Blogs - Page 9 of 23 - This Week In Soccer

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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Culture

Can Soccer Fans Shape the Future of the Game

Imagine a game where the roaring support of fans isn’t just heard from the stands but echoed in the boardroom. Across Europe, soccer fans increasingly feel sidelined, excluded from decision-making as commercialization drives clubs away from their core values. For many fans, soccer is more than just a sport—it’s an identity, a community, and a […]

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Health

Soccer Heading and Player Safety

How many headers did you see last weekend? That iconic move—players leaping to meet a flying soccer ball with their heads—has shaped the game for generations. But behind the drama lies a growing concern: what is the true cost of heading? Recent research shines a light on how we understand this fundamental skill and its […]

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Strategy

The Unequal Journey of Minority Soccer Coaches

Imagine stepping into a soccer academy as a coach, ready to inspire young talent. Now, imagine that your skills and passion are often overshadowed by assumptions tied to the color of your skin. This is the reality for many minority coaches in soccer academies across England. The field may look equal from the stands, but […]

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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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Strategy

How Tactics Win Games

Soccer is a beautiful, chaotic game where victory hinges on more than just physical skill. It’s also about how well teams can adapt to the flow of the game. Whether you’re a coach or a player, understanding the tactical side of soccer can give you an edge over the competition. This blog dives into recent […]

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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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