Stay updated with the latest public health research, commentary, and field notes from our editorial team.
June 30, 2025 · 5 min read
Picture this: It’s the final session of a three-day training camp. The players are dragging their feet. One winces mid-sprint. Another yawns through warmups. As a coach or club leader, you’ve been here before—but how can you know if your players are truly overworked or just having an off day? New research from Portugal’s elite […]
Soccer is often hailed as the ultimate youth sport. With its fast pace and reliance on teamwork, it seems like the perfect solution to keep kids active, healthy, and off their screens. But here’s a surprise: being on the soccer field might not be enough to counter childhood obesity. Even young soccer players can face […]
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Where you grow up could be the key to soccer greatness. Imagine two young soccer players: one grows up in a small town with access to open fields and community support, while the other lives in a bustling city, crowded with limited space but top-tier facilities (I mean, this is the story of Clint Dempsey, […]
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Imagine being a soccer player standing tall on the field, confident in your abilities. But what if your height alone could make you more likely to be penalized by the referee? Sounds strange, right? Well, research suggests that your physical stature might be influencing how referees call the game—and not always in your favor. That’s […]
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When it comes to the magic of Lionel Messi on the soccer field, fans have long marveled at his ability to make the impossible seem routine. But now, we can dive even deeper into the stats behind the wonder. StatsBomb, a leading soccer/football-data company, offers a treasure trove of detailed, in-play data for free. Among […]
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What if we could predict the outcome of a soccer match with startling accuracy—not just the final score, but each event, each pass, and even how each player contributes to their team’s success? This isn’t just fantasy. Recent research has introduced a groundbreaking tool, the Large Events Model (LEM), that changes how we analyze soccer […]
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Soccer coaches and players know that mastering the beautiful game takes more than just running drills. Yet, many youth soccer training programs still rely on repetitive, predictable exercises. Is this the best way to prepare players for the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of actual matches? A recent study published in the Journal of Functional Morphology and […]
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When it comes to scouting soccer talent, how accurate are the decisions made on the field or in the office? Most scouts rely on their expert judgment, but recent research shows that adding a little more structure can make a world of difference. A study applied the Lens Model to soccer scouting, revealing that while […]
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Imagine being a coach, working hard to get your team ready for the next big game, when one of your star players starts to withdraw. Their energy fades, their focus wanders, and their performance drops. You’re frustrated, maybe even a little angry—this isn’t what you trained for. But what if that dip in performance isn’t […]
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When it comes to soccer, the winning formula often extends beyond what happens on the field. Whether you’re an experienced coach or just starting out, one key to your team’s success isn’t found in strategy books or training drills—it’s in the environment you create. Research shows that a positive soccer environment directly impacts player development, […]
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