soccer: Why It Might Not Matter as Much as You Think

In youth soccer, it’s easy to assume that older or more mature players hold a physical advantage over their younger, less developed teammates. But what if that wasn’t the case? Recent research is challenging the long-held belief that a player’s physical capabilities are closely tied to their age or biological maturity. Instead, the findings suggest […]

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