Stay updated with the latest public health research, commentary, and field notes from our editorial team.
August 28, 2025 · 5 min read
If you’ve ever watched a youth soccer session, you’ve probably seen it: players lined up, waiting their turn to pass a ball through cones while the coach shouts corrections. Then—after 20 minutes of drills—they finally get to play a small-sided game. The idea is that repetition builds skill, and then games let players “apply” what […]
Every soccer match, the crowd holds its breath when a penalty kick is about to take place. It’s a dramatic moment where the fate of the game can change in an instant. But what if I told you that a small trick could influence the outcome without anyone even realizing it? New research suggests that […]
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One thing looms over every player and coach: injuries. Whether it’s a nagging hamstring strain or a season-ending ACL tear, injuries can sideline players, disrupt team dynamics, and, in some cases, alter the course of a career. As soccer grows globally—especially in regions like North America with expanding leagues such as Major League Soccer (MLS)—the […]
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When I eventually transition out of my current role as Intramural Coordinator at the club I’ve worked at, I often considered being a referee. Then I think to myself, “Why?” What a thankless job. And that’s just for the little kids! Refereeing a soccer match can feel like walking a tightrope. With thousands of eyes […]
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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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